Flying: Does it increase neuropathy pain?

Hello @denrah, Welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect, a welcoming online community where patients and caregivers share their experiences, find support and exchange information with others. Thank you for starting this discussion on flying with neuropathy. You will notice I changed your discussion title a little to better describe your question and hopefully help other members find the discussion and share their experiences.

I have idiopathic small fiber peripheral neuropathy but I don't have any pain with it, just numbness. The last time I flew was in February 2020 just before the COVID lockdowns started. I never have much fun on a plane but it's mostly due to the cramped quarters and lack of leg room to keep my legs comfortable. Funny the trip was from Minnesota to McAllen, Texas for a visit and on the flight back a small college basketball team was on the first leg of our flight home. I have never seen so many kids that tall being cramped into such small seats. They still seemed to have fun even though it was uncomfortable for me to see them in contorted positions trying to get comfortable.

If it were me and there was any possibility to watch my daughter play sports, I think I would book a flight to see her. It will be a memory to save. Do you have comfortable shoes to wear on the flight?

Hi @denrah I would imagine a small plane to make a trip more uncomfortable regardless of any diagnoses. I have had an AVM 4 years ago. One of my surgical repairs resulted in neuropathy on my left side of my body from head to toe. I was hesitant at first to fly although I had gotten approval from my neurologist at the time. I have flown twice to Chicago from Florida without noticing an exacerbation of my neuropathy or neurological symptoms left by the AVM. I have also flown to Colorado from Florida without any issues. I have found a car ride makes my dizziness and headaches worse. I would not worry about a flight unless it is long( 6 hours or more). I enjoyed seeing and spending time with family. Luckily this opportunity was prior to the pandemic. Now I see friends and family remotely to be safe and to protect others. Hope this helps. Best of luck. Toni

@denrah It sounds like a wonderful opportunity to see your daughter play football and I hope that neuropathy does not stop you.

Members like @lorirenee1@stefspad @rtisjo @gitti @ess77 @mstephen are active members in the neuropathy group and may be able to help support you in your decision.

May I ask if you have consulted with your doctor regarding your flying concerns?

Good evening @denrah. What a decision. Risk and/or reward. I don't know if this story will help but here it comes. Before moving to Minnesota I still had a home and business in CA. For more than four or five years after my diagnosis of SFN (small fiber neuropathy) and Chronic myofascial pain syndrome, I flew back and forth at least four or five times a year. I also flew to San Miguel in Mexico, Hawaii, Baltimore, Yosemite, San Francisco. Other than tired legs from beach walking, I had no issues with my SFN. It stayed quiet.

I found out later that 3 hrs is about all the sitting I can do......or my legs and feet get a little crazy.

Good luck with your decision. And enjoy your daughter's success.
Chris

Thank you Chris. That helps out a lot. One more question for you Chris. How did you or the doctors diagnose the Chronic myofascial pain syndrome? Thank you again for the info on flying.

Good morning, Denrah @denrah. Good....I am glad my travel diary was a vote in support of whatever you decide. So...chronic myofascial pain syndrome. That CMPS diagnosis was from my neurologist and before all the punch biopsies, tests and MRI's, etc. delivered the small fiber neuropathy diagnosis. It also led me to seek treatment from an MFR, myofascial release therapist.

i am going to two treatments a week now and that was my Quality of Life gift to myself on Christmas. I can't even imagine life without MFR. There is one issue. Wherever I go I have to find a therapist. Do you know anyone on Padre Island or Galveston? We need to hold our grandchildren before they are all grown up.

May you be safe and protected from inner and outer harm.
Chris