sinus pain + possible blockages

[waygone79]

For the last few weeks as I dive I can make the first dive no problem I just take it slow but on the second dive my right sinus becomes very painful. I can’t even get below 15 feet. The pain is very bad sometimes I have called more then one dive because of it. There seems to be a blockage on the right side directly above the mid point of the eye and even after several hours it gets progressively worse! Sometimes I can get down but on the way back up it gets really unbearable. Today I made one nice long dive in a local quarry went for the second one and at 15 feet WHAM there it was so I hovered above. Later on I went to help out with a local I try scuba program and in 5 feet of water I just couldn’t take it anymore and had to pass the students off to another diver. I try Sudafed before every dive and begin clearing and equalizing my ears as soon as I awake the day of a dive but to no prevail. I contacted DAN and should hear something in the next day or so but the doctors I have spoken with just try to treat me for a sinus infection every time. And this has been going on for almost 2 months. CAN ANYONE HELP!!!! Any ideas on what is going on? Any possible cures? I am 26 years old and in good health and exercise regularly. I live to dive but lately this sinus problem has become too much to "just deal with" thanks for all your help

 

[MyDiveLog]

Sinus infections can be very hard to treat, taking a long time and some pretty powerful antibiotics. I'd recommend getting yourself to an ENT (Ear, Nose, & Throat) doctor who is also a diver.

 

[wetrat]

Yup - gotta agree with MyDiveLog - get to a good ENT. The ENT is the diver's friend. I had regularly recurring sinus infections for five years until I saw a good ENT. He treated me with intravenous antibiotics and then I had surgery to remove the polyps in my sinuses. EVERYTHING improved after that - my energy level, my sense of smell and taste and I stopped getting sick. Now I use a steroid spray (nasacort) daily which normally keeps me clear. I haven't been sick in almost five years and I'm an elementary school teacher around kidlets every day.

I also like MyDiveLog's idea of making the ENT a diver, if you have the choice. Kaiser won't let me choose my own ENT.

Good luck,

wetrat