Why TRAVEL is OK when you have neural circuit dizziness (and some tips for success!)

Traveling can be a big, scary step when you have been suffering from neural circuit dizziness (PPPD, MdDS-type symptoms, vestibular migraine and related conditions). In this video, we talk about why sometimes people are afraid of travel or advised not to travel, and why I think you should feel free to do so! I will also give you three tools you can implement today to help make your vacation a success.

Neural circuit dizziness basics (MUST WATCH): Why you have PPPD, MdDS, and other unexplained chronic dizziness & how to recover
Vision: Are your eyes causing your dizziness? How to deal with visual symptoms in PPPD & chronic dizziness

DISCLAIMER: Please note that Yonit Arthur, The Steady Coach and any of our other guests are not acting as an audiologist nor offering audiology or medical services services or advice on any public videos or on any other content. This channel provides wellness education and personal opinion only, and are not meant to be a substitute for medical or mental health instruction or intervention. Use any tools discussed at your own risk.

[bethanywhitehead]

Love this video!!! I want people to know that it does get better! I have VM and PPPD and I was so scared to travel again for fear of going backwards on how far I’ve come in my healing.
It took me a year and a half… 🥴 that’s a long time I know but I was really sick In the beginning and scared to travel again!
We drove 6.5 hours to the beach and I stopped every hour to ground myself and walk for a second and I did great!! I loved being able to be there and be a part of the vacation with my family ❤️
The fear with these disorders is very real I know, but the confidence that comes with trying things and seeing you are ok is a huge part of our healing!!
Hang in there everyone I know how tough it is to live with these disorders but healing is possible!!! (Slow but possible)😊❤️

[laniseboomsanders]

This is so on point. I feel better when traveling. I used to think maybe my house was making me sick.

[Megan_Jennifer]

Yeah I sometimes catch myself expecting symptoms to happen if I do a certain activity. Not helpful 😅 I am still training my brain out of that 😊

[katiewoodland]

My symptoms began when I was 21 years old and I flew on a plane, I had no idea what was happening, it went away after a few weeks. Then it happened again about 6 months later after another plane trip. I still had no idea what was going on, nor did I connect it to flight. The next time I went on a holiday and what got me was a week up and down in the elevator. I still did not know what was happening, nor did I connect it to flight. After my next flight, I discovered the connection and have avoided flying ever since. Except for one time, where I flew, was not expecting anything and went 48 hours feeling happy and free, and then it hit me again. I am constantly dizzy now. I go out and continue to remind myself against all odds that I am safe and can do anything. I use breathing techniques and try and lead a calm life where I can. I don't use avoidance behaviors and use the lift every day (without thought). However, I am still chronically dizzy. How do I convince myself that lifts and planes are fine when they are the things constantly triggering my symptoms? I am only 26 and it is my dream to travel but I have been unable to. I have been on your waitlist since April and would love to work with you.

[sanchez]

Thank you so much!!! I just wished more Drs had all this knowledge....and not look at us like if we're crazy....🤪

[tekoyaward]

Thank you! I just recently drove 7 hours to pick up my daughter from college and I was totally fine, but the days before I did feel anxious about driving that long distance by myself! I stopped for gas and got dizzy and anxious, so I had to collect myself before I started driving again. But I am also dealing with stressors at home, like my husband, not understanding my dizziness and anxiety, he makes it worse!

[paulaspagnuolo]

Great advice that applies to all activity. It definitely takes effort but I’ve found that reframing expectations from ‘this is going to be terrible’ to ‘it’ll be fine’ has been extremely helpful. Thanks for your good work!

[aquacrown]

I am about to take a long flight tomorrow. I haven’t had dizziness in about a year. Yesterday I woke up with vertigo for about a minute and it sent me into full fledge anxiety.

I have been planning this trip for 6 months and was so excited and now I’m scared. Watching this video has really helped ground me and seeing a lot of the comments as well. I won’t allow myself to spin out of control because of my fear!

[MollyF]

Thank you so much for this video, Dr. Yo! What do you think about medications like Dramamine?

[wutru]

I had pppd and mdds really bad, still do, but decided to fly. I absolutely love flying now, and it felt extremely scary at first, but i have more symptoms when riding a bus or car etc than flying. Questions can be asked

[sindi]

Dr Yo! its ok to travel 2000 km with ncd?

[shumaelamaryam]

Really informative video...got all my answers to the things i was worried about...dr. yo you are helping me alot in my life to get better...thanks alot...

[susangearhart]

The very end 😢. Did pretty well traveling to my second concert. A few moments of unsteady feelings. But goodness gracious since home today I have awful visual difficulties. Hopefully a good night's sleep will put me back to baseline

[julieh]

I haven’t even watched this all the way yet but saw the title and wanted to share a success story. I had not gone on a car trip since getting pppd and was especially anxious about the beach because the ocean obviously moves and is a large open plain visually. I was in the car six hours for my vacation and stood in the ocean and had a major victory. I did have some symptoms but it felt really good to be there. I know we can’t always just push our way through things but this was the right amount for me and I am so relieved to have travel back as an option.
Edit: After having had a chance to listen to the whole thing… this is such great information, thank you! That is fascinating about getting away from your usual environment and symptom associations and how many people feel better while traveling because of that.

[hadiyahaidar]

Dr yonit, can I go on a boat for 1hour? Or it’s not gonna help my recovery?

[carolinevillamar]

funny when i am in the car i don't feel so bad and rather have the motion of the moving car than sitting still otherwise feel the symptoms of constant boat swaying.

[kyra]

I have to take an international flight next month and my dizziness is the worst it’s ever been. Will I be ok?

[ReneeYarosz]

Love the barking dog analogy - so true !

[mal-nxxs]

I do so well on vacations or going somewhere special, but the next day is always bad. It's like my brain is saying "what was all that?!"

I know I shouldn't react to those symptoms, but it makes me feel like I'm far from recovery😅

[aquacrown]

Ahhh a little sad to report the trip (although amazing!) has sent me back into MdDs symptoms after being 2 years symptom free.

I will say the first 3 days were totally fine! I think that’s proof that stress and anxiety play a huge role in NCD. I didn’t feel symptoms after the first plane ride of first couple days!

But I think the amount of activity and anxiety I was doing grew throughout the week. Elevators and the museums really sent me over the edge. It was a massive trip and I had a lot of stressful moments. I’ve never properly treated my MdDs so I joined the Steady Coach membership and am hoping to once and for all tackle this! It’s scary to have symptoms after not having them for awhile but I’ve learned so much in the past couple of days.