UPDATE:
I just got back from the doc (well it was last night, but I didn't get online then).  The doc said I didn't have a rupture, but I still had some fluid in my ear.  He gave me a steroid shot, b/c I'm leaving for a trip and I want to dive while I'm gone, to boost the effect.  He also gave me a prescription for steroids (a week's worth) and a prescription for Allegra.  I think my diagnosis was Acute -systo...somethingorother - media....???

I had been taking sudafed, and it raised my blood pressure, so the doc said not to take it anymore.  From now on I'll be taking Claritin...even though I do have a little case of "white lab coat" syndrome, which explains the BP for me.

Thanks again for all the helpful replies.

---------------------------------------------------------------------

I've been certified for three years and I've been making dives every year (fresh and salt water) and I've never been below 75 ft.

Anyway, I went diving this weekend and had some problems.  First let me give you the conditions: Freshwater, Outside temp. ~90*, Thermocline ~40ft, Water temp. below thermocline ~55*, Max depth of dive ~60, wetsuit was 7mm, no hood.

I had problems with my ears when I was younger.  I had to have tubes put in them on 3 different occassions.  I haven't had any problems since I was about 3 or 4.  So, this past weekend I went diving and as I was equalizing my left ear seemed to just be "blowing" out air instead of popping.  There was no pain involved.  About an hour after we surfaced we went to eat dinner and my ear was killing me.  I was having some drainage, but it was SLOW.  

When I got home I laid on my side to try and help the flow.  It wasn't working very well so I put a few drops of "Auro-Dri" in my ear.  It started to feel better, so I just went to sleep on my side and left the drops in over night.  

The next morning I woke up and didn't feel any more pain.  But the towel I slept on had brownish-red stains on it from the drainage.  It is now day three after the dive and my ear is still popping a bit (with no pain) and my hearing isn't back to 100% yet.  I know if I ruptured my ear drum it could take up to two weeks to completely heal.  Should I be worrying about anything else that's wrong.  I am in no pain, but I want to prevent this from happening again.  Isn't there some drops I can put in before I dive to prevent this?  If so, lead me in the right direction and I will use them from now on.  I love diving and I don't want to give it up.  

ETA: This may be from excessive ear wax......??  My mom told me that my grandpaw had problems with ear wax and he used to lay on a heating pad once a month to help clear it up.....

My brother also dives (he was on this dive) and he has never had any problems.....

if you have the same problem next dive-  try moving up a few feet and equalizing, then go back down.

Consider an OTC medication for nasal congestion.  I have a hell of a time diving and going on airplane flights if I don't take a suphedrine (generic sudafed) first.  It isn't the kind of drug that makes you drowsy, but it helps with equalizing.

Are you prone to sinus infections?

Also, suphedrine does mess with your blood pressure so be sure if you have high blood pressure to check with your doctor first.

I hate the pain of not being able to equalize.  It is like an icepick to the brain!

If you think you have ruptured your ear drum GO TO THE URGENT CARE AND GET IT CHECKED OUT.  My wife dove in a pool, went down maybe 10 feet, and had her eardrum rupture.  A third of it was GONE.  We let it go for about a year - it only bothered her when she got her head completely underwater, and she could still hear about 75%, but surgery with general anesthetic and a couple days of bed rest was required to repair it.  It would have been a less intensive operation had the back side of her eardrum not had ordinary skin cells growing on it from the length of time we let go by.

Quoted: Consider an OTC medication for nasal congestion.  I have a hell of a time diving and going on airplane flights if I don't take a suphedrine (generic sudafed) first.  It isn't the kind of drug that makes you drowsy, but it helps with equalizing. I hate the pain of not being able to equalize.  It is like an icepick to the brain!

I think that's it.  I do get seasonal allergies, but that ended for me about a month ago........but, I did smoke a cigar the night before our dive and that usually makes me a little congested the next morning.

The thing is....I didn't have trouble equalizing.  It was like my left ear didn't need it, it wasn't really popping it was just "blowing" out the air when I was trying to equalize.

I guess what got me worried was the brownish-red stains on the towel from the drainage......???  Anybody know if excessive ear wax could be another culprit.

The pressure on my ear at dinner was pretty painful.

Sounds like you had a small tear or weak spot in you eardrum, most likely from the tubes.  I have had the same thing.  Go see a doc that is familiar with dive medicine and scuba diving.  The last time it happened to me, my ENT told me to never ever dive again.  My regular doc, retired Navy, told me to take sudaphed a day or two prior to diving and wait a few weeks before diving again so the weakend eardrum could heal.  It still happens every now and then, but only when I descend too quickly.

Hope that helps.  

Quoted: If you think you have ruptured your ear drum GO TO THE URGENT CARE AND GET IT CHECKED OUT.  My wife dove in a pool, went down maybe 10 feet, and had her eardrum rupture.  A third of it was GONE.  We let it go for about a year - it only bothered her when she got her head completely underwater, and she could still hear about 75%, but surgery with general anesthetic and a couple days of bed rest was required to repair it.

That's the thing.....there's a couple of variables, and I'm not sure I did have a rupture.  For example yesterday, I could hear better out of my left ear than my right one.

I've never had this problem on previous dives, so I guess I'm wondering why a rupture would occur now.  If anything I'm leaning toward the sinus congestion/earwax buildup issues.....

this is a bad idea. If the sinus meds wear off when your at depth, coming back up is a very painful experience.

Quoted: Consider an OTC medication for nasal congestion.  I have a hell of a time diving and going on airplane flights if I don't take a suphedrine (generic sudafed) first.  It isn't the kind of drug that makes you drowsy, but it helps with equalizing. Are you prone to sinus infections? Also, suphedrine does mess with your blood pressure so be sure if you have high blood pressure to check with your doctor first. I hate the pain of not being able to equalize.  It is like an icepick to the brain!

Quoted: The last time it happened to me, my ENT told me to never ever dive again.  My regular doc, retired Navy, told me to take sudaphed a day or two prior to diving and wait a few weeks before diving again so the weakend eardrum could heal.  It still happens every now and then, but only when I descend too quickly. Hope that helps.

......I hope I can still dive.  I currently don't have tubes......I also think that I may have descended a little too quick.  The water was pretty murky (freshwater lake) above the thermocline and you lose a little perception b/c of it.

I think I'm gonna wait another week or so to see what happens, I'll probably schedule a visit then to see what the doc has to say.

I would highly recommend contacting DAN (Divers Alert Network) and asking for a local ENT (ear, nose, and throat) referral that is familiar with diving injuries.  Blood coming from the ear indicates either a compromised blood vessel or a ruptured ear drum.  There is simply no other place for the blood to come from.  The drainage may possibly be wax but the pain and other symptoms are a problem.

Also, you might try asking this question at scubaboard.com  It appears to be the arfcom of the diving world.  

It is possible that this injury will repeat and eventually you will loose hearing if it does.  A good diving doctor may be able to advise you on your individual situation and help keep you diving.  Your typical non-diving doctors will probably tell you to never dive again.

It may be as simple to treat as popping a pseudophed or other drug cleared by the doc for diving.  Do not self medicate on this though as meds do funny things at depth to different people.  

Best of luck whatever you decide.  If you don't want to pay for an office visit, maybe you have a nurse friend who has access to an ear exam tool (otoscope??), and can tell you if you have a ruptured ear drum or not.  If it is a rupture of any size, it will be plainly visible to anyone with any experience looking at ear drums.

Quoted: I think I'm gonna wait another week or so to see what happens, I'll probably schedule a visit then to see what the doc has to say.

Thanks guys....I'm not gonna be doin' any more diving between now and then so don't worry.

this should be covered by DAN- i take it that if you are a certified diver you have DAN coverage?

if you do have DAN- you can call their 24 hour line and htey will try and diagnose by phone, or recomend a specialist in your area.

Quoted: this should be covered by DAN- i take it that if you are a certified diver you have DAN coverage?

Unfortunately...no.

This past weekend has helped me change my mind though.  I remember a few stories from divers I've dove with as well.  One guy was put up in a decompression chamber and he would never have been able to afford it it weren't for his DAN coverage.....so he said.  I guess it would also be comforting when diving in other countries/exotic locations as well.

nose spray
sutafed
ear dry drops..

Let me get this straight:

The majority seems to think that my problems are from congestion and it may have even caused a rupture.

Is the ear wax thing a non-issue?  Ah hell, I guess I'll find out more at the doc.

Thanks for the replies fellas.

You might still want to check into DAN.  While they will not cover any expenses, they may still give advice if you are not a member.  I have heard of several instances where they do not evn ask for a member number if you call for medical advice/referrals.  If you are considering joining, call and join and then ask your questions.

They will even consult with your doctor on the phone if he needs the advice.

Quoted: You might still want to check into DAN.  While they will not cover any expenses, they may still give advice if you are not a member.  I have heard of several instances where they do not evn ask for a member number if you call for medical advice/referrals.  If you are considering joining, call and join and then ask your questions. They will even consult with your doctor on the phone if he needs the advice.

Yeah, I've been thinkin' about it for a while.....I'll probably join up.  I'll be goin' on vacation for Christmas and I know I'll want to do some diving.

dan insurance isnt just good for dive injuries-  if you are on a dive vacation in a place where oyur health doesnt cover you, they will work as a provider, if your travel plans get messed up, they will act as trqavel insurance.  for me dan has come through a bunch of times- first being sort of same situation in 99 when i busted an ear drum because of a reverse squeeze.

Quoted: dan insurance isnt just good for dive injuries-  if you are on a dive vacation in a place where oyur health doesnt cover you, they will work as a provider, if your travel plans get messed up, they will act as trqavel insurance.  for me dan has come through a bunch of times- first being sort of same situation in 99 when i busted an ear drum because of a reverse squeeze.

Whoa....didn't know that.  How much does it usually run, if you don't mind me askin'.  Do you get billed monthly, quarterly, yearly?

Quoted: this is a bad idea. If the sinus meds wear off when your at depth, coming back up is a very painful experience. Quoted: Consider an OTC medication for nasal congestion.  I have a hell of a time diving and going on airplane flights if I don't take a suphedrine (generic sudafed) first.  It isn't the kind of drug that makes you drowsy, but it helps with equalizing. Are you prone to sinus infections? Also, suphedrine does mess with your blood pressure so be sure if you have high blood pressure to check with your doctor first. I hate the pain of not being able to equalize.  It is like an icepick to the brain!

+1 my brother had a reverse block when we dove in Grand Cayman. I heard his ear depressurise from a few feet away later in the day. He fell to his knees in pain when it happened.

Quoted: Whoa....didn't know that.  How much does it usually run, if you don't mind me askin'.  Do you get billed monthly, quarterly, yearly?

if i remember corectly i paid somehting like 99USD for it last year, i need to renew in sept.  I am sure you can see on their website.

... Firstly, if you think you've breached the drum - go see a doctor now. Infection will make matters much worse. Next time just before you dive, try a nasal decongestant like Sudafed®, ½ an aspirin and always clean your ears thoroughly before descending.

... A lot of folks get mask-squeeze, generally if you're suffering that problem you're not equalizing properly and you could be setting yourself up for reverse squeeze. Remember, never ascend faster than your smallest bubbles, and periodically perform a slight nose-squeeze whilst descending.

Quoted: ... Firstly, if you think you've breached the drum - go see a doctor now. Infection will make matters much worse. Next time just before you dive, try a nasal decongestant like Sudafed®, ½ an aspirin and always clean your ears thoroughly before descending.  I keep my ears clean, but I think I have a hereditary problem with excessive wax. Remember, never ascend faster than your smallest bubbles, and periodically perform a slight nose-squeeze whilst descending.  I always ascend slower than anybody I know, but I think in this instance I might have descended too quickly.

I'm gonna see a doc, but I was just wondering if there were any tips/tricks for preventing this again.  It looks like I'll start takin a decongestant before diving (after I ok it with my doc).  Are there any drops you can put in your ear BEFORE you go diving?

I can't say this emphatically enough:  Go see a doctor!

There is nothing about your story that is at all normal.  It might heal all by itself.  It might already be healed.  But if its not, the quicker you get if fixed, the more likely you'll be able to dive again and the less likely it affects your hearing long-term.

Your doctor should be able to tell you how to avoid the problem in the future.

Also, wanted to reiterate: don't take sudafed before a dive.  If it wears off at depth you could really hurt yourself coming back up.

Quoted: Quoted: ... Firstly, if you think you've breached the drum - go see a doctor now. Infection will make matters much worse. Next time just before you dive, try a nasal decongestant like Sudafed®, ½ an aspirin and always clean your ears thoroughly before descending.  I keep my ears clean, but I think I have a hereditary problem with excessive wax. Remember, never ascend faster than your smallest bubbles, and periodically perform a slight nose-squeeze whilst descending.  I always ascend slower than anybody I know, but I think in this instance I might have descended too quickly. I'm gonna see a doc, but I was just wondering if there were any tips/tricks for preventing this again.  It looks like I'll start takin a decongestant before diving (after I ok it with my doc).  Are there any drops you can put in your ear BEFORE you go diving?

There is really nothing you can do before diving except take a Sudaphed, which if I recall correctly was the only OTC recommended for pre-dive use.  The issue isn't pressure from the outside forcing its way in but rather the Eustacian Tube gets clogged or inflamed and the pressure in the middle and inner ear cannot equalize.  This put tremendous pressure on the ear drum which is extremely thin.  Nothing you put in your ear will prevent this.  Hope that helps.

I e-mailed this thread to my buddy who's a PADI Open Water Instructor.  Here's his input:

"Sounds like a slight rupture from overpressurizing
during clearing.  DAN is the organization to call and
taking OTC sudafed is not a bad idea provided you take
it so that it does not wear off in the middle of a
dive i.e. 1-2 hours before you dive.  The key is a slow
descent rate and clearingthe minute your face hits the
water this way the pressure doesn't get the chance to
build up and blow out your ear."

Nothing too different from what some of the others here have said.

I REALLY appreciate all the replies.  I'm gonna go see a doc, and hopefully there's no long term damage (I don't feel like there is, but what do I know).

I'll let everybody know what happens, just for future reference.

BIG +! ON THIS (I know from experience):

Quoted: this is a bad idea. If the sinus meds wear off when your at depth, coming back up is a very painful experience. Quoted: Consider an OTC medication for nasal congestion.  I have a hell of a time diving and going on airplane flights if I don't take a suphedrine (generic sudafed) first.  It isn't the kind of drug that makes you drowsy, but it helps with equalizing. Are you prone to sinus infections? Also, suphedrine does mess with your blood pressure so be sure if you have high blood pressure to check with your doctor first. I hate the pain of not being able to equalize.  It is like an icepick to the brain!

BTT....update on first page.

Quoted: I've been certified for three years and I've been making dives every year (fresh and salt water) and I've never been below 75 ft.

You call that diving?    Damn i wish i could dive above 75ft, the glacial silt usually floats on the surface down to 50ft.   So if you want more than 2ft of vis, you have to go deeper.  And most of our wrecks up here in Alaska are about 75+ft anyway.

I was just at a scuba store, and they had a set of goggles with pieces that fit over your ears to keep them dry.  Would something like that help?

Quoted: You call that diving?    Damn i wish i could dive above 75ft, the glacial silt usually floats on the surface down to 50ft.   So if you want more than 2ft of vis, you have to go deeper.  And most of our wrecks up here in Alaska are about 75+ft anyway.

It may not be that deep to you, but I always hit the bottom.

Sorry, but the places around here and the places I've been to in the tropics just aren't that deep.