Flying poorly (tomorrow) ?

[SENSummer]

So we fly first thing tomorrow on a family holiday (me, hubby and two kids <6).

A week ago I started with cold and have had horrid sinus/general cold symptoms. Went to the doctors got a steroid spray (they were thoroughly disinterested as I didn’t have a temperature) but the sinus pain was so bad I felt sick. The steroid spray did very little, I’ve been struggling all week. Doesn’t seem to be improving and awful post nasal drip (tmi sorry). I just feel rubbish but it’s been a week now usually I shake things off or they at least improve. I’ve spent today in bed covered in Vicks and felt awfully sick.

I said to hubby I didn’t think I’d manage it tomorrow. I struggle with my sinuses on planes at the best of times and it can be really painful. He looked at me like I was nuts because it’s ’just a cold’.

We have insurance but given I’m ’not that unwell’ and the doctors shrugged it off I doubt we’d be able to claim on it. Hubby thinks I’m at the end of it and will start to feel better in the next couple of days so should just push through. I do push through things quite well usually but I just feel grotty and so disappointed that it’s a week in and I’m still this rubbish!

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

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.

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... (!)

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?

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

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

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.

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 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.

It’s such an odd one because I’m not snotty at all and it doesn’t hurt when I bend down or lean forward etc which has always been agony in the past when I’ve had sinus issues.

Ive not had a temperature, cough, sore throat etc I’m literally just in pain between my eyebrows and nose with horrific post nasal drip (which I’ve never had before but hate).

I do feel very tired and lethargic and unwell but it’s not presenting with symptoms I usually have

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 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!

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

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.

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.

@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!

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.

Can you take gaviscon or something to help with pain killers

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 ..

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.

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!

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.

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

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.