I feel excruciating pain in my ears when flying(worse when landing) ear plugs don't help. is there anything to help? it's very painful to pop them.

ENT: Have your doc look in your ears to make sure the drum is intact and there is no visible obstruction. Chewing before and during takeoff and landing helps some people. If needed your pmd may recommend decongestants when you fly or an evaluation by an ENT physician.

Try a decongestant: Changes in barometric pressure can be a cause for pain in the ears, if your eustachian tubes are not functioning properly and cannot equilibrate the internal and external pressures on ascent and descent. Some people find that they have relief from taking decongestants and/or antihistamines leading up to a flight.