Flying with horrible head cold!

[wrighter]

I'm hoping someone out there will have some sage advice for me on this one:

In a couple of days I will be flying from the east coast to the west coast with my kids - 6 and 4. No hubby. One six-hour flight from Newark to Seattle, and then an hour puddle jumper flight after that.

Of course I am in the process of developing what I know will be a heck of a head cold. Sinuses and ears hurt, eye sockets, headache, even my teeth hurt! I know this can make our trip very painful - and am wondering if anyone out there has any tried and true ways of getting through it.

Should I try to get to a doc and see if I need antibiotics? See if he'll give me a doozy of a painkiller so I can at least make the flight? Just pop some Dayquil and hope for the best? I'm open to any and all suggestions here!

Thanks!

 

[goofy4tink]

First make sure it isn't a sinus infection. If it is, nothing will get rid of it except antibiotics...at least not quickly. If it isn't a sinus infection, get some good decongestants...I use Tylenol Sinus when I have to fly. It drains the sinuses pretty well. But you have to start taking them a day or two before you travel, and be consistent about taking them...don't miss a dose.

 

[Hedy]

I flew with a (then undiagnosed) dual ear infection last August I found that a steady regime of Advil cold and sinus helped a bunch. If you rinse your sinuses, you might want to bring that as well, and do it before your flight.

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

I would use some Afrin severe congestion nose spray before the flight. They make one that has mental in it and I love it. It opens my sinuses withing seconds!

I would also take a decongestion pill about 2 hours before the flight. On the flight remember to drink plenty of fluids not soda. I would take some propel on the go packets and mix it in a bottle of water to help keep you hydrated.

Chew gum to keep ears open.

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

First make sure it isn't a sinus infection. If it is, nothing will get rid of it except antibiotics...at least not quickly. If it isn't a sinus infection, get some good decongestants...I use Tylenol Sinus when I have to fly. It drains the sinuses pretty well. But you have to start taking them a day or two before you travel, and be consistent about taking them...don't miss a dose.

I totally agree. The tooth pain is a big symptom of a sinus infection. The others are more in common with a cold.

 

[xoktenox]

I would definitely head to the doctor. I flew from Puerto Rico to NY once a few years back with a double ear infection (which I didn't know I had at the time) and cried on the plane because my ears hurt so bad. I don't want that to be you, especially with 4 small kids. See the doctor soon and hopefully he can have you on something that can clear it up before you leave!

 

[n2mm]

Go to the doctors now. If you get worse while on vacation are you ready to give up your vacation time being sick, and are you ready to get yourself to an urgent care center ... probably not. I've been where you are twice this year. Just last week. We got home last night. Last Thursday I could feel a sinus infection starting after a headache the day before and teeth and eye pain. So on Thursday (2 days before flying) I did a walkin at my doctor's office and sure enough I had a sinus infection and lots of fluid in my one ear. The doctor started me on anitbiotics and predisone and I was very sick on Friday while the meds were kicking in. Luckily when I got up Saturday I felt well enough to fly and am so glad I went to the doctors as a precaution or it would have been awful to have to cancel my trip or be sick during the trip. We spent 6 days of very hot days and lots of tour groups and got home late last night -- still on the meds for one more day.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Note, though - if it ISN'T an infection of any kind, antibiotics will NOT help in ANY way. If it is 'just' a head cold, please don't request or accept any antibiotic prescription.

 

[wrighter]

Thanks, everyone, for all the suggestions. As much as I don't want to do it, I think I will try to get to the doc today, just to make sure it isn't a sinus infection or head cold. Once I know for sure, I can go from there.

Thanks so much!

 

[MapleGirl]

To ease ear pain on take-off and landing: Ask the flight attendants to get a HOT wet paper towel, crumple it up and put it in a cup. Put the cup over your ear. The steam from the paper towel will help your ear feel better.

I had a sinus infection while flying from Spain to Canada. My ears hurt so much I thought they were going to burst! I told the flight attendants and they brought over the cups and told me to hold them on my ears. I'm sure I looked like an idiot, but it really helped!

Also remember to take some decongestant. I like psuedophedrin (if you can still get it in your area!)