shotthebreeze
Contributor
I use Zicam...over the counter nose swab or spray. Stuff works like magic...
Clearing sinus before Dive Holiday
- Thread starter Canard
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I had a similar problem. After trying several over the counter treatments, I finally went to see an ear doctor. He prescribed Fluticasone Propionate. He told me to start taking it at least a week prior to a dive trip.
It cleared up my problem. Ive been taking it for about 6 months. I cut the dose in half when Im not diving (per the doc.),
Maybe it will work for you. In any case, if you have persistent problems go see a specialist. There are several medical issues that can affect your ability to clear your ears and/or sinuses.
It cleared up my problem. Ive been taking it for about 6 months. I cut the dose in half when Im not diving (per the doc.),
Maybe it will work for you. In any case, if you have persistent problems go see a specialist. There are several medical issues that can affect your ability to clear your ears and/or sinuses.
Bratface
Contributor
I also rinse with normal saline (Ocean, other brand names) and have avoided a cold this winter as well as reduced problems equalizing.
divepsych
Registered
I have heard of people who used Sinus Rinse four times a day, but I think that's a bit much. Probably twice a day would be more than adequate if you are in a very dusty environment. I used it at noon after crawling under my parents' house and mowing their yard. I'm still OK. I usually use it once a day when I am flying or diving or working in dusty conditions.
BYW,
Please contact me directly about your experience with nasal irrigation or SinusRinse as I am the physician who did the study with divers for NeilMed Pharmaceuticals.
Dr. Mehta and I are very interested in both positive and negative feedback as many divers are using it these days. Also, if divers are having possible adverse experiences, then the company wants to hear about them.
David F Colvard, MD
www.divepsych.com
david@divepsych.com
1-877-265-8273
BYW,
Please contact me directly about your experience with nasal irrigation or SinusRinse as I am the physician who did the study with divers for NeilMed Pharmaceuticals.
Dr. Mehta and I are very interested in both positive and negative feedback as many divers are using it these days. Also, if divers are having possible adverse experiences, then the company wants to hear about them.
David F Colvard, MD
www.divepsych.com
david@divepsych.com
1-877-265-8273
I got a free sample at DEMA, now I'm using it twice a day. This stuff is great!
The NeilMed sinus rinse system is available at WalMart and it works great for me.
I did need a few days to get used to pushing water up my nose and to find the best angle but now is fast and easy and my sinuses are clear.
I did need a few days to get used to pushing water up my nose and to find the best angle but now is fast and easy and my sinuses are clear.
divepsych
Registered
People with seasonal and other allergies and chronic sinus infections have used Sinus Rinse more than once a day with some success. I have heard of people who did nasal-sinus irrigation four times a day, but that seems excessive.
I had broken my nose as a teenager, and thereafter suffered from chronic sinusitis and nosebleeds. In 1987, I had surgery on my nose to remove damaged cartilage to allow me to breathe easier. About ten years ago, the sinuses got so bad, being clogged almost constantly, that I finally had surgery to open them up. Since that surgery, I have much less issue with my sinuses, but more with allergies.
Since I started diving in 2003, I have had a little trouble clearing my ears on descent, regardless of how slowly I descend or how often I clear. Decongestants seemed to make it easier, but I still had problems. On a dive in Key Largo, in 2006, I "forced the issue" in getting down, and suffered from middle ear barotrauma, according to DAN.
Also, when I fly for long distances, I have found that on returning from a dive trip I usually end up with a very bad cold or sinus infection.
I started using the Neil Med rinse in March, prior to a trip to Fiji. I used it on the plane going over, twice a day while there, then once again coming back. I had no trouble clearing on any of my dives, despite the fact that I used no decongestants whatsoever. When I returned from the trip, for the first time, I had no cold or sinus infection.
I followed the same routine in Roatan, in May, then again in December, for a non-diving trip to Turkey. Again, no problems, and I have not had to take any decongestants.
In addition to travel-related issues with sinuses and colds, I often wake up and I am stuffy. I find that if I give my nasal passages a good rinse, it usually clears me up quickly and I can breathe normally.
Needless to say, I'm a believer and will continue to use Neil Med.
Since I started diving in 2003, I have had a little trouble clearing my ears on descent, regardless of how slowly I descend or how often I clear. Decongestants seemed to make it easier, but I still had problems. On a dive in Key Largo, in 2006, I "forced the issue" in getting down, and suffered from middle ear barotrauma, according to DAN.
Also, when I fly for long distances, I have found that on returning from a dive trip I usually end up with a very bad cold or sinus infection.
I started using the Neil Med rinse in March, prior to a trip to Fiji. I used it on the plane going over, twice a day while there, then once again coming back. I had no trouble clearing on any of my dives, despite the fact that I used no decongestants whatsoever. When I returned from the trip, for the first time, I had no cold or sinus infection.
I followed the same routine in Roatan, in May, then again in December, for a non-diving trip to Turkey. Again, no problems, and I have not had to take any decongestants.
In addition to travel-related issues with sinuses and colds, I often wake up and I am stuffy. I find that if I give my nasal passages a good rinse, it usually clears me up quickly and I can breathe normally.
Needless to say, I'm a believer and will continue to use Neil Med.
OceanObsessed
Guest
I asked this question to my ENT a few weeks ago and he recommended NeilMed sinus rinse, which I use anyway a few days prior to diving. For competitive freedivers Afrin is the industry standard that they use an hour or two before a competition if they are having any sinus issues. I to have used Afrin (over the counter) and it works wonders for me. It is only a temporary fix as it treats the symptoms and not the cause. Last but not least be sure you are well hydrated because even being mildly dehydrated can cause equalization difficutlies. Thats why it can become difficult to equalize after a long day of freediving.
If you are having equalization issues in the water I would not push your luck. A friend of mine ended up permaently losing most of his hearing in one of his ears because he was having equalization difficulties and he felt the he could force equalization at depth to eliminate the pain. I'm not tryng to scare you but just giving you a real world example of how serious to take equalization problems. Its not worth the risks.
-Chris
If you are having equalization issues in the water I would not push your luck. A friend of mine ended up permaently losing most of his hearing in one of his ears because he was having equalization difficulties and he felt the he could force equalization at depth to eliminate the pain. I'm not tryng to scare you but just giving you a real world example of how serious to take equalization problems. Its not worth the risks.
-Chris
I think you misunderstood my statement about pushing the issue. I did it once, will not EVER do it, again. At the time, I felt the pressure, it wouldn't clear, but I descended anyway. Since I've been using NeilMed, I have no problem clearing my ears and there's no need to force anything.
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