which ear remedy?

[awindrider 0]

I have been having ear problems when I skydive to the extent that I can only jump once every 3 or 4 days. Since I live 3 hours by highway from my DZ it is really slowing my progress in AFF. I have spent a couple of hours reading the posts about ear problems and it seems the general consensus is that Sudafed the night before and Afrin (oxymetazoline hydrochloride) spray the day of the jump will help. So my question is which Afrin and which Sudafed? There is original, severe congestion, moisturizing, and sinus Afrin. Is there a "drousy" Sudafed? Sudafed regular or PE? I can guess but I'll bet there are some informed sources here that could speak from experience and/or medical knowledge. I am hoping that as I get to jump more that my ears will adjust. Thanks for the info.
Wid

[IanHarrop 37]

Have you considered going to a doctor and getting a professional opinion?

It may be something that is treatable and if you get can get it fixed long term that would be great.

"Where troubles melt like lemon drops, away above the chimney tops, that's where you'll find me" Dorothy

[awindrider 0]

My GP said avoid rapid changes in pressure. Uh, I haven't figured how to do that and skydive. I suppose a specialist might be it order. I did not have serious pain on the second jump (two weeks later), just reduced hearing and that water in the ear feeling and sound for a few days. I have read here that others have had similar problems and treated them successfully with over the counter meds. I am looking for more specific info on which meds as there are different formulations of the brand names mentioned.
Wid

[Legs 0]

Just to give you some assurance of my credentials - I am a registered nurse with some 25 years service, both military and public health service (UK).

Now.... This problem you have with your ears.....Does it happen when swimming also (diving too)? Does it happen on airline flights?....How old are you? Do you get nasty sinus infections frequently (Colds in the head)?

The cause of difficulty in equalising pressure are many. The simplest ones to resolve can be ear wax, then its just ear drops for 2 weeks, inflammation... then NSAID drugs like Brufen would help as well as sudofed etc. Sinusitis can be longer term and may require anti-biotics.

The easiest way of checking is to go through the first two options as both are available over the counter. If you still have an issue you may need to get your ears looked at by an ENT specialist. I don't know the route for this in the US.

One other question. While in the plane and again post freefall do you equalise? Divers learn this skill as the pressure differences increases more rapidly. Some people equalise the presures between inner ear and the atmosphere by wiggling their lower jaw, others by holding their nose closing their mouths and blowing into their head known an valsalva manouver (avoid blowing too hard in your excitment). I only ask because if you are not equalising pressures and walking around with different pressure in your ear this may cause an extended problem.

I hope this is of some help

With love in Christ

[awindrider 0]

I do have the problem on commercial flights. I had the problem when I used to skindive but since I finished with an ascent I was pretty much ok. I do try to equalize when descending. It helps some. I haven't when ascending because I figured they would need that much more adjustment when descending. I have mild sinus problems, congestion often. I work in construction and the woods and am exposed to a lot of "stuff". I am 56 years old and had my adenoids and tonsils removed as an infant. A lot of allergies as a kid. I had not considered the anti inflammatory drugs. Thanks
Wid

[karenmeal 0]

How does ear wax interfere with eustachian tube malfunction? That doesn't really make sense to me, and I'm graduating with a degree in speech and hearing sciences in a couple months.

I would advise you to get a referal to an otolaryngologist, they should be able to give you much more specific information than your GP.

You can really do some nasty damage to your ears if you skydive with a malfunctioning eustachian tube. You can tear your tympanic membrane (eardrum), you can disarticulate your ossicles (bones in middle ear) and you can also rupture the round window of the cochlea (very very very bad thing to do). Those aren't common things to do, but you should be aware that there can be long-term consequences.

"Life is a temporary victory over the causes which induce death." - Sylvester Graham

[Legs 0]

Karen

Ear wax doesn't cause eustachian tube malfunction. Rather, as we get older some people do tend to produce more of the stuff. As we know wax can cause an air tight seal. If you put your finger in your ear and mimic this seal you can feel the effect of unequal pressure. If this 56 year old gentleman has problems in this regard it could be easily solved. That was my only point. Softening the ear wax with the appropriate softening drops can allow wax to drain more effectively.
As health care proffesionals we are prone to seeing the most serious complaints when simple issues are present. I was merely starting at the beginning and not jumping to rumptured tympanic membranes.

I do support your view that if these symptoms are not resolved with the suggestions I made that a specialists opinion be sought.

off the subject slightly, why in the US do you make things so complicated "Otolaryngologist" in england we call this Ear Nose and Throat specialist (ENT).

congratulations on your degree

With love in Christ

[awindrider 0]

Tried ear plugs called EarPlanes that are supposed to slow down the pressure changes. They have a little filter that allows only a small rate of change. I have only used them for the one jump but my initial impression is they helped considerably. I was also using a commercial saltwater spray designed for nose and sinus. The old snort and swallow technique reduced the thickness of the mucus and so helped too. I was using Sudafed but I have had very limited success with it in the past and so don't credit it for the improvement.

Thought I should mention the ear plugs because at first I did not see how they could possibly work, but my unscientific and limited experience definitely gives me the impression they do work.

[aguila 0]

Try this:

http://www.dropzone.com/cgi-bin/forum/gforum.cgi?post=2632316#2632316

No side effects

Gonzalo

It cannot be done really means I do not know how to do it ... yet

[aguila 0]

Quote

How does ear wax interfere with eustachian tube malfunction?

It does not interfere

MD

Gonzalo

It cannot be done really means I do not know how to do it ... yet

[awindrider 0]

I used a commercially available saline (.65% sodium chloride) nasal spray called Ocean. It was definitely a help. Really snorted it to get it way up nose and then down throat. Significant clearing of mucus. Next time I'll try it and the ear plugs without any Sudafed. I am pretty sure the ear plugs helped too since I removed one right after landing and that ear gave me more trouble than the one I left the plug in for a additional half hour. I am optimistic about finally getting to progress more rapidly. Thanks to all who gave information.

[ScottMcC 0]

how many times does it need to be said? if you have problems with your ears, you should see a physician trained in treating diseases of the ear!

afrin and sudafed both have the potential for very serious side effects if misused.

rapid pressure changes can have serious consequences for people with various ear problems.

I won't even attempt to diagnose an ear problem over the internets, because the physical exam is critical for the diagnosis of ear disease, much more so than for other conditions.

just see an ENT! seriously!

blue skies,
scott
(ENT resident)

[awindrider 0]

Quote

how many times does it need to be said? if you have problems with your ears, you should see a physician trained in treating diseases of the ear!


Once.
I have an appointment with the ENT specialist but the soonest they can see me is still 3 weeks from now. I made the appointment two weeks ago. My GP is no help (he said not to worry about permanent damage!!!)and there is a ONE YEAR waiting period to get taken by the more prominent GP's in the area! Rural Northern California, USA. I am not misusing the drugs. I follow labeling instructions and discussed them with my doctor and pharmacist. The saline solution is simply salt and water, hardly qualifies as a drug, though I suppose even that could be over used. Thanks for your concern and advice.
Fly Free
Wid

• Quote

[aguila 0]

Quote

I used a commercially available saline (.65% sodium chloride) nasal spray called Ocean. It was definitely a help. Really snorted it to get it way up nose and then down throat. Significant clearing of mucus. Next time I'll try it and the ear plugs without any Sudafed. I am pretty sure the ear plugs helped too since I removed one right after landing and that ear gave me more trouble than the one I left the plug in for a additional half hour. I am optimistic about finally getting to progress more rapidly. Thanks to all who gave information.

You are welcome! The saline solution works most of the time, If it does not, I would recommend you have your ears examined.

In regard to the ear plugs you can remove them slowly after opening (before releasing your breaks) so you will not get any discomfort.

Hope it helps!

Gonzalo

It cannot be done really means I do not know how to do it ... yet

[aguila 0]

Quote

I won't even attempt to diagnose an ear problem over the internets

A few will try until succeed

MD Telemedicine

Gonzalo

It cannot be done really means I do not know how to do it ... yet

[dorbie 0]

Try some chews with menthol in them. In the UK I'd say "TUNES" but they may not have them where you are.

[Trae 1]

It sounds like a good time for you to have a chat with a helpful chemist /doctor. Most of the good meds are getting a bit illegal/restricted due to speedfreak and their home production.
The psuedoephidrines work up to a point. go the non-drowsy . the newer replacements for these derugs are nowhere near as effective.