DH and I are on vacation for a week from horrible Northeast winter. I got a flulike cold while down here. I'm mostly better. But my ears are full and one is a little sore. I had a double ear infection just a few months ago.
My ears have always painful on landing. Coming they stayed blocked up til the next morning. And then I got this cold... And I'm pretty clogged up...
My question is can I do permanent damage if I fly with fluid or whatever is going on in my sinuses and ears?
DH is offering to drive instead. 22hrs! Ouch. But we would have to leave now!
Advice?
Posted by mbdq (Member # 26277) on :
I have chronic ear issues and I had a cold in October and had to fly.
And this was two weeks after being diagnosed with barotrauma by an ENT.
I was terrified to fly but needed to get home. I loaded up on mucinex and afrin nasal spray. I had one ear that would clear andthat aallowed me to get through the flights.
If you are responsive to decongestants and can get your head cleared up that way, then you may be ok.
If they are not helping, its not worth the risk and I would delay the flight or drive.
Posted by Kudzuslipper (Member # 31915) on :
Thank you mbdq. I've never had ear issues other than flying til this year. I have been taking sudafed round the clock. Afrin is amazing... But hate the way it makes me feel.
One ear clears, the other is full feeling and popping. Some pain under ear and outer ear. And sinus pain.
Anyone else?
Posted by Ellen101 (Member # 35432) on :
Sudafed is not always the best choice and sometimes makes sinus pain worse as it dries out the sinuses too much. I would switch to mucinex.
If you are really concerned about flying I would consult an ENT. Maybe try colloidal silver drops?? Here is some helpful info on flying and ear issues. http://www.patient.co.uk/health/Ears-and-Flying.htm Posted by Kudzuslipper (Member # 31915) on :
Thanks for the link Ellen.
Posted by Kudzuslipper (Member # 31915) on :
I'm armed with mucinex, afrin, ear planes. And gonna hope for the best. 22 hours in a car can't be good for you either.
Thanks for the advice.
Posted by dan67 (Member # 20344) on :
mbdq, what's your latest update on progress with MHBOT? Thanks.
Posted by Judie (Member # 38323) on :
My husband takes sudafed when he flies. He doesn't have lyme. He gets horrible ear pain from congestion/pressure changes when he's in a plane.
Posted by WPinVA (Member # 33581) on :
My ENT says to take a decongestant and use Afrin before hand. Then during the flight, clear your ears a lot when taking off and landing - chew gum, swallow, yawn, etc.
Any chance you can get to an urgent care clinic down there to look at that ear? Seems like that would be worthwhile before getting on a plane.
Posted by Tincup (Member # 5829) on :
WP's idea is what I do when in the mountains. "chew gum, swallow, yawn, etc." I already take Sudafed, so this helps.
Actually, last time my ears felt better when I went UP and stayed up on top of the mountains. Hope you did ok on the way home, car or plane.
Posted by Kudzuslipper (Member # 31915) on :
Hi all. Home safe and sound. Not sure which of the measures worked. But I had NO issues! I suspect the ear planes is what helped the most but I'm sure the all the mucinex and afrin helped too.
One trick I read that helped a lot was taking a breath, pinching your nostrils shut and trying to expel the air with your nose and mouth shut.
Thanks for the advice. Glad we flew. Even though we left 80 degrees and sun to come home to 3 feet of snow... It's good to be home.
Posted by surprise (Member # 34987) on :
:-). Yea!
Posted by Ellen101 (Member # 35432) on :
Your already back??? Weren't you just posting on the 15 nth ? I'm confused..
Posted by Kudzuslipper (Member # 31915) on :
Yes Ellen. That's why I needed advice quickly. Our flight was today. We were away for a week, got the flu/cold mid week. Luckily it was short lived.
Posted by SLML (Member # 42986) on :
I didn't get a chance to answer but having traveled on airplanes quite a bit, even with infants here is my advice.
Chew gum going up and going down. Takeoff and Landing. When my kids fly with me. I give them gum or snacks. It keeps the pressure from building up in their ears. I wouldn't be on a plane without it.
When I had infants, I would nurse them for takeoff for about 30 minutes and landing for about 30 minutes. The sucking motion stopped pressure from building in their ears. I have heard quite a few infants screaming whose parent's didn't know this trick!
So chewing, sucking, chomping. It really works!
Posted by Rumigirl (Member # 15091) on :
Glad you're ok. IMO it was probably the Afrin that helped the most. I've used Ear Planes for years, but they often aren't enough, esp when I have more congestion. But Afrin helps a lot.
If you fly with congestion/ear problems without using Afrin + other measures, you can have an unreal amount of pain, fluid forced in your ears, and, at worst, a burst ear drum. I've been through this mess way too many times.
Posted by Ellen101 (Member # 35432) on :
quote:Originally posted by Kudzuslipper: Yes Ellen. That's why I needed advice quickly. Our flight was today. We were away for a week, got the flu/cold mid week. Luckily it was short lived.
Oh, got ya. It never occurred to me that you were already away and looking for advice on traveling home. Glad it all worked out.