Travelling with a Vestibular Disorder can be difficult but it is possible.
A few things to remember when travelling:
- Prepare early: have your tickets, route and luggage packaged away and ready to go early – this reduces potential anxiety before the trip.
- If your flying to a new time zone be prepared for the jet lag, it may take a few days to adjust to the new time zone and sleep schedule.
- Always remember your medications – a pill box or a Webster pack can be helpful but if you are flying you may need meds in their original packaging (don’t forget your prescriptions and supplements too).
- Keep alcohol to a minimum on your trip – remember alcohol affects the vestibular system so it is likely to make you feel more unsteady if you indulge heavily.
- Get a good nights sleep before your flight – this will put you in the best possible position for the trip ahead.
- Plan a rest in the middle of the day when you arrive – its easy to get excited and jam pack your day but remember sometimes its best to have a little rest after travelling to make sure you adjust to the travel.
Heres some tips for what to pack when your planning your trip
- Nausea wrist bands (such as the sea band)
- Ginger ale or ginger chews for nausea
- Ear Planes Ear Plugs
- Weather X Ear Plugs
- Headphones (overear) to listen to music/podcasts
- FL41 Glasses such as Theraspecs or Auvulux
- Pack your own sick bag in case you need it
- Sunglasses and a hat
Tips for Road Trips
If you can Drive this is better for motion sickness, but if this is unavoidable here are some tips to get you through:
- Preferably sit in the front seat (the back is always worse for motion sickness)
- Don’t take your eyes off the road (especially don’t play with your phone)
- Try to chose the most direct route (least windy/least amount of traffic)
- Take your vestibular suppresant 20 minutes before you go (I.e. stemetil or cinnarazine) – this will help with your trip
- Keep the car air conditioned at all times
- Drink something carbonated to help with nausea (ginger ale, lemonade or sparkling water helps)
- Stop regularly to go to the toilet, get fresh air, stretch your legs, this will make motion sickness less likely
- Listen to music, audiobooks or a podcasts to distract yourself from your symptoms
- Avoid heavy meals before your journey
Tips for Plane Trips
Yes you can fly with Vestibular disorders (*be cleared if you have SSCD or a fistula)! Here’s some tips to get you through your journey:
- Bring a neck pillow and try to sleep on the plane
- Take a direct flight if you can, the quicker the better (but larger planes typically have less turbulence)
- Sit over the wing and prechoose your seat
- Wear your Earplanes for the flight
- Chewgum to help with equalising pressure through the flight
- If you suffer from Anxiety discuss with your doctor a prescription for medication to help get you through the flight
Tips for Boat Trips
Travelling by boat is uncommon but if you are planning a cruise heres some tips for you:
- Take your motion sickness medication such as Travelcalm 20 minutes before your trip
- Be sure to wear your nausea wrist bands (such as the sea bands)
- Use ginger chews to help with your symptoms
- Sit at the top of the boat
- Stay focused on the horizon
- Get off the boat as soon as you can and go for a walk to stabilise yourself
Tips for Train Trips
Trains are more common in big cities like Melbourne rather than in the country but heres some tips if you need to travel by train:
- Sit facing forwards and in the aisle so you can get out easily
- If you have to stand, hold on!
- Do not read while in motion
- Listen to music or meditate to get you through (use your headphones)
For more advice on how to travel and live more comfortably with a vestibular disorder, make an appointment with a vestibular physiotherapist to discuss your unique situation. We are available to assist you at our clinic, so get in touch today.
