inflamed Eustachian tube

[Sherbear]

Hi there,

I am in going into my 3rd class of being certified to dive. I went on vaca last month and ended up w/ an inflamed eustachian tube. Needless to say, 3 doctors later, it's still blocked. I can clear fine under water with no pain but as soon as I am out, my ear's all blocked again. Currently being treated by a chiro who claims he can fix it. My concern is doing damage that I am unaware of by diving. My thinking? Dive if you can clear and worry later. Not good, I know. Any suggestions or thoughts?

 

[liberato]

...Currently being treated by a chiro who claims he can fix it...

Make sure he offers a money back guarantee.

Seriously, though, do you have a history of ear problems? Why did you have to go to multiple doctors? What meds were you prescribed by them? How long does it take for your ears to return to normal after you notice them blocked?

 

[Sherbear]

Make sure he offers a money back guarantee.

Seriously, though, do you have a history of ear problems? Why did you have to go to multiple doctors? What meds were you prescribed by them? How long does it take for your ears to return to normal after you notice them blocked?

I started w/ my pcp who gave me an antibiotic for a possible infection. 8 days later, went back and she gave me a decongestant. I think she was guessing because I was never clogged. 5 days later I ended up at an ENT who did a test, no fluid, but +200 air pressure behind the tube. She gave me steriods. Didn't work. So now I am at my chiro who says he treats people for this all the time and guarentees me a clean recovery after 3/6 visits. I've had 2 and nothing. I had tubes as a kid but nothing since.

 

[Bob3]

Bummer, I can relate to your tube problems.
You should consult with your ENT to see if some Flonase + decongestants may help. I find that between a good dose of sudafed & the flonase, I get the same relief as when I had the dang tubes in.
I start with the sudafed the day before diving or flying, with the 12 hour variety in use during the dive. Be sure to come up sloooow, reverse blocks can cause a lot of mischief too.
Sleep with the offending ear pointing up, it'll facilitate drainage.