ENT Recommendation
Can anyone recommend an ENT in the Gainesville area? I called DAN and they didn't have anyone they could recommend. They suggested I call the hyperbaric chamber at Shands to see who they would recommend. I called Shands and they said none of their ENTs would have knowledge about diving-related issues.
Stacey
Stacey,Originally Posted by StaceyS
My GP recommended these guys to get my ears checked two years ago after diving too soon after a cold: http://www.gainesville-entandallergy.com/
I can also recommend them.
Gene
What issue are you having? Maybe one of us has been through the same thing and can offer some experience information.
Joe
Thanks, Gene. I will check them out.
Stacey
Hi Joe:
Ever since I started diving 17 years ago, I had to take my time equalizing. Over the last year, it's really become a problem especially the last 6-8 months. I'm having to really stop and work at equalizing, and there have been several dives where I have actually had to stop because of vertigo. This happened on scooter dives. But even during swim dives, I'm having to work at equalizing. Even with a slight depth change, I'm having problems.
I did a dive on Thursday and had problems equalizing. During deco, my sinuses started to become blocked. After the dive, I had a lot of congestion. The next morning, when I would swallow, my left ear was a little tender. I still have a lot of congestion today and had a sinus headache.
I did have a sinus infection back in February, and I have been on a prescription nasal spray. I do not think it's allergies because I otherwise feel fine.
Stacey
Jay Farrior, MD in Tampa is one of the very best in the world specializing in hearing and balance. Tell him you are a diver and although he does not cater to divers he is quite candid and will tell you if he can help or not. I personally know two cave divers that have had eardrums replaced by him and dive without issue or any significant hearing loss.
He is the third generation of Ear specialists/surgeons and if you Google his name you will find most of the procedures and specialized tools are either his inventions of those of his father and grandfather.
http://www.farriorear.com/
Hi Stacey
I remember Michael Fisch on TDS saying that he gets his sinuses "scraped" once every 7 years ...
For whatever that's worth ... Sorry I cannot suggest a good ENT.
I know a very good one but in Italy and she is a diver. Oh well ...
I've had ear issues all my life and diving has not improved the situation. I go slow and work at it, both on descent and ascent although it's the ascents that give me the most grief (the longest time breathing dry gas). My ENT, also a diver, has worked with me on various things. What seems to be working pretty well is NeilMed Sinus Rinse. You get it at any Walgreen's, CVS, Wal-mart, etc. non prescription. after the rinse in the morning (supposedly every morning, diving or not) I then spray in a prescription nasal spary, Fluticasone Propionate (again every morning, diving or not).
MRI showed my problem to be ultra-small and j-hooked eustachian tubes. Doesn't take much for them to swell shut.
Another thing I found that works pretty well is a hissy fit. Whenever I can't equalize I stop, ascend a foot or so, then growl, scream, cough, choke, gargle, yodel. breathe a bit of water while doing so. I don't feel the equalization, but something happens cause I can continue on down (or up) after about 30 seconds of such a tantrum.
skip
"Learning the techniques of others does not interfere with the discovery of techniques of one's own." B.F. Skinner, 1970.
I can say not to see Dr tonner in panama city
Sent from my Eris
I am so glad to hear that I am not the only one!! I have the same problems as Skip mention'd above. It takes me about 8 min to descend 100ft. You can imagine how happy my dive buddies are... Us "sinus challenged" individuals need to get together sometime. BTW, I'd have to second the fact that a good hissy fit works very well
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