Flying poorly (tomorrow) ?

I guess when you have a bad reaction to ibuprofen you avoid anything with ibuprofen in it - which was my point. But not all Sudafed - although some does, despite someone else upthread saying it doesn't - I am looking at my box now with the dose I am about to take, definitely has ibuprofen!

As a habitual sinusitis getter and a pharmacy worker I would get down to your local pharmacy now and throw yourself upon their mercy.

They can prescribe a 5 day course of penicillin for your infection and recommend you a pseudoephedrine based decongestant (gotta be OTC the ones on the shelf contain phenylephrine which has been proven to be ineffective when used as an oral decongestant).

I personally prefer a saline nasal spray like Sterimar but a steroid one will give you some relief however it takes consistent use to feel the full effect.

Don’t forget to take some sucky sweets on the plane too.

I got given avamys for sinusitis along with an antibiotic, got it from the pharmacist on the pharmacy first scheme. Worked really well at sorting the sinus symptoms.

Your DH needs to take the DC and you follow on in a few days time when well enough. Your DH will just have to be parent to both DC in the meantime. If he is not used to looking after your non verbal DC, it will be a fine learning experience and not before time.

I know, my point was that Sudafed (on its' own) isn't related to ibuprofen so just because one makes her sick, doesn't mean the other will.

Inquire re travel insurance. I wouldn't want to go ill.

Oh, and salted water in a netipot helps too. Basically wash saline through your sinuses to reduce inflammation.

Beconaise is a steroid spray so don’t bother with that.

You need a decongestant. Tesco cold relief have it in, or you can just buy plain decongestant from a pharmacy.

Have you steamed?

Think very carefully about doing this. I once did exactly the same with same symptoms and was totally deaf upon landing for 24 hours, then deaf in one ear for the next 48 hours. Then I had to fly home and it started all over again 🙃

I felt I had to go as it was a vital work trip. It went well, happily - industry colleagues found it "charming" that I was ploughing on once I was only deaf in one ear... (!)

I haven't had sinusitis for years and have been struck down a few times recently. Fairly sure it's actually a mild ish bout of Covid tbh which is why it can linger a bit. The nasal sprays and sudafed have helped a bit. Flying could make it worse, definitely.

There is ibuprofen in some Sudafed - the red one does, I take it.

Well you’d likely be spreading it to every person on the plane to ruin their holidays so from that perspective I wouldn’t go

Dispatch your DH to the supermarket or pharmacy for some standard Beconase. Recommended for my husband with awful sinus issues by the ENT consultant. Works like a charm. I take it sometimes (I also get hideous post nasal drip which makes me feel so nauseous) and it’s never failed me.

I’ve just googled and prescribing pharmacies can do antibiotics for sinus infections so I’d be heading there.

Do you have a walk in centre near you?

Or a prescribing pharmacy?

Pharmacists can prescribe for sinicitis and have my ds a steroid spray and told him if it didn’t clear they would give antibiotics.

They are open until 8pm where I live so I expect there’s one near enough you could get to by googling!

If you have to fly follow the advice of @cocochoola

It's not the pain that's really the major problem here, the real issue is you've got to be able to clear your "tubes" because the consequences of not being to able equalise pressure in your sinuses with ambient can be quite nasty (I'm surprised your GP was so casual about it)

I didn’t find the Covinia upset my stomach. Also try those actimel drinky yoghurts I always take them with antibiotics as those upset my stomach too 🙄

I flew with a head cold last Christmas, and my ears were in absolute agony for days after it.

I would go to a pharmacy today and see what they suggest.

Not similar at all, and I'm surprised decongestants weren't suggested by your doctor. Definitely grab some at the airport if you can get any before then.

Whenever I’ve had sinus problems I’ve taken covinia catarrh medicine and painkillers as I can’t take things like sudofed as the decongestant upsets my stomach.
can you get antibiotics from the pharmacy? I had an infected insect bite and went that route rather than docs not sure whether they do for sinus probs though?

I wouldn't want the whole family to miss a holiday if I thought I could manage the journey. Your H is right you may feel better in a couple of days and you can let him take the lead so you rest up til then.

I wouldn't want the whole family to miss a holiday if I thought I could manage the journey. Your H is right you may feel better in a couple of days and you can let him take the lead so you rest up til then.