Hi! I was wondering if anybody on here has had chronic ear pressure? Mine is 24/7 and has been so for a couple of years now. Iām kind of worried to get on a plane because Iām worried my ears wonāt be able to pressurize themselves. I was diagnosed with early Meniereās/ endolymphatic hydrops on top of Migraine due to there being increased pressure in my ears that came up on some test. Does anybody have any experience with this? I plan on seeing a friend in Sept in New Jersey and the only way it can really happen is if I get on a plane. Iām a bit worried as the last time I was on a plane was back in early 08, and itās around when dizziness worsened.
HI Stace,
I think using AFrin to clear out the tubes will be helfpul, and of course I think a benzo to take the edge of your worrying will help too.
I"ve been very lucky that flying doesnāt bother meā¦I also hear Ear Planes are helpfulā¦I haveānt used them thoughā¦
Good luck!!
I travel all the time for work and I have MM. I keep a strict travel regimen that has worked well for me:
An hour so before the flight, I take a 24-hour Claritin-D. Itāll help keep the Eustachian tubes open. Then just before boarding, hit up the Afrin (2-3 squirts in each nostril). Finally, Ear Planes brand earplugs. Wear them for take-off until the plane reaches cruising altitude, then pop them back in about 20 minutes before landing. Since doing this routine, I have had no issues with flying.
I was also diagnosed with menieres, then endolymphatic hydrops, then vestibular migraine. I have a lot of pressure in the ears. Sometimes I get non stop popping when I lay my head back on the pillow which drives me mad.
I havent had much of a problem with flying, I always tend to go deaf and the ears wont pop (especially on landing) even though I am sucking tons of boiled sweets. I am the one stood waiting for my suitcase (still deaf) while everyone else is chatting away. But they eventually clear and the one thing I was afraid of (vertigo) has not materialized whilst flying. I did get an attack 6 days after I landed which lasted longer than normal but it came after a severe migraine so I can blame the migraine and maybe the ears were affected slightly which made the attack worse than normal.
Hi guys! Thanks so much for helping me feel more confident about flying. Iām someone who loves to go to new places, explore, and travel. I am really looking forward to that when Iām out of college making more money and can afford to go on trips. I feel like not being able to fly really limits that. Knowing that others with the same problems can do it, really gives me help. Thanks so much. I will probably try to fly in Sept/Oct. Iāve heard so much about the Ear Planes and feel confident they will work.
Well, I just saw a doctor yesterday (for something unrelated - went to Urgent Care because of progressively worse stomach pain) and he said there was increased fluid in my ears. I also have chronic pressure in my ears. I have cloudy sinuses and sinusitis. I can barely breath through my nose - and itās been this way for years. (My ENT thinks I have deviated septums and wants to do surgery). My plane trip is this Thursday and Iām feeling pretty petrified.
I had called my doctor like a week back, and talked to the nurse - I told her how I couldnāt breath through my nose and she said my ear drums could burst. This really scares me. I hope I can convince myself to get on the plane.
Your ENT suggest deviated septums but have you ever had allergy testing? Iāve also got chronic fluid in my ears with inflammed nasal passages and had allergy testing this spring re-confirming loads of allergies. Iāve started allergy shots to hopefull take care of the inflammation and fluid in the ears, and of course reduce the horrid congestion, ear pressure, and other allergy symptoms I have. All make the dizziness and migraine issues worse. Just a thought for you as well.
Best of luck on your upcoming trip!! Try afrin before the flight maybe? I saw someone suggested thatāit does seem to clear things well.