flying with a cold - ear pain
#16
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: London
Posts: 18,405
a case for camphor
I got caught out on a flight a couple of years ago.
As a child I used to have a lot of problems when descending - ear pain, nosebleeds the works (it's worth knowing that children are more susceptible to these things - I'm always sympathetic if a child cries when the plane goes up or down) but after years of problem free travel, I encountered the kind of excruciating pain you other ladies are describing when descending into Milan.
I was on Buzz, a LCC (with top class service) and it felt like there was a golfball in my head just at the point of exploding. The FA brought me a cup with camphor inside it and a cloth so I could inhale from it and it did so much to alleviate the problem.
I mention camphor particularly because it's someting that can be found in most countries - the brands that have been mentioned aren't always available.
As a child I used to have a lot of problems when descending - ear pain, nosebleeds the works (it's worth knowing that children are more susceptible to these things - I'm always sympathetic if a child cries when the plane goes up or down) but after years of problem free travel, I encountered the kind of excruciating pain you other ladies are describing when descending into Milan.
I was on Buzz, a LCC (with top class service) and it felt like there was a golfball in my head just at the point of exploding. The FA brought me a cup with camphor inside it and a cloth so I could inhale from it and it did so much to alleviate the problem.
I mention camphor particularly because it's someting that can be found in most countries - the brands that have been mentioned aren't always available.
#17
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Berkeley, CA USA
Programs: AA Gold
Posts: 1
Just wanted to add that flying with a cold can cause it to turn into something worse. I flew with a bad cold and had to change planes twice. I thought I would die, the ear pain was so bad. A few days later, I came down with infections in both ears. The infections were so bad that the doctor could see the red, swollen insides of my ears without using the instrument they use for checking ears. She told me I had two "rip-roaring" ear infections. I was on antibiotics and perscription painkillers for a week. The doctor says that infections in the sinuses can actually be pushed into the ears by the pressure when flying, causing ear infections that might not have happened otherwise. The infections were so bad that I could not fly home from Montana to California! I was with my roommate at his brother's house, and we borrowed one of the brother's cars and drove back to California. I agree with everyone about taking Sudafed, etc. before flying. It does help.
#18
Join Date: Sep 2000
Location: Burlingame, CA
Programs: TK Miles & Smiles, CM ConnectMiles, AA Advantage
Posts: 2,129
Every time I travel I carry with me a Saline solution with methol or camphor. I then use it frequently once I am airborne. It is not addictive and it helps clear the passages.
Decongestants are great but for those of us who suffer for high blood pressure the use of such drugs is highly discouraged.
Decongestants are great but for those of us who suffer for high blood pressure the use of such drugs is highly discouraged.
#19
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Sunny South
Posts: 184
Originally Posted by aw
Decongestants are great but for those of us who suffer for high blood pressure the use of such drugs is highly discouraged.
#20
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: CH-3823 Wengen Switzerland
Programs: miles&more, MileagePlus
Posts: 27,041
why for women only?
not sure why this is in the Women Travelers forum - or may be that 'we men' can suffer more without telling others ?
(so far, when watching Gisela giving birth to our 2 daughters I fore sure did believe this was the other way round ...)
(so far, when watching Gisela giving birth to our 2 daughters I fore sure did believe this was the other way round ...)
#22
Join Date: Apr 1999
Location: Homosassa, FL & Ringwood, NJ -UA-G(Lifetime); SPG-Plat (Lifetime)
Posts: 6,120
As a pharmacist by training (non-practicing), I can only share my protocol. As I get older I have begun to get these extremely painful experiences more frequently.
I take 60 mg of pseudoephedrine about 60-90 minutes before descent, then a couple of squirts of generic Arfrin in each nostril about 1/2 hour before descent. The pseudoephedrine works centrally to constrict the vessels and the Afrin topically. Since I started this, I have not had a problem.
I take 60 mg of pseudoephedrine about 60-90 minutes before descent, then a couple of squirts of generic Arfrin in each nostril about 1/2 hour before descent. The pseudoephedrine works centrally to constrict the vessels and the Afrin topically. Since I started this, I have not had a problem.
#23
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Aug 2002
Programs: UALifetimePremierGold, Marriott LifetimeTitanium
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Drixoral Cold & Flu - drat, I guessed wrong at the pharmacy just now & bought the Cold/Allergy. Guess I'll try grocery store tomorrow. I've got an earache or infection & earliest I can see doc is Mon now. I was hoping there'd be some OTC thing, but pharmacist said no. Grrr.
Sharon
Sharon
#24
FlyerTalk Evangelist, Ambassador: World of Hyatt
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: NJ
Programs: Hyatt Globalist, Fairmont Lifetime Plat, UA Silver, dirt elsewhere
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Thanks everyone.
I've had a cold/cough for the past 2 weeks. My husband had pneumonia. We're flying tomorrow.
I'm still fighting the effects of the congestion. My ears crackle when I swallow.
I have the ear planes set to go and Tylenol cold for severe congestion ready. I may also go buy Afrin and use it.
I had ear pain once on decent. Never again. I thought my head was going to explode.
A FA was kind enough to give me two cups with hot towels in them. It worked, but I was in business, I doubt they would do anything for me in coach.
So, thanks again for your suggestions & wish us luck!
Mary
I've had a cold/cough for the past 2 weeks. My husband had pneumonia. We're flying tomorrow.
I'm still fighting the effects of the congestion. My ears crackle when I swallow.
I have the ear planes set to go and Tylenol cold for severe congestion ready. I may also go buy Afrin and use it.
I had ear pain once on decent. Never again. I thought my head was going to explode.
A FA was kind enough to give me two cups with hot towels in them. It worked, but I was in business, I doubt they would do anything for me in coach.
So, thanks again for your suggestions & wish us luck!
Mary
#26
Join Date: Jun 2004
Posts: 320
Originally Posted by flymeaway
Ear block is nasty, nasty, nasty....my left ear drum actually perforated on a flight once, years ago, before I ever started flying for a living. It was really one of the worst pains I've experienced - and now I have some permanent hearing loss on that side. Yuck! Take care of your ears!
But I can't think of a single reason that could induce me to fly with congestion again - doc said next time I rupture an eardrum, I could lose the rest of my hearing.
#27
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Mar 2001
Posts: 55,189
Originally Posted by Doppy
What do you suggest one does with the cotton balls?
Last edited by Analise; Mar 2, 2005 at 2:36 pm Reason: Miscounted the # of months
#28
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2000
Location: أمريكا
Posts: 26,763
Originally Posted by Analise
Have you been pondering this for nearly nine months? Sticking cotton in your ears helps to alleviate the pressure.
#29
Join Date: May 2003
Location: KOA
Programs: AA,UA,NW,CO,AQ,HA
Posts: 196
RE: Flying Colds
This was my post last September about flying with congestion, earaches and stuffy noses: For all the flying I've done in the last 50 years, this has not failed me:
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When I have to fly with a cold, ie: stuffed up nose, blocked ears, I try to buy some AFRIN, or a store variety, of a nasal spray (buy the 12-hour spray). It does wonders for 12 hours, and the altitude will hardly affect the symptoms. It should start to work within 3-5 minutes in clearing the nose, ears, and headache.
There is a caveat with these nasal sprays though. They are not to be used more than two squirts, twice per day, and no more than THREE DAYS in a row. This should take care of many problems when flying with a cold.
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When I have to fly with a cold, ie: stuffed up nose, blocked ears, I try to buy some AFRIN, or a store variety, of a nasal spray (buy the 12-hour spray). It does wonders for 12 hours, and the altitude will hardly affect the symptoms. It should start to work within 3-5 minutes in clearing the nose, ears, and headache.
There is a caveat with these nasal sprays though. They are not to be used more than two squirts, twice per day, and no more than THREE DAYS in a row. This should take care of many problems when flying with a cold.
#30
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Mar 2001
Posts: 55,189
Originally Posted by Doppy
Not quite. I haven't gotten sick in the past nine months. Now I've got a bit of a cold and some very long flights coming up
Of course there's always horse radish!