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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by Paddy on August 30, 2001, at 15:11:07
Several times as a child I flew on small engine planes and 737's (and the like) with no anxiety problems whatsoever. Since taking ADs (specifically Zoloft) I've noticed my anxiety when flying increasing to the point to where now I won't fly. I'm thinking it's related to the Zoloft's effect on balance (at least for me). Intellectually it's not the fear of crashing but the feeling when I'm "up there" that all of a sudden the bottom's going to drop out from under me. I don't think I've seen this side-effect before. Anyone else experience this or balance-related problems?
Posted by Cam W. on August 30, 2001, at 16:42:55
In reply to Zoloft and aerophobia?, posted by Paddy on August 30, 2001, at 15:11:07
Paddy - How long have you been taking the Zoloft™ (sertaline). One of the start-up side effects of Zoloft is anxiety, but this usually disappears within the first month.
If you have been taking it longer, one of the minor side effects of Zoloft is tinnitus (ringing in the ears). This is probably due to a disruption in the inner ear.
The inner ear is closely related, in proximity, to the vestibular apparatus. The vestibular apparatus is composed of 3 looped canals with different spatial orientations, that are half-filled with fluid. The inner surface of the canals are lined with tiny hairs that are stimulated when the fluid flows over them. This structure, via hair stimulation ), gives the body feedback on its orientation in three-dimensional space (due to gravity causing the fluid to trigger the hairs as you move - ie. lie down, bend over, flip, etc.).
This is only a guess, but what could be happening is that you have an extension of tinnitus that is affecting the vestibular apparatus. I my be wrong, but hey, it sounds good.
I hope that this is some food for thought. Since you are able to overcome this problem intellectually, you really shouldn't need to take anything to counteract this feeling. If it bugs you enough, you could try Benadryl™ (diphenhydramine) or Bonamine™ (meclizine), or any antinauseant, and this will deaden the little hairs in the semicircular canals (but also cause drowsiness).
Good luck with flying. - Cam
Posted by LyndaK on August 31, 2001, at 3:25:43
In reply to Zoloft and aerophobia?, posted by Paddy on August 30, 2001, at 15:11:07
Paddy,
I take Zoloft and dizziness/loss of balance is definitely a side effect for me though this is a side effect that has resolved quite a bit as my body has adjusted to the med. I don't remember being more anxious when I first started this drug. Although it has some other really annoying side effects (i.e. sexual, cognitive, apathy), it really has worked very well to give me relief from my depression and anxiety. I have tried most of the other SSRI drugs and Zoloft has worked the best for both the depression AND anxiety. I have quite a bit of experience with this drug by now and one thing I learned is that, because of my sensitivity to drugs in general, I have to go VERY SLOWLY when adjusting the dose both up AND down. I adjust by 25 mg at a time and I stay at one dose 3 to 4 weeks before making the next adjustment. This has helped me tolerate this drug much better. If you can talk yourself through the flight and know that the bottom is NOT going to fall out from under you and you are just extra sensitive to movement because of the Zoloft, great. If not, then I agree with Cam's suggestion to take some benadryl or dramamine.
Good luck to you.
Lynda
> Several times as a child I flew on small engine planes and 737's (and the like) with no anxiety problems whatsoever. Since taking ADs (specifically Zoloft) I've noticed my anxiety when flying increasing to the point to where now I won't fly. I'm thinking it's related to the Zoloft's effect on balance (at least for me). Intellectually it's not the fear of crashing but the feeling when I'm "up there" that all of a sudden the bottom's going to drop out from under me. I don't think I've seen this side-effect before. Anyone else experience this or balance-related problems?
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