Balloon sinuplasty and diving

[lttleldydver]

I've had issues with my sinuses for years and have been to many doctors. Years of clogged ears, ear pain, ringing ears, full sinuses. I had given up because most ENTs either drugged me or wanted to put tubes in my ears.

In terms of diving, my biggest issue has always been clearing my ears. However, after days of repetitive diving my sinuses also feel like they are going to explode. I had one very scary incident with a reverse block and learned to use Afrin sparingly. I've tried just about everything but full blown surgery. Recently I had a consult with an ENT here in San Diego that specializes in balloon sinuplasty. His record checks out and his references (including professional swimmers, water polo, etc..) are stellar. I'm seriously thinking of having this surgery. What I can't find is any information on impact on diving. This doctor reassures me that this minimally invasive surgery will only make my diving more comfortable (drained sinus). Recovery time is but a few days.

I guess my main question is, has anyone had this surgery? Have you been diving since?

Secondarily, there is a new balloon procedure currently passing through the FDA for the ears (Eustachian tubes). I know it is a long shot, but has anyone had experience with this?

I'd love to hear what you all have to say. Thanks!

[lttleldydver]

Hmmm, nothing? Am I in the wrong forum?

[TSandM]

No, you're in the right forum. I just don't know anything about the procedure you mentioned. We have one ENT doc who posts here fairly often, but he is a pediatric ENT guy and I don't know if he does sinuplasties or not.

[raftingtigger]

I don't know anything about the ballonsinuplasty, but I do have personal experience with functional endoscopic sinus surgery (aka roto-rooter of the sinus ostia).

I am both a diver and a former commercial airline pilot. For as long as I can remember I have had sinus issues - constantly breathing through my mouth, frequent sinus headaches, colds that last for weeks. It was 'normal' for me. I learned to dive with this - just found free diving too stressful on my sinuses (not ears - they always can clear). Later I took up flying and again dealt with the issues. I went to multiple doctors and ENTs. Finally in 1997 at the age of 37 I had the above surgery. WOW, I can actually breathe with my mouth closed. My colds are less frequent, and actually generally clear without antibiotics.

As I have returned - full speed - to diving this year I have gone a step further. I have an aggressive sinus routine that is working better than anything else in my life. I use a nasal steroid daily (Veramyst works best for me), and right before diving I use Afrin. Of course I am careful to equalized often (clear, clear, breathe, clear, clear, breathe,....) Additionally I have had MUCH fewer colds since taking Vit D 5000 IU daily (Vitamin D Council > Information on Vitamin D, Vitamin D Deficiency and Vitamin D Toxicity) for the last 1-1/2 years. As an Urgent Care physician assistant I'm exposed to just about everything. Lastly a NetiPot is great. Clears the gunk out so it can drain, but with my current routine I rarely need to use it anymore.

[DocVikingo]

Indeed they have, lttleldydver. E.g., Hawkeye's Balloon Sinuplasty Surgery Of course, YMMV.

For a quick and simple video for the lay person, see --> Balloon Sinuplasty Video

For a detailed and more medical review of the procedure in general, see --> Balloon Sinuplasty: Literature Review http://www.arquivosdeorl.org.br/cont...rl/572_eng.pdf see

Best of luck.

Regards,

DocVikingo

[DandyDon]

Interesting article on this today: sinus SOLUTION | Oregon Life | The Register-Guard | Eugene, Oregon

[lttleldydver]

Thank you for the links. I actually had the surgery last fall, so I suppose I should report back! I had the surgery on a Thursday in September. I also had a rather severe deviated septum corrected. The recovery from the surgery itself was a little longer and harder than I anticipated. It took about a week to feel back to myself versus a day or so like you hear about. But, that was because of the work done on the deviated septum (slight moving of the cartilage - but no broken bones). The net effect is that my sinuses drained and have been really clear. As of now, no more chronic sinusitis. Not perfect, but the pressure has really lessened. I went diving in Bonaire over Thanksgiving and i was able to easily clear my ears! That was tha primary reason for me willing to try this surgery. A huge bonus for me that it appears to have worked. In the past it would take me a long time to equalize my ears. Sometimes I had to abort the dive because I couldn't descend. After many repetitive dives in Bonaire, I had no problems!

To be honest, the surgery didn't solve all my problems. My ears are still clogged on a daily basis. We had hoped that clearing the nasal passages would also help the ears, but no such luck. My Eustachian tubes are just abnormally small. To bad I didn't get tubes as a kid! There is a similar surgery for the ears, it is just waiting for FDA approval. My ENT is one of the surgeons doing this type of surgery (he has done hundreds), so I might go ahead and do it instead of waiting for insurance.

Anyway, my two cents. The surgery was well worth it for me because it cleared my sinuses and resulted in me having hardly any sinusitis, headaches, etc.. Plus, while my ears aren't clear on a daily basis, they equalize for diving! I would do it again in a heartbeat.

My doctor is Dr. Brian Weeks. I know he did an ear procedure live on "The Doctors". I just thought I'd mention it in case anyone else is having the same issues I did. If you google his name, you'll find a lot of information on both the balloon procedure for both the sinus and the ears.

[Mark Derail]

I've had the surgery, when I was 25 (I'm 43 now). Greatest thing ever. I don't think I could have dived at all without it.

I'm not perfect - I take twice as long to get down & equalize, and I often take longer on the way back up to make sure I don't have reverse block. I'm an expert on yawning.

Previous to the operation, I had suffered, to that point, all my life with chronic sinus & lung infections, constantly rotating with different antibiotics. Over 20 years now, not a single use, not once, of an antibiotic. I was able to "beat off" those yearly colds naturally.

I also suffer from seasonal allergies - this lessens over the years.

The doctor performed the surgery in his office, a specialist. In & out within a couple of hours. Yep, you get to swallow anesthesia, boy does it taste bad.
I won't spoil the fun with more spoilers...