Problems with right ear 4 weeks after dive

[CBA]

Please help… I had trouble clearing my right ear on a dive (75 ft) a month ago. I have had lots of popping noise and feeling of fluid movement in the right ear since then especially when laying down or change in head position. Also have intermittent pain, very full/clogged feeling. I saw an ENT as soon as I got home (1-1/2 weeks after dive) who did hearing test (only slight hearing loss in right ear). He prescribed Flonase. Within a week I started having pain in forehead and upper jaw. Touching my teeth together or tapping my jaw or forehead makes an echoing type sound in the right ear. This goes away at times but comes back. No trouble with left. Still very full feeling in right ear with pain at times also. Saw same ENT who said I now have TMJ. I still feel that it is dive related. There are similar posts with ear barotrauma. Any advice on next steps??

 

[chillyinCanada]

I'm not a doctor and won't address your ear issue. Your description of the new pain in your forehead and teeth sounds like a sinus infection to me.

 

[CBA]

Yes. I agree. But, it all started with the dive and right ear. No nose trouble or congestion.

 

[chillyinCanada]

Yes. I agree. But, it all started with the dive and right ear. No nose trouble or congestion.

Perhaps you didn't use the Flonase properly and unintentially managed to infect yourself. And yes, I understand that it started with your ear but that wouldn't have caused sudden TMJ, so that's a strange diagnosis to my mind.

Best of luck.

 

[Duke Dive Medicine]

Please help… I had trouble clearing my right ear on a dive (75 ft) a month ago. I have had lots of popping noise and feeling of fluid movement in the right ear since then especially when laying down or change in head position. Also have intermittent pain, very full/clogged feeling. I saw an ENT as soon as I got home (1-1/2 weeks after dive) who did hearing test (only slight hearing loss in right ear). He prescribed Flonase. Within a week I started having pain in forehead and upper jaw. Touching my teeth together or tapping my jaw or forehead makes an echoing type sound in the right ear. This goes away at times but comes back. No trouble with left. Still very full feeling in right ear with pain at times also. Saw same ENT who said I now have TMJ. I still feel that it is dive related. There are similar posts with ear barotrauma. Any advice on next steps??

You might consider getting a second opinion. From your description it sounds like your symptoms are not improving. I won't second-guess the TMJ diagnosis over the internet but if you do have it, it may be a red herring. It most likely didn't come from diving. Meanwhile, I'd recommend you not dive until you're fully recovered.

Best regards,
DDM

 

[CBA]

Perhaps you didn't use the Flonase properly and unintentially managed to infect yourself. And yes, I understand that it started with your ear but that wouldn't have caused sudden TMJ, so that's a strange diagnosis to my mind.

Best of luck.

I agree with the strange diagnosis. Thanks for the input.

 

[CBA]

You might consider getting a second opinion. From your description it sounds like your symptoms are not improving. I won't second-guess the TMJ diagnosis over the internet but if you do have it, it may be a red herring. It most likely didn't come from diving. Meanwhile, I'd recommend you not dive until you're fully recovered.

Best regards,
DDM

Thanks. Symptoms are not improving with Flonase. I feel like it might be an infection now. I was told that adults don’t get ear infections?? I’m learning that not all ENTs are experts at diving issues. Is there a list of specialist?

 

[Duke Dive Medicine]

Thanks. Symptoms are not improving with Flonase. I feel like it might be an infection now. I was told that adults don’t get ear infections?? I’m learning that not all ENTs are experts at diving issues. Is there a list of specialist?

I haven't heard that about adults and ear infections myself. DM to follow re: ENT contacts.

Best regards,
DDM

 

[CBA]

Thank you, DDM. I appreciate your help!

 

[heftysmurf]

I was told that adults don’t get ear infections?? I’m learning that not all ENTs are experts at diving issues. Is there a list of specialist?

Adult here and I am recovering from an ear infection from last week. My ENT appt is a week from today so hopefully I'm good to go. Good luck to you.