Hi, this is my first time posting on this board. I've had a long history of various sinus and allergy like issues. I don't want to get all of my issues right now, but there is one problem in particular involving cars that is very debilitating. Over the last few years I've developed a problem where when I'm in the car during cold weather my ears will clog up and it can become quite painful. I've figured out that this is actually a problem with my sinuses because my ears start to feel better after my sinuses drain. I'm not sure what it is about being in the car during cold weather that is causing this. I'm fine with cold air in general. As far as I know, this happens with all cars, it is not a problem with my particular car. I have also experienced this issue on a train before, but I'm rarely ever on trains so it's hard to see a pattern as far as that goes.

I did see my family doctor and she said it sounded like an allergy issue and referred me to an allergist. The allergist did skin and blood testing on me, both of which did not test positive for anything. I had these tests done two years ago as well and the same thing happened back then. The allergist told me he had no idea what was wrong with me and sent me back to my family doctor. My family doctor told me she had no other ideas and that she couldn't think of any medical reason for my symptoms and said I should discuss it with my psychiatrist. I had in fact discussed the issue with my psychiatrist last year and he said that he didn't think this was psychosomatic. So basically all of my doctors are clueless and have given up on me.

So I'm very frustrated and have no idea where to turn now for help. I know that turning the heat up in the car doesn't help with the clogged ears/sinuses, and actually I have a separate issue where the car heater makes me nauseous. I've tried leaving the car windows open during the cold weather and this doesn't seem to help with the sinus issues either.

All I know is that if I can't figure out what is going on here, I'll probably never be able to hold down a job for very long, because this time of year even if I did manage to transport myself to work, by the time I got there, I'd feel too ill to be able to function.

Has anyone here ever heard of anything like this? Is there some other type of specialist I should be seeing? Thanks in advance for any help you can give.

Have you considered the possibility that your sinusitis is being triggered by area cell phone/wi-fi antennas? I'm actually serious.

Sinusitis and ear problems were one of my very first symptoms of Electromagnetic Hypersensitivity (Microwave Sickness), an emerging environmental illness, and this is one issue that hasn't budged much. As soon as I get in my car and begin to drive - bingo - probably because I'm driving past towers and antennas and traveling in and out of 'hot spots'.

Here is some info on Microwave Sickness. You appear to be in Group Four...

German Doctors Unite on RF Health Effects:
http://www.powerwatch.org.uk/news/20050722_bamberg.asp

The radiation from cell phones and portable/cordless phones, too, can cause problems for those with allergies, worsening their reactions...

Allergic Reactions Enhanced by Cell Phone Use:
http://bastyrcenter.org/content/view/313/

You can search for towers and antennas here:
www.antennasearch.com

Well to be honest I would not be surprised if I was sensitive to that sort of thing. I know that I am sensitive to energy because I feel very energized and alive when I go outside during a thunderstorm due to all of the healthy negative ions about during those times.

However, if this was the problem, wouldn't I have these issues year round? As I mentioned in my original post, it's only when the weather is cold that I have issues in the car with my sinuses clogging up and putting pressure on my ears. I did read the link you posted, and I did not see it make any mention of this being a problem that was worse in cold weather.

I suppose I wouldn't rule out this sort of sensitivity as being responsible for other health issues I have(and there are many), but this just doesn't seem to fit the problems I've been having in the car.

Thanks anyway for the ideas.

What may actually be the problem is the filters used in air conditioning/heating ventilation for cars and other transportation. From what I understand they should be changed often, but are frequently overlooked. I found in many buildings that I worked in, air filters in the ceiling were overlooked and many time the dirt will just spill out onto the ceiling tiles.

The person above is using posting all over the boards here with cell phones and such as the reason for Alzhemier's, fibro, migraines, etc. If you let someone start with fear mongering, it can place you at a point where you think there is no help and you give up. Don't give up. Ask your mechanic or car dealer about the filters for ventilation for the air conditioning/heater in your car and see if that is a start. Remember filters collect all sorts of stuff.

Just on a trial basis, try wearing a respiratory mask and see if that makes a difference.