7 days w/ fluid in middle ear flying to Belize in 8 days!!!!

[NCSCUBADOOBA]

hi there,
i posted about this in basic scuba discussions, but see it belongs here.

can anyone shed some light for me????​

here's the scoop:​

last friday i completed my OW cert dives in a cold quarry. i wore a hood and the water was about 48 degrees. i felt like i had water in my ears before we did the first dive. i told my instructor about it and he didn't say anything about it.
first descent went fine, equalized just great.
went to a depth of 30'. i ascended properly... well once my dive computer beeped and had me at 120% and i slowed down.
went down for second dive, but this time had to navigate the group. i spent more time worrying about the d*mn compass than my ears. i went down and didn't equalize and they hurt soooooo bad. i aborted my descent, ascended and cleared, went back down and had to ascend a bit again to get rid of the pain.
finally equalized fine and completed the dive.descended for the 3rd dive and had no ear troubles.
got out of the water and felt like i had water in my ear. so, from friday to monday i used auro dri and then tried the vinegar/alcohol mix many times a day. nothing helped.
i called my doc monday and made an appt. for wednesday.
i also called DAN.
DAN said it sounds like middle ear barotrauma.
i saw my doc and he saw NO REDNESS, NO INFECTION, NO PERFORATION, NO SWELLING, NO WAX.... just could tell there was fluid behind my eardrum.
he told me to take Claritin once a day, Sudafed (if i could tolerate it) every 4 hours, Ibuprofen to reduce swelling. he had prescribed me the antibiotic/steroid ear drops before seeing me and said he didn't think i needed them at all. I have hard core decongestants (Profen Forte) but they contain pseudoephedrine and it makes me Hi High! so i take it at night.
well, i thought using them couldn't hurt.
i'm flying to belize a week from tomorrow (4/29) and am starting to get very concerned about the fluid in my ear.
i called DAN back and told them what the doctor found.
the medic explained what had happened in his opinion:
I didn't equalize and the pressure pulled fluid from my inner ear into my middle ear

Okay. I now fully understand how stupid and careless my mistake was and why I'm feeling this fullness in my ear. I have no pain, no vertigo, no nausea etc... just fullness. No hearing loss either.​

So, I tried Afrin last night. I know you can't use it for more than 3 days straight. I felt like my ears cleared out. Then, I woke up this am and had the fullness in my ear again. (btw... i apparently have begun to use proper capitalization all of a sudden LOL). I stopped today and got some saline nose mist and it felt GREAT. When I use the medicated drops, my ears feel fuller than when I don't. Also, I tried equalizing today while at work, and felt both ears inflate with air when I did it!!!! My doc said if my fluid isn't drained by flight time, to take Afrin before the flight. I agree with other posters that Sudafed (new formulation) isn't the best choice. It makes me groucy, jittery, not hungry, dried up, and feeling anxious. Here's my questions:

1- Do any of you have any suggestions that I've not tried?

2- If I can equalize on the surface, do you think I'll be okay to fly/dive?

3- Should I continue the antibiotic/steroid drops just to prevent infection?

4- Can I take Claritin or Afrin before a dive with this one ear having the fluid and be ok?

I see how easily your body can get damaged if you don't follow all the rules. I see how fragile our ears are. I see that it's imperative to see a doc and/or call DAN when you have a diving-related injury. I got certified for this trip. I'm feeling desperate to get this cleared up. My bf is being awesome! He said he'd stay with me at the resort if I can't dive But, I really want to be able to dive in Belize.

I've read old posts and threads from years back on this board for the past 7 days. I don't feel like I found one that answered all of my questions or that anyone had the same situation as mine. Others would have infection or blood or perforation. I'm hoping that someone has been through this and can shed some light for me.

Thank you so much!!!!
Angela

 

[DandyDon]

I suppose the reasons you're not getting replies here are that your situation has been well covered in other threads, you have DAN and your doc's advice, and there's not much to add.

Try the various suggested OTC meds for now to see which don't bother you - in advance of your flights and dives. Decongestants and Antihistamines will both help with the problem, as well as with flights and dives. They are two different meds, often found in the same pill, and brand names like Claritin may actually have either or both - have to read closely. Also read Motion Sickness packages cloesly, as they're usually antihistamines, too; don't want to overdose.

Additionally...
>> Vented ear plugs have helped many divers with problem ears;
>> Do rinse your ears well after every dive, shower, bath with alcohol as suggested to you in other threads;
>> Keep the antibiotic/steroid ear drops handy in case of pain - they can be a lifesaver!

When you do try to dive, equalize 3 times on the boat, then keep doing it often as you descend. The first 30 feet is the biggest change. Ascend if needed to clear and descend again.

Oh, some have reported that warm pads on the ears can be soothing. It might help, might not...?

Good luck and let us know how it goes...

 

[NCSCUBADOOBA]

Thanks for your reply.
I posted b/c no one told me whether or not I could dive with this condition.
I hoped and still hope for someone who's had this exact condition to let me know if they did dive, and how they prepared for it and were afterwards.
I see DAN is closed until Monday. I'll call them again Monday.
I'll check into the plugs too
Thanks again!!!!!
Angela