altitude sickness on a plane?
 

Anyone else experience odd symptoms while on flights? For me it's about 3.5 hrs in and only on some types of planes. Example would be an airbus plane. I get really warm, headache, and get extremely tired. I'm wondering if anyone has these symptoms from time to time and how they deal with it. Thanks

I suspect the airline, rather than the plane, and the choices made for more or less fresh air in the mix.

I get pretty sick. Consulted doctors and i'm otherwise healthy. It scares me when i'm in the air having symptoms. Hawaiian Airlines seems to be the worst for me. I feel terrible. They pressurize to 8,000. Wish I could talk to a pilot.

Maybe you need to look into cruising, crossings & freighter voyages. The last, my favorite.

And trains, of course.

drink lots of water or juice and avoid all caffeine and alcohol, and use something like a saline nasal spray. Probably won't completely eliminate discomfort but will help.

I've know people who show symptoms of altitude sickness in Wyoming, at altitudes as "low" as 7000' ASL. With airplanes typically operating with cabin pressures in the 7500-8000 foot range it's not surprising to show such symptoms. [The 787 can get down to 6000' but that's no comfort if flying on something else.]

At 8000' you are breathing about 25% less oxygen than at sea level and that's what causes the problems, with different people having different levels of low oxygen tolerance.

The good thing about this is that the symptoms dissipate quickly once the plane is descending for landing and usually are completely gone by the time one is in the terminal.

Sometimes I feel almost like i'm going to pass out after 3.5 hours. Strangely on Southwest flights I'm 100% ok. It's odd to me. I can't go to London on Southwest unfortunately :( Anyone know of any planes/airlines that use lower pressure? I see the 787 above but there is a chance they could still put it at 7500? I love to fly and I need help to get over this. I talked to my doctor and maybe oxygen onboard would help. I never thought I would need something like that at my age and good general health.

It would be useful to know what is causing your symptoms. You could get a fingertip oximeter for about $20 on Amazon, which would tell you and your doctor how much oxygen is in your blood. I had a patient with lung disease who used one.

Ask you doctor if you should try Diamox for a few days before a flight. It also has some side effects, I've heard..tingly fingers and Coca Cola tastes odd.

Diamox worked but I became allergic. i need another option.

Doesn't Coca Cola already taste odd?

Yes! Diet coke was awful. I wish I could still use it since it worked.