Ear Problem

[popac]

Hello guys, i need some advice.

For almost 7 months, i'm practically unable to equilize my right ear. The equilizing goes very slow and hard, as if my eustachian tube is with a pin diameter. Therefore i cannot dive deeper and longer. It frustrates me a lot. I've seen a doctor, the diagnose is Serous Otitis Media - Fluid in the Middle Ear. The fluid needs to drain from the middle ear. He perscribed me some nose drops (decongestant) with antibiotic but they don't seem to help or at least i cannot see any improvement. There's a surgical aproach under local anesthetics - a tube is being placed in the ear cannal for the fluid to drain but that's the last option if nothing else helps.

Has any of you had such a problem?

Any advice will be of great help

 

[Mr. X]

I would think your doctor is right. I had minor ear problems last year. My GP prescribed drops for the outer ear that worked well. Initially she thought I might have fluid on the ear too. If the drops had not worked, I believe she said they would use anti-biotics to deal with fluid in the ear. There are at least two physicians on the forum though - and I believe one has posted information on ear problems in the past.

 

[spaghetti]

If there's a surgical solution to your problem I'd say go for it. Solve it once and for all.

 

[diveoceanos]

Simply from your description your problem doesn't seem to be of acute nature. It seems that you are describing a chronic problem.

Otitis media is normally an infection and it is being treated with antibiotics (broad spectrum but Amoxicillin / Clavulanate or Cefuroxime Axetil are highyl effective) for 7-10 days. Nasal decongestants are not the best option as they have a short time of effectiveness and they may cause damage to the nasal mucosa. I am using for my self Pseudoephedrine tablets 60mg, 3 times daily. You can get this as an OTC medicine. There are some contra-indications to pseudoephedrine and you should consult a doctor or a pharmacist if you can take it. In case that you have severe inflamation in the middle ear some non-steroid anti-inflamatories might be included as well for a short period.

I don't know if the cause of your problem is linked to an anatomically narrow eustachian tube or skoliosis. Make sure you get all explanations about the cause and nature of your problem from your doctor as well as get him explain to you the expected outcome of this operation before you proceed with it.

Cheers.

 

[popac]

Thanx for the quick replies guys,

DiveOceanos@ You're right. It wasn't a problem but it became a chronic problem.
I'm using oxymetazoline combined with garamycine. Both the doctor and the pharmacist noted that i shouldn't use the drops for more than 4-5 days because it may cause atrophy to the nasal mucose. The problem isn't anatomically caused. The problem apeared in a matter of days or one week. I equlize by contracting the muscles assosiated with the Eusachian tube, i've been doing that since i was a little boy. And within days, i go diving and all of a sudden i found my self doing the Valsalva and pushing very hard to equilize without a result. When i finish with the antibiotics i will try with Pseudoephedrine tablets. So far i've just read and heard about ear problems and i never imagened that it would happen to me in a such severe manner that will stop me from freediving and spearfishing. Just with the thaught that this could go on for a long period of time and keep me away from the water makes me feel sick. I know that this isn't a major medical problem, that some people have more serious, life depending problems, but when you don't have a big problem, even the small ones apear big. I just want my old ear back in business so that i can dive.

 

[diveoceanos]

Thanx for the quick replies guys,

DiveOceanos@ You're right. It wasn't a problem but it became a chronic problem.
I'm using oxymetazoline combined with garamycine. Both the doctor and the pharmacist noted that i shouldn't use the drops for more than 4-5 days because it may cause atrophy to the nasal mucose. The problem isn't anatomically caused. The problem apeared in a matter of days or one week. I equlize by contracting the muscles assosiated with the Eusachian tube, i've been doing that since i was a little boy. And within days, i go diving and all of a sudden i found my self doing the Valsalva and pushing very hard to equilize without a result. When i finish with the antibiotics i will try with Pseudoephedrine tablets. So far i've just read and heard about ear problems and i never imagened that it would happen to me in a such severe manner that will stop me from freediving and spearfishing. Just with the thaught that this could go on for a long period of time and keep me away from the water makes me feel sick. I know that this isn't a major medical problem, that some people have more serious, life depending problems, but when you don't have a big problem, even the small ones apear big. I just want my old ear back in business so that i can dive.

Popac, there is no reason to feel frustrated about it mate! It happens to everyone. Even to the best guys! Just follow this treatment for some days. The operation might not be necessary. I have the impression that this is just a temporary problem resulted from bad management of an otitis media. The fact that there is no anatomical problem is really encouraging. Your ear will come back in business as you wish.

Get well soon and take care!

 

[azapa]

Prevention of Middle Ear Barotrauma

http://forums.deeperblue.net/general-freediving/22379-help-needed-frenzel.html

CHECK OUT THIS GREAT VIDEo (long)
Doc's Diving Medicine Home Page

Good luck, and don't give up, it gets easier with time, took me 9 months to eq past 15M....

 

[popac]

Thanx a lot guys, i'll keep you informed about the progres

Safe Dives

 

[danhitchcock]

I too have been having problems, especially with ears clearing unequally. the Toynbee maneuver looks like its pretty good. I'll have to give that one a try