I have gotten sick so many times this winter already its crazy but luckily my CH symptoms have been very mild through it all. So I am currently getting over a very bad sinus infection. Last week I couldn't breathe through my nose at all, I had a high fever and chills for days. This is a little TMI but the stuff I have been blowing out of my nose is very thick. I still have some stuffiness today but overall an improvement. HOWEVER... my ears keep filling up with pressure so I have been doing the Valsalva maneuver. The instant relief is glorious so I kept doing it when the pressure builds and my hearing goes down. Unfortunately this last time it made my left ear (the CH ear) worse. I felt the air go through but suddenly that ear is more muffled and when I talk my voice echoes in my head. Oops. What do you all think? Did I just blow a bunch of that gunk from my sinus infection into my eustachian tube? I guess I would have to wait it out then?
You could go and get a prescription for antibiotics to help get rid of the infection quickly. I also found personally that Mucinex (over the counter not the D version from behind the counter) works well. The "D" version seems to increase my pressure and ringing so I stay away from it. A short term nasal spray could help. Fast Act (I think it is called) does well but you have to make sure to not use it more than 3-4 days straight. I also found that Zicam extreme sinus seems to work well for me - it is more like a "gel" but it does a quick job of helping to clear my passages. Good luck, feel better.
Hi RB. Currently going through much the same thing. Even worse, I'm in the middle of an extended 3 week overseas trip. I managed to pick up some sinus crud in S. America. Currently in Europe. Strangely, my biggest problem is my laby ear. It seems prone to plugging up, and when it does, the tinnitus I have with it ramps up to almost deafening levels. Airline flights, particularly on descent, seems to make it unbearable. I experimented with the Valsalva maneuver, but decided it's too unpredictable. About 8 times out of 10, it works well. But the other two....well....it seemed to make things worse, and then I''d have to deal with a hopelessly plugged up ear for 12-24 hours. I'd avoid doing it. From what I've read, others have ultimately experienced much the same thing - sort of works until it doesn't, and then it makes things ten times worse. Only 9 days to go, and then I'm home.....
Michel, in case you don't know there are ear plugs that can make pressure changes slower. They really help me. There are a few different brands, but these I find these (below) the most comfortable of the ones I've tried, and they are made in Switzerland so it seems that there might be hope you'd find them in Europe. http://www.alpinehearingprotection.com/earplugs/flyfit/ Hopefully you'll just heal up before going home!
I find that putting a hot compress right in front of my ear really gives me some relief from that sort of pressure. I have wondered about that too with the Valsalva maneuver. I'm not sure if it is actually blowing the stuff up there or it is a reaction in that very sensitive area where so many things can make my ear feel stuffed. (Either way I don't do the Valsalva maneuver anymore.) I don't think I've gotten an ear infection in that situation--though I'd do all my immunity boosting things. The hot compress will also bring blood to the area. I'd also drink hot tea and lay with that ear up so anything can drain. I hope you are feeling better.
Thx bytheBay. I've read about these, but have never heard whether they actually work. Good to know someone who's tried them and can say they're worthwhile. I'll look for them.
Thanks for the replies everyone. Luckily, my ear started to feel better a couple hours after I posted. But I also stopped doing the maneuver. I am finally over my sinus infection thank goodness. Hopefully I can stay healthy now. Its been rough.