Flying poorly (tomorrow) ?

What sinus spray have you got @SENSummer?
The treatment of sinus pain and post nasal drip is the spray it just takes ages to clear. I had to take it 4x a day for about 3 weeks.

Viruses can really knock a person for six. I think given that you are currently bed-bound and really in quite a lot of pain, it is perfectly reasonable not to travel tomorrow. Yes, the flight itself might just be 2 hours, but 2 hours is a LONG time when the air pressure is likely to make things feel so much worse, plus the journey from your home to the airport, then the faff at the airport, and all when you really need to be in bed... it sounds rather hellish to me. That's before we get into the energy needed for small children.

Keeping my fingers crossed you are feeling well enough to travel tomorrow. I would definitely say that you shouldn't feel guilty if you aren't.

My 19 year old DD had had these same symptoms for a couple of weeks when she was due to fly at Easter. I took her to the GP expecting she had a sinus infection, but like you, no temp etc. (therefore no infection, so no antibiotics), so they told her to use the sinus spray and that it would clear up on it's own. I was really worried about her on the flight, and it was a bit uncomfortable, but not horrific. The symptoms cleared up after 48 hours in the sun.

I live like this for weeks on end ( I have terrible allergies , even worse in summer ) so I’m not surprised that the GP was disinterested.
steroid sprays don’t work immediately, it takes time for the inflammation to go down .
I also use Sterimar , a saline spray that helps clear and clean your nasal cavities.
in the meantime I’d head to a pharmacy that does consultations and prescribes .
Sudafed tablets will help too , some are simply just the decongestant and others have paracetamol in as well .
I also can’t take ibuprofen because I have asthma

Have you tested for Covid? The last time I had it a few weeks ago the symptoms were similar.

Otherwise echo what others say about seeing a pharmacist, or depending on what time you are travelling tomorrow, could you turn up at your GP surgery first thing? Wishing you a speedy recovery.

Otrivine drops are brilliant for decongesting sinuses.

I'd be very reluctant to fly, OP. I suffer from sinus problems and the last time I flew it was so bad that I've refused to fly again since. Your sinuses won't clear in 24 hours no matter how good the advice you're getting from here.

What I have found most useful for head colds and conjestion is benadryl with decongestant (green topped box, not the usual blue box of benadryl) and it is over the counter. There are no painkillers in it so you could take paracetamol with it. You could do a pharmacy first consultation for sinus infection but I found the penicillin upset my stomach - so swings and roundabouts really - and if you dont have temperature or green/yellow mucus, its unlikely to be bacterial.

If you are travelling outside the UK, you can easily see a doctor who isnt constrained by the NHS and will give you proper attention. Its worth the flight just for that. My Ukranian friends fly home for a few days when they have toothache

On some ways it doesn't really matter whether it's a 2 hour flight or 10, there's just the one big climb at the start of the flight with air pressure coming off and then more importantly one big descent with ambient pressure increasing at the end...

That's where there might be an actual risk of damage if the OP's sinuses are completely blocked.

I am another one who got antibiotics from pharmacy for sinusitis. I also didn't have many symptoms but it did trigger ear problems that (for me) come with sinus issues. Saline rinse using a neti pot type thing also helped to move it all on.

Have you tried the Sudafed nasal spray?

https://www.boots.com/sudafed-blocked-nose-spray-15ml-10006569?srsltid=AfmBOor8rWrRbzF0-Uv607f8G3d8IdnelzSLq7TF1T3_XIUbeTtSEYVX

It works within minutes and you can use it for up to 7 days. I only found it a few years ago and it’s genuinely changed my life.

If you are really congested and can’t seem to manage it I would be a bit worried about your eardrums as the pressure changes on an airplane can cause actual damage.

Nasal rinse and antibiotics. Sinusitis is horrendous and I sympathise but it’s nothing that stops you traveling

Have you tried a nasal rinse?

Since covid I now get post nasal drip and sinus pain after most colds, which can last for weeks.
I was wary of taking g sudeafed for that long but doing a nasal rinse a couple of times a day really helps relieve my symptoms.

This. Pseudoephedrine all the way. Sudafed’s decongestant version (blue coded) works for 12 hours.

Definitely Sterimar salt water nasal spray first, to clear out sinuses. It won’t cause rebound nasal drip.

Sudafed (just pseudoephedrine, not added painkillers) tablets.

Paracetamol.

You can use steroid nasal spray too, to get on top of the inflammation.

Sweets to suck and/or chewing gum to help ear pressure on the flight.

Seriously? Whether it's a "tail end of a cold" or not, she feels unwell. Do you really think she'd be considering missing the holiday if she actually felt well enough to go?

It's not just the flight either, is it. It's the packing, the travelling to the flight, the waiting in airports, the travelling to the accommodation once you get there.

The thought of it makes ME feel unwell, and there's nothing actually wrong with me!

It's not rebound congestion is it?I had these symptoms years ago that would just not go. I'd been using nasal sprays but had no idea you should only use them for 3-5 days or they begin causing the same problems you're trying to cure. Just an idea, but if you are using them over that length, maybe try going cold turkey. Hope you feel better soon.

It's not just the flight though is it unless op is flying by private jet and will be ferried to her plane in her limo?
It's getting there ,parking ,securtiy. Passports , waiting ,flight delays , and then getting there at the other end ! Ages before if she needs to she can lie down.

Op where are you going ? Is transport easier have you been before ? Good amenities ?
If so I could consider going ..

Can you take gaviscon or something to help with pain killers

I used beconase last time I had this (it was COVID for me, seems to have become ear and sinus congestion and dry throat, it lingers though). Beconase was a miracle cure. The cycle of congestion stopped within 24 hours.

@SENSummerI’ve had awful sinusitis a few times, and it really is awful.

however, your local pharmacy should be able to help. I’ve been prescribed antibiotics twice (via local pharmacies). You’ll have a consultation with the pharmacist and if they deem necessary they will prescribe antibiotics.

Hope you manage to feel better, and enjoy your trip!

In honesty it wouldn't occur to me to not go...were you genuinely suggesting the family miss their holiday because you have the tail end of a cold? You must be, as you don't seem to be suggesting they go without you.

It is a 2 hour flight, next to nothing.

I would take one of the lemsip that has menthol in it and go. But have a bit of a google for English speaking doctors nearby where you are staying in case you need to get some antibiotics.

ETA - But yes, if you are able to see someone today (walk-in centre) or pharmacy, then even better.

Sounds like it could be sinusitis- I would go your local walk in centre today and they can prescribe something for you