NBR: I'm freaking out re. my ear and flying

KristenBtobe

I've always had ear problems. As a child I had ear infections all the time and tubes three times, I guess I have a narrow eustachian tube. I had an ear infection and cold about 10 days ago, got a zpack from one of those minute clinics since it was over a weekend. I think my eardrum ruptured during the infection. My ear still feels super clogged, my hearing is reduced, things sound muffled, and I've got pain.

I'm freaking because I have to fly to Houston on Monday for work, come back Thursday, then we fly to Orlando Saturday for vacation. Once when my parents and I flew back from Italy, my dad had an ear infection and his ear and neck swelled to the size of an orange from all the pressure. It was so horrific and he was in agony.

I went to my GP today, he gave me another z-pack and told me to use Afrin before I fly, and referred me to an ENT, who I go see Thursday. He thinks they may put a tube in my ear (apparently it's an office procedure with adults! ACK!!!) to open the tube. Holy crap. What if the doc says I can't fly? Not a great way to start out my job. Not to mention how much we spent on this Disney trip. Even though I know it may kill my supply (O is still a nursing maniac), I think I may have to take sudafed as it is supposed to help. I also found that there's some ear plugs that are supposed to help with pressure changes in airplanes, so I'm going to get some also. 

RXjenna

My husband has ear issues when he flies and he swears by EarPlanes (the ear plugs you're talking about).  He's never had an issue when he has used them.  I don't think a dose of Sudafed would hurt you too much at this point either.  Good luck - hope you get good news!

hav2run

You should be fine to fly after ear tube insertion, and it will make your flights much happier for you.  I would do it, if it were me, just to ensure that the ear can drain, and no killer ear pressure while on vacay.  The procedure takes about 5 minutes, and it should not be too bad to have it done in the office.  They do general anesthesia on kiddos because they can't be still for 5 minutes.  I wish you well.  Let us know how you are doing.  Happy travels!

cops_wife

Before one of our recent vacations, I got an ear infection. It was a pretty nasty one that had been going on a while before I finally got it checked out. I think it was maybe a week before we flew and the CNP didn't give me an oral antibiotic, just some antibiotic ear drops because she said they don't like to give oral antibiotics for ear infections anymore unless they're persistent.

Anyway, we flew a week later and my ears were totally fine. I did just the same things I always do on a plane, namely chewed gum and had a swig of water here and there, and I had no additional pain.

My point is, there is hope. I wouldn't freak out too much just yet. Did you get any ear drops? I was pretty surprised at how well they worked, although they took a few days. 

KristenBtobe

hav2run:

You should be fine to fly after ear tube insertion, and it will make your flights much happier for you.  I would do it, if it were me, just to ensure that the ear can drain, and no killer ear pressure while on vacay.  The procedure takes about 5 minutes, and it should not be too bad to have it done in the office.  They do general anesthesia on kiddos because they can't be still for 5 minutes.  I wish you well.  Let us know how you are doing.  Happy travels!

Thank you both, I knew our medical pros would help put my mind at ease. 

teacherjess

I'd definitely get the tube put in just to be on the safe side. Then, add anything you can get for congestion and hope for the best. What a bummer to have to worry about. I hope it gets better! Keep us updated.

KristenBtobe

The doctor made an awful face and said my eardrum was really retracted (whatever that means) and he said I could be facing another rupture if it didn't improve. But it's good to hear that things got better for you fast, Christy. It's been a stressful couple weeks, between me having illness after illness and Maggie having back to back ear infections as well so I think that's just compounding my anxiety about all of this.

curlypie1

Oh geesh, what timing.. Eric had to fly on a 7 hour flight home from our honeymoon with a ruptured eardrum. He subsequently had to have surgery to repair it when we got back home. We visited a hospital on the island we were on (the entire last day of our honeymoon...yay!) and they gave him some antibiotic drops that seemed to help. I don't know much about adults getting tubes but I sure hope they work out for you if you go that route. Your family trip sounds great and I hope everyone is feeling better by then.  

Moesten

Well, you covered both suggestions I was going to make ~ Sudafed and ear planes. I have relied heavily on both at times in my life to make flying bearable. I have had some icky experiences given my jacked up sinuses. The fun one was when I ended up in an emergency clinic in Hawaii and they were saying I wouldn't be able to fly home if they couldn't get some of the fluid out of my ear. I was truly in agony.

I hope you're able to get it dried up before Monday. Thankfully you have several days. Good luck! 

MelissaMc22

I don't have any additional advice, I just wanted to say I hope it all works out for you!