Woke up this morning with a plugged up left ear....not good, since I NEVER have that problem and my trip to Bon is coming up soon.

I'm sure it will be resolved before I leave next Friday, but I want to get your opinion on what I should do if it doesn't. Do you folks take any meds at all, like Sudafed etc, for treatment/prevention of congestive ear problems?

We used to take Sudafed for the whole holiday but now only use it if there is a need. My wife had a medical a few years back on our first day back after a diving trip and her Blood Pressure was sky high, the doctor gave her tablets to reduce the BP but a day later her BP was too low, we believe that the Sudafed may have been the cause. The pharmacy in Bonaire sells some excellent home made eardrops that help the outer ear. My tip would be do the first couple dives with very slow descents and clear by swallowing, jaw wiggling etc. and not pinching your nose. This way the air gets past the gunk and clears it out as you surface, not pretty but it works for me.

Use Sudafed all the time (about half of my dives)

It is my understanding that Sudafed is approved by the US Navy for their divers. I would not risk a vacation by touching base with my doctor. I had an ear infection at the end of a vacation, it was terrible and almost prevented by return trip home.

Hi Dave, I would certainly go to a doctor if it doesn't clear up in a few days. Just to make sure you don't have a sinus infection or anything like that. I use Sudafed (red box) when I go diving and never experienced a problem using it. You cannot buy that on Bonaire, so make sure to bring some with you! I had a friend on island come to my rescue last trip when my ears stuffed up and I ran out! I only had to take it a few days and was all good again. I don't take it if I don't need to.

Thanks for the advise all. I took a Sudafed 12hr about 15 min after I posted the original question and the left ear seems to have opened up. I'll take it with me to Bon for sure.

I just freaked a little because i actually had to abort the last of 3 lake dives I did in Illinois last year because of the inability to clear my left ear. I didn't take anything before or after that, and after taking it today, it seems Sudafed is the answer. It seems ear drops isn't the worst idea in the world either. Thanks again, it's nice to have access to so many experienced people.

(Message edited by dave_l on August 4, 2006)

Dave
Go and see an ENT Doctor! Why take a chance on blowing your whole trip. You say you never have that problem. Something is going on. My 2 cents
Mick

Thanks Mick, I'll have my wife take a peek when she gets home. ( She's a Pediatrician ) I know a couple ENT guys around here I could call at home. You're right, I should have it looked at before the trip.

I agree with Mickey. I'd been exposed to several people with colds a week before my Bonaire trip and took Afrin and Sudafed on Bonaire, almost every day, as a precaution. (Although right now in the US, it's easier to buy handgun ammunition than most non-prescription antihistamines.)

My ears are touchy even in the best of times. (I wear hearing aids.) A month after my certification, I went to an ENT before my first 'real' dives on our honeymoon, just to be safe.

..." (Although right now in the US, it's easier to buy handgun ammunition than most non-prescription antihistamines.)"

Ron, I am in total agreement with you... that's why I married a Doctor and load my own ammo

My 2 cents...sudafed bumps up my heart rate so much that I'm anxious so I've used afrin sparingly for a couple of days and saline nose drops to help loosen up any thicker secretions. Had to do slow descents for a couple of days but that resolved and I kept the saline going just to keep things clear and it worked!

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quote:

(Although right now in the US, it's easier to buy handgun ammunition than most non-prescription antihistamines.)

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Ain't that the truth!

I use sudafed a a week before I dive, and then continue while diving with no problem This last trip to Bon however, I didn't use it because I was diving geezer gas...but had to switch to regular air the last few days because I got clogged up...

Have a great trip!

Babs.... sorry but I am laughing at you... "to help loosen up any thicker secretions".... I mean SERIOUSLY could that be any grosser???? LMAO!!!!!

ps. Bonaire is great. Wish you were here buddy !!!

LOL Kelly, it's the nurse in me...d__n it, I wish I was there too!

I saw one of the Dutch dive doctors in Bonaire (dumb me puts that I use Zyrtec & Nasonex for allergies on my form - they made me get a Dr's OK to dive). Told him I take Sudafed every morning and afternoon when I dive to keep my ears open. He told me that was smart and it wouldn't cause any problems.

The new Sudafed PE is garbage. I have to buy the regulated stuff at the Rx counter. Gone are the good days of buying 300 pills at Costco for $4.99, now I get about 36 for the same price.

Dave - Before our last visit to Bonaire, I had a head cold and my sinuses were plugged. By the time we left for Bonaire, all symptoms were gone and I had no problems with the flight down. When we went on our orientation dive the next morning, I had no trouble clearing to decend but on my way back up, I couldn't clear and suffered a reverse block - NO FUN! Dizzy and nauseous (sp). Spent the rest of the day sleeping off the effects. Tried again the next day same thing only I wound up spending the day in the hospital. And by the way, you really can vomit through a regulator underwater . The Doctor I saw at the hospital perscribed a sinus spray and sudafed and I wasn't allowed to dive for 5 days to give it a chance to work. Just a good thing we were there for 2 weeks or my vacation would have been a complete wash. See a doctor and get it checked!

I bought Sudafed on BON in 2003. Had to go to the back to see the Pharmacist. She wanted a script but I muttered something about being confused and an American and she said OK and handed it to me.

Hi WaldoDonkey! I didn't know that donkeys used Sudafed AND I didn't know they would let American donkeys immigrate to Bonaire AND I didn't know you could talk. I just thought you could type!

Waldo, which one is you in this picture?

Waldo-You look familiar! since you're a diving donkey, did you do the platform diving gig at the Ohio State Fair??? Are you now retired? Did you have any trouble finding a mask that fits? So many questions...........

Respectfully, a fan in Ohio

My husband always has trouble with his ears. At Dee Scarr's advise we visited the clinic on Bonaire-fast, efficient service, ears cleaned out, prescription meds, cheap, effective, and still able to do some diving. It's become a yearly ritual. (But certainly see an ENT up here if you can. We don't encounter problems till we get there. Even preventative meds don't work for my hubby).

Diane,
I had problems with my ears for alot of years when diving until I came across "Doc's Pro Plugs". What they do is keep the water out of your head when diving. They are vented so you can clear your ears with no trouble. Most people think that preasure is the main problem with their ears when it is infection that is the true culprate. Pro Plugs are easy to use and are easy to lose as well. I have been diving over fourty years and haven't had ear problem in the past six sence I started using Pro Plugs. They cost about $10 a pair alot cheaper then even a doctor on Bonaire. Give them a try you have everything to gain... Ron

http://www.proplugs.com/

(Message edited by ronindiana on August 9, 2006)

I used Doc's Pro Plugs last trip & liked them. Now I bought several pair.. Since I also swim several times a week, I also use the blue non vented ones for the pool. They work great.

In a previous older thread it was mentioned that a dive shop on Bonaire carry's Proplugs. Anybody know where?

Waldo is second from the left. Mrs. Waldo is on the far left. ;)

OMG...I somehow just happened upon this thread. Yes, Mr. and Mrs. Waldo are on the left. I have no idea who that woman is however...SMAO...

OK, back on topic

Thanks, Ron. Actually my husband has several pairs of the pro plugs, and they help. He lost one in Bonaire, and we did purchase more. I think it was at the downtown shop affiliated with Yellow Submarine. On the main street L side if you are walking south.

Donkeys pay no attention to 'staying on topic' rules...ever try to argue with a donkey?
Behave Waldo!

This is quite interesting.

http://www.scuba-doc.com/entprobs.html#Chronic_Ear_Dysfunction

Also a few drops of olive oil in each ear at the beginning of the day gives a lot of protection.
At the end of the day dry out the ears then apply a few drops of 50% white vinegar solution, this kills the bad bacteria and fungus whilst leaving the natural protection in place.

Or simply go to the Botica in town & buy several bottles of dive drops which they'll make up for you.
we buy several bottles every trip.

Vince
Be careful about recommending vinegar on Bonaire. As has been discussed before on this forum, some vinegar available on Bonaire is 80% and will result in severe burns.Ordinary vinegar is 5%.
Mick

Mickey.. Yes I'm aware of that, but you misunderstood my posting. I did not recommend buying vinegar on Bonaire. I DID recommend going to the Botika (in town) & have the pharmacist make up/sell "diver drops". This is a steril conoction of vinegar in a glycerin like liquid. It works wonderful prophylactically to avoid otis externa aka divers ear. Try it, you'll like it.