Help! Due to fly tomorrow

[RobertJohnsonsShoes]

DD4 has been really unwell and so took her to the doctors today. Turns out she has an ear infection, anti biotics prescribed. She's already had 1 dose and is visibly better, reports her ear isn't hurting anymore.

Problem is we're due to fly to Barcelona tomorrow. The doctor said there is a risk of a perforated ear drum if we fly but then went on to say make sure she's chewing gum, drinking water etc as we take off and land. When I asked if she recommended we didn't fly she was non committal and said she couldn't say either way.

I'm freaking out but I do have a history of being overprotective due to a very traumatic pregnancy and I am a TERRIBLE flier/traveller. Husband says she'll be fine and not to worry. He's done some research.

AIBU to be freaking out?

How frustrating that the doctor won’t confirm either way. I would just say if she won’t confirm not fit to fly then you’re unlikely to get your money back through insurance. I know that’s probably not the most important thing but just so you’re aware.

The flights and holiday are separate so that's not really an issue if we had to go out a day later. Husband won't consider, tells me it'll be fine.

I am a big panicker and I think in his efforts to placate me I wonder if he's not thinking of the risks.

if the doctor hasn't told you to stay home, then DD is safe to fly. just take some precautions like having a drink during landing and she will be fine.

I would not risk a burst ear drum.
Get a second opinion (medical) and decide.

Can you get some 'ear planes' or similar in a hurry? They stop the changers in pressure

I once cancelled a holiday when my daughter was the same age because of an ear infection. Our GP advised us not to travel and provided a note to our travel insurance company.

I would not risk a burst ear drum
My son had one and it caused endless problems until he had an operation to fix it
Is your travel insurance still valid?

Keep in mind if she does end up with a burst ear drum she won't be able to swim.

how many doses will she have had by the time you fly? Does it work re timing to give a middle of night dose (not sure how many she needs within 24 hours)?

if she’s feeling better I would probably go and just make sure she has a lot of stuff to eat/drink during take off

I would still go.

Even if the worst happened - a perforated eardrum sounds dramatic and awful but in many cases they're pretty 'routine' and can happen with a bog standard ear infection anyway, then they usually heal on their own.

I once took ds1 to the GP after 2 days of high temp and because he started complaining of ear pain. The GP examined him and said very casually 'oh yes, he has two perforated eardrums, no wonder he's a bit sore'. He was totally nonplussed and unconcerned, said it's very common with ear infections, gave antibiotics and said they'd heal after the infection had gone (which they did).

Unless the GP said not to fly, I'd carry on as normal.

If she burst an eardrum you’d never forgive yourself. Is it worth the risk? That’s what you need to decide. Your husband obviously thinks it is - or maybe he sees no risk. Your doc said there is a risk. 🤷‍♀️

I’m risk averse, so wouldn’t do it. But I bet my husband would be like yours! Still it comes down to ‘what if’ (for me).

It’s difficult 😕

Have you any idea how excruciatingly painful a burst eardrum is??

There's various other ways to get to Barcelona without flying, if you still want to make your holiday without the risk.

Believe it or not my child’s hearing in one ear never recovered fully after a burst eardrum. It is about 4 years later. It is actually quite shocking as ll you see online is that it heals and is temporary.

I wouldn't risk it at all. My ds had a burst eardrum and he was in so much pain and distress.

I've had perforated eardrums just from a heavy cold twice. I can honestly say the pain was horrendous until the point it burst and you get some relief. Perhaps the pharmacy can advise better than the Dr if the anti-biotics will kick in good time and prevent it happening. I think the decision to fly will be a gamble... but just be aware if it should burst the pain will be excruciating.

This is really difficult.

I suppose if the doctor really thought it was a bad idea then she wouldn't have spent time talking through what to do ie. Chewing gum, ibroprophen etc.

I'm in a similar field but not medical where I can't give my view but would hammer home the risk if I felt it was something that would really be detrimental to my service users.

So that's as clear as mud! Might just see how she is in the morning and go from there!

There’s no way that I’d risk a flight only a day after starting the antibiotics.
Have you disclosed this to your travel insurer? Unless your GP has cleared her as fit to fly then I very much doubt that you would be covered. As an aside to the medical risks and how upsetting complications could be, the cost of treatment overseas could be worth considering too.

Absolutely no way would I risk my child getting a perforated ear drum just because I wanted a holiday.

This is really tough OP, but a burst ear drum is excruciatingly painful.

Mine burst when I was asleep and I thought someone had hit me with a hammer. I am a tough cookie and I was in tears.

I take strong 30/500 cocodamol and those every 4 hours was only able to dampen the pain to a painful ache.

I don't think I'd risk it

Mine hasn't and I still have a lot of pain and deafness if I fly as well

My kids both have regular ear infections.

Pharmacy recommends Sudafed to reduce any blockages etc

Cabin crew here. Please do not risk it. I’ve seen fellow crew members fly with blocked ears (not even an infection) and the pain can floor an adult, it can be horrendous.
In one colleague it’s ended in a burst eardrum.
Pain, etc on the ground is very different to when you’re in the air.
She may well be fine but is it worth the risk?

If you have time I would take her to a cranial oesto before flight to help relieve the pressure - I did this with my daughter who had the same issue and she was fine on a flight to Australia with several landings as part of the journey.

DH flew home with an ear infection once, he was in agony, much worse than off the plane. Your choice but it was painful to watch.