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Ears & Jaw - Would you fly?

14 replies

Runwayqueen · 10/10/2015 23:49

Bit of background...

In March DD (5) hit my chin from beneath with force when messing about. It hurt but didn't think too much of it until a few days later when my back lower teeth started to hurt and my face started to swell(left side only). Following a trip to the dentist and a head x-ray, they noticed a fracture in one of the molars and a small fracture in the socket. Dentist thought I may be grounding my back teeth too, so she filed them down to stop the smashing. She advised the swelling was probably bruising and should subside, worst case scenario ligament pain.

In June I had my routine dental appointment with my normal dentist. He said the filling in the fractured tooth would need replacing. I told him that since the 'bang' I had a feeling of pressure in my ear and my jaw would randomly be painful with swelling. He knew that I suffered from Hayfever and as it was a bad hayfever season just put it down to that.

Fastforward to September, I finally pluck up the courage to have the filling repaired. I pointed out to the dentist that my face was still swelling with pain, and that not only was the pressure in my ear still present, but my hearing was reduced. She advised I saw the doctors now as it was certainly not linked to hayfever, and that my bite had changed. Saw the DR who noted that there was no infection, ear was clear, but my face has thickness on the left around the cheek, jaw and eye socket. He suspected that in the impact my DD may have knocked the Eustachian tube and it was blocked, he prescribed antihistamines and beconase. 3 weeks later there was no change and the problem was getting worse. He has now referred me to ENT, my appointment is 6th November.

The problem is I am due to fly to Spain in just under 2 weeks to take DD to see her grandparents. At the first DR appointment I asked if I would be alright to fly and he said yes, as I had flown in may and had no problems. At the second appointment I asked again if I would be ok flying, this time he was unsure and said he couldn't say either way, that I had a difficult decision to make. When I asked why, he was non-committal other than saying that the problem is much worse than in may and as I cant equalize my ears it could be more problematic.

Would you risk it? I could send DD as an unaccompanied minor on the flight but her grandparents aren't sure they could cope without my input, so that doesn't seem an option. On a day to day basis my face goes up and down with swelling, the only feeling that remains constant is the blocked feeling in my ear.

WWYD?

Thanks in advance, and sorry for such a long post

OP posts:
Runwayqueen · 10/10/2015 23:57

Forgot to add I do get occasional bouts of vertigo with it, might not be relevant, but worth adding

OP posts:
Sallyhasleftthebuilding · 11/10/2015 00:05

Not long back from a flight, 4 weeks ago, and still deaf from unequilised ears, and i was find before. Also had antihistemines with little effect. Not sure its your call.

Runwayqueen · 11/10/2015 09:20

Oh that doesn't sound good. It's such a horrible feeling isn't it.

I asked dp if he recalled me having any problems with our flight in May and said I did complain of pressure. It's not looking good

OP posts:
Sallyhasleftthebuilding · 11/10/2015 09:30

Doctor advised me to take the spray and hold my nose and blow to get the liquid i could hear behind my ear ..out.. nearly there cant hear it when i swallow. Not sure what you can do.

Runwayqueen · 11/10/2015 19:05

Ive had no luck with the spray sadly, or sudafed or antihistamines

OP posts:
AnchorDownDeepBreath · 11/10/2015 19:12

No chance. I hurt my ears in January, flew in March and they were almost healed, but not quite. The ENT thought I'd be okay. I went, it was agony whilst I was on holiday, even worse after the flight back. Lasted weeks and there was nothing that the hospital could do.

Mine were equalising okay before I flew so if yours aren't, I definitely wouldn't risk it.

Runwayqueen · 12/10/2015 10:05

Time for me to swap dd to an unaccompanied minor service I think. She is only 5 but I don't want her to lose out because of my bloody ears.

Based on how they were yesterday I wouldn't fly, today I would, but it's not worth the risk is it

OP posts:
nicknamenoname · 12/10/2015 10:28

The Unaccompanied Minors service is very good, but what about going by train if you want to go too? The Eurostar goes on a very shallow route underground, so is unlikely to cause your ears problems.

DS has twice had an eardrum explode (perforate) on a flight, due to the rapid change in air pressure on descent. Not something I'd recommend, especially as it required surgery to correct!

Runwayqueen · 12/10/2015 12:26

We are only going for 5 days because of my leave restrictions (airport staff) so by time we had travelled to Spain from where we are it would be time to come back. I don't have any issue popping her on the unaccompanied minor service thankfully, she is a good flyer. She would depart the airport I work in so that helps. It's now about persuading her grandparents that they would be ok without me Confused

Bloody ears

OP posts:
Runwayqueen · 13/10/2015 12:23

Well I'm more confused than ever

Just back from seeing the nurse for a hearing check, I told her what both Drs had said and she said she would fly on blocked ears, just make sure I take ample pain relief with me incase they is a problem.

OP posts:
Starrr123 · 23/01/2022 21:45

@Runwayqueen did u fly? Xx

Runwayqueen · 23/01/2022 21:58

I did fly and have flown several times since with the problem still ongoing. I recall it was uncomfortable, but nothing drastic.

OP posts:
silentpool · 23/01/2022 22:04

I had a really bad cold that caused blocked ears. My eardrum burst coming into land so I was deaf on that side for a few weeks. Very unpleasant. But that was a longer flight. Not sure I would TBH.

Starrr123 · 24/01/2022 09:50

@Runwayqueen glad to hear you did fly :) did you use anything to help you?
Xx

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