It seemed impossible but true! I have been dealing quite a few years with sinus congestion mostly due to allergies. That’s why I didn’t expect to make any dives at Bonaire this time (Christmas 2000). But I was very lucky! At toucandiving I bought a medicine called “sudafed”. Something we don’t have in Holland. It is a product from the USA. Normally I’m not very fond of using medicine, but if they help me to make a few nice dives, I will make an exception! So Dutch allergic divers, despite of ear, nose etc. problems there is a way to dive at Bonaire!
Maybe when I’m used to the cold weather (and water!) in a few months time I will even try to make a dive in Holland again. I just arrived last week in Rotterdam after a two weeks stay at Bonaire. I try to imagine what it would be like to have Caribbean fish in the Maas. Keep on dreaming! By the way:
Steve Jevon, I read your name a few times while wandering around “bonairetalk”. If you read this will you please give my kind regards to Vladi from toucandiving? Before leaving the island I hoped to say goodbye to him and his girlfriend but I didn’t got the opportunity.
Thanks
Ilse

Greetings Ilse,

I too am a sufferer of sinus problems, fortunately a few years ago I had surgery which has relieved most of the related ear, sinus and nose troubles.

I used to use Sudafed frequently until four years ago on two separate dives three months apart, the sudafed apparrently stopped working. One dive was on a wall dive here in the Northeast U.S., the other was on the Hilma Hooker. In both cases I experienced a reverse block, which caused me to experience vertigo, was painful and made my ascending a real problem.

The other thing I noticed was whenever I used Sudafed and dove I usually got a feeling of uneasiness as I went deeper.

Ilse, if it works for you, I am happy. But please pay attention to your ears and sinuses when using this drug and diving.

Hoping you never experience a reverse block.

Ilse,

The Sudafed "12 hour" time-release works wonders for me. I too suffer from allergies and when I feel my sinus might slow my diving I will take one in the morning and it works through my whole day. I have used Sudafed for many years now and have never experienced the symptoms that Tom describes and hope I never do.

I also use the 12 hour "time release" Sudafed and have had no adverse effects from it. The only side effect I know of is a slight increase in your heart rate. It doesn't cause drowsiness and is commonly used by divers in the States. Several articles have been written about diving with Sudafed ... the only caveat I remember is to be sure it doesn't wear off before you finish your last dive.

I used Sudafed (also available in UK) when I was on a diving holiday in the Caymans and it worked fine; but my GP was not very happy at all about me taking it regularly - it contains ephedrine (banned drug for athletes I think) and can make you very 'hyper' I think.
(I've since had an operation to try to sort out my sinus problems, but occasionally resort to Sudafed if I get a bad sinus headache)

I also suffer from allergies but try to stay away from Vitamin "S" (sudafed for those who don't get the hint). Last year I started to see an alergist and started recieving weekly shots to cure the allergies. Although I feel like a pin cushion, I would recommend this course of action to anyone. I am basically allergic to everything green. Since I started the shots last May and will have to continue for another 2.5 years, my allergies have been under control for the first time since I was young. Other than having a cold, I have not had to take any decongestant medication since early last summer. It has been wonderful being relieved of the sinus congestion. Now my diving does not require medication.
Good Luck
Barry Baker

Ilse,
Firstly I will pass on your regards to Vladi, Elisabeth is already back in sunny New York.
secondly my sympathy regarding the Maas, having lived in Vlaardingen for a year and dived in the wonderfull Oostvoornsemeer the only fish I saw was by watching your Dutch custom of swallowing raw herring when shopping in the HEMA!
Groetjes
Steve

I'll add my 2 cents worth about Sudifed - we use it all the time when diving even though I have HBP (high blood pressure). My GP says it's okay to use for a short period of time (1 week of diving is considered that). Also I have seen it recommended by the docs at DAN. It works for everyone that I have dived with.

Thanks to all of you for the useful advises. It is nice to notice I’m not the only one with the damn nose problems! And yes Tom, I also experienced once a reverse block, but not (yet) with sudafed. It felt really unpleasant, so I always pay attention. I do was a little bit alarmed by the fact that sudafed contains ephidrine. I hadn’t noticed it yet but it’s indeed on the list of ingredients. Now I know why I had so much energy despite of the hot weather! I recently read something about this drug. In Holland it is forbidden, but sometimes it is used in the kind of drug that helps you lose weight. It can really make you feel a little bit "hyper". But then again, it is only for a limited use. I’ll just have to find a buddy who can keep up with me while I’m speeding through the water with my sudafed! The fact that Gail can use it despite of a high blood pressure reassures me a little bit.
Steve, you should warn Vladi. I heard he wanted to come to Holland this year to visit some friends. Maybe he shouldn’t jump in het Oostvoornsemeer like you did. Maybe you can send him directly to the HEMA! I know you won’t believe me anymore, but there are also some nice places to dive in Holland. I made a lot of nice dives here. But when you are in search for a beautiful parrotfish I can imagine it is a little bit disappointing here! But then again use Vitamin "S"(to quote Barry) and you won’t notice the lack of fish, because you won’t have time to search for them, while swimming the marathon at 60 ft!
groetjes Ilse

Ilse,
I know diving in Holland can be fun, I remember seeing seals at Grevelingen but it can be sooooo cold!
I'll warn Vladi
Steve

Was it in the neighbourhood of Scharrendijke, at divesite “’t koepeltje” ? Because it is not very normal to see seals in de Grevelingen. I saw one too but he was very shy. He is not there anymore. He left because a dog bit him!

We use the little red sudafed, 4hr kind the 12 make me jumpy. I take them somtimes when I fly too, if I have cold.

I only snorkel and do not dive but I sure have had sinus problems!! I use to live on prescription medicine for my sinus problems. I also had chronic sinus infections that would lead to bronchitis. I started taking an anti-oxident product called OPC 3 that is marketed by Market America. It is grapeseed extract, red wine extract and pinebark extract. My sinuses got better after about a week and I have not had a sinus problem since and it has been about five years now!!! I swear by the stuff.

Has to be the red wine extract !!! :-)

No point in extract when you can use the real
thing!!!

CVS has the same 'little red pills' as Sudafed
for about half the price. Suspect there are
other generics out there. At CVS, the pill
picture on the package is the same as on the
Sudafed boxes, and the formulary is identical.

Darlene I searched the Market america internet site to find your wonder stuff. I am always into an experiment but this will cost me $335,40 (case of 12 bottles)! For this amount I also prefere the real thing! Do you know if there is a cheaper way to get it?

Isle, I buy mine through a distributer. I buy one bottle a month for aproximately $25.00. I can get you her number if you want.

Thanks Darlene but if it is still $25.00 a bottle I will first try to find it in Holland. They must sell something similar here too. $25.00 doesn't seem much money but because I have to exchange my Dutch guilders it will cost me much more.

I have been diving for about 5 years and suffer from chronic sinusutis. I use sudafed when needed and have never had a problem. Never used the 12 hr version since once I'm cleared up I usually stay clear all day. Often after 1 or 2 days I don't even need the sudafed anymore. Most pharmacies like CVS have their own version of sudafed a lot cheaper, but check active ingredients to make sure its an exact match.

I've also had chrinic sinus problems, went through years of Sudafed growing up, allergy shots and finally acupuncture which really worked. Changing your diet is key- little dairy and finding what foods work for your body. A little antihistamine or decongestant when it starts to flare up does help nip it in the bud though! I'll remeber to bring some to Boanire in Sept!

Joan and Alan- thanks for the brochures and map!

In the last 5 or 6 years I have had alergies. I am 46 yrs old. Cannot take sudafed it makes me hyper. I have found a medication that works for me and it is called Zyrtec(perscription only in USA). I take one pill at bedtime and it works for 24 hrs with no hyper. or drowsiness. See your doc anjd try it as it may not work for everyone.