Scuba diving

[glen56]

I was really keen to try diving it's something I've always wanted to do. Booked up and have done 2 dives only in a pool 1hour each. I'm hypo thyroid but feeling good. Problem was my ears 3 weeks later still popping and getting blocked. Do thyroid sufferers do scuba diving or have we got too much phlegm and mucus?

[gabkad]

Have you ever had an eardrum burst when you were a kid? If you have any holes in the eardrum that didn't close up, then getting water into the ears can result in an infection. Get in the habit of wearing silicon ear plugs. I wear them to swim or else. I even put my finger in my bad ear if I submerse my head in the bathtub.

Get your GP to check your ears if the popping noises don't stop.

[Taffhamster]

I haven't dived for a while (just circumstances and feeling too tired a lot of the time), but when I used to, I don't think I had any more problems with equalising or my ears than most people. It can take a while to get used to equalising – I had a bit of a panic the first time I did a descent in my open water training – down to 6m a bit too fast, my ears were killing me to the extent that I was ready to surface again, but I managed to stay calm, breathe through my reg and sort it out. You're dealing with a lot when you start, even in the pool (I remember how weird I found it to be able to breathe underwater, even just in 2m of clear, warm pool water) so equalising can be a bit haphazard and it could be down to this. Worth talking to a GP or even your scuba instructor about ear problems, perhaps?

[M1n1-mum in reply to Taffhamster]

Hi I am hypo but I have regularly scuba dived when funds allow. I don't think being hypo caused me any issues in the water.

[glen56]

Thanks that's really helpful. Will get my ears checked for wax make sure ear drums are OK. I took sinus tablets they helped. Would love to try again.

[Marionjessica]

I dive and have no problems, except ears

[tDR1980]

I've been doing Scuba for about 5yrs and was diagnosed Hypo about 1.5 years ago now.

I've carried on Diving throughout and typically go to 40m under, off Boats to see Wrecks etc wearing a Dry Suit and ~16KG weight as most of my Dives are in Scotland and I Dive most of the year round. (I'm PADI Advanced Open Water + a bunch of specs inc. Deep)

I've always been pretty snottery sinus wise but have always found I can equalise if I just stay calm during a descent and do so multiple times by squeezing my nose to blow out my ears - sometimes I'll also wiggle my jaw to help them 'pop' and then there's no pain in them and I can get on with the Dive in comfort.

I've typically found once I reach the surface again that I have loads of snot hanging off my nose but just quickly use my thumb and finger to wipe it away before anyone sees

What I found more disconcerting was just before diagnosis I typically got cramp in one leg or the other on a Dive or at the surface following ascent and Swimming back to shore or the Boat. I'm an ex-competitive Swimmer so can cope with that pretty fine by just floating my Torso and using one leg. Once diagnosed and on 150mcg then 175mcg Levo, the cramps got much worse such that I got severe cramp in both legs following ascent. Again I coped by floating my Torso and using my arms underwater whilst on my back, not drawing attention to myself but realising it was a pretty dodgy situation.

I then fought for T3 to be added and just 10mcg T3 with 137.5mcg (later dropped to 125mcg) Levo daily completely sorted the cramping situation. I found on any day I was active that it was better taking the 10mcg T3 in one hit in the morning than my normal split dosing (my legs would get real tired otherwise) and if I had spare tabs I'd still also take an afternoon 5mcg T3. Doc / Endo wouldn't accept that I needed more when active (go figure!) so wouldn't prescribe.

I'm now on 4 Grains Thai NDT (Thyroid-S) daily and find I'm the best I've been, taking 2 Grains on waking, 1 around 3pm and another 1 at bed time. No more cramping or tired legs when active.

My theory on it from my personal experience is that the more muscle you have, the more you need T3. As such other Men will probably run into similar problems as I have with the cramping etc.

[Ritaritarita in reply to tDR1980]

So glad you told us your dose, I have had to increase mine to that amount too. Same as yours Thai NDT. My friend in America is prescribed NDT, her Dr told her to dose up until she had wellllll.......she would fell when it would be too much. She is a big girl. I was feeling bad when taking less. Sorry to change the subject but this makes me know I am doing ok. X

[glen56 in reply to tDR1980]

You are brave the water in Scotland must be so cold!

[tDR1980 in reply to glen56]

I think the coldest bottom temp I've Dived in has been 3degC in Loch Long in the winter. It's not so bad in a Dry Suit, once you're used to it - the cold kicks in more during the surface time between Dives!

[glen56 in reply to tDR1980]

Mental

[janinew]

Im a scuba diving instructor and have never had problems with my ears or known any link to thyroid/equalising through the divers Ive met. I wonder if the 'popping' noises you refer to is the noise you can sometimes hear when you equalise and it makes your ear drum momentarily flex outwards. If I have wet ears (after diving, showering) I hear the flexing more.

[glen56]

Thanks everybody I will persevere and go back again, I climb,run,kayak and these activities are fine. If I don't exercise my muscles get so tight especially my calves. I'd hate to not do these things.