Flying with a blocked ear?

[Lookforthestars]

I've got the last minute chance to go to Florida tomorrow! But this will mean flying with an ear that's pretty blocked with fluid.

Dh says it'll be fine as planes these days are pressurised better than they used to be.

I'm going to call the doctors later but what does everyone else think?

Is there anything I can do to unblock the fucking thing before or to help while flying?!

You'd risk a burst drum which will fucking hurt, I warn you.

But take medical advice.

It could be incredibly painful. Go with the doctor’s advice.

I presume you already have an ESTA if you are going last minute to the USA?

I had to fly home from USA with blocked sinuses and they prescribed me a powerful decongestant which helped. You could ask whether that would also help you?

I have a green card.

He saw it last week and said it's not infected just fluid. But that probably doesn't make much of a difference.

I know he's going to tell me not to fly.

Argh you poor thing OP. I have flown with MILD inflammation/congestion in my ear and it hurt a lot. I got through by equalising, chewing, swallowing as we were ascending and stuff. I would take medical advice if I were you.

Hope you manage to go, and enjoy Florida- if you’re in the Kissimmee area and are looking for good steak go to longhorns... oh god best steak ever!

Is it water that has got in the ear? This may help if it is www.swimear.com/about/

Did you win ‘a place on the plane?’

DS always get blocked sinuses and sneezes all the time, a mild allergy thing. Last year we had to take a 10 hour flight and the GP gave him decongestant tablets and drops that he had to take a few days before. I also got him earplanes that were fantastic.

Did you win ‘a place on the plane?’

You beat me to it Georgie

I appreciate everybody's different. I used to dive all the time with colds blocked ears / sinuses etc. Couple of decongestant tablets and I was fine.

I've woken up and they've unblocked! For the first time in ages!!!

But ds seems like he's coming down with a cold. Fml.

What's this place on a plane you talk of?

Dh has to go for work and ds and I aren't hell as fuck not letting him go alone when it's still snowy, muddy and freezing fucking cold here!

Sudafed and Otrivine are your friends. Plus steam inhalation.
Enjoy florida!

If you can clear your nose etc, I'd probably risk it.

I had to fly home with a blocked nose when I was 7 months' pregnant so couldn't mainline otrivine like I normally do. Honestly it was far more painful than the subsequent c-section. I thought my head was going to explode. I was deaf for about 60 mins after landing and it was a few days before my ears were totally back to normal. I think I was v lucky I didn't actually pop a drum or something.

So I would def check with dr and take lots of decongestant. I would never ever fly with a bunged up head like that ever again. Shudder.

Hope you get to go and have a fab time!