How soon to fly after sah ?

[PK114]

Hi all.. I'm new to the group ...I had my sah 6 weeks ago and had Web aneurysm embolization device fitted. I should have been visiting Poland last week but my consultant said I should not fly so soon ( which I didn't feel well enough to ) however he said I could fly in future.. my next holiday is mid May but i am very worried a 4 hour flight.. how soon after have any of you flown afterwards.. I feel i must try and overcome this as I'll end up never going again..

 

Thanks Paula xx

[Super Mario]

I first flew 12 months after my SAH but that was after taking advice from the doctors.

Everyone's circumstances are different therefore you must get medical advice.

As a side note you will have to declare it for travel insurance purposes.

[ClareM]

Hi Paula I flew 3 months after my NASAH but I did not have surgery other than we evd. I think you need to check with your consultant to confirm if it’s ok. 

 

I have flown many many times since then and never suffer any ill effects others than fatigue. I always factor in a days holiday after my holiday now 😀

 

clare xx

[PK114]

Thanks Clare, 

My consultant said I can fly in future but I had to cancel a Poland trip last weekend as it was to soon and I wouldn't have gone anyway.. But had to see my own GP yesterday and she said she would suggest cancelling my May holiday as the pressure of flying might affect me !! Am now in a quandary and worried xxx

[Super Mario]

Is there a nurse specialist at the hospital you were treated at. They will be in a much better position to advise you about when to fly than your GP. GP's very often have little experience of SAH, sometimes never having had a patient who has had one.

[SarahLS]

Like Clare I had no surgery, and was lucky enough to spend very little time in hospital...

 

My neurologist gave me the ok to fly 2 months after my haemorrhage- this was a short 27 minute flight from Norwich to Amsterdam (seriously we spent more time taxiing than in the air) and I was fine on this one. I was reassured on this flight by knowing that I could come back by train if it was too much and that the Dutch speak fabulous English!

 

I then took a 4 hour flight to Greece 7 months out (again after checking it was ok) and while flight out was fine coming back there was lots of turbulence and the pilot had to keep changing altitude and this did give me a lot of trouble with head pain, however I wasn’t alone in this and there were several people far worse off than me needing oxygen and close care from the cabin crew.

 

Now I know what to expect as (hopefully) worst case scenario I have booked to fly again this year, but a shorter flight. I’m hoping that there will be fewer/no problems as I really want to go to America next year.

 

I’d be interested in any insurance company suggestions as my premium seems to be even higher this year, 12 months plus after the event, than it was last year at 2 months out...

[Swishy]

I flew 5 months after my SAH and vasospasm...  I was very worried and I got a "have a good time" from my team here in Boston.  They did not hesitate to say i could fly.  In saying this I realize we are all different and for sure check with your team and follow their suggestions.  I was afraid but all plans had been made.  It was a 5 hour flight.  

 

I had no surgery, one week in ICU and had to go to rehab...I am still nearly two years out nervous to leave the country, insurance worries, but I do worry .   Your doctors will be your best guide..best wishes, you sound like you are making a very good recovery.

 

Jean

[Daffodil]

Hi there, the main thing here is to check with treating Team as others have said as they know your case and can best advise.

 

I used to fly a lot and didn’t want to be scared to fly so we went to Spain about 15 months after my SAH but i also had Shunt surgery later on so had to be cleared to fly then. 

 

Main things though when you do, and you Will, is to allow more time and plan your trip allowing for what the flight will take from you effort wise.

 

invest in some really good noise cancelling head phones and wear them in the airport if you need to. Try to give yourself some time out when travelling.. Drink lots of water before and during flight. Also Birmingham airport now have a invisible disability /condition scheme where you collect a lanyard from the airport assistance and it means staff will go out of their way to help you....may be worth checking if where you fly has similar. 

 

Insurance wise, the last few times I have used https://www.enabletravelinsurance.org.uk/

disclaimer that I know one of the founders who was inspired to set this up after hearing some of my horror insurance stories and some of his friends who had cancer treatment. Been very happy with the online quotes and service but other good ones out there too. 

[PK114]

Thanks for all your replies and help.. daffodil i have notified my travel insurance already and they have honered my existing policy at no extra cost until renewal in October.. i cant imagine how much it will shoot up to then !! So i have made a note of the company you mentioned.. i will ring the trauma team at hospital and ask them.

 

Thanks Paula xx