Not feeling well on plane... sometimes
 

Like most folks here, I fly quite a bit.

On some flights, especially early morning ones, I get an unformtable/dizzy/lightheaded type of a feeling that wakes me up if I'm napping. Sometimes its quite bad that I have sit up straight for a good 15 minutes and take deep breaths to calm it down.

I'm not sure what to attribute it to... not enough sleep, dehydration, not moving around, all of the above...

Wondering if anyone else gets these and if you have an idea what could be causing it.

Thanks

I get similiar feelings at times. Just breathing in the recycled cabin air with of course a whole host of germs does the body no good. Make sure that you stay hydrated. If find that drinking juice helps. Avoid excessive drinking (more than two drinks). Try to get up and walk around time from time.

Also, you have not indicated your general overall health but I find staying in good physical shape helps me content with the long days of travel with multiple of long flights.

Finally, you are AA/PLT but don't say whether you are an AC member. When I connect through an AA hub if time allows I always take a hot shower. That without a doubt gets the "cobwebs" out of my system.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vasovagal_response

This could be it.

My health is good overall and I do workout. It could be dehydration and I just need to hydrate well before boarding. I prefer window seats but lately I'm starting to feel squeezed...

Thanks.

It could be. It typically happens on long morning flights though. Thanks

I had a period of time that was called orthostatic hypotension, where my blood pressure would tank and I would pass out on flights over 3 hours. I would suddenly get a feeling of being cold and hot at the same time and feeling like I was going to toss my cookies. I learned on a Virgin Atlantic Flight not to get up as I awoke on the floor with some concerned flight attendants staring at me. Another time I threw up while I was passed out and lost all other bodily fluids as well on a United Flight from Chicago to LAX on the way to OZ. They basically tossed me off the plane and into the terminal, where I sent Mom to buy new clothes in the gift shop.
After several doctors told me I must be afraid to fly and gave me xanax (I have skydived before so I am not afraid) I read somewhere a list of things to do and it has worked since. I don't do any caffeine, artificial sweeteners or alcohol for 48 hours preflight. I wear compression stockings to keep the blood out of my legs and also on occasion have taken salt tablets before boarding. It works for me.

JudyJFLA

I felt very lightheaded, hot and a bit queezy on a recent BA flight from LAX, . Mentioned it to one of the FAs and they asked me to lie down on one of the crew seats with my feet above my head (resting on the door). A minute later I felt so much better. The FA said it happens all the time

Try flying the A380 as it has slightly higher air pressure so you get that bit more oxygen into you. :)

Most of my flights seem to be early morning as I got to PHX quite a bit. For me its waking up way too early to get to the airport at some crazy hour.
Not eating right before the flight and just feeling overall like crap by the time I get there. Even the shorter flight take alot out of me.

Check your early a.m. blood pressure sometime. You can't at an airport, of course, but at home, and see how low it drops--say to something below 100/60, for example--especially if you've had potassium-rich foods. Just a possibility.

I seem to get nauseous flying on an EMPTY stomach.

Also more flatulent that way.

The symptoms you describe are very much like what I felt, except mine were less severe. Although I felt nauseous, I didn't throw up.

I do think it does have to do with my blood pressure which is usually on the low end. I will try the suggestions on making sure it's not too low.

Thank you!

NASA medics used to call that the "space stupids", a combination of low airpressure, not moving, and a touch of motion sickness. You may also find a slowed thought process, trouble concentrating, etc.

Motion sickness is not all about throwing up. It manifests as dizziness, light headedness, vertigo, agitation and sweating too. I have that experience sometimes, particularly on A319/20's. I find a dramamine or some scopalamine knocks it right out, as does a benzo. Alcohol makes it worse.

I think I'd rather have that glass of wine to relax and take a deep breath, and hopefully feel better. :)

When drinking quite a bit on aircraft you just have to remember to drink lots of water as well.

As others have said, I get this pretty much every time I fly on an empty stomach. Eating something helps almost instantly. I know make sure to eat even a small breakfast before early morning flights.