3 ms·

About 5 years ago I got a cold or flu while travelling. I flew home (3 hour flight) when my head was at its worst, eyes wouldn't stop watering, blocked up nose,

About 5 years ago I got a cold or flu while travelling. I flew home (3 hour flight) when my head was at its worst, eyes wouldn't stop watering, blocked up nose, sore throat. When we came into land my left ear didn't pop and I went completely deaf in my left ear. I was so freaked out by it. If I snapped my fingers next to my left ear I couldn't hear it at all. Doctor told me to not worry, it will come back, asked me to go see him if it wasn't normal again after 1 month. About 2 weeks later I was sitting at work and out of no where i had this weird sensation in my left ear and in a few seconds it was like a increasing rush of air followed by a popping sound and my hearing was back, I was shocked I stood up in the office and was like "MY HEARING IS BACK!", I was so happy. Even tho I could ear from my right ear, it was a horrible experience. I couldn't imagine permanently losing any sensory be it hearing, taste, vision, smell, touch. I wouldn't wish the experience on anyone.

alasdair_ 6y ago
> About 5 years ago I got a cold or flu while travelling. I flew home (3 hour flight) when my head was at its worst, eyes wouldn't stop watering, blocked up nose, sore throat. Just a polite reminder to people to please stop doing this. The flu kills people. Stay out of aircraft if you have it, please.
dijit 6y ago
Similar thing happened. I was on a flight, totally normal. During the flight my nose blocks up a little bit. As we land, the worst kind of “your head is going to explode” sensation. Eyes watering. So much pain I’m rocking back and forward in my seat. Nothing can be done. Nothing can stop it. Ended up losing my hearing (both ears) for 2 months, everything sounded like it was underwater, not even distant. But underwater. Anyway. Turns out I have some random allergy to birch trees and being within 2km of one when it’s pollinating can block me up. Utterly horrifying experience. Losing a sense is no joke. Makes you understand how fragile the human form is.
sokoloff 6y ago
If you’re going to fly with moderate to serious congestion, I recommend bringing oxymetazoline hydrochloride spray (Afrin, Dristan). It has addictive qualities, so use cautiously and adhere to labeling guidelines, particularly around duration of use, but it will get you down.

alasdair_ 6y ago

> About 5 years ago I got a cold or flu while travelling. I flew home (3 hour flight) when my head was at its worst, eyes wouldn't stop watering, blocked up nose, sore throat. Just a polite reminder to people to please stop doing this. The flu kills people. Stay out of aircraft if you have it, please.

dijit 6y ago

Similar thing happened. I was on a flight, totally normal. During the flight my nose blocks up a little bit. As we land, the worst kind of “your head is going to explode” sensation. Eyes watering. So much pain I’m rocking back and forward in my seat. Nothing can be done. Nothing can stop it. Ended up losing my hearing (both ears) for 2 months, everything sounded like it was underwater, not even distant. But underwater. Anyway. Turns out I have some random allergy to birch trees and being within 2km of one when it’s pollinating can block me up. Utterly horrifying experience. Losing a sense is no joke. Makes you understand how fragile the human form is.

sokoloff 6y ago

If you’re going to fly with moderate to serious congestion, I recommend bringing oxymetazoline hydrochloride spray (Afrin, Dristan). It has addictive qualities, so use cautiously and adhere to labeling guidelines, particularly around duration of use, but it will get you down.