headache

[oscar_2424]

hi this happen to me today:
first i been certified for three months and every dive was great however today just as i was descending i felt this great pressure on my head like something was squashing it, although i had start equalizing early, so i have to call the dive. after 5 minutes on the surface i try to go back again but as soon as i descent the incredible pain in my head made me cancel the dive. I talk with the owners of my local dive shop and they told me that itwas a head squeeze because i had a cold or something and i couldnt equalize. the thing is that i didnt feel bad the ay before or this morning so i have been thinking the hole day of whathappen maybe anybody can help me here

 

[molksmith]

Sounds like a sinus thing.
Go see a doctor. You can always try acti-fed. Tons of people use it when they dive.
Could be a lot of things but I would bet it is something to do with your sinuses.

 

[fmw625]

Sometimes the sinuses get clogged and you don't realize it until you go down or go to altitude.

 

[Diver0001]

I think Frank and Molk are probably right. I'll just add to it that once you've had a squeeze like that it could take several weeks before your sinuses are back to normal. I would also consult a doctor if I were you.

R..

 

[ScubaFreak]

You can always try acti-fed. Tons of people use it when they dive.
Could be a lot of things but I would bet it is something to do with your sinuses.

You could use acti-fed and risk blowing a drum....

Don't use any kind of medication while diving. Not worth the risk.

SF

 

[Kennedydive]

Sounds like a sinus problem to me as well. Any sharp pains in the sinus cavity like behind the eye when you were trying to descend?
JK

 

[molksmith]

First my apologies about the Acti-fed suggestion. I think everyone knows that medication in most cases does not mix with diving. The reality is that a lot of people use it though. Right or Wrong that is just the truth. But My first suggestion is always to see a doctory and in this case a specialist. I recently had a light barotrauma in my left ear and while I didn't take any actifed, just about all the people, Instructors and doctors included said it is a harmless sinus medication. Nonetheless, I always see a physician as really the only solution when you encounter ear, eye, nose, stuff and obviously any other stuff. But if you have allergies and they are kicking up you cannot tell me that taking allergie medication is not one of the options or taking motion-sickness medicine is not an option when you are on a live aboard. In the best of all worlds people would never take anything while diving or any other physical activity. But we don't live in the best of all worlds.

 

[Mako Mark]

First my apologies about the Acti-fed suggestion. I think everyone knows that medication in most cases does not mix with diving. The reality is that a lot of people use it though. Right or Wrong that is just the truth. But My first suggestion is always to see a doctory and in this case a specialist. I recently had a light barotrauma in my left ear and while I didn't take any actifed, just about all the people, Instructors and doctors included said it is a harmless sinus medication. Nonetheless, I always see a physician as really the only solution when you encounter ear, eye, nose, stuff and obviously any other stuff. But if you have allergies and they are kicking up you cannot tell me that taking allergie medication is not one of the options or taking motion-sickness medicine is not an option when you are on a live aboard. In the best of all worlds people would never take anything while diving or any other physical activity. But we don't live in the best of all worlds.

It definitly sounds like sinuses to me, the medication decongestant is a good option, but not "just before diving".

Try some nasal spray decongestants and sudafed, and use them for a couple of days to clear out what may be the residual gunk from your last cold, but stop using it before you want to go diving.

IOW... Clear it out first, then dive drug free..

 

[Kennedydive]

I try to avoid taking medication before a dive but sometimes I will if I feel that it will be needed. I've taken medication for seasickness when the forecast calls for it to be snotty on the water that day. I have use nasal spray but have found that if I use it shortly after leaving the water if works wonders and avoids me having to take it before hand. If I'm that congested that I need to take it before hand then I shouldn't be diving.
JK