Kudzuslipper
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 31915
posted
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?
Posts: 1728 | From USA | Registered: May 2011
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posted
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.
Posts: 233 | From Hudson Valley | Registered: Jun 2010
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Kudzuslipper
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Member # 31915
posted
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?
Posts: 1728 | From USA | Registered: May 2011
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Ellen101
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posted
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.htmPosts: 1750 | From United States | Registered: Dec 2011
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Kudzuslipper
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posted
Thanks for the link Ellen.
Posts: 1728 | From USA | Registered: May 2011
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Kudzuslipper
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Member # 31915
posted
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.
Posts: 1728 | From USA | Registered: May 2011
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posted
mbdq, what's your latest update on progress with MHBOT? Thanks.
Posts: 641 | From Nevada | Registered: May 2009
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Judie
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Member # 38323
posted
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.
Posts: 2839 | From California | Registered: Jul 2012
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WPinVA
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 33581
posted
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.
Posts: 1737 | From Virginia | Registered: Aug 2011
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Tincup
Honored Contributor (10K+ posts)
Member # 5829
posted
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.
Kudzuslipper
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Member # 31915
posted
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.
Posts: 1728 | From USA | Registered: May 2011
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surprise
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 34987
posted
:-). Yea!
-------------------- Lyme positive PCR blood, and positive Bartonella henselae Igenex, 2011. low positive Fry biofilm test, 2012. Update 7/16- After extensive treatments, doing okay! Posts: 2518 | From USA | Registered: Nov 2011
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Ellen101
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
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posted
Your already back??? Weren't you just posting on the 15 nth ? I'm confused..
Posts: 1750 | From United States | Registered: Dec 2011
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Kudzuslipper
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Member # 31915
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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.
Posts: 1728 | From USA | Registered: May 2011
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posted
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!
Posts: 123 | From Washington State | Registered: Dec 2013
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Rumigirl
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posted
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.
Posts: 3792 | From around | Registered: Mar 2008
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Ellen101
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 35432
posted
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.
Posts: 1750 | From United States | Registered: Dec 2011
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