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What’s a painful experience you haven’t had in years?
(lemmy.world)
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I've had it a few times, the first time was the worst because I had no idea what was going on. Didn't have it again for about 10 years and at the time I was flying regularly so I'd take a nasal spray for the descent and also try to breathe out my ears (hold nose and mouth and blow). Only a couple of occassions since that there's been a little, but I do get anxious at times.
Stop holding your nose and blowing, to clear your ears. You can burst your eardrum this way. I have a perforated eardrum, myself (though not from this), and getting a subsequent inner ear infection in that ear is the most painful thing I have ever experienced. Worse than the burst appendix or broken ribs.
Instead, try holding your nose and closing your mouth and swallowing a few times. With a big gulp of water might help. Should eventually give you enough pressure to clear the blockage, without risking your health.
It was so scary that first time, I also had no idea and I just wanted to start screaming but I could only imagine the chaos that would have caused! I’ve had a couple times since where I feel a bit of pressure but I do the same as you with holding my nose and mouth and blow and it seems to help along with the Sudafed. Crazy hearing someone else had this too!