It has been four years since my aneurysm was clipped. I have not flown in 23 years and have become terrified of flying over the years. I have a milestone birthday coming up and my daughter has scheduled to take me on a trip to Las Vegas. Besides being scared to fly, I'm also a afraid that I might experience some pain in my brain. I will need to get over this fear.
If you have flown since being clipped or coiled, please respond to this post to let me know if it's okay. Did you feel any pressure in your head? As for my fear of flying, I will need to get over it, because there are several places that I would love to travel to and would have to fly to get there.
Hi Elua J. My neurosurgeon told me 3 months after my sah that flying is no problem. Would be good to go. (Although I could not leave canada because of disability insurance ). Enjoy the trip with your daughter, Vegas is pretty cool. All the best. Mark
I had 2 aneurysms clipped in July 2011. I've flown several times since then. I live near Houston, and I've flown to Los Angeles, Washington D.C., New York, New Orleans, Mexico, and Puerto Rico. I've had no issues.
(I also still have an active AVM).
When we were going to Puerto Rico, I had other things going on that were migraine triggers, so I had a headache when we arrived, but it wasn't from flying with a clipped aneurysm.
Eula, I hate to fly just because always have been. I usually medicate to get on a plane since I have to fly often for my job. I can tell you that I received clearance from my neuro's very soon after my craniotomy. I had three clips put in and was worried also. I don't even set off the metal detectors :) There really are no risks since the cabin is pressurized, etc. I have flown as far as the Philippines (over 23 hours!) with no problem, no headaches or anything. Keep hydrated (which you should do anyway) and if you can, stand up now and then to keep your circulation going (try and get an aisle seat). If there is one thing we have all learned, it is that life if far too short. ENJOY EVERY SECOND! Carol
Hi, Eula, I have flown dozens of times since my aneurysm surgery without headaches or pressure in the head and I was told there were no risks of my clip changing in flight. But, since i have developed seizures after my aneurysm, I have had 3 of my 6 seizures in the week following a flight. Also, I have noticed a slight mental fog in the first day after flying, not profound, but enough that i let my daughter calculate the tip at a restaurant. That might be the effects of the lack of oxygen in the recycled air on a plane, or just slight seizure related. One thing I do is to get more sleep during a trip, drink more fluids, and don’t go immediately into an over stimulated environment (like a casino) in the first few hours after landing. My effects might be totally related to my specific aneurysm location, or specific type of seizure potential, so this might not be an issue for you. As they say, my aneurysm is not your aneurysm! We are all so different. Have fun, life is too short to let fear hold you back. Have a happy birthday!
Thanks to all of you for responding to my post. I feel so much better going on this trip next week. I will just need something to calm my nerves during the flight. I stopped drinking after my surgery four years ago, so I don't know what I can take to calm me down. Any suggestions?
Hi Eula, I am 4years out since my coiling on an unruptered 9mm. I have flown several times since then with no problems. My doctor told me there were no limitations. Have fun and enjoy your trip. Anne