Sharp Pain

[kraken]

Hi -

Off and on for the last 18 months or so I have been experiencing a sharp pain in my forhead when I decend. Usually I stop, wait 10 seconds and then I am able to proceed. It doesn't happen on every dive, nor does decent rate seem to play a factor, yesterday it was the worst ever (but on the second dive, and it started at 8 feet). It will appear for 3 or 4 dives then not again for 30 or 40 dives. and doing 4 or 5 dives a day, it will only be on dive 3 or 4, but not the rest. I just don't get it. I clear often using non-valsava techniques. I'm going to see the dr tomorrow, but wanted to come armed with options since she is not a diving doc (but a great doc regardless).

ideas?

 

[Mako Mark]

Kraken, there are four sinuses on the forehead above the nose. It sounds like one of these is congested or has equalization problems. It is possible to have isolated infections in one while the others can be equallized normally.

I recently had a similar thing with the paranasal sinuses and you could drive a bus through my eustacian tubes. Treat them gently and get rid of the congestion.

If it is happening only on subsequent dives, it could be that the tubes are being irritated and swelling slightly during the day. As a videographer, you may do more zig zag (even with small changes in depth) profiles than other divers, this can contribute.

 

[Ishie]

Could be sinus problems; could be slight mask squeeze due to a mask that doesn't fit quite right so presses more on the forehead. Also, what water temperature do you typically dive in? Occasionally, when I'm in particularly cold water, I get an initial shock of cold water on my face that causes a slight headache and then quickly goes away.

Ishie