HI,
I know some people are affected by changes in elevation, and others aren't. My son Micah has 3 VP shunts, and it seems like changes in elevation do affect him. He is 18 months old, and doesn't talk yet so we don't know for sure. My question is this. Does being in a reclined position while traveling make a difference? We are thinking about driving from Utah to California for Christmas and there are a few mountain ranges we have to go over. I'd like to make the trip as easy as possible for him. Does anyone have tips for traveling? Thanks!
Melissa
Gabriel's Life » General
traveling headaches
(5 posts)
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Posted 1 year ago #
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Through years of traveling with my daughter she has always slept in a reclined postion as well as at night. My daughter & I were told by one of the neurosurgeons that an elevated head is best for some people even at night for sleeping. This is more true for patients with VP shunts than with VA shunts (per another neurosurgeon). My daughter actually was able to get a hospital bed through her insurance and sleeps with her head elevated at about 30 degrees.
My daughter also used to vomit when traveling. What worked for that was a pressure point wristband found at any drugstore.
Posted 1 year ago # -
Thanks for your response! How old was your daughter when you got the hospital bed?
Posted 1 year ago # -
I have been shunt dependent since I was a baby. I have always slept with my head raised to help keep headaches away at night. I now have a bed that I can elevate (like hospital beds) and it is wonderful. Recommend it.
Posted 4 months ago # -
I have had a shunt for 16 years, since the age of 40. One of my doctors suggested sleeping with my head elevated at night to prevent headaches at night and upon rising. I do believe it helps, although I find it quite difficult to sleep like that. He recommended putting blocks under the head of the bed to raise that end--a good idea for those who can not afford a hospital bed. This also allows for sleeping in any position and still having your head elevated.
Posted 4 months ago #
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