Flying with a cold - any advice?
 

Any advice for flying with a cold on a long flight (ORD-LHR)? The only other time I tried it, I was on a short flight and was in pain all the way (from the pressurization). Anyone have any secret remedy or trick to keep ear pain to a minimum?

Thanks in advance!

I recently flew SFO/TPE with a cold in both directions. The "good news" is that often the larger planes have better pressure regulation than the 737s/MD80s, etc. Here's what I did, and the flights were bearable. A decongestant. An antihistamine that will help you sleep (such as 50mg Benadryl). LOTS of water. Hot tea. On the way back, when it was really bad, I blew my nose a lot (in the lavs). In fact, during one "attack", I first used the upstairs lav, and then downstairs, used each one down the plane. Walking around seemed to help.

If the ear pain develops and becomes absolutely unbearable, as the flight attendant to prepare the hot wet towels in the paper cup treatment. But only do this if you are ready to scream. Many say that this isn't so good for your ears. However, after one flight when it felt like someone was shattering glass bottles in the sinus cavities around my eyes and I was bent over in tears... I'll do the towel/cup thing. Did it twice. A miracle.

Flying with a cold advice! Don't!

If someone gets on with a cold, everyone gets off with a cold depending on their resistence. The immune system is the key. I feed mine daily, and have avoided the viruses.

The best advice is not to fly. That keeps you from spreading germs and lessens the possibility of lasting ear problems.

And I know of what I speak. I popped an eardrum three years ago and things weren't totally healed for several months. In addition to pain and some temporary hearing problems, I was kept on antibiotics for close to a month (til the eardrum sealed) and had to pay for bi-weekly drs visits, to ensure there was no infection. Not to mention a few assorted work problems, as I had to avoid a few loud recording sessions and shows.

No lasting harm, but there is potential for hearing loss in these cases.

I was advised to ALWAYS begin a cycle of decongestants 24-36 hours before a flight. (Even if I am feeling well---allergies caused my congestion, not a virus.) Over the counters will do, though I'm now on a heavy duty one.

The upside is these decongestants force you to drink more water.

If you must fly with a cold or sinusitis, you might try this remedy:

Benzedrex inhaler

It is available OTC (I get mine at Walgreen's) and has worked like a charm on several occasions. The trick seems to be to use it about 1/2 hour before beginning the descent, when it is harder to equalize the pressure with inflamed eustachian tubes.

Inhale deeply...twice in each nostril while closing off the other nostril. It will burn like the dickens (it is packed with lavender oil as well as a potent decongestant), and you may tear up for a minute, but it really helps to open up the eustachian tubes.

Good luck!

Please remember that any pain associated with the sinus/ears/eustachian tubes should not occur until the descent has begun. In other words, if you experience pain on the way up or during level flight, something is wrong other than the normal association of pressure differential between the sinuses and the ambiant atmosphere.

During the descent, the eustachian tubes act to balance the pressure between the interior sinus cavities and the external atmosphere. If these passages are clogged, the potential exists for pain due to the difference in pressure. To clear use the valsalva technique, pinch off your nostrils and close mouth and expel air from the lungs, tilting the head from side to side during this can help to open. Or use a decongestant as described above.

Remember, sinus pressure shouldn't occur on the way up or in level flight. If it does, you have something else wrong with you.

What is the "hot wet towels in the paper cup treatment"?

Also, not quite sure from your post, but I should only ask for the treatment "if I am ready to scream". Do you mean as in I am ready to scream because of my ear pain and can't take it any more, or because I need to prepare for the pain that the wet towels in the paper cup treatment is about to inflict and I need to be ready to scream in a crowed airplane? http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif

The "hot wet towel in a paper cup" treatment is this: Put a paper or cloth towel in the bottoms of two paper coffee cups, then pour in just enough boiling water to thoroughly soak the towels. Immediately put the cups to your ears, keeping as tight a seal as possible. The steam that gets created will help to unblock your ears.

From personal experience, this can work. (Your mileage may, of course, vary.) However, I have also heard from health care professionals who say that this treatment also creates an incredibly fertile environment for very bad things to happen.

[This message has been edited by wideman (edited 11-02-2000).]

I have had sinus troubles in the past, and colds cause the same symptoms. I have all too much experience with these problems.

Decongestant is generaly pseudephrine with a brand name of "Sudafed" and is available generically for much less (usually little red pills that look like the Sudafed brand pills).

They only last about 3 hours. And there is a "rebound" effect so later on when they wear off things can be worse.

I take it about an hour before descent. That way, I'm in good shape for descent where the problem is. If I have connections, I'll take another dose before descent on the connecting flight.

The rest of the time in flight I don't take anything.

But I have learned something very, very important: I NEVER take ANTI HISTAMINE when I am on an airplane. This is REALLY BAD. It closes up the breathing passages and makes the descent very, very painful and possibly dangerous on your eardrum (because the pressues can't equalize through the constricted sinus passages).

Anti histamines are present in many cold medicines because they relieve some of the drippiness and nose running associated with the cold. But DO NOT USE THESE ON THE PLANE. Stay away from these and only take the decongestant.

(Disclaimer: I am not a doctor and you should follow your doctor's advice blah blah)

Follow YOUR doctors advice! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

Excellent advice! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif

What Joanek relates makes me somewhat concered. I flew from EWR to SFO several weeks ago. I had what I considered a minor cold, some sniffles, not sneezing or plugged nose. I had a late dinner meeting and could hear just fine. The next morning I woke up and could not hear at all out of my left ear. It was as though someone had literally stuffed a cotton ball deep inside. I just assumed that it would go away. Well, I still have not seen a doctor due to my unreal schedule the last several weeks. I have been flying at least twice a week since and have not experienced any pain on any flight, I just cannot hear out of my left ear. I know, it is time to get some medical attention if I could just stay home long enough to get into someone's office.

Transborder:

Did you have intense ear pain? The kind that finally made you understand WHY small children are shrieking when the plane descends? Or like your brain was going to explode out of your ears?

If so, be concerned. That's how I felt. Worse than a migraine.

If you're closed up on one side with no pain, it's likely that your tubes are, to be too simple, clogged. You doc would probably suggest a few days of decongestants and then to come in if nothing improves.

As others have said, use a decongestant, ie psuedoepherine (Sudafed) 60mg every 4-6 hrs. Benadryl is fine for a sleep aid as well. Keep hydrated, no carbinated or alcoholic beverages.

As far as other "sick" pax on-board, the airflow in airliners is not from front to back or back to front. The air you breathe is more or less exchanged with the 2 rows in front of and behind you, and most airlines use HEPA filters. Of course if your seatmate sneezes all over you, the afore mentioned things aren't of much consequence. If you want more info on cabin air quality, you can visit my website (International Health and Travel Medicine) at http://ihtm.11net.com/tw.htm

One more thing. A friend and I once went up in a private plane, a small Cessna. My friend had a severe cold and didn't take a decongestant. He in fact had severe problems from the flight and lost a good deal of hearing from one ear (permanently unfortuantely). So I am very careful. Again, I would summarize what I find works

1. no anti histamines of any kind
2. take decongestant about 1 hour before descent.

Hi, everyone! Longtime reader, novice poster.

In addition to taking decongestants (as recommended by my doctor) when I fly, it also helps me a lot to use Earplanes, a special kind of earplugs sold in drugstores and travel stores. No, I don't own stock in the company, but I do recommend trying them if decongestants alone don't work.

Having had horrible ear pain one time when I had 3 landings in one day without having taken any precautions, I now use decongestants on a one-landing day and decongestants-plus-Earplanes on a two-landing day. Works for me!

Note: I haven't flown with a bad cold and would be scared to try.

DON'T be a SELFISH passenger! While many are worried how to minimize symptoms, pay attention about how to minimum spread to others.

1) buy a paper surgical mask from a drug store. In Japan, many people wear these during the winter to reduce spread of their germs and getting other people sick.
2) wash your hands often.

1-Get drunk on the flight. This will not only help the pain, if you order screwdrivers you will also be getting a good dosage of vitamin C to fight that cold.

2-Change your toothbrush. Best way to get rid of a cold. -Think about where they are stored and where they are put twice per day.

Thanks for the great advice! I will stop tomorrow and get some Sudafed.

Thanks again for the quick response!

I would immediately go out and buy Zicam, a zinc spray recently approved by the FDA. Its worth every penny of the $9.99 I paid for the little spray bottle recently

I can also vouch for Earplanes earplugs. They help to equalize the pressure in your ears, and since they are made of soft silicone they are very comfortable & have the added bonus of keeping out a lot of noise. One of my best friends uses them whenever she flies since flying bothers her ears a lot. rxziebel, you should be able to pick them up at any Walgreen's or Osco. Good luck from a fellow Chicago-area traveller! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

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Regards,
- Anna

Please note that the VERY popular psuedoepherine (Sudafed) is NOT entirely free of undesirable side effects either! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

I just returned from a nightmarish return to AZ from CA with a cold. I can recommend the following.

Aleve Cold and Sinus: 2x day relieved a lot of the discomfort.

Afrin NoDrip: 2x day wiped out my nasal congestion and opened my sinuses. Highly recommended.

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Bob

I have found that for me, Actifed (also available OTC in generic form) works much better than Sudafed. Really cheap too, as long as you get the generic.

When I find myself w/o any Actifed, I settle for a nice bottle of Cabernet. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/biggrin.gif

FWIW, Actifed actually is composed of an antihistamine, Triprolidine (2.5 mg), along with 60 mg pseudoephedrine. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif


[This message has been edited by doc (edited 11-03-2000).]

I agree with Westcoaster and Anna re: the Earplanes - I swear by them (have to fly with allergies frequently). A lot of airports have them, but I don't trust that, and always get a couple of pair at the drugstore before I go anywhere.

One thing about the Earplanes, you really only need to wear them for take-off/climb and descent/landing. When you're at cruise, you shouldn't have much trouble, and can take the plugs out (or replace them with real plugs).

Greg

Funny, no one mentioned Vitamin C 2000 milligrams per hour to shut down the virus and get relief.

RR- I hope your just kidding! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif

Everyone's a "doc" these days! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/biggrin.gif

Why do you ask? Do you have the evidence (let alone the credentials) to challenge the statement without your usual equivocating?

Just a rhetorical question (wink, wink).

SXJ - At least I can speak, some of us do or shortly will have the MD to bear http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif ... On the Vit C, one of the studies done was actually with employees of the CDC. Bottom line, Vit C wasn't that helpfull, though the study did have flaws...dealing with smart people, those receiving placebo in the study could figure it out, since it didn't have the "taste" that Vit C has associated with it.

[This message has been edited by burkey (edited 11-03-2000).]

I agree with RoadRunner....DON'T!!!

I have a high tolerance for pain (4 of 6 kids with no drugs), but I flew a short distance PHX to SAN and was in pain the entire time (maybe the old age setting in). Thanks for all those tips though, I will try them next time.

I knock myself out with Nyquil. Most FA's tell me they use Sudafed.

Please note, if you don't already know it, that Sudafed is a stimulant - so it's not likely to help you get to sleep! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif

More importantly note that the FDA is currently trying to ban PPA, due to its' harmful side effects which include a possible propensity toward hemmoraghic stroke, even particularly in young women!

PPA is widely found in oral decongestants, yet many cold remedies use the far more safe alternative pseudoephedrine(Sudafed). Look instead for that name on the ingredient list. Nasal sprays are also another alternative. Please note that PPA also is now the only non-prescription appetite suppressant available. So any dieters should probably call their physician about this if using drugs to slim down. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/frown.gif

So, in short, AVOID PPA! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/eek.gif


Here's some links now out!:
http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/scie...g-Warning.html
http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/nati...g-Warning.html
http://www.nytimes.com/2000/11/06/sc...6CND-DRUG.html
http://www.nytimes.com/2000/11/06/bu...6WIRE-PPA.html


UPDATE: But that is when a clerk waylaid Ms. Moona's relief plans, confiscating her cough syrup. "I can't sell this," the clerk said, "because it's on the list.""The list" referred to popular over-the-counter medicines like Robitussin, Triaminic, Dimetapp and close to 400 others that were named in a Food and Drug Administration warning and are being taken off the shelves of many pharmacies.

In the wake of the F.D.A.'s advisory against phenylpropanolamine, an ingredient used as a decongestant in many cold remedies and in appetite suppressants, the exasperating scenario that confronted Ms. Moona was commonplace across the city and the country as consumers and druggists sought to make sense of the new advisory.
http://www.nytimes.com/2000/11/08/nyregion/08PHAR.html




[This message has been edited by doc (edited 11-08-2000).]

Yes, best advice is *Don't.*

But if you must, do this: Go to your physician. Tell her (or him) what the situation is. At this point, you will have 2 options:

1. Do what she says. (i.e., stay out of the plane)
2. Get some drug regimen that might, just might, save your ears. And, I don't know just how to say this...um...but it all depends on how familiar she is with your personal situation. The more so, the better the alternatives that may be offered. I guess what I'm trying to say, is, is she going to be afraid of being sued for malpractice if you suffer a ruptured eardrum, or if this happens, is she going to rag your butt unmercifully in hopes of returning you to sanity and then treat you so you anyway so as to try to prevent any permanent hearing loss if worse comes to worst? (and, yeah, I know, worst isn't correct here, but it is what we use in the South).

I guess what I'm trying to say here, is that in regards to this question, as well as many other related ones, is that if you go outside the typical man-in-the-street envelope, you really, really, need to develop a close and trusting relationship with your physician.

So, what was the final answer?

Yes the study was flawed, they believe in TINY doses. Linus Pauling recommended 10,000 mg Vit C. per day! I take 1000-2000 mg per hour, if something is starting. YES, it does work for many people for over 30 years.

Wear a mask to prevent giving others disease. In Japan, they are considerate enough to do it.

Here we go - love the search function! :) Sudafed is better than Tylenol Sinus?

Of course, avoiding flying is best.

If not, then I find over-the-counter remedies ineffective, and prescription ones overkill.

A small bottle of menthol eucalyptus oil, and a big pack of tissues work best for me...