Getting Through a Long Flight (Pain Management)

I haven't been active here because in spite of my pain, I'm getting on with my life. But in three weeks, I'll go on my first flight in two years, and it's a long flight (roughly eight hours). It's not for leisure, it's for work. I suppose I could have said no, but I really don't know anymore. I already lost a lot, and I'm afraid to lose my job. But now I'm thinking if I'm stupid for doing this, and if I'm bound to lose so much more because of it.

I'm both excited and afraid, but more afraid. What can I do if my facial pain flares up and get so bad while up in the air?

I have Howard Leight earplugs, Bose QC 35, and Peltor X5A so I know I'd be well-protected. I chose a seat at the front too, ahead of the engine. But I still wonder if I should pop a sleeping pill or a sedative to help me zone out. Or maybe I'll get a bit drunk before boarding. Or take Lyrica, which I still have because I stopped taking it due to the side effects.

What about regular pain pills? One way my hyperacusis pain manifests is through headaches. Will those respond to regular pain pills?

 

https://www.tinnitustalk.com/threads/flying-with-tinnitus-hyperacusis.29159/

Check our discussion in this thread. Bose A20 are somewhat better for the low frequency noise than Peltor X5A, and definitely better than Bose Qc35.

These seem to be a good combo of Passive + Active: http://www.pilot-usa.com/pa-1779t.html Not sure how the active compares to Bose's active though,

Might be worth it if you have the budget.

 

Thanks, but I've been through that thread and other flying-related threads here. Those threads are more concerned about decreasing sound exposure. But my issue is with pain management. I have the necessary ear protection, but I would like advice on how to manage a flareup of my H pain. It is a long flight after all, and I wouldn't know if my ear protection can hold up.

 

Hi @Lex. I got on 3 different planes this past August, and my H did not spike one bit. I was afraid as well but I did just fine. Just try not to freak out and just relax and enjoy the flight.

 

I sure hope so! I still struggle with car rides because I get pain. The pain is tolerable, which is the only reason why I still get to go places. But I've avoided planes for two years! As my departure date is nearing, I grow more and more terrified.

 

@Lex im sure you’ll be good. Like I said, I was afraid that my T&H would spike but everything turned out fine.

 

I mean, if we had something to manage flare ups, wouldn't we already be using it? A person who has true hyperacusis (noxacusis) has this unholy baby union of chronic pain and tinnitus and what sucks about both of them. If you're stuck with pain you don't have a lot of options.

You already answer what will probably be your best answer: a sedative. They have little clinics at airports, if you're at a big enough one. I was once given a single dose benzo (xanax) at one because I was having heart palpitations before a flight. Or you could just ask your doctor for something.

Other than that you have...meditation. I suppose a cold pack for your face.

For pain medication, NSAIDs don't generally work on nerve pain. You can try, I suppose. In general even though chronic pain has treatments in various painkillers, a person is looking at a 30% chance maximum to even see an effect on these. And you probably won't see any difference if you're not on a long term dose since the medication has to build up in your bloodstream. Your lyrica isn't going to do you any good as a one time dose even though it seems you've responded to it in the past.

 

At the back of my mind, I agree with you which is why I already have my affairs in order, especially financial, in case I'd feel the need to jump off the bridge when I get to my destination. I wish I could tell you I'm being flippant but I'm serious.

 

Despite the grim tone, this comes as a relief. It gets tiring to hear people on this website try to frame pain as being preferable to tinnitus.

You're worried about losing your job, are you American? You can fill out an Americans with Disabilities Application and your job would need to respect your limits as long as you meet the basic job requirements.

As much as CBT and meditation get dismissed, probably because they get built up to be holy grails when they are not, frame of mind can negatively impact pain. Positivity does not inversely make it better or even necessarily prevent flare ups, but lessens the impact.

 

I don't have intrusive T so I can't compare. But I think ear pain is worse than moderate T, which I also have.

Not an American. Not from a first would country so I really don't have much job protection.

I agree but it's hard to be positive when so many things can go horribly wrong for the littlest reasons.

 

What kind of plane? A380s are quiet. Boeing’s like the 777 are not pleasant. I had an 8 hour flight on both types about a year ago and the 777 was horrible (with double protection - earplanes and qc35s and foam earplugs and qc35s at various times) but I was not up front. A380 mostly just qc35s. Going on another one soon - never flying anything else ever again unless it’s as quiet.

Do you have earplanes for take off? The normal earplugs aren’t good for take off or landing.

Not sure about pain management though, I just try to endure it cold turkey in general thanks to most pain meds being ototoxic, but the pain related to H has never been unbearable.

 

I'm not following. Is the H pain not caused from sound exposure?

 

@Johan_L Yes, my pain is from exposure to noise. But I am concerned about bone conduction. No matter how well I protect, sound waves still travel through my bones. Given that the flight is 8 hours long, I expect I'd get pain regardless. I just want to know how I can manage the pain because I can't just leave an airplane mid-flight.

 

It depends on the plane.

 

It's an A350. Too bad no A380 is flying my route.

 

No, that’s good too. The newer Airbus models are much better than the Boeing ones.

“At cruise altitude typical ambient noise level in the cabin of the Airbus A350 XWB is 57 decibels...”

Plus you’re up the front you said. Nice one.

 

@Lex How did it go?

Also, has anybody checked the noise level in the toilets on planes? Perhaps it's lower there?

 

The flush... ugh... can’t stand it.

 

I was thinking of just taking a brakes there during the flight... Rather be there (if it is quieter) than have a setback while sitting in a comfy seat.

 

I would say it’s louder.

 

I would go with the classic combination of earplugs + earmuffs until you are seated inside the plane and then take off the earplugs and use only earmuffs for take off and the whole flight. When you land, opposite thing: when the plane is taxiing to the parking, remove the earmuffs and put on earplugs plus earmuffs again on top.

 

Flights went well, whole trip (both work and vacation part) went well. I highly recommend noise-cancelling headphones over earmuffs. They're more effective and comfortable.

 

For me it's the length of flight.
The longer the flight, the more traumatic for me.
I live far from my "home town".
Pain, and lack of funds keeps me from visiting more often.

 

I was on a flight wearing foam plugs. At one point my right ear popped (with the foam plugs); at that point my sound changed in my right ear...kind of like a fleeting tinnitus sound (flat, thin, tonal) and after some seconds it went back to original sound. Does this mean something that my sound changed with the pop?

 

Did you have issues with your ears popping during the flight? I’m going on an 8 hour plane ride in a few weeks and nervous about having issues with my ears equalizing to the pressure during take off and landing.

My ears feel clogged, but there’s no fluid in them. My doctor said not to worry, but I still am. The pressure everyday is very uncomfortable don’t know what it’ll be like on the plane.

 

If your ETs work well, you should have no issues equalizing: just yawn or swallow frequently.

 

I’m having issues with my ET’s I can’t really clear my ears unless I blow air through my nose pretty hard, but it goes right back to being clogged.

 

I don't think that method is going to work for the plane scenario.

 

What will be best to do for the plane ride?

 

It depends on the problem you have with your ETs - have you asked your doc?