Has anyone ever flown sick?

M

MickeyPeace

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
Well it's here. I'm supposed to fly at 6am tomorrow morning to WDW and I"m sick! Nasal congestion, scratchy throat and cough. This is the third day with these symptoms.

Normally when I'm healthy and fly I get excruciating ear pain. I wear Ear Planes, take nasal spray and chew gum. Helps a bit but I still suffer on the descent and lose my hearing for hours.

So my concern is- will the pain be even worse with a head cold (most likely)? Will I get sicker once I'm there due to flying?

Has anyone ever flown with a cold before and what was your experience? Would you cancel or take the chance?
 
HouCuseChickie

HouCuseChickie

Well-Known Member
I have had to fly sick a couple of times. While I did have one case where it was really bad, in most cases it wound up being fine. I highly recommend taking a decongestant before flying. I actually prefer allergy ones over flu and cold ones (well, with the exception of the liquid blue stuff from Tylenol). You might even see if you can pop into the dr today to try and get some meds...I know it's tough on a Sunday, but sometimes you can get into a small clinic on the weekend...like the ones we have in our supermarkets that are serviced by nurses. Hey, at least that means the pharmacy is right there as well.

If you are feeling a lot of congestion, trying something like a neti pot could also help...just to reduce the amt of fluid that could travel into your ears.

While this was advice from when my girls were impacted by ear issues...but according to our pediatrician, the action of them taking a bottle was more effective than things like chewing gum and forced yawning. Now, I'm not suggesting you bring a baby bottle :p but bringing a sport bottle that you can fill up with water and utilize in the same manner during ascent and descent could help.

Hope you feel better.:)
 
topher

topher

Well-Known Member
I flew from Paris to Rome (2 hours) with a severe cold last year. The cabin pressure and altitude didnt cause me any more discomfort than when I'm healthy.
I wonder if "equalizing" would do you any good.
Hold your nose closed with your hand and lightly try to blow through your nose. It's been a few years since I have been scuba diving but I think that's how it is done.
 
The Empress Lilly

The Empress Lilly

Well-Known Member
Wdwprince said:
Well it's here. I'm supposed to fly at 6am tomorrow morning to WDW and I"m sick! Nasal congestion, scratchy throat and cough. This is the third day with these symptoms.

Normally when I'm healthy and fly I get excruciating ear pain. I wear Ear Planes, take nasal spray and chew gum. Helps a bit but I still suffer on the descent and lose my hearing for hours.

So my concern is- will the pain be even worse with a head cold (most likely)? Will I get sicker once I'm there due to flying?

Has anyone ever flown with a cold before and what was your experience? Would you cancel or take the chance?
Click to expand...
I've flown sick. It stinks, but you'll live. You don't always have much of a choice. If I don't get on that plane I don't have my holiday. To answer the question, yes, the flying makes you feel worse, and no, it wears off immediately after landing and walking a bit.

Do take something against the headache - a plane cabin increases the pressure on your already battered skull!

What yer head will look like during the flight: o_O:confused:
 
M

MickeyPeace

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
The Empress Lilly said:
I've flown sick. It stinks, but you'll live. You don't always have much of a choice. If I don't get on that plane I don't have my holiday. To answer the question, yes, the flying makes you feel worse, and no, it wears off immediately after landing and walking a bit.

Do take something against the headache - a plane cabin increases the pressure on your already battered skull!

What yer head will look like during the flight: o_O:confused:
Click to expand...

Thats what my head looks like during and after a flight normally. I can't imagine what the level of pain would be with congestion. Ive been Googling and I'm concerned about popping an eardrum or developing an infection after some of the things I've read. Looks like I'm going to wait until it's go time to decide. Thanks for the input.
 
M

MickeyPeace

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
HouCuseChickie said:
I have had to fly sick a couple of times. While I did have one case where it was really bad, in most cases it wound up being fine. I highly recommend taking a decongestant before flying. I actually prefer allergy ones over flu and cold ones (well, with the exception of the liquid blue stuff from Tylenol). You might even see if you can pop into the dr today to try and get some meds...I know it's tough on a Sunday, but sometimes you can get into a small clinic on the weekend...like the ones we have in our supermarkets that are serviced by nurses. Hey, at least that means the pharmacy is right there as well.

If you are feeling a lot of congestion, trying something like a neti pot could also help...just to reduce the amt of fluid that could travel into your ears.

While this was advice from when my girls were impacted by ear issues...but according to our pediatrician, the action of them taking a bottle was more effective than things like chewing gum and forced yawning. Now, I'm not suggesting you bring a baby bottle :p but bringing a sport bottle that you can fill up with water and utilize in the same manner during ascent and descent could help.

Hope you feel better.:)
Click to expand...

Good advice. A neighbor suggested neti pot so I'll look into that today. Also since I live in NYC there are Duane Reades with pharmacists everywhere. I'm going to stop in one. Thanks.
 
Vader2112

Vader2112

Well-Known Member
Wdwprince said:
Well it's here. I'm supposed to fly at 6am tomorrow morning to WDW and I"m sick! Nasal congestion, scratchy throat and cough. This is the third day with these symptoms.

Normally when I'm healthy and fly I get excruciating ear pain. I wear Ear Planes, take nasal spray and chew gum. Helps a bit but I still suffer on the descent and lose my hearing for hours.

So my concern is- will the pain be even worse with a head cold (most likely)? Will I get sicker once I'm there due to flying?

Has anyone ever flown with a cold before and what was your experience? Would you cancel or take the chance?
Click to expand...
Been There also loose hearing. @HouCuseChickie is right get a sports bottle of water at the airport or bring an empty resuable when you get through security. Maybe see the doc or urgent clinic today explain the pain issue and try to get some Vicodin or something to ease the pain plus if you take it before take off should help you. Do not cancel you will regret as well. Feel better and enjoy your trip
 
Sans Souci

Sans Souci

Well-Known Member
shuflemstr said:
Take a Sudafed 12 hour before your flight. It helps the ears. I have the same problems but after taking the Sudafed my ears are fine, no excruciating pain when descending and no waiting hours for my ears to pop
Click to expand...

I do this, too. It really works. I used to have horrible pain on descent and I couldn't hear after we landed. I swear by this and I won't fly with it. My son inherited my sinus issues and he uses it now, too.
 
M

MickeyPeace

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
shuflemstr said:
Take a Sudafed 12 hour before your flight. It helps the ears. I have the same problems but after taking the Sudafed my ears are fine, no excruciating pain when descending and no waiting hours for my ears to pop
Click to expand...

I just talked to the pharmacist. She recommended Sudafed. I may have arrhythmia (currently having some cardiac testing done) so she said I probably shouldn't take it. Too many variables!
 
DznyGrlSD

DznyGrlSD

Well-Known Member
In the Parks
Yes
Emergen-C is your friend. Please take caution to not make everyone else on your plane(s) sick. I *HATE* flying with a bunch of coughing, wheezing, sniffling passengers. No wonder some people fly with hospital masks on :) Planes, like the call center I work at, are like giant petree dishes!

Edit: I hope you feel better!!
 
I_heart_Tigger

I_heart_Tigger

Well-Known Member
Do whatever you can to help minimize symptoms before you fly. Some airlines have been cracking down on preventing multiple outbreaks especially if you are not 100% sure what you have.

It may be wise to go to a doctor and carry a note saying that you have a cold and are taking medication for it.

Twice in the last year I've had people been refused for a flight because they were sick. One gotten a stomach bug at their location and since he had vomited within an hour of his flight they wouldn't let him on. The other was a young girl with ear/nose/throat problems. The entire family had to postpone their trip for 24 hours until she had seen a doctor.
 
real mad hatter

real mad hatter

Well-Known Member
Doctor Hatter here..Cancel..:eek: Whit..No way Jose..Here's what to do..Order a brandy & port on the plane at 35.000 feet,this will settle your stomach,then have a couple of malt whiskies,then get your head down for a wee nap..When you arrive at Orlando,you'll forget you ever even felt bad...Works every time for me,even when I'am not feeling ill.;)
 

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