rixxir
Registered
I had a sinus issue this weekend. I was recommended to use Sudafed. Any particular type of Sudafed, congestion,pressure + pain,allergy, etc.....??????? Please advise what is the best to use.
Sinuses?
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rixxir
Registered
asdfj
What kind you use depends on what the cause of your sinus issue was. The "allergy" formulation includes an antihistamine, as well as the decongestant, which might be useful if your symptoms are due to allergic problems. But be careful that the antihistamine isn't diphenhydramine (Benadryl) because it makes people pretty drowsy. "Pressure and pain" has either Tylenol or an antiinflammatory in it, which you probably don't need or want.
I prefer the long-acting formulation for two reasons -- one, it lasts longer, so one could hope it would be less likely to wear off underwater, and two, it comes on more slowly so I don't get shaky with it.
Be aware that there is some anecdotal evidence that Sudafed may be associated with a higher risk of oxygen toxicity, if you are diving Nitrox. And there is always the potential for a reverse block, if the medication wears off during the dive, and those can range from painful to significantly damaging.
I prefer the long-acting formulation for two reasons -- one, it lasts longer, so one could hope it would be less likely to wear off underwater, and two, it comes on more slowly so I don't get shaky with it.
Be aware that there is some anecdotal evidence that Sudafed may be associated with a higher risk of oxygen toxicity, if you are diving Nitrox. And there is always the potential for a reverse block, if the medication wears off during the dive, and those can range from painful to significantly damaging.
Togalive
Contributor
Oh boy, here come the posts about sudafed being the devil incarnate...
Honestly, everyone has their own opinion on it. I have met just as many doctors who say that using things like sudafed is ok while diving as I have met doctors who say you should avoid it. There is no single answer, so dont believe anyone who tries to impress one on you as I'm sure some soon will.
I know its not the response you were looking for, but I think TSandM answered you wonderfully
Just wanted to give you a heads up incase you get some less-pleasant responses.
Honestly, everyone has their own opinion on it. I have met just as many doctors who say that using things like sudafed is ok while diving as I have met doctors who say you should avoid it. There is no single answer, so dont believe anyone who tries to impress one on you as I'm sure some soon will.
I know its not the response you were looking for, but I think TSandM answered you wonderfully
Just wanted to give you a heads up incase you get some less-pleasant responses.freewillie
Contributor
+1 on what TSandM posted.
Sorry to be redundant.
Allergy ex usually has an antihistamine. Depending on the type can make you drowsy.
Sudafed is a brand name pseudoephedrine. You should look for a long acting prep to minimize risk reverse block.
I personally like Afrin type long acting preps. I make sure they are at least 12 hours or more, but that being said I never use them to dive.
Official PADI recommendations no diving with sinus problems. It is officially not recommended to dive using rx to improve symptoms. Just be advised that using rx to dive may have potentially serious health consequence if have adverse outcome. It is a calculated risk, and although s,all is not zero either.
Fun and safe diving
Sorry to be redundant.
Allergy ex usually has an antihistamine. Depending on the type can make you drowsy.
Sudafed is a brand name pseudoephedrine. You should look for a long acting prep to minimize risk reverse block.
I personally like Afrin type long acting preps. I make sure they are at least 12 hours or more, but that being said I never use them to dive.
Official PADI recommendations no diving with sinus problems. It is officially not recommended to dive using rx to improve symptoms. Just be advised that using rx to dive may have potentially serious health consequence if have adverse outcome. It is a calculated risk, and although s,all is not zero either.
Fun and safe diving
I use rx pseodophedrine........only to help when partially congested...........meaning I can clear without it! But if I cant clear without it, I dont dive...........trust me, you dont want a reverse block!
As others have said the official line is do not use medications for diving due to reverse block potential.
I did, however, read an article on DAN's website that suggested seeing a diving ENT as they may be able to prescribe a safe for diving medication. Unfortunately, there are not a great deal of diving specialists where I live.
I did, however, read an article on DAN's website that suggested seeing a diving ENT as they may be able to prescribe a safe for diving medication. Unfortunately, there are not a great deal of diving specialists where I live.
I am probably the wrong person to respond to this but hey I haven't posted in a long long time !!!!! Many people use Scubafed. Most of the Dive Masters I've gone with use it... Personally I can't stand anything ending in "phedrine"... I guess my bod doesn't like it. Makes me jittery. I will get pounded for this, but I use nasal spray. If my head is to the point where I can't clear it at all without anything I would not dive. I was born with sinus issues and if I listened to every single caution about meds or dangers of sinus I would never dive..
I did have reverse blockage once ascending up from 147 feet and thought I wasn't going to make it lol. The pain pretty much unexplainable. It took me an extremely long time having to level off every 10ft. They had to drop another bottle (which I never used but happily stared at it), and everyone was waiting for me on the boat..... At my level of experience at the time I never should have been down there to begin with.
If you can clear, make the dive and take it easy going down. If there is any hint of an issue terminate the dive.
I did have reverse blockage once ascending up from 147 feet and thought I wasn't going to make it lol. The pain pretty much unexplainable. It took me an extremely long time having to level off every 10ft. They had to drop another bottle (which I never used but happily stared at it), and everyone was waiting for me on the boat..... At my level of experience at the time I never should have been down there to begin with.
If you can clear, make the dive and take it easy going down. If there is any hint of an issue terminate the dive.
tddfleming
Contributor
TSandM pretty much always gives good advise esp. when it comes to this type of stuff. I suffer from sinus issues pretty much all the time. I hate the Sudafed type of stuff, I hate the way I feel. I have found a maintance type program that works for me and has cut my really bad days down by a lot. I irrigate my nose with a salt water solution each morning while in the shower, I use flonase twice a day and I take something to stop the swelling and pain when that starts to come into play and I take claritan when needed. By sticking with this program, it has really cut down on the days that I am sick, don't feel good, running back and forth to Dr., headaches and everything that comes with sinus issues. You did not say what exactly you were having problems with or who recommended the sudafed, but this is just what I found to help me with mine.
Avonthediver
Contributor
If I have time to take it Benadryl does me the trix :drooling: then after a long ap I'm good to go :scubadive:
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