statesof Posted April 18, 2016 Report Share Posted April 18, 2016 Hey everyone I'm wondering what everyone's experiences are with long distance road trips. I live in Chicago and have a family event happening around Miami, Florida. I haven't flown since my POTS was way worse because even when I had very few POTS symptoms flying was very hard on me, especially if I had to drive a while after flying, it seemed like changes in elevation just completely messed with my brain. Wondering how everyone else has responded and how your symptoms were affected? I'm definately feeling some family guilt and I think it's just because it's so difficult for them to really understand how bad "bad" can get, because on those days on the outside they just see me looking fine but laying in bed all day. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bigskyfam Posted April 18, 2016 Report Share Posted April 18, 2016 I haven't flown in 15 years. My pots flare happened few years ago. I never flew well. Now I know why. I travel to my specialist by car. 12 hours. I have to half the trip up. We stop often to stretch and go to the bathroom. I'm a creature of comfort so I pack my own snacks. My dream is to get an rv one day as I'm not driving. Traffic isn't kind and going through mountains makes me flare. I do feel better on the coast... Tried it 3 times so far. I understand the guilt. My kids are college age and I don't visit as often as I did or would've had I not had pots. I'm glad they understand. Keep us posted Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
navyblue Posted April 20, 2016 Report Share Posted April 20, 2016 I actually felt about the best I've ever felt with POTS on a summer roadtrip all over the West Coast with my boyfriend. Maybe it was all the salty food. Maybe it was the happiness. But it went great! Roadtrips are awesome. I was sooo worried before it that I'd be dizzy and wouldn't feel good and would ruin it but aside from one dicey night at a campground it was amazing and healing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
navyblue Posted April 20, 2016 Report Share Posted April 20, 2016 Also, I live in Chicago too! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
statesof Posted April 20, 2016 Author Report Share Posted April 20, 2016 Did you do any major changes in altitude? That is kinda what I'm thinking my body would react most to, and barometric changes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bigskyfam Posted April 20, 2016 Report Share Posted April 20, 2016 My changes were going thru the passes. Altitude change from home3000 ft to 5000 ft thru the passes then down to sea level. My BP and hr go crazy. I was better if I reclined and out my feet up and then we stopped slow to sit then stand etc. I made it a point to not stop while at the highest elevations. Before and after passes. Also comfy clothes. Salt, fluids, sunglasses Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
corina Posted April 20, 2016 Report Share Posted April 20, 2016 I'm doing bad with high altitude also, you know when you have a plastic bottle halfway filled with water? And it shrinks? That's how I feel when I travel over 800 meters. Like Bigskyfam I need to ly down in the car, feet up and wait until we're beneath 800 metrs again. I live below sea level Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
headhunter Posted April 20, 2016 Report Share Posted April 20, 2016 I really stressed over it...prior to take off its hot on the plane..then it cools off. I had no issues with altitude and overall did pretty well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mwise Posted April 21, 2016 Report Share Posted April 21, 2016 I can't travel to the Southern States as the atmosphere changes in flight and by car are felt as I travel to the Southern States. It affects me terribly. I get fatigued, blood pressure drops, heart goes up and I actually have fallen/fainted. My medications don't seem to work at all. I found that out when I visited with my friends in South Carolina. Even though, they had central air, didn't matter, I was bed bound most of the time. I was also using a wheel chair when out the whole time. I will never again go south. I tried it twice to no avail. I am fine traveling where there is low humidity like the western states. I am fine on the east coast and of course where I leave in NEO. I do struggle with hot to cold changes quickly, but nothing like when I was down in South Carolina. I would suggest finding out the weather conditions and gage your travels from that. Just saying. Good luck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted April 22, 2016 Report Share Posted April 22, 2016 I live in Canada, and flew from Toronto (Ontario) to St. John's (Newfoundland) and back in December. I didn't do overly well on the way to St. John's, but the flight home almost did me in. My heart rate was too high, I felt like I was on the verge of blacking out, and I could feel myself starting to hyperventilate (which has only happened to me during breathing tests). I'm not afraid of flying, and it doesn't stress me out. Shortly after getting back home I started having pressure in my left ear, and then a tiny bit of clear fluid comes out. this has been happening off and on since. It doesn't hurt. It's never happened to me before, so I'm sure the flight home has something to do with it. I'm going to mention it to my specialist, whenever I get to finally see him. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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