I'm taking sudofed and advil now and was going to use some ear plugs. Or would I be better off trying to get some antibiotics before I go?
2007-01-06 10:37:31 · 7 answers · asked by Sarah 2 in Travel ➔ Travel (General) ➔ Health & Safety
Here's what the doctor advised us.
Take sudafed prior to flying to dry up the nasal passages. Also, get a prescription for Nasonex. After you sniff it up into your nose, "equalize" the pressure between your eustachian tubes and your nasal passages by pinching your nose shut and trying to blow air through your ears. This puts the medicine where it will really help.
Equalizing is what scuba divers do to relieve pressure in their ears and sinus cavities as they dive in several atmospheres of pressure. It also works when you fly.
The doctor also recommended using Muscinex, which is a combination of pseudoepinephrine (sudafed) and guafanesin. It really helps a lot. Muscinex-D has the substitute decongestant in it and does not work as well as pseudoepinephrine. However, you'll have to ask the pharmacist for straight Muscinex, as pseudoepinephrine is controlled now.
Ear plugs will help somewhat, but only to keep the horribly loud engine noise from giving you a headache.
Be cautious with how much advil you take as it can lead to erosion of the stomach lining and cause ulcers.
2007-01-06 10:47:33 · answer #1 · answered by Mmerobin 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It might be too late--- if you absolutely cannot delay the trip, get antibiotics ASAP and some pain pills if your doctor will give them to you. Hard to do on a Saturday evening I know but this would be worth a trip to the walk-in clinic! Flying with a sinus infection is amazingly painful. If you have never done it before, you wouldn't think it was bad enough to warrant cancelling a flight. Of course it depends on how serious the infection is, but even a very weak infection in the right (or I guess wrong!) part of the sinus cavity is going to be horribly painful in flight. Think icepick in the eye.
If you can't get the flight and can't get antibiotics, take the sudafed religiously, as well as a decongestant (not all formulas of Sudafed are decongestants). Earplugs won't help very much though. Also bring some eye drops with you (small bottle, less than 3 oz); it won't help with your pain but if you are in excruciating pain, you may end up with very dry eyes too.
Chewing gum may help, too.
2007-01-06 10:43:14 · answer #2 · answered by dcgirl 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
definately take antibiotics!!!
My mom knows a lot about sinus infections and flying considering that she is a flight attendant and suffers from sinuses. My mom takes antibiotics and some pain pills and that helps her.
2007-01-06 10:48:13 · answer #3 · answered by simpli_cute 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Get the antibiotics. The pressure in your sinuses could be extremely painful and may rupture a blood vessel in your eye.
2007-01-08 06:45:36 · answer #4 · answered by courtlyn_01 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If the doctor says so go ahead and go with the antibiotics. You will definitetly need the sudafed or stronger if you are flying...that won't be fun.
2007-01-06 10:39:10 · answer #5 · answered by alwaysmoose 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Try taking Dayqual tabs 1 hour before and take tissue with you
2007-01-06 10:49:23 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
drink water whenever you can. stay away from alchohol.
2007-01-07 09:40:54 · answer #7 · answered by farmer 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋