I have been training for the US Freediving Nationals for months now; it has been all I have done for the past couple of months, and now I may be prevented from competing due to a strange ear malady. The doctor says it is barotrauma, but I don't agree with his prognosis, because, first, barotrauma is supposed to heal in a matter of days, whereas it has been three weeks going on four for me. Second, there is no longer any fluid behind my ear drum. The strange thing is that my eustacian tubes open fine, even when I dive, they don't close up. It's just that when I dive, I get a sharp pain, almost like someone drilling into a tooth, but not so intense. Once again, the eustacian tubes are open, and the ear seems to be equalized, it just hurts. The doctor says I did not perforate my eardrum, and there are no visible infections in the out ear.
He prescribed steroids for the inflammation. I am reluctant to take steroids due to the effect on my metabolism, but at this point I'd try just about anything.
Anybody have any suggestions? What other ear maladies do divers suffer from, which might better explain my condition, than barotrauma? Another diver friend of mine suggested that the small bones behind the ear drum can get irritated. He suggested I stop equalizing even at the surface (whereas my doctor says to equalize often to help clear out the fluid).
Anyway, I am very frustrated about it and any suggestions would be very much appreciated.
He prescribed steroids for the inflammation. I am reluctant to take steroids due to the effect on my metabolism, but at this point I'd try just about anything.
Anybody have any suggestions? What other ear maladies do divers suffer from, which might better explain my condition, than barotrauma? Another diver friend of mine suggested that the small bones behind the ear drum can get irritated. He suggested I stop equalizing even at the surface (whereas my doctor says to equalize often to help clear out the fluid).
Anyway, I am very frustrated about it and any suggestions would be very much appreciated.