I'm happy to find a place to share this problem didn't expect it to be here...

I first had this pain as a kid one time...and another time when i was 19. but it happened only twice until i was 22 so i didn't care that much.

but when i was 22 i got a chronic sinus infection and nasal polyps that made it MUCH worse..and it started happening something like every third flight...so i had to find a solution!!

from my experience until now..this is what i do and made the situation better:

1. every 6 months i get a steroid shot. this made my situation much better when it comes to the polyps and chronic sinus..so i get those shots 2-3 days before a flight...and i try to arrange my flight's so they will be just after the shots. it opens up the nasal area. and i guess it really helps when it comes to pain caused by the blockage in the sinus

2. i try to avoid small airplanes (CRJ and so on) because as i remember their cabin pressure is lower...i use to have a list of planes with their cabin pressure. i will try to find it and post it here. and i can guess the more the difference from cabin pressure to land pressure the problem gets bigger...

3. EAR PLANES! very important and helps a lot

4. VERY Spicy gum...start chewing 35 min before landing. and change the gum to a new one every 10 or so minuts

5. Have a bottle of water with you

6. i also use a steroid nasal spray. i use it a few days before departure and 30 min before landing.

7. i take Advil Sinus 60 min before landing (in the past i use to take 2 regular advil)

8. i have Afrin also on the flight. but i try to avoid it because it causes me a rebound effect

i keep everything in a AF amenity kit...enough room for everything. and i just keep it with me during landing...and i have everything there