ive been having a really annoying problem with a pain in my sinuses just above my left eye. I assume its sinuses inflammation and its happening on decent. first you need some background
I've been freediving for about 3 years, pb is 16m. I tend to be a relative stuffy person, being caused by allergies or something else I'm not sure. either way I've never had any issues with my sinuses and equalization (once I learned it). only time I had an issue was last January, I was diving (way overweighted) and was trying to take a picture. I sank deeper then I wanted and didn't equalized, this caused a bit of a "ear squeeze" and ended my dive for the day.
That said, This past July I went freediving with a friend of mine and I was unable to get deeper then 5m. I got a super sharp pain just above my left eye. In the moment I assumed I didn't equalize or it was a one off thing. tried to dive again and it was even worse. so I gave up and just snorkelled for the day. I figured I was just sick and gave myself 2 weeks before diving again, but the same thing happened again. I gave about another month and this time was able to get to 6m, however I could still feel pressure in the area and had to equalizer a bit harder to keep it away. since then the problem just keeps happening and wont go away. I don't want to cause damage so haven't been able to dive much since July. ive noticed lately that the area above my eye can sometimes be tender to the touch and this is months later.
i'm curious if anyone has experienced anything like this or has any advice. Ive tried saline sprays and decongestants but it Hasn't fixed the problem. I wonder if I should go see a doctor, however my health care system is extremely slow and can take months just to get a test done. any input, advice, or people/resources that might help is appreciated.
I don't want this to end my diving.
I've been freediving for about 3 years, pb is 16m. I tend to be a relative stuffy person, being caused by allergies or something else I'm not sure. either way I've never had any issues with my sinuses and equalization (once I learned it). only time I had an issue was last January, I was diving (way overweighted) and was trying to take a picture. I sank deeper then I wanted and didn't equalized, this caused a bit of a "ear squeeze" and ended my dive for the day.
That said, This past July I went freediving with a friend of mine and I was unable to get deeper then 5m. I got a super sharp pain just above my left eye. In the moment I assumed I didn't equalize or it was a one off thing. tried to dive again and it was even worse. so I gave up and just snorkelled for the day. I figured I was just sick and gave myself 2 weeks before diving again, but the same thing happened again. I gave about another month and this time was able to get to 6m, however I could still feel pressure in the area and had to equalizer a bit harder to keep it away. since then the problem just keeps happening and wont go away. I don't want to cause damage so haven't been able to dive much since July. ive noticed lately that the area above my eye can sometimes be tender to the touch and this is months later.
i'm curious if anyone has experienced anything like this or has any advice. Ive tried saline sprays and decongestants but it Hasn't fixed the problem. I wonder if I should go see a doctor, however my health care system is extremely slow and can take months just to get a test done. any input, advice, or people/resources that might help is appreciated.
I don't want this to end my diving.