Chronic sinusitis/to fly or not to fly

[Lineup&wt]

medical leave?
personal leave?
short term dis?

anybody dealing with this and how?

 

[DrewBlows]

I suppose it depends on your situation. I used to have nasal/sinus problems every few months. Some instances were worse than others, but I wouldn't fly if I thought there was even a possibility I had a clogged sinus.

Consequently, I started using a product called Sinus Rinse by NeilMed. It's a saline solution that cleans out your nasal passages and available at any drug store. At first I used it twice a day (this probably still wouldn't hurt), and now I use it if I have been in a dusty environment or if have a little congestion (you're not supposed to use it with heavy congestion). I don't remember the last time I had a nasal/sinus problem.

 

[chperplt]

DO NOT FLY....

I ended up having surgery on my sinus's a couple years ago after flying with sinus infections. You may not need the surgery, but if you keep flying while congested, you'll be in a world of hurt.

I second the Sinus rinse by NeilMed... Go to your local Wallgreens/CVS/Wallmart and pick up the adult size. Use it in the morning and before bed for a few days and see how you feel. I use it twice a day every day now...

 

[CRJMonkey]

I'll repeat what the other two posters said DO NOT FLY! And if you have not been to an ENT you might consider seeing one. Not sure how medical/personal leave or short term disabilty work. Hopefully someone who has gone through this can offer you some advice. Good Luck!

 

[Papps]

medical leave?
personal leave?
short term dis?

anybody dealing with this and how?

what are you symptoms? Im thinking i may have some sinus issues.

 

[Jeff Helgeson]

try a netipot

http://www.netipot.org/

It looks weird, but works well.

 

[DrewBlows]

I second the Sinus rinse by NeilMed...

chperplt,

I think I started using Sinus Rinse on your advice. Never thanked you for the advice, so thank you. My sinus infections have nearly gone away since I started using it.

 

[AV80R]

Chronic sinusitis/to fly or not to fly

Have you been tested for allergies?

Recently I did; the nurse pricked the skin of my back with a sharp object dipped in several allergens and when she came back after 20 minutes to see the results her response was something like: “holly crap!" Apparently I have severe allergies to pretty much everything yet all those years I just thought I had some sinus issues.

Anyways, I’m still trying to figure out how to arrange getting my allergy shots because for the first 12 months or so, I'll need 2 shots a week and with my schedule being 2 weeks on 2 weeks off I'm just not sure how I can pull that off - so in the mean time I got lots of allegra pills and extra strength nasal sprays. Check your allergies, they might be the culprit to your problems.

 

[JediNein]

Allergies can contribute to sinus problems, sometimes the person's sinus cavities are not made for proper draining thus trapping allergens and causing general havoc.

See an ENT. All the sinus rinses in the world will do you no good if you have a polyp or other blockage of a sinus cavity that doesn't allow it to drain.

If sinus surgery is required, expect to be out of flying for about 2-3 months under the self-grounding regulation. Afterwards, you'll be able to fly without having to lug a second suitcase full of kleenex.

Medical prob = medical leave

 

[PowerCurve]

I bought a neti pot at Whole Foods, and some sea-salt from the cooking aisle. It works great!

A little warm water and a small amount of the sea salt and you're good to go.

 

[chperplt]

If sinus surgery is required, expect to be out of flying for about 2-3 months under the self-grounding regulation. Afterwards, you'll be able to fly without having to lug a second suitcase full of kleenex.

Medical prob = medical leave

Not true.... I had sinus surgery and was grounded less than 3 weeks. All the FAA requires is a note from your ENT or Flight doc that says you're completely healed, and they don't require the note until your next medical.

 

[unreal]

Glad to know it isn't just me who's been having sinus issues lately. I think it's mostly an allergy thing (pollen counts here have been super high lately), but it's gotten to the point where I have to pop a decongestant before I go fly or else I'll feel the squeeze during descent. Not so fun to have to depend on that. I saw an ENT last month, and he said that from what he could tell it was simply a pollen allergy. He prescribed me some Nasonex, but it doesn't work too well for keeping you clear while flying it seems.

I do like the idea of the sinus rinse thing, though. I'll have to give it a try. Anything to keep from having to pop a pill before I can do my job.

 

[unreal]

This thread is probably dead by now, but thanks for the tip on the sinus rinse stuff. Been using it a few days now, and I've stopped needing to take a decongestant before flying. Good stuff.

 

[AV80R]

This thread is probably dead by now, but thanks for the tip on the sinus rinse stuff. Been using it a few days now, and I've stopped needing to take a decongestant before flying. Good stuff.

Still alive! lol

I went to walgreens looking for that stuff couldn't find it, what is it called?

Didn't see "Sinus Rinse" there...

 

[unreal]

Still alive! lol

I went to walgreens looking for that stuff couldn't find it, what is it called?

Didn't see "Sinus Rinse" there...

It's called NeilMed Sinus Rinse. It was in the Walgreens where I live, but barring that I think it's sold elsewhere too. It's in a big flashy box that advertises to everyone just what you're buying, too. :laugh:

 

[AV80R]

It's called NeilMed Sinus Rinse. It was in the Walgreens where I live, but barring that I think it's sold elsewhere too. It's in a big flashy box that advertises to everyone just what you're buying, too. :laugh:

I'll check it again, thanks a lot, hope it helps.

My doctor wants me to take allergy shots as apparently I have severe allergies to pretty much everything and then some... The problem is I have to get two shots a week for the first 6 months and they cannot be spread out more than that because I have to "gradually increase my resistance."

Well, with a week on week off schedule I just don't know how I can do that?

Anyone else with a similar problem?

I though about giving the shots to myself but someone needs to "watch me" in case I have a reaction to the shots... So, I'm in limbo...

 

[ZONA]

I know exactly what you are dealing with. I have always had very bad allergies as well as moderate asthma since childhood. About a year or so things got really bad and went to see an ENT. I Was diagnosed with severe sinusitis, severe rhinitis, as well as nasal polyps. As you can imagine flying 18-20 leg four day trips was becoming very problematic. After trying just about every "faa approved" nasal spray on the market my doctor said that surgery was my only option. I was on med leave for about 2.5 months following surgery to make sure things healed properly and not to rush back although I probably could have come back sooner.

I'm approx 7 months post op and my problem is that when I am not flying I feel better than I have ever felt in my life. I can finally breath through my nose which was something I had not been able to do in 15+ years. For some reason though flying is still giving me issues, nothing like it was before I had surgery but after the 3-4 leg it never fails that I start having sinus problems either clogged up or a runny nose. Usually by the 2/3rd day my ears start to plug up and flying becomes less and less enjoyable.

I'm at a loss for what I should do next, I have been back to my ENT and he told me he can see the polyps starting to grow back. Nothing like they were before I had surgery, but the fact that after only 7 months with continuous Flonase use they are already making a comeback is not good.

I'm not sure what I should do next, I feel like the smartest thing to do would be get out of flying all together before I get any older and it's to late to start over in another field. I just turned 30 and with my sinus/asthma problems as well as family history of these conditions getting worse with age I'm honestly not sure if I could even hold a medical until I'm 60/65. I have a four year degree but would like to stay in aviation, possibly dispatch.

Anyone ever had a similar situation? Any suggestions?

 

[Flying Illini]

I know exactly what you are dealing with. I have always had very bad allergies as well as moderate asthma since childhood. About a year or so things got really bad and went to see an ENT. I Was diagnosed with severe sinusitis, severe rhinitis, as well as nasal polyps. As you can imagine flying 18-20 leg four day trips was becoming very problematic. After trying just about every "faa approved" nasal spray on the market my doctor said that surgery was my only option. I was on med leave for about 2.5 months following surgery to make sure things healed properly and not to rush back although I probably could have come back sooner.

I'm approx 7 months post op and my problem is that when I am not flying I feel better than I have ever felt in my life. I can finally breath through my nose which was something I had not been able to do in 15+ years. For some reason though flying is still giving me issues, nothing like it was before I had surgery but after the 3-4 leg it never fails that I start having sinus problems either clogged up or a runny nose. Usually by the 2/3rd day my ears start to plug up and flying becomes less and less enjoyable.

I'm at a loss for what I should do next, I have been back to my ENT and he told me he can see the polyps starting to grow back. Nothing like they were before I had surgery, but the fact that after only 7 months with continuous Flonase use they are already making a comeback is not good.

I'm not sure what I should do next, I feel like the smartest thing to do would be get out of flying all together before I get any older and it's to late to start over in another field. I just turned 30 and with my sinus/asthma problems as well as family history of these conditions getting worse with age I'm honestly not sure if I could even hold a medical until I'm 60/65. I have a four year degree but would like to stay in aviation, possibly dispatch.

Anyone ever had a similar situation? Any suggestions?

It's the airliner environment. Seriously. My health is much better now that I am flying corporate. Have you tried taking Naproxin Sodium or some other anti-inflammatory? That may help open up the sinuses a bit.

Good luck.