Flying after a brain bleed

[NatalieVee]

Does anyone have information about flying after a small bleed on the brain (Subdural haemorrhage). I had a fall at the end of July which resulted in this. We were due to go on holiday the following week and I was advised not to fly as well as being told I cant drive for 6 months

Is there a time limit on not flying? I have asked my Dr for a fit to fly note but I was told that they do not do them.

I have also been told that airlines need to be informed about brain bleeds and you need a letter to confirm you are ok to fly.

Any information would be very welcome.

[Alibongo60]

Hi Natalie, you could contact the consultants secretary at the hospital and ask them . They can liase with your doctor to get the information you need. If any reassurance my surgeon told me mine wouldn’t affect me flying, but having said that when I did I did have problems. Please make sure you obtain travel insurance and claim your previous bleed, it will increase your cost but so necessary, lots of luck love Alice xx

[NatalieVee in reply to Alibongo60]

Thank you for replying Alibongo60 , I contacted the consultants secretary and she will speak to him and get back to me, so Im keeping everything crossed for a good response 🙂

[Shreds]

Hi NatalieVee,

A few points from my experience of flying after a TBI.

* I did so nine months after leaving hospital

* I took my wife with me as she would be able to recognise any deterioration in my condition

* We took paperwork and neuro letter with us

* We were advised to find out where the nearest specialist neuro hospital was in case of the need for emergency repatriation flights. - (Ironically the choices were one in Germsny and the one I had been in for my ops in this country which is about forty miles by road from home!)

* I was very concerned about pressure changes at altitude but from what i could find in a commercial airliner, the risk was considered in my case to be acceptable

* This was confirmed by others and my doc too.

* So whilst our flights were only about two and a half hours to our destination, I am pleased to say I suffered no ill effects.

* But do take qualified medical opinion preferably from your neuro, as your bleed was different to my TBI and internet forums whilst helpful are only reflecting on our experience without knowing your full medical history.

Anyway best of luck and hope all goes well.

[NatalieVee in reply to Shreds]

Thanks for your reply Shreds. I think yours might hzve been more severe than mine.It is mainly the air pressure and not being able to actually see what is going on in my head that worries me. I've emailed the consultants secretary so I'm hoping it will be a good response from him. 🙂

[Hidden]

Hi. Neuro surgeons told my partner 7-8 weeks after she could fly again, although we went on holiday 10 months after. She had 2 skull fractures, 3 bleeds, and a craniotomy. You'll find all the information on this states the same (7-8 weeks). She had no negative symptoms on flying. You don't need to inform any airlines so whoever told you that is wrong. You will need to tell your travel insurers. It only put up our cover £2 for single trip to Europe. As far as driving, I think you will need to inform the DVLA as this is a legal requirement with a brain haemorrhage and you will likely be able to drive again after 6 months with clinical confirmation. My partner had her license revoked but got it back after 6 months due to a miraculous recovery and passing all neurological tests with flying colours. You will also need to inform your car insurance. It will likely mean a very small increase in premium but it's not much at all. If you don't tell them, you are basically driving without insurance if this is not disclosed. Hope this helps. Best of luck with your recovery.

[NatalieVee in reply to Hidden]

Thanks for all the details CaelanT85. I will certainly look into the insurance side of things. Hope your wife is recovering steadily, it sounds a horrific injury.

[ftt1960]

I suffered a sb-dural haematoma in May 2021. I flew to the US in May 22 without issue. I had a shunt fitted in April this year and am just back from Spain without issue.

Nothing was said about driving initially and, due to Covid, it took DVLA ages to send me for an assessment that I had to cancel because of the shunt. I was told by neuro after the shunt I couldn’t drive for 6 months. I am currently going through the procedureof getting my license back.

[NatalieVee in reply to ftt1960]

Thanks for the reply. It's given me hope. 🙂

[sealiphone]

I was told not to fly, by my consultant, as I understood it was due to air pressure changes.

After surgery I was eventually given the all clear and told it was safe to fly.

Given all that I suggest you contact your commutants' secretary.

[NatalieVee in reply to sealiphone]

Thanks for the reply. I'm now waiting for a response from my consultant after speaking to his secretary. 🙂

[ftt1960]

I thought take off and landing might be uncomfortable after the shunt but didn’t feel a thing.

[Life-Goes-On-2021]

Hi,

I didn’t fly until 4 years after - more because I wasn’t ready than anything else. I had to inform my travel insurance (I’d done this earlier due to travelling in our motorhome in Europe, but my premiums didn’t go up - they just need to know). I never informed the airline and wasn’t directed to by anyone.

As far as driving goes - again I wasn’t ready, but when I did reapply at 2& 1/2 years post, the DVLA returned my license very quickly. I submitted consultant reports with my application and the only stipulation was that I had to drive an automatic not manual. It’s all a bit dependent on the results of your injury I guess - no one size fits all!

Good luck!