Please any help or information available?


Over the years I have read posts on here about flying on an airplane. Most people are fine, and my neurologist said I was just stressed when I described the intense head pain and ear blocking and cheekbones swelling (Eustachian tube Dysfunction), throat swells too. I understand stress increases headaches, but this is an intense headache pain.Pain starts on takeoff and lasts throughout the flight. Doesn't get better inflight and landing it doesn't get worse.

I went to an ENT and he said it could be a sinus problem. I had no problems ever before on a plane or with allergies or sinus infections. He did an xray that showed clear sinuses. Somehow my sinuses are affected with the pressure since my concussion. How is this possible? I have learned that the sinus headaches are supposed to worse on landing but mine isn't.I have neck injury which affects nerves. I have tried to hold my neck when plane is vertical, didn't make a difference in pain.

The pain is extreme. I live in Hawaii and have taken a short flight to the outer islands to test out my headache. Only 30 minutes and in extreme pain. I don't know if I can ever go to the mainland again to visit family.I stay home when everyone else goes. It will be four years for me since my injury and I still have this flying problem.

I tried ear plugs, special ear planes ear plugs, bose headphones- made it worse on plane. Pain meds, hydration, deep breathing helps to make it through. This is not just anxiety because it does not feel like a panic attack. Worse symptoms is extreme headache. I can usually tolerate my high level of pain daily so I am not just being wimpy.

Please me help me understand why this happens.It means so much to me, I have been testing this for years! I have missed out on so much. Any thoughts would be helpful.

Please! and thank you.

I have researched and found this... some commenters have had previous concussions:
http://neurocritic.blogspot.com/2010...-headache.html

Also, I had barotrauma or Airplane Ears my last short flight, I had some cold symptoms previous to my flight. But had no cold symptoms before on two other short flights and still had pain, ear block on both sides. I also did an elimination diet before my flight to rule out any food allergies I may have. Anything else I can do? Thoughts on nerves or blood vessel, low oxygen problem? No one else can help me, anyone with any experience please share your opinion?

ENT said to take nose spray Afrin, and sudafed. But I never had this before my concussion! How is this related? How can this be only due to sinuses, ENT said there is no structural damage to sinuses on xray or examination. He did say that because it is so bad on short flight, my ears could rupture on a mainland flight. I don't mind that but he said I could lose my hearing if they don't heal properly. I read that if your ear ruptures it will be painful but then the pain will stop when it ruptures. I don't mind that but the head pain is so bad, it must be something related to the nerves. Also, feel extreme nausea on flights.

Zofran helps nausea and i just don't eat anything hours before flight. Please any thoughts?