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Clogged Ears From Flight 3 Months Ago!!

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I flew in early Dec with slight sinus congestion (could have been allergies). When we started to descend my ears really hurt and I couldn't hear anything once we landed, couldn't sleep that night and had to drive home 15hrs the next day (I was scheduled to fly out, but didn't because my ears were so clogged I was scared I would pop my eardrums).
My ears are still clogged 3 months later and crackle and pop throughout the day. I went to my doctor and she prescribed Allegra and Nasonex. After 2 weeks I noticed no difference, so I went to an ENT. They did a hearing test which I passed 100% and examined my nose and nasal passage. He prescribed Allegra D (even though I told him Allegra didn't work) and Rhinocort. It's a week later and NO difference. It's driving me absolutely crazy. I've tried holding my nose & blowing the air out, still nothing.
I have a vacation planned in April with a 4 hour flight and I'm very worried this won't be gone as it's already been 3 months. Any advice? I'm beyond frustrated.
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replied February 22nd, 2007
Experienced User
The popping and cracking that you hear is the ear trying to equalize the air pressure between the outside and the inner ear. this is done by way of the "Eustachian tube" This tube is connected from the back of your throat to the inner ear. If this tube becomes inflammed and blocked the air pressure is different on both sides of the ear drum. Causing you to hear like your under water. The common causes can be infection (colds,flu's, inner ear) or scaring from previous injury. Your ENT should have checked this out. Usually the decongestant in allegra D helps open the Eustachian tube. MAybe you need a second opinion.
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replied February 22nd, 2007
Yes, this was actually the second doctor I went to..the first was my regular MD, then the ENT. Do you think I should ask for antibiotic? Nothing is working and it is driving me crazy..3 months is way to long to deal with this..
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replied October 5th, 2011
Did you ever?
I've been dealing with this for almost two months, did you every fixed your ear? how? Thank you!
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replied February 22nd, 2007
Experienced User
Has he checked your ear canal, ive had a similar experience and had a lot of much in my ear. If that is the case go to the chemist and buy i think its called cerimul, and then after its soften up the doctor can flush it out.
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replied February 23rd, 2007
Yes, my ear canal has been checked. No wax issues, etc. The air/fluid is clogging up my eustachian tubes. I just tried to call in a prescription for Rescon-Mx that has worked very well for a friend who has similar issues, but the doctor never heard of it and won't call it in for me, still waiting to hear back from the ENT. Actually I am really frustrated with this whole process - there is no reason to be dealing with this for 3+ months. The allergy meds don't do anything. So mad.
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replied March 16th, 2009
Ear clogged from flight
I just landed from a flight last evening, which i do often. Never before has this happened. I still cannot get rid of the clogged feeling and fluid in my left ear. I was hoping to find an answer here without going to an m.d. but I guess that is not happening. I am on antibiotics, but it isn't working so far. Hope it just leaves soon.
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replied March 29th, 2009
Ear Clogged from Flight
I'm a pilot and I have the same problem. I'm grounded right now. I've had clogged ears, sore throat and chronic cough for over 30 days now. After 5 trips to my MD, I'm scheduled to see and ENT on Monday. I can't sleep, hear --- I'm miserable. My MD is treating it as though it were allergies. Still no luck. I'm hoping to get an antibiotic or something to knock this out once and for all. Very annoying.
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Users who thank wings55 for this post: gmspeb 

replied April 11th, 2009
clogged ear
I flew two months ago with a slight sinus infection. My ears have since never popped! My family doc said I have a middle ear infection and perscribed Leviquin. It did nothing. I have also been taking mucinex D, sudafed, and have been steaming non stop with eucalyptus oil. My neck and shoulder on the left side are also very sore. Any suggestions? I am really sick of this, I cannot hear out of left ear!
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replied April 19th, 2009
Still clogged!
Add me to the list. I got a cold while in the mountains (a week after a 24 hour flight to indonesia). On the way down from the mountains in the car my ears became really clogged and somewhat painful, ever since i have an on/off clogged sensation in my left ear. About 2 months now i've been dealing with this. Saw an ENT here in Indonesia, he prescribed antibiotic, nose drops and pseudophed...seemed a little better while on the medicine, but now its back to clogged again. Seems to bother me most after showering (though i make sure not to get water in my ears) and/or eating. I often get a runny nose while eating as well. Frustrating!
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replied June 15th, 2009
To clear clogged Ears From Flight.
OTC drugs:
-240mg dose of sudafed prior to bed (continue every 12 hours until, package of 10).
[FYI you can't get this off the shelf anymore and it appears big brother puts you in some database; as they had to scan my license at CVS (because rednecks make meth with it)]
- 40mg dextromethorphan / 800 mg guaifenesin (every eight hours, two mucinex)
-180mg fexofenadine (1 allegra every 24 hours).
___
Homeopathic:
- Put mug with steamed towel in bottom, up to ear for 15 min prior to bed.
- Sleep on side with clogged ear away from pillow, to allow Eustachian tube to drain into throat.
- Chew gum during the day and try to make your self yawn every hour.
___
This should knock out any clogged ear. If it does not work, I have read about more serious conditions (related to inner ear imbalances); that only a good ENT would know about and I believe you need surgery to correct. I know of an excellent one in the Fairfield county area, who performed multiple surgeries, to greatly improve a very serious sleep apnea problem I had.

___
Got some type of bronchial lung -- turn head cold, last Thursday 6/18.
Had both my ears fully clogged for two days following a recent flight to st. martin on tues; which never happened to me on prior flights short or long distance (have flown to India). Ruined the first two days of my vacation. On the way back, my left ear re-clogged.
Both times the above combo, knocked it out.
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replied August 19th, 2009
To Kmac179
Kmac179,
"Homeopathic:
- Put mug with steamed towel in bottom, up to ear for 15 min prior to bed"

Would this really work since the fluid is in your inner ear not outter ear?
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replied March 5th, 2012
Neti Pot to Unclog Ears
I suffer from allergies that resulted in post nasal drip and congestion. About 5 months ago, my ears clogged up. Last month, i caught a cold which caused even more congestion in my ears. I went to my ENT and he diagonsed Eustachean Tube Dysfuncion. He suggested I have tubes inserted in my ears. I refused. Didn't want to risk losing my hearing completely. Went to my homeopathic doctor and he told me the problem is not my ears but the blockage and congestion in my throat passages that leads to my middle ear. He recommended daily nasal irrigation (Neti Pot). I started it on Sunday and here it is 1 week later and my ears have unclogged and hearing has been restored in both ears. I suggest you try Neti Potting. I no longer take decongestants (which is bad for the heart) and daily alergy pills such as Claritin and Zyrtec. Neti Pot was the answer for me. I continue to Neti Pot every night and it's amazing how much my nasal passages have drained. I did'nt ralize the affect this had on my ears. Try it.
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replied November 29th, 2012
Hi all. I've had the same symptoms as you lot (my left ear is blocked after flying with a sore throat) - only, mine has been accompanied by severe pain. Went to the local GP, he gave me some antibiotic ear drops and codeine for the pain (although he recommended I try a mix of paracetamol and ibuprofen before I resort to the codeine). It's been five days an no difference. I think the pain has subsided a little but it's hard to tell because I've gotten into the habit of taking my painkillers pre-emptively. Is it worth seeing an ENT? I can't afford to see one and have them tell me the same thing as my GP.
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replied February 25th, 2013
Ear Fluid Help
Hello everyone. I hope all of you are feeling better. After reading I figured I would give you my two cents worth for your symptoms. My Family MD and my ENT are very cool and will try homopathic fixes first. What I have been told is to take LIQUID Echinacea. I take two droppers full in morning and at night with OJ. I do this as soon as I feel symptoms of the flu or need a boost in my immune system. So far, Knock on wood, I have not been sick for over 15 years. Just turned 50 and deal with dental offices, flights for lectures, etc. so I am not one that stays in a safe envioronment. For fluid in my ears - I use ear candles. I know people say they are fake, but I beg to differ. And if my ears are clogged from wax, I put a few drops of Extra virgin olive oil with a cotton plug at night. This loosens the wax up so you can use the ear candle or a flush to get it out. That is what I do, and it works every time. Any how I am still trying to figure out if I can deal with the Neti Pot.
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replied February 25th, 2013
Hello everyone. I hope all of you are feeling better. After reading I figured I would give you my two cents with your symptoms. My Family MD and my ENT are very cool and will try homopathic first. What I have been told to take is LIQUID Echinacea. I take two droppers full in morning and at night. I do this as soon as I feel symptoms of the flu. So far, Knock on wood, I have not been sick for over 15 years. Just turned 50 and deal with dental offices, flights for lectures, etc. so I am not one that stays in a safe envioronment. For fluid in my ears - I use ear candles. I know people say they are fake, but I beg to differ. And if my ears are clogged from wax, I put a few drops of Extra virgin olive oil with a cotton plug at night. This loosens the wax up so you can use the ear candle or a flush to get it out. That is what I do, and it works every time. Any how I am still trying to figure out if I can deal with the Neti Pot.
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