Equalizing while ascending

[Blue Sparkle]

Okay, I'm sorry - I'm obviously not typing clearly.

1) No discharge from my ear, at any point in time
2) No pain at any point in time
3) No fever at any point in time

It's my middle ear that has some effusion (fluid) in it. (Otitis media)

* From what I am reading, pain or fever indicate bacteria or infection

*No pain or fever means that a virus (like a cold) probably caused it, and you basically have to wait for it to go away (unless pain or fever start).

*I now know that I should not have equalized on ascent. Actually, I knew it all along, but allowed myself to believe something I heard. I will no longer do it.

So, my main question was really this (sorry it wasn't clear):

If I *had* done something to my ear by equalizing on ascent, could it have presented as my problem did, i.e. nothing for four days, then sinus problem, then a week later middle ear effusion (fluid in middle ear).

So really, nothing showed up in my ear for over a week after I dove, and a week after I started experienced sinus/snot clogging.

I probably shouldn't have asked, since I am going to my doctor anyway, but I just wanted a diving opinion on whether an ear problem like that could be delayed 7 days after diving.

Thanks,

B.

PS: Edited to add that my instructor is not who told me to equalize on ascent. Really, I'm sorry this got so confusing. Maybe I gave too much info. I just don't like it when people ask a question and then you have to *pry* the details out of them, so I try to give them immediately, but I think I'm giving too many, and thus causing confusion. Sorry!

 

[CaboJim]

If you're experiencing what is known as 'reverse squeeze', you should descend a little to minimize the pressure imbalance & attempt to open the by holding your nose & swallowing...
This should equalize the middle ear by opening it up to the throat & relieves the distension in the affected middle ear (courtesy of 'Diving Medicine for Scuba Divers', 3rd edition)

 

[Blue Sparkle]

Hi Cabo,

I didn't have any symptoms of reverse squeeze (never have). I just took someone's advice to equalize on ascent when I shouldn't have. I never had done it in the past and had never had a problem ascending without "doing" anything. Live and learn.

I'm guessing it didn't have anything to do with my ear issue, since that did not present until a week after I dove, but reading this thread just made me have second thoughts. Oopsie.

B.

PS: This is what I think I have going on (bolding mine, to indicate the variety I seem to have). I did have a slight URI (upper respiratory infection). From Wikipedia:

Otitis media with effusion

Otitis media with effusion (OME), also called serous or secretory otitis media (SOM), is simply a collection of fluid that occurs within the middle ear space as a result of the negative pressure produced by altered Eustachian tube function. This can occur purely from a viral URI, with no pain or bacterial infection, or it can precede and/or follow acute bacterial otitis media. Fluid in the middle ear sometimes causes conductive hearing impairment, but only when it interferes with the normal vibration of the eardrum by sound waves. Over weeks and months, middle ear fluid can become very thick and glue-like (thus the name glue ear), which increases the likelihood of its causing conductive hearing impairment.

 

[Interceptor121]

Hi Cabo,

I didn't have any symptoms of reverse squeeze (never have). I just took someone's advice to equalize on ascent when I shouldn't have. I never had done it in the past and had never had a problem ascending without "doing" anything. Live and learn.

I'm guessing it didn't have anything to do with my ear issue, since that did not present until a week after I dove, but reading this thread just made me have second thoughts. Oopsie.

B.

Don't fix what is not broken. In any case this is now assumptions.
It could also be that you just got wind on your hear at later stage and maybe the otitis is externa
Going to a doctor seems a good idea in any case and you worked out that you knew what to do on ascent and should stick to it
Glad the fellow instructor is not guilty either

 

[Blue Sparkle]

It's not in my outer ear (externa), but in the middle ear (media).

I'm just frustrated right now because I feel like I am writing clearly, but obviously I'm not. It's not one of those self-realizations one really wants to have. Rats.

Thanks for everyone's input anyway; I appreciate your trying!

B.

 

[fairybasslet]

Well, the good thing is, you learned not to listen to just any diver. I hope your ear feels better. Infections can be really nasty. I had one a few years ago after the flu and I had tinnitus for months afterward.

 

[Blue Sparkle]

Thanks, fairybasslet,

Luckily, I haven't had any symptoms of infection - I'm sure that could be nasty!

Chances are that my issues are not related to my mistaken equalizing, and I'm just worrying about that angle for nothing.

On the other hand, I've now read enough cases of otitis media lasting for ages, that I'm completely freaked out about it. I'm not sure it would impact diving, but I worry that it would. I am fervently hoping it *goes away* since from my reading it doesn't sound like there is really anything that can be done for it. Ugh, I *hate* that sort of thing.

What I was hoping was that someone would either be able to say one of two things:

1) Yes, symptoms that did not show up until a week after diving could still be related to equalizaton upon ascent.

2) No, your symptoms aren't likely to be related to equalization upon ascent because symptoms would have shown up before a week had gone by.

B.

 

[JMaBC]

Appreciate the responses here, and this is what i gather from them:

1) don't use Valsalva on ascent EVER
2) on ascent, if pressure is felt in the ears, try descending a bit to relieve the pressure and go up slower
3) on ascent, if going back down and going up slower fails, than use reverse Valsalva (ie-pinch nose and "blow" in, so to speak)

If a instructor would be willing to confirm this it would be much appreciated.

Thx again all!

 

[idocsteve]

Appreciate the responses here, and this is what i gather from them:

1) don't use Valsalva on ascent EVER
2) on ascent, if pressure is felt in the ears, try descending a bit to relieve the pressure and go up slower
3) on ascent, if going back down and going up slower fails, than use reverse Valsalva (ie-pinch nose and "blow" in, so to speak)

If a instructor would be willing to confirm this it would be much appreciated.

Thx again all!

Your first mistake is assuming that just because a person has the title of "Instructor" that they are necessarily more qualified to give you advice than the fine divers on this thread that have told you exactly what you need to know.

Then again maybe all the non instructors on ScubaBoard should stop giving advice to newbies because, hey what do we know?

 

[JMaBC]

'Your first mistake is assuming that just because a person has the title of "Instructor" that they are necessarily more qualified to give you advice than the fine divers on this thread that have told you exactly what you need to know.

Then again maybe all the non instructors on ScubaBoard should stop giving advice to newbies because, hey what do we know?'

Just looking for someone who can speak with some authority, whether it be thru consensus or one person with knowledge, "instructor" seems like a logical choice for the "final word" on the subject. As for not giving advice to newbies and sarcastic spewing...your agenda, and your choice, do what you like.