Ear fullness

[jeb321]

I had a flu type illness a week ago - it began with low type fever 100.7 and a cough, stuffed nose ear fullness and sore throat. I lost my sense of smell and taste for a few days.  Maybe once or twice a tiny bit of green mucus did appear.  I never had sneezing problem and the cold really has not come out.  I called Dr who said since there was some mucus and ear involvement prescribed antibiotic - Zpac. The cough is gone, most of sore throat gone and stuffed nose gone, also taste and smell back.  Now 8 days later ear is still sort of full - I hear a clicking sound occasionally.  Problem is I am supposed to be flying tomorrow and have 2 days more of antibiotic left. I am so afraid of getting on plane with this ear thing.   I am planning to see Dr in 2 hours but need to know if anyone has any suggestion of dealing with the plane.  

[jeb321]

Thank you much for your information.  Dr told me for plane to start taking sudafed night before and then morning of flight and 1 hr later.  Also told me to use (only for plane) Afrin about 1 hr before descent.  I had no pain on arrival - now though my cold seems to be gone - (still not completely sure of right ear) I need to do same thing on my way home.  Again, thank you so much for your information.

[lossy4]

ask your doctor for a steroid nasal spray. What you have is common after a cold. The Eustachian tube is inflamed and swollen from your cold, which helps the fluid drain from the ear. The nasal spray with reduce the inflammation. ( or just give it a month or 2 and it will go away on its own)