Very strange sinus prob...

[LowButFast]

Hello everyone....I sincerely hope that someone in here can help me out on this;
I presently fly 737 and I experience pain in my frontal sinuses and just above my nose and along my eyebrows when I'm at work. The strange thing about all this is as follows: No pain during climb, no pain during descend....but after levelling out on cruise (cab. alt app. 6-8000 feet!) a pain SLOWLY develops after about 15 mins. more or less in the middle of my forehead. Sometimes a little bit lower and at times just above my nose bone. It sometimes hurts more than other times. To begin with it was only after I've had a cold...but never the less, it's distracting and certainly not supposed to be there! When we start descend....where you'd normally expect the pain to start....it disappears at app. cab alt 4-5000 feet. Totally gone!!
I've experienced it after a dive as well where I had the same sensation AFTER the ascend...walking around on the beach!?!
After reading through every post in the forum with the word "sinus" I'm starting to correlate some headache that has begun to develop to the sinus problem as well!
I've tried: otrivin, zymelin, sudafed, various inhalants such as menthol etc. NOTHING HELPS! I've done Becanese for about 3 weeks and to be honest I only think it made it worse. Seen 3 specialist, had a CT scan and I'm currently waiting for another scan. !!!!!!HELP!!!!! I'm grounded
Any info appreciated.
:{

[mini]

LBF,

I'm a diver, not a flyer...

It sounds like you've got the tail end of an upper respiratory infection, forget about the over the counter remedies and go see your Doc. they should put you on a dose of tabs that will sort it out.

:ok:

[G-Foxtrot Oscar 69]

I had a similar thing a couple of years back. It was not linked to flying or any pressure change. I only noticed it when concentrating for long periods.

It was because I had been leaning forward and I guess increasing the pressure.

The G.P. only said that it was because I had "Probably been leaning forward".

It started after the tail end of a cold.

As mentioned before it was a respiratory infection and I had to get some pills from the doctor for it.

I also found that the steam room and sauna at the health club helped to clear it.

I guess it just blasted the gunk.

I'd see a doctor though it may be something that could get serious. Especially with the pressure changes several times a day.

[Flyin'Dutch']

Hmm, interesting one; that is to have a think about and wonder what the cause is, not to have it!

From your post I deduct that you are already seeking appropriate medical advice as what is written here by me can obviously not replace that!

It is obviously not a straightforward sinus thing as the symptoms don't fit in with that, and as otherwise it would have got better with the treatments you have tried, the doctors you have consulted would have found something and the scan would have shown this.

Reading this I was thinking that it may be related to the (relative) hypoxia you will experience at the cruising levels with the cabin pressure being lower at the levels you describe.

So I think that would be the angle I would use to approach your problem. Starting with a full blood count to ensure you're not anaemic.

Best of luck and do let us know what the outcome was.

FD

[LowButFast]

Thanks guys!!
I have seen a doctor...in fact several different ENT experts from 2 different countries. I tried the hot steam, <a href="http://www.ntsearch.com/search.php?q=sauna&v=55">sauna</a> etc. with no luck. Someone suggested that it was an infection.....but I've had it for a year and a half now (I had a break from flying for about 6 months!) and I've already suggested it to the doctors but they dismissed that!
I can't really say that I only have a headache when I fly....sometimes it's there when I don't. My eyeballs get sore/tender and it's normally there for about one day. My vision is deteriorating and I might need glasses....eventually for reading, <a href="http://www.ntsearch.com/search.php?q=computer&v=55">computer</a> and stuff!
I renew my class 1 <a href="http://www.ntsearch.com/search.php?q=medical&v=55">medical</a> every year (I'm 30 years old) and I've recently been through several very big ailiner interviews with an attached <a href="http://www.ntsearch.com/search.php?q=medical&v=55">medical</a> check. I suppose they've done a blood count. I passed with A+. I do feel healthy and fit...but it starts getting to me this problem.
Cheers

[FJJP]

It couldn't be something to do with oxygen being absorbed into the tissues of the sinus, could it? If you are in a climb, and assuming your tubes aren't blocked, the pressure in the sinus cavity would = cabin. After levelling off, if the tissues absorb the oxygen in the cavity, and the tubes narrow or pinch and you don't blow to equalise, surely that would cause an increased drop in cavity pressure [and pain]. A descent would gradually allow the tubes to pop open again as the pressure increases, equalising the pressure and removing the pain...

Have you tried blowing to equalise? Maybe your tubes are narrower than normal for some reason. Maybe an op to widen them...?

[LowButFast]

Hello!
Yes I have tried to blow to open them up with no succes. I've never had ANY problems with equalizing pressure at any time...until now that is. One of the doctors told me that my right hand tube connecting one of the upper sinuses is bent and that MIGHT cause a problem. He suggested an operation to "drill" it out and then see what happens. I'm just considering my options here....an operation might not always be a smart thing to do, it might make things worse!

[FJJP]

I can't help your there, I'm afraid - I've never had the delightful experience of having them drilled! I did have a sinus barotrauma once in a descent in a Canberra - now THAT really hurt. However, I was lucky and it self healed with 4 months on the ground...

Might be worthwhile asking around the aviation fraternity to see if you can find some that have had the op - it might make all the difference in the world.

Good luck.

FJJP

[sixmilehighclub]

I had an upper respitory tract infection once, which affected my sinuses and my balance once I'd landed. My eyeballs hurt and one actually turned red where blood had leaked caused from the pain and pressure. I assume you've done the double dose antibiotics trick?

I have recently had sinusitus and something else unpronouncable making the sinusitis worse. I have a constant (look away if youre eating) build up of gunk in the top of my throat and nose, which does not want to shift.

Is everything ok with your eustacion tubes? I know its ears but its all linked and I wonder if its maybe pushing any gunk into your frontal sinuses. Perhaps consider having a drain done before going into more drastic ops?

Otherwise, maybe consult a specialist in aviation medicine. Would the BA medical centre be able to suggest a contact??

Good luck.

[Hufty]

I had a similar operation some years ago now. One of the tubes leading from my nose was kinked and it was a simple matter of going in and widening it (or something). It wasn't too bad and I was out of hospital the nex day, albeit looking like I had just been beaten up!

Unfortunately - it didn't really work and I still have trouble breathing through my right nostril, although it is a bit better than it was. No other ill effects from the op though.


I have also recently noticed problems with headaches when I descend in an aircraft. It feels like I am wearing a baseball cap that somebody is tightening round the top of my head - and I mean REALLY tight! It all must be linked.

[strake]

Let me say at the outset, I am not a medico. I am however, a diving instructor and your symptoms remind me of mild Hypoxia.
As a private pilot, I have absolutely no idea about rules and regs on the flight deck but, on a boat, I'd be recommending a quick bang off the old O2 bottle.

You never know.....