Flying with sinus infection

[NikiM20]

I have a severe sinus infection and I am set to fly Wednesday morning. I am on antibiotics, but will I suffer horribly?

 

[jlewisinsyr]

If you can take something like Sudafed or can spray some Afrin it may help relieve some of the pressure and make it more comfortable to fly. Since you're already on medication though, be very cautious to the interactions and who knows, Wednesday is two days away, a lot can change.

I have pretty poor nasal cavaties and sinuses and I sometimes have to take something to help with flying (and SCUBA).

 

[PrincessDuck]

Just remember that it will feel good going up, but may hurt coming down. Have some nasal spray in your hand for the descent. The descent will happen sometime after they ding the chimes for the flight attendants and the seat belt sign is turned back on. The cabin may be dialed back down to ground level sooner than you realize.
If you can hold your nose and keep your mouth closed and blow...and your ears clear, then you should be good. I would also suggest sudafed for the flight if you feel stuffy still.

 

[SeaSpray]

Go to the pharmacy (CVS, Walgreens, etc) and get "Ear Planes", they're very soft silicone earplug type things that neutralize the pressure inside your ears while flying, mainly for the descent. I won't fly without them.

Edited to add: Here's a link that explains a little more about them: http://www.cirrushealthcare.com/EarPlanes-C8.aspx

 

[cydswipe]

Here in Iowa, you need to get SUDAFED from BEHIND the pharmacy counter.... The sudafed out in the aisle at Walmart and Target are NOT the real deal. Thanks to meth making idiots, some basics have to be regulated and signed for from behind the counter.

Ask your local pharmacist...
Also, if you are miserable after you land w/ ear pain... I've heard of taking a coffee mug w/ little water and micro at the resort food court to get some good steam, use napkin to cover the top of cup and rest ear on top of cup... never tried it, but did research in case we needed last fall after our flight to WDW... You may want to search the threads for more concrete info...

Hope you are feeling better already!

 

[Brit_Jude]

Afrin all the way - I was a frequent traveller and a frequent sinus infection sufferer and it always helped. Iwould use it after I checked in for my flight before getting on the plane. Regular Sundafed didn't help me at all and the sudafed with other stuff in it just makes me feel too drugged up - if you know what I mean.

 

[NotUrsula]

All of the above can helpful, but if you're really worried, call your physician's office and BEG for a scrip for A/B Otic, to be used only if really needed on the plane. It is Rx analgesic ear drops, and it will kill any ear pain within minutes. I know you don't technically have an ear infection, but blocked sinuses can create ear pain on planes, so a painkiller for your ears is a good emergency measure.

It can be difficult to get a scrip for this medication because it can mask the pain of a ruptured eardrum, and physicians do not want the risk of patients trying to self-treat that. I've got them, but I had to make a deal with my doctor, (and I made the same deal with my pediatrician, b/c there was no way I was going to let my kids suffer agonizing ear pain if I had a way to stop it). The deal is this: if I need to use the drops while flying, I will use them once on the plane and only once more afterward if it still hurts. If the pain is still there when the second dose wears off, I've promised to seek emergency medical treatment.

I'd also ask for an Rx nasal spray for the flight. Afrin works for many people, but it can create a nasty rebound effect after only a few uses. If you are going to go with a spray, the Rx steriod versions are much better. The one I normally use is Nasonex, but my ENT is generous with the samples he gets, so sometimes it varies.

 

[shan136]

Here in Iowa, you need to get SUDAFED from BEHIND the pharmacy counter.... The sudafed out in the aisle at Walmart and Target are NOT the real deal. Thanks to meth making idiots, some basics have to be regulated and signed for from behind the counter.

Sudafed (the real one from behind the counter) is the best OTC remedy for sinus pain. I take 2 Sudafed & 2 Tylenol for severe sinus pain. This plus chewing gum should take care of your discomfort if you are currently on antibiotics.

 

[bdoyledimou]

Ugh.. you poor thing...
I had a 18 hour flight from Toronto to Sau Paulo, Brasil with a sinus infection once.. it was not fun.... when i came back 2 days later it was even worse (agravated by the pollution) but i was able to get a decongestant , took a double dose 30 minutes before take off and again 30 miuntes before descent (if you can feel it it's too late) and it was all good.. (keep in mind i had a 18 hour flight.. judge your flight appropriatly..(

 

[NikiM20]

Thanks all!! I had a rough night last night, but im hoping that I will feel better this afternoon. I will have been on antibiotics for 24 hrs then. I will go to Target and get earplanes and sudafed. Thanks Again

 

[goofy4tink]

The antibiotics will have been in full force for 48 hrs by the time you fly...you should feel much better....even by this afternoon. I would still get something to clear up those sinuses though for flying. Try one of the decongestants that you have to sign for..those seem to work the best. Or you can just try Afrin..that works for us. And bring earplanes with you...they work like a charm for the ears and the subsequent pain associated with flying. We always have them with us in any case.

 

[emmabelle]

if your ears do block, try taking a shower when you get to the hotel. It unblocked my ears when I had to fly home with a bad cold I caught on a cruise ship. So glad I'm not cruising this summer, I've gotten sick on two, which in turn ruined my, post cruise, disney portion of the trip! I remember asking for hot tea with my dinner at Chefs de France, and the waiter kept trying to offer me ice tea.

 

[n2mm]

That happened to me on my last two trips this year. In January I could not shake it just days before my flight. Went to the doctors and after 2 days of antibotics my flight was find. I use my netti pot every two hours to relieve the pressure. (I'm a little surprised that no one has mentioned a netti pot. I always try this before going to the drugs.) My last trip in May it started up days before coming home. I popped some advil and made it home but was at the doctors the next day and took 3 days to recover.

 

[zumbergc]

definitely get a netti pot now. Use it a 2-3 times a day right now. The water/salt mix will get rid of some of your mucus right away in the passages.

just be careful with all these decongestants people are suggesting if you have a heart or high blood presssure issues. Otherwise the deconegestants are awesome.

 

[MinnieGirl33]

Another vote for nasal spray! Afrin or Astelli (Rx).

 

[Gigi22]

This is somewhat dated advice, but it still works for me. About 24 hours before your flight, start taking an oral decongestant following package directions. Continue dosage until landing. If you experience ear discomfort during the flight, use a nasal spray decongestant--once per nostril. You may not drink alcohol while taking decongestants. You may also need a saline nasal spray to moisturize nasal passages.

 

[NotUrsula]

I think that no one mentioned a neti pot because it would be awkward and probably messy to try to use one in the lav on a moving aircraft, especially while in severe pain. I think that we all thought that the OP was asking about acute remedies for pain caused by the cabin pressure.

 

[Iggipolka]

This is too funny, I'm in the exact same situation! I have a nasty sinus infection, my ears are all pluggedd up, I have been on antibiotics since Sunday and I'm flying to MCO Wednesday. I'm going to run out at lunch and get some Afrin. Sudafed makes me feel way to drugged, but I don't relish flying with this ear problem.

Thanks for the suggestions!