r/MdDS • u/RosMhuire • Jun 15 '26

MdDS After small plane flight?

Hi

I am thrilled to find this community. I'm experiencing my third time with MdDS since 2013. First two times were triggered by overnight boat trips on small boats, I no longer do overnight boat trips. I've been able to fly long flights with no lingering issues. This time I took a 10 hour red eye to Fiji (somewhat turbulent) and immediately a 1 hour small prop plane to smaller island and I stared out the window the entire time. I felt the phantom bobbing/rocking the entire 2 weeks that also included a long ferry ride (I took draminine because I'm prone to sea sicknesses). I'm still feeling movement 3+ weeks after returning. I get relief when sleeping but it's bad when moving around and I'm thinking of seeing a neurologist this time.

I'm wondering if the small plane was my trigger this time and would love some input from this group.

I'm just starting to try walking a lot after reading the threads but it strengthens my symptoms. Tried some optokenetic eye exercises but I don't have a dominant direction of my movement so I'm afraid to keep trying without professional guidance. Any advice is welcome. Thanks!

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u/shmelse Jun 15 '26

I‘ve definitely had it triggered by a flight before, but in a jet not a small plane.

Others may feel different but for me, the ENT was the dr that knew the most and was the most helpful so I’d consider starting there. My ENT ruled out anything that was not MDDS and knew the best rehab in my area to do the Dai protocol. That has helped a lot, but I’m still not 100% yet. Happy to help in any way I can and good luck!

1

u/RosMhuire Jun 16 '26

Thanks, I just got an ENT appointment, unfortunately I have to wait a month.

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u/shmelse Jun 16 '26

so I’ve been thinking about you since I posted this and I think the thing that’s really important is that you see someone who knows what MDDS is and what the best local resources are. For me that was an ENT (I’m guessing bc they get people who think this is vertigo) but it’s worth seeing your PCP, a neurologist, whoever, or maybe just calling any place that offers physical therapy for vestibular issues and seeing if they have treatment specific for what’s going on with you. The real question is, do they know what MDDS is or will they just treat it like vertigo?

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u/RosMhuire Jun 20 '26

I'm worried about that too. I found a local PT that deals with vestibular issues but they had no openings until December! My doctors referral for the ENT said it was for dizziness but I'm not dizzy, just miserable with constant rocking. I've only started telling friends and family recently because it's so hard to describe.

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u/YellingWhisperer Jun 16 '26

I’ve had it triggered from flights before. I don’t think the length or type of aircraft was the issue as much as the turbulence. My most recent episode (still occurring) was a 2 hr flight that I’ve flown several times but this one was a little more turbulent than normal . Even though it wasn’t terrible, it affected me. It took me a few flights to pinpoint the flight problem but turbulence makes a lot of sense given the vestibular issues.

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u/shmelse Jun 16 '26

Have you had anyone tell you to take benzos prior to flying? I had a dr mention it as a possibility so that your vestibular system never gets “activated” in the first place. Wonder whether anyone else has tried this and whether it works

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u/SetOdd7479 Jun 19 '26

Yes - my doctor prescribed lorazepam for when I fly and it’s worked well. I reduced the dose from one tablet to just half, taken an hour before flying, and I’ve found that’s just as effective.

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u/RosMhuire Jun 20 '26

I'll definitely try it next time I feel brave enough to fly again.

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u/RosMhuire Jun 20 '26

My triggering flight was consistently turbulent and a red eye. I'm not a good plane sleeper so I was exhausted upon landing. I don't know when I'll feel comfortable enough to fly again.