ColomaGirl
New
Thank you also from a newbie! I have a long history w/ ear problems but determined to be certified soon w/ my husband and teenage son (they are both lucky "hold and blow" types"). I was pretty depressed the other morning and luckily found this site and was encouraged to keep at it. When we first started the certification process back in Dec., I tried to get the hold-and-blow to work and ended up w/ "ticked off ears" and on steroids. Figured it was just congestion and tried again 2 wks ago, certain that I just wasn't doing something right...and you guessed it, back on steroids...altho it wasn't as bad as the Dec. incident. I decided that I am just not capable of hold-and-blow. Dr. told me to get on my nasal steroid religiously and to do Afrin before diving. From this board, I've also cut the dairy since I know I am allergic (and not just lactose-intolerant).
My question tho, I am currently on Flonase as my nasal steroid. I had an allergist give me something else that tasted terrible (and yes, I was only putting it in my nose), so I'm wondering if others have had better success with specific nasal steroids.
I've scheduled an appt. w/ an ENT to see if there is anything else I can do or should do, but I am more optimistic that I can figure out what will work. I was able to get down in the pool last week...it takes me awhile, and I have to come up slowly. I had clogged/pressure for nearly 2 days, but it wasn't the painful, I-must-see-the-dr that I'd had when I did hold-and-blow.
Thanks again to everyone for all the tips! We are set for our Open Water this week. I figure that my spouse & son will be certified and maybe I will, and maybe I'll only get part of mine done...but that's okay!
My question tho, I am currently on Flonase as my nasal steroid. I had an allergist give me something else that tasted terrible (and yes, I was only putting it in my nose), so I'm wondering if others have had better success with specific nasal steroids.
I've scheduled an appt. w/ an ENT to see if there is anything else I can do or should do, but I am more optimistic that I can figure out what will work. I was able to get down in the pool last week...it takes me awhile, and I have to come up slowly. I had clogged/pressure for nearly 2 days, but it wasn't the painful, I-must-see-the-dr that I'd had when I did hold-and-blow.
Thanks again to everyone for all the tips! We are set for our Open Water this week. I figure that my spouse & son will be certified and maybe I will, and maybe I'll only get part of mine done...but that's okay!