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!

Sorry if this has already been suggested…go to the pharmacy and ask for the Sudafed in the blue and white box. You can’t buy it off the shelf, it’s kept behind the counter. It is a little red pill. That’s the proper decongestant stuff. There’s no ibuprofen in it and it’s fab. I don’t bother with the usual stuff. And then steam inhalations (bowl, hot water, face over bowl, towel over head.)

Good luck to you.

Nothing to do with disease progression, or an infection that was already brewing??

Have you tested for covid? Only asking because when we last had it (earlier this year) it really impacted DP's sinuses and it had never done that before. If it was, you'd also have a condition to report for insurance. Might be worth checking.

Well clearly I'm not putting off people going am I, if the op went with symptoms of a cold!

Try Sterimar nasal spray. It's a nasal cleanser rather than medication. Sainsburys, Boots etc sell it. You will probably pay a lot less in Europe (I did). It just washes out your nose. You will probably be able to use it alongside your normal nasal spray just at a different time. On the flight try menthol/spearmint chews.

Be careful with Sudafed because it can have a stimulant effect and after a day or two on it I can't sleep and feel a bit wired to the moon. It might be enough to get you through the flight though and hopefully once you are there you can rest and recuperate. Maybe wear a mask on the flight to help prevent passing it on too! I hope you feel better soon.

The OP went with sinus pain so bad she thought she would vomit.

My sinuses are permanently damaged due to an undiagnosed perforation. It left long term pain, Sudafed are the best thing invented. I cannot take anti inflammatory ibuprofen either but have no issues taking Sudafed non drowsy.

Pharmacist?

Be careful with Sudafed because it can have a stimulant effect and after a day or two on it I can't sleep and feel a bit wired to the moon

Yes, it can make you feel a bit whizzy.

Another vote for the Sudafed nasal spray (or a generic equivalent). Can you get to an out of hours pharmacy and see if they suggest anything stronger. The off the shelf Sudafed has very little evidence to back up its claims but the spray does.
Also steam can be really helpful as well as gargling with salt water. I had something similar and it was horrendous but steam and gargling did genuinely help. The steroid spray might help to clear up residual sinus pain afterwards so is probably worth packing too.

Your h can’t be a parent to his child? That needs fixing asap, seriously!

otherwise, go, you’re probably going to get better v soon. It’s not long haul or remote.

Phone 111 and get a referral to an out of hours dr. Sounds like you have a sinus infection. All the over the counter meds won’t help except a bit with symptom control. You still have time to do this.

For infos sake from UK CAA's Guidance for Health Professionals:

"The decrease in ambient pressure in the cabin as the aircraft climbs to its cruising altitude will cause any gas to increase in volume by approximately 30%. As the aircraft descends to land, the increasing cabin pressure will lead to a corresponding reduction in volume. Gas within body cavities may cause problems if it is trapped and unable to expand freely or if there is obstruction to the free flow of air preventing equalisation of air pressure. The effects of this are most commonly seen in passengers suffering from upper respiratory tract infections, who may suffer ear or sinus pain and bleeding (otic / sinus barotraumas)."

All the talk of ears, COVID etc is fine but the OP really has to find a way of unblocking their sinusitis.

https://www.caa.co.uk/air-passengers/about-your-trip/health-and-medical/guidance-for-health-professionals/physiology-of-flight/

Tesco “blocked nose relief” is just pure phenlyephrine so you can still take whatever paracetamol/ibuprofen etc you wish with it

This is not an ailment to cancel a family holiday for. Sounds like you’ll just need to get on with it.

Sudafed often does contain ibuprofen - and it's an NSAID and usual if you are allergic and ill with one it's the entire family...

@SENSummer try a steroid nasal spray then lots of hot drinks. Particularly lemon and honey tea!

I assume you've tried a super hot flannel across your face/sinus area? Or a neti pot thing?

I experienced the same after flying long haul home with a sinus infection (and taking antibiotics for). The pain as we descended for landing was something else and I realised once in the car for the drive home I couldn't hear the satnav. My hearing came back after a few days so could have been a lot worse but I'd never risk it again.

Have you done a Covid test?

This … I’d be furious if me and my two young children ended up sat next to someone obviously unwell.

I flew long haul with a sinus infection and the plane pressure was horrendous. As soon as I got off the plane, I burst into tears because I just felt so awful.
if it's a 2 hr flight, will some strong over the counter sudafed work or sinutab?

Is it a country where you can buy antibiotics over the counter? I used to do this when I suffered with my sinuses whilst living in the ME. No other remedies helped. You can also buy them on online pharmacies but they’re pricey. Cheaper buying over the counter if possible.

You need to be careful flying with ear/sinus infections as it increases your chances of barotrauma/perforation.

I used to be a cabin crew and once had a sinus infection. Got pulled out for a short 45 minute turnaround and had an awful earache during landing. Went straight to the airline medical centre and was grounded for 2 weeks. The GP said my eardrum was very close to perforating.

I would reevaluate in the morning. I remember when I was a kid, my brother was complaining of earache at the check in desk and we were turned away.

You’re berating people for going to the GP . If you are unwell you should be able to see a doctor, as I said the state of the NHS isn’t the general publics fault

Pharmacy first thing for antibiotics. They are able to prescribe one, be warned follow the directions exactly, I didn't and threw the first dose back up! Worked a treat by day 2 and we had a lovely holiday.