Sinus squeeze

[Cindy]

Sounds bad, I have never taken any decongestants ever, do you think that taking a decongestant the night before would help more or less the same as the actual dive day?

Part of my problem is I have a deviated septum. Got my nose broke once in a fight, go figure. ..the sinus's and ears are still unequal.
I use a 12 hour antihistamine (personally I use Zrytec-D) in the morning of the dive. I have not had any problem as long as I use the extended release pills. Now I have had problems using the regular sudifed and had a reverse block. OUCH it hurts.

[Rikki Battistini]

I know some decongestants can increase the risks of DCI however some use different ingredients that are not a condaindicator. It is the same as with motion sickness medicines some are worst than others. I would ask a Doctor for a better understanding.

Personally I would rather not have the sinus or ear issues and I feel a decongestant is the lesser of the two evils. Just cut back on you PPO2, weaken your mix or shorten your dives.

[cavediver27]

Part of my problem is I have a deviated septum. Got my nose broke once in a fight, go figure. ..the sinus's and ears are still unequal.
I use a 12 hour antihistamine (personally I use Zrytec-D) in the morning of the dive. I have not had any problem as long as I use the extended release pills. Now I have had problems using the regular sudifed and had a reverse block. OUCH it hurts.

Forget about the sinus squeeze, I want to hear more about the fight! Come on now, you have to give us the "rest of the story"

[LiteHedded]

is the DCI thing a real issue?
isn't dan saying now that it's a non-issue?

[Michael Stroeck]

is the DCI thing a real issue?
isn't dan saying now that it's a non-issue?

Which DCI thing?

[LiteHedded]

Which DCI thing?

the thing about certain decongestants increasing the risk of DCI

[DogDiver]

I dove The Dunderburg in Lake Huron a few years back with a head cold. Water temp at depth was 38 degrees. Took some sudafed as usual but this time I got a sinus reverse block comming back up at 85 feet. Couldn't clear it after 5 minutes, had to come up. Blew out my right maxillary sinus. Ouch!!!!!!!!!! Bottom line, 6 rounds of antibiotics and major sinus surgery before I could dive without pain. Lesson learned.