Barotrauma

[Enjibenji]

When I travelled to Thailand a few months ago, I suffered an incredible pain through 6 of my 8 flights over the course of my trip. The other 2 flights were not as painful, but enough to make anyone extremely worried. It happens during descent when flying and I was able to find out what it is - barotrauma. I've read quite a lot of peoples' experiences with this, with most saying it was the most painful experience they have suffered, one woman saying child birth was a doddle compared to it, others saying the pain of a broken bone doesn't near match up for it. Long story short, it's a horrible feeling that not only made me feel like my eyes were about to explode but my head feeling like someone jagging icepicks in it. I pretty much thought I was going to end up blind, deaf or dead each time. I've had sinus problems for the last 3-4 years where one nasal passage has always been blocked (changes throughout the day - weird), however this condition was pretty sudden being that I had never felt it for 16 years of flying beforehand, yet a few months ago I experienced it on all my flights.

It's probably a long shot, but i've figured since a lot of people travel on this forum, it might not be a bad shout to ask on here.

So, does anyone know of anything that can help? I've had a few suggestions from taking medication 1 hour before landing to putting hot towels in a cup then holding them over each ear.

I went to my doctor as soon as I got back from my trip a few months ago, however I still havn't received my ENT appointment, hence desperately coming on here and asking - though Sheryl and others have been extremely kind in helping beforehand with other questions. My doctor did give me some nasal spray - fluticason-propionaat but I've got no idea if that will help.

I fly in 10 days and I've read of people saying they have experienced permanent hearing damage - so I'd like to give that a miss if possible.

Thanks for any help.

Edited December 7, 2011 by Enjibenji

[Pacificperson]

Take Pseudoephedrine - 60 mg. one to two hours before each landing. Get the real stuff not the new substitutes. It is good for about four hours if you have two flights close together.

You can also learn the scuba diver's trick for clearing the ear tubes. Pinch your nose, close your mouth and lean your head hard to the side, then blow firmly. Lean your head to the other side and repeat. Do this as soon as you start feeling the pressure building up. If you wait too long, it will not work. Keep repeating the procedure every few minutes all the way down. You might want to practice before your flight. You should feel a mild pop when the tube clears. Don't blow too hard.

Good luck.

Edited December 7, 2011 by Pacificperson

[Enjibenji]

Thanks for the reply.

Amazingly, as soon as I finished writing creating this topic, I went onto a chatroom for pilots where there was 1 other person. I asked him if he knew anything about it, then midway through explaining, another person joined and clicked as to what I was talking about - he has suffered from it too up until a year or so again.

He's had sinus problems too and had the exact same symptoms as me - except he's gone one step further and been for a CT scan. Supposedly, his is caused by his adenoids which he has now been able to manage during flights with a nasal spray, sudafed and popping ears technique. He also said that managing it daily has been done by a steroid spray called fluticason furoate which he has been on long term.

I hope this topic helps anyone who has suffered from this. And once again thanks for the reply.