HELP ME! (Pilots welcome to scenario) Flying Thursday!

[kurtoca]

This is off the subject. I have an sinus infection that has created sinus pressure from under my eyes to my ears(mostly on right side. I will be flying from St. Louis to Chicago which is an hour flight at most....what can I do or take that will not create any additional problems with my sinuses. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. (I thought about taking 60mg of sudafed an hour before the flight takes off, then taking a quick spray of afrin 15-30 minutes before we decend)

[vfr150]

Is this a flight sim forum...or a medical help forum? I rarely answer to these silly posts, but this one deserves it. It doesn't even belong in the outer marker! Christ.

[kurtoca]

This is an serious question. I thought maybe people who fly frequently could helpme out here. Like I said before this is off the topic. I Probably fly once every 6-7 years. I am though an avid fs20002 flyer..

[flynfreak]

to tell you the truth.i have never really come across a method of fixing that problem with sinus pressure and flights. one flight my mom had a bad sinus infection and we were flying from dallas to houston. it was the most pain she had experienced next to child birth because it only lasted a lil over an hour. so in answer to your question knock yourself out b/f the flight so you won't feel the pain. Unless otherwise told to by a doctor..lol..thats my best guess.

[av84fun]

kurtoca...your post was clearly labeled as off topic and those who flamed you for it are just being petty. Luckily, you have a short flight so you prob won't get much above the mid-20's flight levels which will help. If I were you, I would take the Sudafed for a full 24 hours before you launch to get dried out as much as possible.

Good luck.

[AlaskaAV]

This comes from many years in aviation in Alaska and nothing to do with advising you on a medical condition. If it were me, I would be more concerned with what happens to the ear drum. We would always advise our passengers to see a doctor before flying. I have not seen it but other employees have actually seen the ears start bleeding in flight and that would depend on the condition of the blockage. See a doctor before flying. It only takes a minute or so above 8,000 foot to do a lot of damage that can not be repaired.

[cbickel]

We recently discussed this in a flight physiology class- besides what you already mentioned, they also suggested that you could try the valsalva maneuver (plug your nose and mouth, blow out). This works with ear blocks, I don't know about sinus blocks.

I don't know about the possibility of it, but you might talk to the flight crew and see if they can keep the cabin pressurized to sea level. This should at least alleviate some of the pressure changes that can be painful, but I don't know if this is a feasible option. At least they will be aware of this problem.

Chris

[lifeflight813]

LAST EDITED ON Jan-22-02 AT 09:10PM (EDT)[p]I am a ER nurse in Anchorage. I have taken care of many patients with the same symptoms. One pilot worked for a major Air lines in Alaska. The sudafed is a good idea. I also agree that if you have plugged estasian tubes that your eardrums may rupture. It would probably be better advised to ask you Doctor for a medication for upper resp. infection. (ie: Zithromax) It is a one pill a day fix. Good Luck

[coolian2]

You cant really do too much about it... Just last year i flew with the same problem @ 39,000 feet for 2 1/2 hours, its NOT fun..

[rossgellar]

Hey, sorry you're not feeling well. As a matter of fact, my Nana has the same problem, but not just when she's got an infection. I was just flying with her a week or 2 ago, and she had the same problem. But, what her doc DOES tell her to do is get on a regiment of Sudafed a day or 2 before your flight. It helps her a little, hope it helps you.

http://www.flightsim.com/dcforum/User_files/3c4df6913a64a000.jpg
Ross

[Josh10524]

Bring some Cayenne tablets and take them about 30 min before you fly. You can get them at most drugstores and health food stores. It will REALLY break up the congestion.

[AlaskaAV]

Please listen to this ER nurse. A broken eardrum is nothing to play with and they will rupture. Prussurization in aircraft is not always dependable to maintain that 8,000 foot level.

[av84fun]

Ross, let me guess. Is your signature pic on ultra short final into St. Martin?? I don't recall the jets being quite THAT low but almost?
Regards

[injscisteve]

I may seriously be able to help you out here.

I'm a very frequent flyer (80,000 plus annually) and suffer from chronic sinus problems and associated pressure. There is only one thing that works for me. Get yourself a bottle of VICKS Sinex 12 Hour Ultra Fine Mist (red label) nasal spray. The red label has oxymetazoline and the blue label has phenylephrine. The blue label never works for me but the red label is a GODSEND.

I've spent a fortune on drugs, both prescribed and otc. and this is BY FAR the most effective thing I've ever come across and you can find it in any grocery store or discount, i.e., target, walmart, etc.

Remember, RED label.