Paranoia - Please Help!

[airmonkey]

Firstly I know congestion has been covered here a million times over and these last few days I must have read virtually every post on the subject however I'm slipping into an ever deepening paranoia.

Sunday - 2 dives, everything normal, Monday - 1 dive, woke up a little congested but not normally something that would prevent me from diving, anyway - equalising troubles and can't get past 5m. This has never ever happened to me before in nearly two years of diving.

Since then I have managed to dry equalise a couple of times (not forced) although this is hit and miss.

Now normally I wouldn't be too over reactive but on Wednesday night I'm off on a diving holiday and well... I'm sure you can guess the rest, I just want everything to be ok.

I realise in terms of medical conditions this is even more insignificant than minor but I'm just so worried as its the first time that its ever happened to me, any tips, in fact anything at all would be very very greatly appreciated

[Lou]

Sudafed, boil yer head and eat lots and lots of very hot and spicey food

Good luck!

[airmonkey]

Originally Posted by Lou

Sudafed, boil yer head and eat lots and lots of very hot and spicey food

Good luck!

Thanks! Thats what I've been doing these past few days and its only going slowly, slowly..

Have to give the spicey foods bit a go and see if that shifts it!

[bob wippin]

I had a problem equalising on hols a few months ago. It just slowly came on like a cold. But I found that taking sudafed/sinutab on a regular basis, I was O.Kto dive after about 2 days.

I would not recommend you keep focing your ears to try and equalise as you will only end up bruising your ears.

Also if the problem is more at the top of your nasal passage than in your ears, you could try snorting sea water, hurts like hell, but clears your ears out.

If you can just about manage to dive/equalise you may get a reverse squeeze on the way back up which is a bit of a pain, come up slowly, this will then force the mucus out clearing your ears although may be quite painful.

Bear in mind I am not actually a diving doc. These are just some things that I have found to work!!

[David Tombs]

I am a Doc,not Diving or ENT. however,it is best by far to wait for your ears to be able to be equalised normally rather than force it. You could easily end up with a Barotrauma that puts you off diving for weeks. You will allways be able to get another holiday diving.

[bob wippin]

Originally Posted by David Tombs

I am a Doc,not Diving or ENT. however,it is best by far to wait for your ears to be able to be equalised normally rather than force it. You could easily end up with a Barotrauma that puts you off diving for weeks. You will allways be able to get another holiday diving.

I agree, however sometimes it is impossible to look at it like that. When you are on hols and you see a load of divers kitting up and going off in the boats, then come lunch time, following sods law they will have seen the 'biggest whale shark/manta ray ever'. They then have to talk at the top of their voice about how brilliant it was. Now that sort of thing almost makes you wish you stayed at home, recommend some good ear plugs if you are unable to dive on the hols, so you won't have to hear what you missed .

How cool is that, had to put it in, I haven't seen anyone else use it before.

[yazzyfooty]

Originally Posted by David Tombs

I am a Doc,not Diving or ENT. You could easily end up with a Barotrauma that puts you off diving for weeks. .

Gyneacologist?

[Noel Johnson]

Sudafed, The IANTD stance on it is not good as it may increase the risk of a central nervous system (CNS) oxygen toxicity risk.

http://www.datatek.on.ca/suc/Safety.htm

[Lou]

Originally Posted by Noel Johnson

Sudafed, The IANTD stance on it is not good as it may increase the risk of a central nervous system (CNS) oxygen toxicity risk.

http://www.datatek.on.ca/suc/Safety.htm

Yes, but in that article they are talking about taking it immediately before diving, as there is also mention of taking more than the recommended dose! They were also fairly deep dives.

Here we are talking about it as treatment for congestion before going on holiday.

[Fiona]

Originally Posted by Lou

Sudafed, boil yer head and eat lots and lots of very hot and spicey food

Good luck!

I can recommend a good curry house however since the sudafed thread a few weeks ago I will never touch the stuff again.

Before most dives I use an Olbas oil nose snorter, just gives the tubes a bit of a blast. Works for me probably won't work for everyone.