Barotrauma to the middle ear

Initially it's just discomfort, a sort of pressure. Before too long, it turns into a sharp pain, right behind the ears and radiating up to the temples.

I tried all the techniques I know - swallowing, performing the valsalva manoeuvre, using nasal decongestants and using lollies. Didn't work. Instead the pain just kept getting worse and worse.

I kept looking at the altimeter. 11100.

Too long. Too painful.

Involuntary movements occur due to the pain. Watery eyes, grabbing of hair. My hair that is.

My patient gave me an odd look. I know my face must have portrayed my agony.

I was rather glad I didn't shout out or scream.

7500.

Deep breaths.

3000.

I've now resigned myself to the fact that I there's nothing I can do, the pain is just intense and I'm cursing myself for flying today. I close my eyes and tried to imagine a better place. Instead, all I could focus on was the pain, the brain splitting sharp pain.

Touch down. Finally. It took so long.

On the tarmac, I promised myself never to fly whenever I feel congested again.

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The doc had a look through the otoscope.

"Barotrauma to the middle ear", he diagnosed a matter of factly.

"5 days off duty. We'll review after 3 days."

He writes out a script for various medications.

Co-amoxiclav 625mg TID x 10d
Diclofenac 50mg OD x 7d
Chloramphenicol ear drops 2 drops x 6 hrly x 10d
Cetrizine 10mg OD x 7d
Paracetamol 500mg PRN

That's a few.

I walk towards the door.

"Oh and Andy" he yells. "No flying for the next 2 weeks."

I'm grounded. A grounded paramedic.