Just my experiences which hope will help:

Sinus probs in the descent (both commercial and private!) ARE that painful -I thought my left eyebrow was going to explode!! I've found that if I am flying myself, as long as I don't descend at more than 500'/min, I'm OK. Try telling the skipper THAT on a commercial flight though!!

However, without resorting to drugs I found that a good blast or ten of Vicks Sinex keeps the toobs clear for descent.

Hot water in an inhaler with a few drops of 'Karvol' also works well.

The one time used Sudofed, it merely kept the prob at bay and prevented pain! What I really needed was anti-biotics as it was an infection.

Not nice -wouldn't wish this on anyone!

Hi all,

Have had the pleasure of 1 explosive barotrauma and 2 sinus operations including an aptly named "frontal sinus drill-out".

1. Sinuses are interlinked cavities that reduce the weight of the skull and are thought to have had some bouyancy aid in very early mammals.

2. If the cavities are blocked and pressure changes occur (climb or descent) significant pain can occur. This can be debilitating to the point where it is physically impossible to operate.

3. If you have a head cold and are prone to sinus discomfort - don't fly!

4. Sudafed works but most aviation doctors will not allow anyone near an aeroplane after using it.

5. Otrivine is emergency use only when in an aeroplane. Long term use causes more sinus problems than it solves.

6. Part of the problem we have is the dry air within the cockpit or flight deck. A saline mist can be purchased in the USA and is very good for maintaining clear cavities.

7. Steam bath on the ground is good, however, nasal douche is better! You'll need a syringe, warm water and salt. Basically inhale salt water whilst squirting the syringe up each nostril. Gets into all sinuses and then snort it out. You will be amazed how much gunk comes out.

8. Flixonase is an aquaeous nasal spray with a low dose steroid in. Prescription only but perfectly fine to fly with. It reduces polyp build up which are often the cause of the blockages.

9. Ultimately surgery may be required for those of us lucky to have repeated problems. It hurts, but it was worth it for me. UK based people may wish to contact ENT Specialist Surgeon John Skipper in Portsmouth. He has an enviable record for getting Service Pilots back in the air again.

Good luck!

GA

Have been told by a friend that is clearly concerned about using any medication that the best thing they ever used was a "ear candle"
Apparently it is a special candle that you can buy from the natural therapy stores. You light the candle, blow it out,then put the bottom in your ears and it sucks out all the junk etc that has built up from time and clears your sinuses like new.It isn't uncomfortable like having your ears syringed,sounds like a shhhh similar to a can of coke being opened.After you take it out, you tap the bottom and all the yuks come out then flame it again ,etc,etc.Never heard of it before, friend swears by it.Maybe worth a try, I am going to practice on my dad, he's a deaf as a door post since his last flu !!!
Apparently some natural therapists can do it also if you are concerned about having a go yourself.
Hope you feel better soon. <img src="smile.gif" border="0"> <img src="smile.gif" border="0">

I've only seen one mention of the Flixonase spray so I will second it.

I was having trouble when a glue forms against the inner wall/ear drum. Its hard to clear. This stuff helps break that down. I guess the Otrivine, Sudafed and Olbas oil does the rest.

Regards
SS

151 proof rum! heated in the microwave then inhaled it clears the tubes better than anything else I have tried - but don't fly straight afterwards. <img src="wink.gif" border="0"> <img src="eek.gif" border="0"> <img src="cool.gif" border="0">

My God people. What are you thinking! Talk to someone who's had a sinus block. They'll tell you they thought they were ok to fly, also . . . and in the descent they look like the guy on "Alien" that has the baby monster eat its way out of his chest. Got the imagery yet? If you're still coherent after landing you may need to get a sinal obliteration, like a friend of mine did. Just that word "obliteration" got my attention - sort of like a liposuction procedure for your nose. I don't know about you, but it'd take 3 good size rough blokes and a horse syringe full of sleepy juice to get me on the table for that.

Don't fly with a URI is my motto.

The point is that flying with blocked sinuses means that you probably also have blocked Eustachian tubes as well. The reason for not flying is that you may well cause barotrauma, particularly to the middle ear which will put you out of action for a lot longer. (I knoe I did it in the UAS when young and foolish!)

If you have to use a temporary solution try Karvol or menthol and eucalyptus inhalations, broken into a tea towel and inhaled over a bowl of hot water.

These preparations have no adverse side effects and are not proscribed under any AIC I can find.

If you have chronic sinus obstruction you need to get referred via your GP to an ENT surgeon.

Turbofan,

That is bl**dy concerning to think there is someone flying around with that attitude <img src="mad.gif" border="0">

What other professional advice do you ignore ATC?. Are your passengers/bosses aware that you've taken it upon yourself to risk the aircraft or lives of those on board just because your a bit of an amateur Doctor? <img src="mad.gif" border="0">

[ 13 January 2002: Message edited by: PoleStar ]</p>

Turbofan, thanks for the reply, however I stand by my assertion that your post is dangerous and irresponsible. You clearly added the comment about "Spraytish" to justify the post. Your other comment that you can function perfectly normally after ingesting such a hair-raising combination of drugs is incredible. It is an EXTREMELY DANGEROUS attitude comparable only with that of the "I'm alright I've only had one drink and anyway it improves my driving" school of thought. Tell that to my friends' son who has seen the loss of his friend's mother, two friends and the serious injury of a girl friend, thanks to drunken drivers. All within the last year.
Pole Star, thank you for your support. I too am concerned that someone is piloting an aircraft with that combination of drugs on board. I am not surprised he was not tired. I am only relieved that I am not having to fly out of Perth on a 747 these days, the thought of travelling on an aircraft with a pilot who has taken any form of self-administered, non-prescribed combination of drugs, frightens me. Does anyone in Oz know if this combination is acceptable to your authorities?
I haven't ben able to reply before now as I have had problems with the computer and difficulty getting to it with this knee injury.
Pole Star, would you be kind enough to email me? I can't email you - there's no address.
On a lighter note, steam is always good and a gadget can be bought which looks like a toddler's cup with a face mask fitted. It stops the whole of your face getting hot and eucalyptus oil or menthol crystals can be added to the hot water. The cheapest way, however, is to get an old tea towel (the towelling ones are best), soak it in water, wring it out and the iron it on the hottest possible setting. A WORD OF CAUTION HERE. Gentlemen, please check with the lady of the house BEFORE using what you feel is an old tea towel or you may find that the bunged-up sinuses are the least of your problems.
<img src="mad.gif" border="0"> <img src="confused.gif" border="0"> <img src="rolleyes.gif" border="0">

DX Wombat,

Sorry for the delay in replying (work, I blame it on work). I tried to e-mail you but my blinking computer has gone round the tree. Just keeps on disconnecting every time I send anything. <img src="confused.gif" border="0">

Anyhow, I've ammended my profile so please feel free to mail me as I can at least read mail even if I can't send it.

Pstar <img src="wink.gif" border="0">

Well for what it is worth: I use a facial sauna and gently, 1) tap the sinus 2) blow nostrils individually.
This not only does one job: but makes the facial skin soft.
NOW LET US WAIT AND SEE, WHAT COMES AS A RESULT OF THE PREVIOUS SIX LOWER CASE WORDS. :)

I scuba dived once and blew out a sinus in my forehead. Did that hurt? My oath it did. I once flew with a "touch of hayfever". The pain was unbelievable. I had to hand over to the fellow studend instructor to fly. It felt like someone was shoving a pencil in my ear. Fortunately my ear didn't burst but it ached for a week.
As others have said, don't fly.

Turbo, mate, sounds like you are speeding off your head with that combination. I have found that ventolin will help me in a weights session but I hated the heart palpitations.(mildly asthmatic) Something ain't right if you have to do that.
I once corrected a Dr on the medication that they gave me. I did the research and it turned out I was allergic to it (I worked in a biochem department at Uni). I am not too sure that you are going about it the right way. Remember, aviation Dr's are conservative and there is a very good reason for it.

Use the Vicks Snot decongester nasal spray thing. Works wonders and clears the old sinuses in no time - even used it in the Tincan unpressurized up to it's 24000ft ceiling and worked a treat!

Turbofan, I have finally managed to contact our Pharmacy and have had my worries confirmed. Sudafed contains a stimulant as well as having a decongestant action. You say you take two Sudafed tablets - this is TWICE the recommended amount. In addition to this you also take Caffeine 200mgms and an Aspirin (usually 300mgms per tablet). The antipyretic properties of the Aspirin will help keep your temperature downand reduce the likelihood of your blood clotting due to the dehydration which could be induced by the Sudafed and Caffeine. Caffeine is a diuretic as well as being a stimulant hence your need to empty your bladder frequently. If you really are piloting an aircraft after taking these drugs you are placing other people in danger. You should not be in charge of so much as a push bike with that lot inside you. I agree with Redsnail that if you need to take these drugs then something is wrong. Go and get some professional advice from the medical profession, you obviously need help. Don't place any more people in danger. It is not something to be laughed at or shrugged off lightly. If you continue to take these drugs and fly, then all I can say is that I hope someone in authority catches you before it is too late. <img src="mad.gif" border="0"> <img src="mad.gif" border="0"> <img src="mad.gif" border="0">

I AM NOT A DOCTOR. (in case anyone gets uppity)

Sudafed, and associated drugs can have a powerful decongestant effect, but after several days use, can actually make the congestion worse if the underlying problem has not resolved (cold etc..). Many ENT people would advocate steam as the first point of call for sinusitis, it's very effective, and some would actively discourage the use of sudafed related treatments. As regards using saline, this actively overstimulates mucous production (its very powerful), that is its primary effect. Never before heard of it suggested to ease congestion!

I only know this as I have suffered from bad sinuses - steam was like a magic cure.

Thanks chaps -just got a bout and went the liquid Sudafed (non-drowsy) + Beconase route and it seems to have done the trick without any side effects.

DOC

You people amaze me!

I was skydiving once with blocked sinuses(not really a good idea) and sniffed away at a bottle of something called Vick's Sinex to try and clear them, all the way up to 12 grand - where I realised I was feeling completely pissed and on the verge of passing out. I rode down in the aircraft, and did not use it again.