flights and blocked sinus - what do YOU do?

[Katharina]

Okay, I'd like to raise the old common cold problem. What do you guys usually do? Do you always call on sick with a cold, see how it goes, try to be brave? How many days do you call in sick for? And what about therapy and medication, if you decide to fly? Any special recommendations? Anything that's worked well for you? Any exotic recommendations from that Brazilian witch doctor or the Chinese herbalist images/icons/wink.gif ?

Okay, this is what (from my experience) I would recommend: With a full-fledged cold, CALL IN SICK. A cold takes "one week with medication and seven days without", so that's a rough guide for sick-leave - but after the first few days things start to get easier, and one might try and risk it. I wouldn't take ANY risks at all with long-hauls!

Ability to breathe freely is NOT a guarantee that your sinus is free! There are all these little upper tracts you never knew you had, but for pressure neutralisation you'll jolly need them! Indicators of a blocked sinus are (according to my experience): Pain in cheeks/forehead on bending down, headaches and pressure feeling, reduced hearing, voice sounding different.

So, if you must work: A few days before flying (ideally right from the onset of the cold) start taking nasal decongestants. Pills are preferable to sprays or drops, because the latter only reach the outer parts of the nasal tract. Best are herbal pills that work on a basis of etherical (???) oils (sold under the brand names of 'Sinupret' and 'Gelomyrtol' in Germany, but I'm sure equivalents are available everywhere), as they're milder on the membranes than chemical ones.

A wonderful additional therapy is steam inhalation. Add half (careful, strong stuff!) a teaspoon of VapoRub or a handful of camomile blossoms (alternatively, camomile tea will do) to a saucepanful of boiling water. Towel over your head and inhale deeply for ten minutes. I like that VapoRub, cause the eucalyptus goes right through your head and gives you a sort of high... images/icons/grin.gif But I guess camomile is gentler. Do that twice a day - it also adds a nice self-pampering psychological effect.

Vitamin C! Don't forget!!!! And be aware that your body can't store it. Taking the full dose once a day won't do - better to spread it over the day. Good ways are: Put one of these dissolving pills in a large bottle of O2 and drink it over the day, or get a can of pure Vitamin C powder (ascorbine acid) and dissolve a teenytiny amount in your drinks at least three times a day. Or eat fruit - hey, old-fashioned, but proved to work!

On the flight, keep warm but don't sweat, wear a scarf if your uniform allows you to, eat lotsa fruit and DRINK, DRINK, DRINK! Of course only water and herbal teas! If you don't mind smelling of the stuff, apply some VapoRub around your neck; it'll keep "VapoRising" to your membranes during the flight. For break time (if it's a long haul) it's good to wear a moistened "Japanese style" face mask (alternatively a moistened towel) over your mouth and nose, it'll moisten the air you breathe in.

Before descent, if you're really worried or start to feel pain, additionally take those nose drops we have on board. And then: GOOD LUCK!

That's about all I can think of. Opinions?

[ifly]

Very good post, Katharina!

I think you covered everything! I can only add the good old infrared lamp, 10 minutes of it a couple of times a day. You can buy those at most electronics stores (zB Saturn), and they are not too expensive.

I definitely recommend calling in sick, because the last time I flew with a cold, I ended up with an ear infection on both sides plus sinus infection (lots of pain) and having to stay home for 2 weeks. If I had called in sick the first time, it would have only been a few days. images/icons/rolleyes.gif Next time I'll be smarter!

In addition, I think it's just plain mean to fly sick and get all your colleagues sick too!

[bridget74]

Katharina,
Excellent post!

I, too, have sinus problems, so if I'm not careful I can end up with a full-fledged sinus infection. After enduring the pain for a while, I finally went and saw my doctor. Turns out he treats quite a few of our employees.

One thing he warned me about was using the over-the-counter nose sprays. They're highly addictive! He was telling me some of the horror stories of airline employees he's treated who had become addicted to OTC nose sprays. Apparently, weaning them off this medication is quite difficult.

My suggestion would be to go see your doctor and get one of the many new generation nasal sprays. Most are steroids which, as he explained it to me, simply open the nasal passages (I could be wrong, maybe YaleDoc could explain this to us better). And they are not nearly as addictive as the OTC brands. I use one called Rhinocort, and it works great. Just give a quick spray in each nostril about 15 minutes prior to takeoff.

I also had a wonderful F/A who once gave me some hot spearmint tea on a particularly bad flight. Wow! That stuff is great!

Thanks for the info...

[Belg1972]

Great timing. Thanks everyone for your useful tips. I am on a 4 day trip right now (writing to you from the Milford Plaza crew lounge) and struggling with virus related sinus problems. The clinic-provided Allegra is not working.

Thanks again for your advice.

[Katharina]

ifly, you're right. Often I see colleagues who think they do their company a great favour by "not letting the colleagues down" as they keep working despite being sick - and then these same colleagues see nothing wrong with retiring to the 'germ party lounge' aka crew rest, or serving food and drink with their snotty fingers... Few seem to realise that that is much more unfair to both colleagues and pax than just calling in sick!

And bridget, I agree about nasal sprays being addictive. I feel my nose remains blocked much longer, after the cold itself has already left, when I use them. I guess they unswell the membranes, so when you get 'addicted' your membranes just swell up whenever you don't use it. But what to do when you just cannot breathe? It's such an uncomfortable feeling! So I try to use them only in emergencies and as rarely and shortly as possible.

And yes, I too swear by spearmint of peppermint tea. Camomile is also good.

All the best to Belg with your sinus problems!!!!!

[DR_HALE]

Not flying sick is good, sometimes not so obvious, professional conduct. The IMSAFE checklist has been around for a while but few head the advice. Now for the FAA position: Provided allergies are not debilitating, you have no negative side effects from allergy medications, and you are not taking
medication regularly to manage them, the FAA will approve most drugs for
treatment. Please note the following link for approved medications.
http://www.leftseat.com/coldmeds.htm

[sushiseal]

I don't mess around with sinus colds anymore. But if I'm in the middle of a cycle and come down with a cold, I take an antihistamine like non-drowsy Sudafed exactly 1.5 hrs before touchdown. For good measure, I might drink a cup of hot water with lemon to loosen whatever mucus might be left, and then keep a box of kleenex with me so that I can continuously blow my nose as we're descending. This usually does a good job of easing most of the pressure and pain that goes with it.

[ 07-03-2002, 02:58 AM: Message edited by: sushiseal ]

[Coffee_or_Tea?]

Carefull, carefull with those nose sprays, drops or whatever! I got addicted three years ago, and after 6 months of continuos nightmare (I was unable to breathe at all without my spray - not for more than 2-3 hours) I had to go to the hospital and have my nose lining chemicaly burned. They hoped that the new one will not have the information and I will be free.
Today I don't need my sprays anymore but the new lining is so weak that it bleeds all winter long!
If I catch a cold I use eucaliptus oil (in moderation)and almost every day a non-medicated, moisturizing, aloe spray. In flight use 2-3 drops of menthol or euchaliptus oil in half-glass of boiling water and inhale (if you have time).
But nothing can help you from those terrible pains that you get before landing. Try (I know, not profesional) chewing gum (the cheap one is better becouse is harder) and before geting to your jumpseat get half-glass of water. Take a small, small sip and swallow. Then repeat and repeat. The key is not to "drink" but to kinda' taste it and swallow. Or play "fish" push your lower jaw forward then open your mouth. Not much...than move your "forwarded" jaw to your left and right. Your ears and sinuses should open and you should feel better.

That's in case you want a statue and you go on duty when you are sick. And belive me nobody would ever remember that you've made that effort. images/icons/rolleyes.gif

[gofer]

Found that a "saline spray" is just as good and non addictive. Also if can get some "Durian" (I know most non-Asians hate it - and you can't carry it around) eat that for the Vit.C - again in small units - but the Vit.C in that is great. images/icons/wink.gif :]

[SweetP]

OK here goes...

I don't fly when I'm sick...

I cleared up a hella sinus infection that anti biotics couldn't take care of .. over a 13 year period by taking an herbal tea called Flor-Essence. Its the winner of many awards.

Its values are wide and varied. I took two ounces of the herbal tea mix with water.. either lukewarm or cold on an empty stomach in the morning and evening..... MY GOD How this stuff has helped myself and my loved ones over the years.

Its great for sinuses.

Also... stay away from milk. Sinuses may be due to allergy too. You may need to see an allergist.

High doses of Vitamin C (3,000 Mg) per day is helpful

Echinacea drops is good and if your sinuses are infected.. marrying Echinacea with GoldenSeal is a wonderful combo. Its like the penicillan of the herbal world.

Lots of healthy beverages ....

Zinc lozenges (no more than 6 per day) to heal the tissue membranes in your throat if thats a problem.

Saline solution for nose spray to clean her out. Available at any drugstore.

Hugs:)

[Jamie]

Hi,
I'm new here. I just began research on becoming a f/a. Any advice would be great!!!!

[SweetP]

Get the best orthotics you can buy. Wear the MOST comfortable shoes you can find.
Stretch daily.
Exercise.
Drinks tons of water.
Find a hobby, passion, etc... that is easily transportable when travelling. The kind that you can do a zoning out thing. Thats when you heal yourself from stresses.
Surround yourself with as positive people as you can. Don't allow yourself to fall into the lure of listening to any negativity from crew members ie.. whining about co-workers.. company etc..
Try to save that for when you're out of uniform.
Make friends with crew members you would
strive to be friends with in real life.
Most of all, try to maintain a sense of humour.
images/icons/tongue.gif

[Studley]

In reply to:<hr />
One thing he warned me about was using the over-the-counter nose sprays. They're highly addictive!



Geez, NOW I read and realize this after using them for a week while I was on my NYC trip. :frown_2:

I have saline spray, but I thought that was to keep the nasal passages moist, not to clear them. :confus_2:

And what about the ears and how they react to pressure changes? Last year, when I flew at the end of having a cold, they hurt like hell! This time, I took the nasal spray, and they didn't hurt at all. That, plus I chewed bubble gum for takeoff and landing. :smile_2:

[brownbob]

:mad_2:i came home yesterday from a 6 day gig/gru :cool_2:,had a fab time,however,one of my team left base with a raging cold,result,we were all suffering on the 12hr flight home.it is so selfish to fly(and dangerous :shocked:,blocked ears)with a cold."oh well i cant afford to call in sick"is no excuse.its bad enough we have to come into contact with maybe 390 sickies on board,they dont know any better,we do :blush:.sorry,but its a real bugbear for me as i am the first and worse cold catcher.anyhow,plenty of fluids,rest(if poss)loads of vitC and when you touch down,benolyn day and night :smile_2:,works for me.dont use those inhalers,not good,and if the ears are blocked try the towels soaked in hot water to the ears(be careful not to scald)(i sound like granny clampet)fly safeBB ps,sorry to go on but it realy does annoy me when a colleague with sniffs flys :windsocd:.

[bridget74]

Studley,

Ask your doctor for a steroid nose spray. Explain to him you fly a lot. I use Rhinocort, or Aquacort, or something like that. But you have to use them a couple of days prior to your flight in order for them to be the most affective. I do two sniffs a day for three days before my flight, then two sniffs 15-minutes prior to takeoff. No problemo. And as I understand it, the steroid sprays are non-addictive.

In addition, make sure that I take a decongestant the night prior.

[Studley]

In reply to:<hr />
Explain to him you fly a lot.



Ummm, it's her. I have a female doctor. :smile_2:

I believe in my usual talks with her, I told her that I fly a lot. However, I don't have or anticipate any problems unless I get sick before the trip, as I did this time, so wouldn't it be difficult to say that I'm going to have blocked sinuses?

I'm sorry, but it just sounded confusing.

You mentioned a decongestant. What kind of decongestant works best?

[flymeaway]

Many docs will give you meds in advance in certain situations so long as its not a narcotic. (For instance, I do long distance hiking, and have a few antibiotics/anti-emetics just in case...)

If she's hesitant, ensure her you understand when you should take it and mention something about being stuck in Venezuela with terrible ear block. :grin:

[Studley]

She's not hesitant about giving me anything I need to get me well again. :smile_2:

[Studley]

I guess the timing on my part was off. I got sick on Thursday evening, and I should have gone to see her on Friday.

I tried to get rid of the cold during the weekend, and since I had an early flight on Monday, I couldn't see her then. :frown_2:

[bridget74]

I usually take Allegra-D. It works pretty good and helps keep you clear. However, it doesn't do anything for me if I'm already stopped up. If that's the case, I rely on the standard sinus medications. Sudafed Sinus Headache is one of my favorites, especially the night-time version. Dries you out AND knocks you on your butt. Just make sure you have a full eight hours to sleep, and keep some water next to your bed. It works so well it can almost dehydrate you. :grin:

[Eagle Eye]

YES..be very careful with nasal sprays. I was addicted about 8 years ago. Went to the doctor who gave me a saline spray and told me never to use those again. Which I haven't.
Sudafed works just fine for me. I only use it when I really need it. I tried Tylenol sinus, didn't work to well for me so, I will stick with Sudafed.