I posted "trains better than planes" the other day, forgetting the question mark at the end. (I was spacey from chemical sensitivity/asthma, not MM!) I don't think it was clear I was asking a question so I'm trying again. (TLB, I appreciated your answers, thank you.) For those who have difficulty with change in air pressure/elevation, have you experimenting with train travel? How has it gone? I had a horrible experience in a plane in 2012 and haven't been on one since. I also have trouble in the car with changes of elevation and thus pressure. Pressure equalizing ear plugs help me drive up to 1000 ft. Without them, I try to stay below 500 ft. I imagine it is the change more than the actual elevation. Trains seem promising because trains must take hills very slowly. I did successfully take the Coast Starlight from the SF Bay Area to LA. It goes up to about 1500 ft. north of San Luis Obispo. I wonder if I dare try it going north--where it goes up to 5,000 ft. Or maybe somewhere in the southwest. I really miss traveling!
I do better on planes than trains - I have no idea why.... the swaying of the train maybe? I wish I could be more help.
Sorry BTB, I have not traveled by train since my recent recurrence of MM last spring. I have taken a 2.5 hour plane trip, without incident (though the roar of the engine was troubling). However, I continue to be fearful of travel and have cancelled trips due to this fear. I understand your dilemma.
Hello, I have done really well in cars and trains, as long as they don't go up and down hills. Even the smallest change in altitude can set off a degree of fullness. Like a fish bowl on my head. Going through the Rainbow Bridge in Marin does this to me! Flying has been okay except that I experienced the permanent hearing loss suddenly on a flight from NYC to SFO in 2015. That's when all this started. I was mis-diagnosed so therefore not treated with steroids and lost 80% of the hearing on one side . I warn people all the time that if they feel an unusually strong pop or change in air pressure they see an ENT immediately. SKIP the family doctor who tells you your ears a stuffed up! I was 5 weeks in before I received injections into my ear. I don't wear ear phones on planes any longer when we are close to landing and I pay very close attention to how I feel, and how my service animal is handling the change in pressure. I think planes make mistakes.
Welcome to the forum, Sonomasuz. Have any of your doctors talked to you about a perilymph fistula? Sounds like you may have some of the symptoms. http://vestibular.org/perilymph-fistula#
Thanks everyone. I've been fine on a train up to 1500 feet with travel ear plugs to slow air pressure adjustment. I'm wondering how high I dare go. Or maybe because the trains change elevation slowly, the height doesn't matter. Welcome to you, Sonomasuz--that sounds likes an awful experience on the plane. So sorry.
Thank you everyone. I am very interested in your comments and I went to the site and read about Perilymph fistula. I will call my ENT as soon as I am in San Francisco next week and ask her if I was tested at all or if that was considered. It sure sounds familiar. I am very happy to find you all. This has been the hardest time for me and very isolating. I am a different person. A bit humbler. Suzanne