Cold

[vodkancoke]

Hi all,

I have a horrible cold at the moment. I was given Amoxicillin from my Doc on Tuesday. I have woken up this morning with a very painful blocked ear. My problem is I am flying on Monday and I am wondering if the Amoxicillin will be enough or if there is anything else I can take to help?

Thanks :)

[Sqad]

Monday eh?

Really you shouldn't fly, BUT.....if it were me..........

The Amoxacillin is fine, but in addition, go to the chemist and get some Sinex Nasal Spray and use it on the side of the nose corresponding to the blocked ear every 4 hours, then 30 mins later, hold your nose, blow down your closed nostril and try to clear it.

That should do you for Monday.

[Eve]

What did they give you amoxicillin for?

I've got a heavy head cold too - horrible isn't it. Feel better soon! x

[vodkancoke]

I have Otrivine Sqad, will that do the same job?

I always get Amoxicillin Jenna, I had a sore throat too but that's now gone. I just have runny nose, headache and blocked ear :(

[Sqad]

Vodka......that will do fine.

[vodkancoke]

Thanks so much :)

[tinkerbell23]

And lots of packs of chewing gum to chew on the plane incase ur ears get sore!!! Xxx

[missprim]

Feeling similar to you V&C. Can you only buy these nasal sprays at the chemist or do they sell them in the supermarkets?

[vodkancoke]

I got mine from Sainsburys Miss Prim. I don't know about Sinex though. xx

Thanks Tinks, I will take loads of sweeties and chewing gum xx

[grasscarp]

The blocked ears are the worst bit. You can get ear plugs called Earplanes that help equalise the pressure in the ascent and descent and I understand you can get them at most airports. I have a pair somewhere as I got them for the same reason as you - I had to fly with a cold. Cost about a fiver.

[vodkancoke]

Thanks grasscarp, I will look out for those xx

[Traci66]

Have a great time Vodka.

[cathfromsaron]

hot and cold, then hot again, compresses may give relief whilst above is working!

[vodkancoke]

Thank you Traci, I will, and thanks for that cath. I am trying everything....it's still blocked and sore :( xx

[237SJ]

It depends if you have an ear infection or just a blocked ear from a cold. If it`s just a blocked ear, there`s a chance you might be alright by Monday. When you swallow, can you hear anything at all? Is there any clicking/squelchy noises etc at all or is it completely silent? If it is completely silent and there is a muffled feeling (like you have cotton wool in your ear) and pain, you might have a middle ear infection. If it was me, I would try to hit it from the inside with Sudafed tablets (if you are able to have them) and hot steam inhalations with menthol and eucalyptus.

[vodkancoke]

Hi 237SJ, I got Sudafed today so I have started on that and I have the menthol crystals to inhale so I will definitely give that a go.

I just feel like it's muffled and I can hear a wee bit. The pain has now gone but it just seems blocked.

Thanks for your help :)

[Hopkirk]

Your Doctor should be in trouble for prescribing antibiotics for a common cold.

[237SJ]

Make sure you take the Sudafed with you. Have one about an hour before take off and another one an hour and a half before landing. Good luck and have a good holiday.

[DTCwordfan]

Vodka, I had this in the States and was due to fly into Minneapolis and onto Billings.

I was totally blocked and the ex suggested seeing a local doc, rather than going to see my own quack who was 25 miles away bit a leading GP. Anyway, she looked in my ear and was horrified by what she saw.

"DTC if you fly to Minneapolis in the next two days, you will risk bursting your ear drum, if you go onto Billings, you may need reconstruction on your Eustachian."

I ended up driving to Minneapolis, some 1100 miles overnighting, forwent the visit to a Wyoming Sugar customer and focused on the client report out to the board.

Don't travel,unless there is a huge improvement by tomorrow morning - your ears are more precious.

If there is that improvement, but still partly blocked, use a hot towel,as hot as you can bear, and bathe the area, leaving the cloth over your ear. This helps loosen the snot and get the balance in the Eustachian, that popping of the ears on descent.

[vodkancoke]

Hopkirk, I know what you are saying. They seem to give me that for everything!

Thanks 237SJ, I will take your advice. :)

[vodkancoke]

Thanks so much DT, I will give that a go too :)