Altitude Sickness, Motion Sickness

Flyboy 4

Flyboy 4

New Member
When talking to a Dr., the story always starts off with - hey I have this friend, its's not me you understand, but I have this friend ......

That sometimes has altitude sickness, like the first day of a ski trip above 9000ft but after it passes he is fine the rest of the trip. Some trips he shows no symptoms at all. During his flight lessons if the air is choppy he gets very nauseated. I am worried, I mean my friend is worried that when he does his cross country he will get sick and fail his lesson.

Don't say give up flying, that is not an option. I have already tried all the home remedies of eating light before flights, Ginger pills, Water, Chocolate and so on. Is there something else out there with out taking medications that will affect my flying, I mean my friends flying;)

I have noticed that the more I fly the less sensitive I am to rough air and so far I have not had what I would call altitude sickness.
Any advise would be appreciated - Thanks
 
Well, short of going off and buying Dramamine (Which you shouldn't do but who can really tell) the only REAL remedy is to fly fly fly until you naturally get used to it, which about 99% of people with motion sickness do eventually. I suffered from it for about 3 flights and haven't ever felt nauseated since and I'm halfway thru my commercial and been through some rough air. If your VFR you can usually turn on the air vents and stare at the horizon for a bit to let your brain and nerves know that your still right side up. I doubt you'll have to quit flying though man, thats a bit extreme :)
 
I would get a little motion sickness when I practiced unusual attitudes with my instructor. I remember once in a while (but not everytime) I closed my eyes and tilted my head down and my instructor would fly around aggressively in different directions for a couple of seconds and then tell me to take the controls. It was when I had my eyes closed and head down for brief periods of time that I got a little nauseated.
 
It has bothered my friend as well. He got a bit air sick doing slow flight the second lesson, because the exhaust fumes were getting in the cockpit somehow. The other time his sinuses were bothering him and that led to a bit of nausea.
 
I've heard those wrist bands, I think their trade/brand name is SeaBand (?) work well. They use pressure points on the wrist to combat motion sickness without medicine. I've never used them myself, but I've heard they work. Not sure if they're something you can buy at any drugstore or if it's a specialty thing to buy online or what.

Your body will adjust with time. The best thing you can do is keep up with your flying lessons consistantly, and let your body learn to adapt. The first 2 or 3 days I flew as a flight attendant were a little woozy! I'd get to the hotel room and would feel like I was still moving. It went away very quickly.

I don't think anyone will tell you to stop flying because you feel a bit sick early in your training! :)
 
Stop flying? - not an option. I love flying and can't wait to make it a part of my every day life. In just a few days I start flying twice a day and am hoping to break through this. I am going to find me one of those bracelets asap. Thanks for everyones input.:)
 
try the relief band. works like magic. costs more than the seaband but it works.....for me at least.
 
JEP said:
try the relief band. works like magic. costs more than the seaband but it works.....for me at least.
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I bought the relief band to deal with the crazy thermals in Phoenix. I can say from experience, that'll be the best $100 you ever spent. Well, at least next to that $100 bucks you'll drop to solo:)
 
I agree with MQAAord and Sprint100. The only thing you can take that is "legal" is ginger. The dose is 250 mg.

The more you fly, the more you become addapted to the motion of an aircraft.If the symptoms disappear with continued flying, you can get a medical. If you require medications, the FAA wants to make the decision regarding a medical certificate. Try flying with standard rate turns (don't do steep turns until you adapt), make nice gradual ascents and descents, don't fly when it is windy and there is turbulance.

Regarding altitude sickness, if you are talking about skiing, you can take Diamox starting a day before you go to the mountains and take it for the first 2 days you are there. If this occurs when you fly, use oxygen. I routinely use oxygen if my altitude will be above 10,000 feet. My vision is better, I am less tired, have fewer headaches and am less fatigued when I arrive at my destination.
 
Thanks Doc, I am going to try the relief band for flying. I am anti medications for most things in life and obviously I want to be compliant with all FAA regulations. I am going to purchase some Diamox for my next ski trip to Monarch Colorado, the resort I almost always have trouble with. I love that mountain but I havent been there in a long time due to altitude sickness.

I have said it before and I will say it again - this is the best forum. I have recommended this site to my brother-in-law who is getting back into aviation.
Thanks
 
aeronaut said:
I closed my eyes and tilted my head down
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Head down is the key to getting sick. I defy anyone. Next time you fly, put your head down and turn the plane. You will feel some motion sickness. Try it in a car!

Keep your head straight up on your shoulders. Look straight ahead and get some fresh air on your face. Good luck and keep it up.
 
I got sick once in some pretty bad turbulence. This happened during a training flight, and no sick bag either! I feel bad for anyone who was out on the ground while I was on downwind. :o Chinese food was a bad choice that day.
 
I used to get sick in the beginning. I took ginger and it works well and now at only 25 hours I dont even need the ginger anymore... Even when we did unusual attitudes and stuff.
 
Flyboy 4 said:
Thanks Doc, I am going to try the relief band for flying. I am anti medications for most things in life and obviously I want to be compliant with all FAA regulations. I am going to purchase some Diamox for my next ski trip to Monarch Colorado, the resort I almost always have trouble with. I love that mountain but I havent been there in a long time due to altitude sickness.

I have said it before and I will say it again - this is the best forum. I have recommended this site to my brother-in-law who is getting back into aviation.
Thanks
Click to expand...


Have you tried to relief band yet? Did they work?
 
My friend told me that sudden head movement can be a problem, along w/ too much caffeine, lack of rest, inadequate bottle to throttle time, waist band too tight and even an abscessed tooth.
He said flying is WAY more fun after eliminating those factors.
:cool:
 
TheOneMarine said:
Well, short of going off and buying Dramamine (Which you shouldn't do but who can really tell) the only REAL remedy is to fly fly fly until you naturally get used to it, which about 99% of people with motion sickness do eventually. I suffered from it for about 3 flights and haven't ever felt nauseated since and I'm halfway thru my commercial and been through some rough air. If your VFR you can usually turn on the air vents and stare at the horizon for a bit to let your brain and nerves know that your still right side up. I doubt you'll have to quit flying though man, thats a bit extreme :)
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How long does it take to go away??
 
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