suggestions for bad ear ache while flying, please help!

[jamaica71594]

I have always hated flying, but I love to travel, so I do. On a recent flight from Florida in April, my ears ached terribly, and it usually happens when we are landing.

 

My husband and I were on a delta flight from Mexico two years ago, and when we were in the process of landing, my ears ached so bad I began to cry, it was that bad. I chewed lots of gum, but it did not help at all. The airline stewardess try to help, but couldn't. My ears were clogged for at least 2 days after that trip.

 

On this recent trip I was okay the next day, but the pain sometimes is unbearable:( .

 

I will flying again soon (November), and this trip will a 5 1/2 hour flight, and I need something that will help!!

 

Any suggestions would be appreciated!!!

 

Thanks

[cberge]

I have always hated flying, but I love to travel, so I do. On a recent flight from Florida in April, my ears ached terribly, and it usually happens when we are landing.

 

My husband and I were on a delta flight from Mexico two years ago, and when we were in the process of landing, my ears ached so bad I began to cry, it was that bad. I chewed lots of gum, but it did not help at all. The airline stewardess try to help, but couldn't. My ears were clogged for at least 2 days after that trip.

 

On this recent trip I was okay the next day, but the pain sometimes is unbearable:( .

 

I will flying again soon (November), and this trip will a 5 1/2 hour flight, and I need something that will help!!

 

Any suggestions would be appreciated!!!

 

Thanks

 

If taking Sudafed about 30 mins before you take off or land does not help you or earplugs before you land I would see your Dr. as maybe he can give you and RX for drops that may be of help due to the severe pain you get.Everyone's ears are so different re the pressure if he finds nothing wrong to cause the apin for you there are some good meds on the market.

[ggprincess2004]

Please do see your doctor about this. It excessive pain may have to do with unusually small tubes, etc. My doc suggested over the counter allergy meds, and they really have helped me. For daytime, I use Allavert, and for night flights, benadryl. I used to have significant problems when traveling. Now, I don't really have much of a problem as long as I remember to take the allergy meds.

Good luck!

[jamaica71594]

Please do see your doctor about this. It excessive pain may have to do with unusually small tubes, etc. My doc suggested over the counter allergy meds, and they really have helped me. For daytime, I use Allavert, and for night flights, benadryl. I used to have significant problems when traveling. Now, I don't really have much of a problem as long as I remember to take the allergy meds.

Good luck!

 

 

Thank you so much, I will consult with my doctor about this. I never thought to do this before.

 

cberg,

 

thank you for suggestions too!!!

[janetz]

About an hour before your flight, nosespray. Works everytime. ;)

[Whimsy]

My ear specialist told me to take Afrin nasal spray and sudafed before flying but I highly suggest you talk to your OWN doctor. Everyone is different and what might be good for one person may not be the best for another.

 

My ears are so bad I have to see the ear doctor a week before flying just to make sure everything is good to go. I also book non stop to avoid going up and down anymore than I have to.

[Sparky2]

I have always hated flying, but I love to travel, so I do. On a recent flight from Florida in April, my ears ached terribly, and it usually happens when we are landing.

 

Any suggestions would be appreciated!!!

 

Thanks

 

I used to have that problem and a friend who was a flight attendant (when they were called stewardesses) told me to try Sweet Oil and it worked. A few drops in each ear 1/2 hour or so before flight and you're good to go. I think I got the Sweet Oil at Kmart. You'll also need an eye dropper. It's a little messy but better than pain.

 

I no longer have this problem because I have allergy meds that help prevent the ear pain, but I've "been there, done that" and can really sympathize with you. That's partially why babies scream on airplanes - they're in pain.

[mtd1]

Sometimes I have ear pain too but mostly my ears stop up so much that I can't hear much at all for a couple of hours after I get off the last flight. Any suggestions?:eek:

[Coolmama_1]

I used to have that problem and a friend who was a flight attendant (when they were called stewardesses) told me to try Sweet Oil and it worked. A few drops in each ear 1/2 hour or so before flight and you're good to go. I think I got the Sweet Oil at Kmart. You'll also need an eye dropper. It's a little messy but better than pain.

 

I no longer have this problem because I have allergy meds that help prevent the ear pain, but I've "been there, done that" and can really sympathize with you. That's partially why babies scream on airplanes -

they're in pain.

 

My momma used to put sweet oil in our ears when we were kids and had ear aches:)

[LUPY48]

I also take Sudafed about a half hour before departure. It works great for me.

[cberge]

I generally do not post personal info,but in this case I am going to.Most people experience some sort of ear stuffiness,popping etc, when flying landing or taking off,and if over the counter sprays,pills.oil etc. do not work or if one has PAIN in the ears (which is really not normal),but sometimes occurs and happens on a regular basis then SEE YOUR DOCTOR.My son just got his PH.D from MIT in hearing loss,and although we think of the ear as fairly simple it is not,and pain in the ear is cause to see the Dr. especially if one is flying and has or had ear pain that does not go away in a SHORT period of time.Even for people with colds or allergies the usual OTC will help,but if not I can't stress enough to SEE the DR.as they may be able to give you meds that work for you.

[THERUDYS]

Have the same problem with pain in my ears and found taking a decongestant 1/2 hour before take off and using a wonderful product called Earplanes helps tremendously. They are a special type of ear plug that you insert in your ears as soon as you board. You can take them out during the flight and then 1/2 hour or so before you land re-insert them. They equalize the pressure in your ears. They are re-usable for 4-5 trips although I've used mine more than that with success. I purchased mine at Walmart a few years ago and haven't checked recently to see if they still carry them. They are a godsend to those of us with ear problems. I forgot them on my last trip and boy did I regret it! Hope this helps all of you.

[jamaica71594]

Thanks everyone for your very helpful suggestions,

 

I spoke with my doctor today, and she highly recommended Sudafed and eardops if necessary. I have plenty of sudafed, and believe or not, I had plenty of it in my handbag when we were on the plane:eek: Never ever thought about using it either. But now I know.

 

Thanks again,

 

Hopefully it will work!!!!

[jamaica71594]

Thanks everyone for your very helpful suggestions,

 

I spoke with my doctor today, and she highly recommended Sudafed and eardops if necessary. I have plenty of sudafed, and believe or not, I had plenty of it in my handbag when we were on the plane:eek: Never ever thought about using it either. But now I know.

 

Thanks again,

 

Hopefully it will work!!!!

[krissypet]

I used to have major problems with my ears on planes when I was younger. What finally worked for me was holding my nose and blowing to pop the pressure building. I have to start doing this BEFORE the pressure builds up. I just start as the plane begins to taxi and i do it over an over (maybe once every 3-5 seconds) until we seem to be at a cruising altitude. For me it has worked very well. I then do it as we begin to descend until we land.

 

I remember having my ears clog on a helicopter ride and being in major pain all night, crying, etc. I also remember going scuba diving and doing the ear popping thing (like on the airplane) but I must have started going up to fast. The instructor is motioning me to swim up with him, but I felt my ear pressure building. I pointed to my ears and he knew what was wrong. I took a few minutes to try to clear them but it didn't work. I probably needed to descend a bit, but how could I communicate that to him? Anyway, I had to swim up. Very painful!

 

I'm flying out with my three kids on Sunday for our cruise out of Miami. My older son can equalize the pressure the way I taught him. Hopefully my 6 year old can too. My 2 yr old is another story. I think I will give her (and probably the boys) sudafed just in case and I will look for the sweet oil and those earplugs (Thanks for the tip THERUDYS:cool: ).

[alphakitty]

I will second the recommendation for Earplanes. I'd prefer an aid such as this to taking medication.

 

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

[sharke]

Aren't these boards great for answering our questions and helping us? Like the above I used to have this problem. Several years ago I began taking a antihistamine before and using the special earplugs, earplanes. Put them in on take off, take out when at cruising altitude and then replace when descending. We fly quite a bit and I have not had any major problems since. I don't even use the OTC antihistamines anymore. Because I like gum I also always chew while take off and landing. Good luck.