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Sinus Pain? More like an Icepick in my Head..

Sinus Pain? More like an Icepick in my Head..

Old Jan 3, 2007, 10:22 am
  #16  
 
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I have sinus problems due to smaller than normal sinus passages. I get an infection about twice a year usually during the change of seasons (ie when the humidty changes dramatically in Utah) and while decongestants are the best short fix I use a home remedy that clears me out quickly.

Basically take about a tablespoon of salt and mix it with a cup of water until the salt is all desolved. Then get one of the infant sized spray balls (aka mini turkey baster) and shoot salt water into the sinuses above your eyes. Its a little tricky at first and feels wierd but it works and quickly. Just be prepared to have a ton of kleenex on hand after because once your sinuses start draining they dont ever seem to want to stop.
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Old Jan 3, 2007, 11:32 am
  #17  
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Originally Posted by majorwibi
I have sinus problems due to smaller than normal sinus passages. I get an infection about twice a year usually during the change of seasons (ie when the humidty changes dramatically in Utah) and while decongestants are the best short fix I use a home remedy that clears me out quickly.

Basically take about a tablespoon of salt and mix it with a cup of water until the salt is all desolved. Then get one of the infant sized spray balls (aka mini turkey baster) and shoot salt water into the sinuses above your eyes. Its a little tricky at first and feels wierd but it works and quickly. Just be prepared to have a ton of kleenex on hand after because once your sinuses start draining they dont ever seem to want to stop.
How do you manage that exactly, Major? That seems like a rather complicated thing to get it that far into your sinuses?
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Old Jan 3, 2007, 11:54 am
  #18  
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Originally Posted by thegeneral
Long story short though, ask us here about upgrades, seat assignments, etc, and leave things like this to medical professionals. Talk to a doctor about this and chat with a pharmacist about the drugs you get.
Wow, thanks for the warm welcome general. You being one of the more active members, I would have thought you'd see FlyerTalk as it is -- a place to discuss the total package of the flying experience. This sort of topic is not outside quite a few topics of similar category here at FT.
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Old Jan 3, 2007, 12:37 pm
  #19  
 
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sinus irrigation

I had this problem going up and my doctor suggested sinus irigation. The spray ball works fine and I suggest you take it with you on the plane as well as some iodized salt. I have not travelled with this setup lately and I do admit I was always a little nervous to have an old pill bottle full of salt in my carry on. Another option is a nasal irrigation tip attached to waterpick. Grossan Original Sinus Irrigator Tip for WaterPiks seems to be the most popular and the one I have.

"The Saline Solution
A saline solution for irrigation is easy to make. To make an isotonic solution (one similar to the salt content of your bodily fluids), mix 1/4-teaspoon salt in an 8-ounce glass of warm water and add a pinch (1/4-tsp.) of baking soda."

This was found in an article. I have never used the baking soda but my doctor did suggest non-iodized salt.

Sterile saline can also be purchased at the pharmacy.

To get it in your sinuses I simply shoot it into my nose and then shake my head around with the little ball. With the Grossan you just let it flow in one nostril and out the other.

I had my problems when going up and it was the most painful thing I have ever experienced. Two sinus surgeries later and I still get nervous.
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Old Jan 3, 2007, 1:08 pm
  #20  
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Wow, I'll try that and see if it frees this up. You'd think with as many sufferers as we've read about here (and in my personal forum) the professionals would know more about it.
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Old Jan 3, 2007, 1:43 pm
  #21  
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Brilliant!

Originally Posted by voyageuse
Mr. Skyguy,

I have had this happen quite alot in the past, up until a few years ago...

A flight attendant was passing by the aisle, we were just starting our descent, while I was in severe pain, she saw my face, I was litterally out of it, I wanted to DIE it hurt so much. Poor hubby didn't know what to do with me, I had my head in both hands and kept saying to hubby "je suis plus capable" ("I can't go on"). I think this has been my worst case, I really thought something was going to explode in my head!

The FA immediately went into the galley and came out with 2 styrofoam cups loaded with steaming HOT wet towels, she then told me to place them over my ears and keep them there until we land. I did this and it worked! To my amazement!

I really don't care if I look like a funny bunny with white cups over my ears, forget about the looks I get from the surrounding pax, heck I want RELIEF! And believe me it brings this immediately. But you need to do this the moment the descent starts, don't wait or its too late...

I don't know why this works, but it must dialate the ears or something, call it science or whatever but I call it pure magic!

Do try it... for your sake..
Best of luck! Happy new year! Or should I say happy new ear? No pun intended!
Thanks for reminding me of this old remedy.
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Old Jan 3, 2007, 1:48 pm
  #22  
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How does this last one free up the sinuses in your forehead above your eyes? I think we might be talking about different sinuses.
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Old Jan 3, 2007, 1:50 pm
  #23  
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Had this problem many times. Allergist put me on Nasonex, a prescription nasal spray about 5 years ago and I have never experienced this since.
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Old Jan 3, 2007, 2:24 pm
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Originally Posted by rje
Had this problem many times. Allergist put me on Nasonex, a prescription nasal spray about 5 years ago and I have never experienced this since.
Yeah, me too. I was put on Nasonex and Zyrtec (quite an expensive combo) to help free me up. I don't know if it worked or not becuase I wasn't flying often then and I've since kicked the drugs.
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Old Jan 3, 2007, 4:45 pm
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Originally Posted by MrSkyGuy
How does this last one free up the sinuses in your forehead above your eyes? I think we might be talking about different sinuses.
Mr. Skyguy, I can assure you that were talking about the same sinus pain symptoms.

Like I said in my above post, I have no idea why this makes it all better but it really works! The pain is the same as the one you've described, the icepick in the forehead above the eye and for me it goes all the way down to my jaw! I used to look like a racoon when I got off the plane from the tears and my running mascara... Not so anymore with this cup therapy. The pain is very endurable compared to what I used to endure! Oh yes!

I have also heard of the saline nasal cleanse on a website I frequent mercola.com, its supposed to be very good for sinus problems. In my case, I only have these problems when I fly, only upon landing, so I haven't felt the need to try the nasal cleanse since I don't have any problems otherwise.

I hope you try this cup therapy for your sake...
Regards,
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Old Jan 3, 2007, 5:26 pm
  #26  
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I never had a sinus problem before I moved to the greater Houston area and then BAM sinus infections over and over. I had at least 12the last year. No cause other than really bad allergies. I will get sinus problems with weather changes, climate changes, and for no reason at all.

I definitely suggest seeing an allergist for this. My dr. put me on Flonase and Astelin 2x a day in addition to Allegra. She also recommends using an OTC nasal spray 30 minutes before flying. She also puts me on a back to back Z pack (10 days) when I get an infection.

I had an epidural for childbirth - the ice pick wins. A hot cloth does do wonders for drainage, as does tilting my head back.
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Old Jan 3, 2007, 9:24 pm
  #27  
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All very good tips. I will most certainly go see a specialist in favor of my family practice doc. This is a rather uncomfortable condition to deal with!

Im afraid that now two days later I can still feel the pain of pressure in my upper sinuses above my eyes after this flight -- especially the left eye. I just 10 minutes ago followed the recommendation of a few of you to flush with a saltwater solution, but it doesn't feel like it made it to the upper sinuses where the pain is present.

The sudafed didn't open it up either. Of course, this is post-flight and not the preventative care so many of you mentioned but at this point gosh I'd just love some relief!
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Old Jan 3, 2007, 9:28 pm
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All best wishes to you, MrSkyGuy
Look for a referral to a good ENT Doctor.
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Old Jan 5, 2007, 2:23 pm
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For those who are interested in a followup, I went to see the doctor and he mentioned I had a sinus infection that had gone untreated for a few weeks with no symptoms. Im on a steady diet of nasty-tasting blue antibiotic pills large enough for a horse.
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Old Jan 5, 2007, 2:29 pm
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I just got back from my doc with an antibiotic for a sinus infection. Fortunately I don't have any flights soon.

If you take Sudafed, be sure you get the real stuff from the pharmacist, not Sudafed PE. There's no medical advantage to PE (you just can't make it into meth), and there's some evidence that it's less effective. Also you'll save a bunch of money by getting the generic version (Wal-fed, Suphedrine, etc.).
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