Preparing for flight with 3yo with fluid behind eardrum - Help!

[Melody7]

Hi,
My son (3yrs, 8mths) has been diagnosed with fluid behind his eardrum. It's not infected, but he is having a lot of trouble hearing. We are meant to be seeing our GP in 1 month to see if its improved.*

We are, however, flying from Australia to Italy in 2 weeks. I'm concerned about pain that he might experience because of the pressure on his eardrum (he's recently had a cold & complained of sore ears, hence the quick GP visit - imagine a plane ride!).

Has anyone flown with a child with fluid in their ears? Do you have any suggestions to help with the flight or how to prepare his ears and relieve as much fluid as possible? A nurse at the chemist told me he should take Demazin (liquid decongestant) each night to help clear the fluid. Do you think that would help?

We've got 2 flights to get to Italy, & I've heard it's the rate of descent that is the biggest problem. My biggest fear is him being in severe pain! Help!

[Party-of-five]

you can get ear plugs from the chemist i think they are called ear planes?? My MIL swears by them and I saw them today and you can get child ones

my DD had an ear infection before we reciently flew to Bali and I just gave her demizin before the flights and she was fine.

[helle]

Can you get him back into your gp and ask him? I watched my dad cry and scream in pain as one of his ear drums burst. I couldn't watch a three year old go through it!

[zap]

Speak to your GP. Possible even something to help him sleep through it (not sure if you want to go down that path?)

[Melody7]

I saw those ear plugs. I think I've even used them myself a while back - but how do you get a 3 yo to let me put those in his ears? I don't think the motivation of future pain would be strong enough for him to have the discomfort of the ear plugs. He just wouldn't understand about the degree of future pain...

My GP isn't able to see him until the day before the flight! Maybe I'll need to see someone else...

[kiwimummy]

Last winter we flew with both our kids having fluid. I gave them some baby nurofen before the flight and made sure they had a drink on descending, as you said, I read that is worst.
They were both absolutely fine I had been quite worried, but turned out all ok.

[Melody7]

I went to the GP again today (they had a space!) and now have an action plan.

DS's fluid has subsided, which is great! What I'm going to do is give him "Flo" nasal spray 2 x day until we leave, have some Vicks on hand to inhale from a tissue, give Demazin if I think he needs it, pre-flight or Panadol... Chew saltanas or something going up and down. My GP said it's only if the ear is infected that there is a chance of rupture, so I feel much better about that aspect too!

Also got some antibiotics (dry) to make up only if we need it OS.

I realise that the Internet can be good and bad - getting me all worried, probably for no good reason! I've got enough stress trying to get my family packed up for a month away, without having to worry about these things...

Going to see the GO for a quick check a few days before we leave too.

Thanks for all the help.
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