steves@tektools.UUCP (steve shellans) (07/18/85)
There are sinus problems and there are sinus problems.
I suppose that some of the remedies I've seen on the net work for some
of the sinus problems. I know that I had one that couldn't be fixed
by two doctors, various prescription drugs, or home remedies. If you're
looking for a cure, there is no need to read further, because for me,
time has been the only remedy.
Circumstances: I suffer from allergies in certain seasons. I also do
aerobatics. My nose and sinus passages were congested from allergies.
This caused some discomfort, but nothing that got in the way of flying.
However, the rapid pressure changes from aerobatics caused some fluid
(which had evidently become contaminated with external bacteria) back
into the sinuses.
This resulted in a sinus infection. A pressure change of more than
~1000 ft caused excruciating pain. I could not fly commercially.
I was able to fly myself around for pleasure and business as long
as I could reach the place without going over 1000 ft. This is kind
of limiting and not the safest of practices.
Two doctors (one an ENT specialist) prescribed Vacenase and Beconase.
Also Afrin. They really worked on the allergy problem, but they did
not open up the sinuses. They told me that the next step would be to
drain the sinuses which is a painful process.
The bottom line is that time was the cure with me. This all happened
two years ago. When flying myself, I was able to gradually increase
by altitude. (In fact, I was able to accurately measure progress
against the sinus problem in a quantitative manner - the altitude to
which I could ascend and the descend from without pain.) When I
reach 9000 ft about 9 months ago, I could again fly commercially.
It is now two years from the onset of the problem. I no longer have
pain in any circumstances, but I still hear 'snap-crackle-pop' inside
my skull when I do aerobatics.
There are sinus problems and there are sinus problems.
P.S. I forgot to mention two other prescription drugs that did no good --
Erythromycin and C-Chlor (sp?)