Fluid in ear - Can I still dive?

[adjuster-jd]

About a month ago (around the same time as my confined water class) I had a cold which left a feeling of fullness/congestion in one of my ears. This has not gone away and I saw my family doctor last week. He prescribed some cortisone nasal spray and oral meds (Entex PSE - guaifensen and pseudoephedrine) along with some Zyrtec.
He told me I had some fluid in my ear and that when he blew air into my ear my eardrum moved, but not as much as it should. I told him I would be diving this coming weekend and he thought that should be ok.
It has been 5 days and I'm not seeing any real improvement. Still a feeling of fluid in my ear, not really any less than a week ago. No pain, and no noticeable hearing loss. Hopefully I'll be able to see the doctor tomorrow.

Any thoughts on a more aggressive treatment for these symptoms?

Will I be ok to dive (OW class) this coming weekend?

Thanks in advance.

 

[DocVikingo]

Cortisone nasal spray, Entex PSE & Zyrtec is an appropriate beginning regimen given your complaint. If you have not gotten significant benefit, consultation with an ENT might prove helpful.

Best regards.

DocVikingo

 

[adjuster-jd]

Ahh, the joy of HMO insurance... I first have to persuade my family doc that he can't treat the problem, and then he has to refer me to an ENT..... Unfortunately no freedom of choice here unless I want to pay the entire bill....
Hopefully I can get back into the doc tomorrow..

Thanks for the info.

 

[adjuster-jd]

I am pleased to report that I completed my OW certification today with no ear problems.
I had gone back to the doctor after my last post, he added an antibiotic and had me increase the steroid spray dosage and that did the trick. Right ear cleared up just fine.
Interestingly, my left ear was much more difficult to equalize than my right, and I was not having any problems with that one..
Either way, OW cert is completed.
Thanks Doc Vikingo for the advice..