Anybody ever get Airplane Ear?

[nytemare]

A couple of times, when I have been on flights and had a cold, I thought my eardrums would burst. Once, on an hour long flight, the pain was so bad tears were streaming down my face. Both times, it took about 3 weeks before I could hear fully. It sounded as if I was underwater for all that time.

So, I was just on vacation in Lk. Tahoe, and caught a cold. I didn't want to go through that ear crap again, so I stopped off at the walk-in clinic to see if I could get a good decongestant. The doctor there was very nice, and actually gave me some sort of steroid shot in my bum. It really seemed to do the trick, because on the flight, I was fine.

I hope no one else has experienced Plane Ear, because it sure hurts.

:hi:

[Rhiannon12866]

1. I know that your ears can get plugged because of the change in pressure.

It usually helps to swallow and my grandmother said to chew gum. That's why babies cry on planes because they don't know to swallow. But it sounds like what you had was more serious...

[Skittles]

2. yes

they've given me a steaming rag in a cup for the pain :(

[raouldukelives]

3. Ugh!

Got that coming back from NY to SF. Thought my head was gonna pop. Held myself together and managed to catch the bus for a 2 hour ride home. Head was throbbing and spinning like a top. Only seat left was right next to the bathroom. Great...Spewed a couple times on the ride. Poor ear didn't feel normal for three months.

[Auggie]

4. Twice. Both times were the first day of a vicious cold. Horrible experience.

[Tuesday Afternoon]

5. Taking a decongestant should help with this problem ...

not medical advice as much as personal experience. Happy Traveling :hi:

[DS1]

6. No

I'm pretty good at equalizing them using the diving method.

Sadly, for some reason after exercise my left ear got wonky last night, with some pain, and pain is very odd for me any my ears.

[Deep13]

7. Yes, usually while flying.

Or rather when landing.

[yellowdogintexas]

8. yes. If my sinuses are already messed up especially. However a DC-9 plane

will aggravate your ears even if you are not sick. If I KNOW I am flying on one of those, I take a sudafed a couple of hours before the flight. DC 9 cabins are notorious for badly balanced cabin pressure. Bigger planes seem to have it much more under control. It is the take off and landing that hurt the most though.

The steroid shot in the bum would function as a super anti-inflammatory and reduce the illness itself. I am beginning to wish I had gone and gotten one last week during the worst part of my bad cold because now the damn thing is down in my chest and I am wheezey.

I am flying in 2 week, sure hope this mess is cleared up before then.

[Parche]

9. This Guy REALLY Has Airplane Ear

:rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

:hi:

[nytemare]

13. LOL!

Thanks for sharing!

[Haole Girl]

10. You might try "EarPlanes"

I used them once when I caught a cold on a trip... they work pretty well.

Here is a link & pic:



http://www.drugstore.com/qxp12445_333181_sespider/earplanes/earplugs_flight_ear_protection.htm

[nytemare]

14. I do have some of those.

Unfortunately, my ear canals are tiny, and even the children's size won't fit in my ears.

Thankfully, though, the shot in the bum and sudafed helped, because I am fine after my flight today.

:hi:

[grace0418]

11. I do. I have to wear Ear Planes on the flight or else I can't hear for at least a day

after I land. Sometimes even Ear Planes don't work. It sucks.

[applegrove]

12. If you had taken scuba diving lessons you would know how the

equalize the pressure between your ears and the outside world. Hold your nose, close your mouth tight and blow and blow and blow. The air pressure comes out your ears and eyes. It works.

[texanwitch]

15. When I flew my ears would pop.

Then I would get sinus problems afterwards.

It would take alot for me to fly now.

My housemates have to fly for their jobs and they hate it.