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Trip Reports: We are here
Bonaire Talk: Trip Reports: Archives: Archives 2006-2008: Archives - 2006-08-31 to 2006-12-31: We are here
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Jim McPeak (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #502) on Wednesday, December 27, 2006 - 9:32 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

We arrived Saturday night on American Eagle and had a 2 hour delay in San Juan, after a 6 hour scheduled layover. All luggage arrived, life is good. Made 6 dives already, but I have a really rotten cold and sinuses are screaming. I'm taking the day off from diving, and I'm going to try and get some anti-biotics somewhere. Aquawoman is out on the 8:30 Divi, and here I sit with Michael in Chat and Browse. She is going to do her 12th Windjammer tomorrow with our fried Rudy. I swear that woman has gills. Anyway, I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday so far. Cheers.

Cynde: The massage at the Inter-Continental was incredible. Thanks.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Brian (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #2651) on Wednesday, December 27, 2006 - 10:03 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

I think Rudy should try more sunblock

Have a great trip time, we will be on our way in two weeks time. Say Hi to Michael, we have his curry powder ready to pack.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Cynde (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #529) on Wednesday, December 27, 2006 - 11:29 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Jim, glad you made it! I have only been on AE once when it's been on time:-( Hope you feel better, hopefully "someone" can get you an appointment with the local doc to get you some meds and you will be on the mend. Tell aquawoman hi:-) Glad you liked the massage, it is the only way to make that layover "relaxing":-):-):-)

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Jerry (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #3206) on Wednesday, December 27, 2006 - 11:46 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Jim, go see the Doc ASAP, Bonaire is no place to be sick. I got a bad cold there a few years back, over the counter meds did nothing. Went to see the Doc, two days after I was 60 down with the fish's. Hope you feel better soon.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By David Frank (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #552) on Wednesday, December 27, 2006 - 1:36 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Jim,

Sorry to hear you're under the weather. Janet's got a veritable pharmacy with her. I'm in SJU waiting for the BON flight. Shoot me an email if you want me to pick anything up for you.

Or ring me at the airport Best Western...just chilling out here.

-David

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Brian (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #2652) on Wednesday, December 27, 2006 - 6:15 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Antibiotics may not the right answer if it is a viral infection. See the Doc and let him work out a cure as you may long term impair your health. We both get sinus problems after flights, but we minimise this with Zinc and Echinacea for a week or so in advance as well as on holiday. the swimmers eardrops at the pharmacy are a dive saver too.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Vince DePietro (Bellevue Condos # 9) (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #638) on Wednesday, December 27, 2006 - 7:56 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

I believe the diver's drops sold at the botica in town is to be used prophylacticly to prevent swimmers ear (otitis externa). They do work very well!

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Sue from NJ (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #468) on Thursday, December 28, 2006 - 9:29 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

this is gross, but worked for me...

a few years ago I arrived in Bonaire very congested - the manager of Toucan told me to go into the water & inhale water through my nose & let it get into my sinuses & then spit it out. I repeated this about 10 times every few hours and the next day I was clear and able to dive. I remember seeing an odd item in Stockholm when I was there 10 years ago that looked like a watering can, but people used it to "bathe" their sinuses with salt water. Same theory.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Mara - you pronounce it like Sarah (Extraordinary BonaireTalker - Post #1625) on Thursday, December 28, 2006 - 9:50 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Sue - that's not so odd. At DEMA there was a product that was being given away that does the same thing. It is sold all over the US in the "pharmacies" like CVS and Walgreens. I can't think of the name of the product right now but it does the same type of thing. You squeeze the water and "mixture" through one nostril and let it come out the other. It's supposed to be fantastic. I do have some so I will have to try it.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Brian (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #2653) on Thursday, December 28, 2006 - 12:55 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

My method to clear congestion is to descend very slowly for the first few dives and not power clearing by pinching your nose. Yawn, swallow or waggle your jaw etc. When you surface all the grot comes out, not a pretty sight but you have clear tubes. We now avoid decongestants like Sudafed unless absolutely unavoidable as it can raise your blood pressure by a significant amount if done over consecutive days. We now use Throat lozenges and an occasional sniff of Sinex.
After every dives we rinse our ears with fresh (removes plankton etc.) and then a drop or too of the swimmers eardrops from the Botica.

We build up our immunity by taking Zinc Citrate, Echinacea and Pro Biotic vitamins every day from 2 weeks out - washed down with fresh OJ. The last 5 days we also take a mini Aspirin in the morning as a defence against DVT. On the flight if people have colds etc we take more Zinc Citrate and Echinacea.

We repeat the same immunity routine before heading back home.

I hope this helps others to get in more diving days.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Cynde (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #537) on Thursday, December 28, 2006 - 1:14 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Sue's method is right on. Another good one, if you're not near the ocean is to inhale warm water while in the shower. It hurts...but helps.

Brian, do they have Air Borne in the UK? That's what I take the night before I leave, and then take it on the flight. It's a tablet you put in water, tastes fizzy and is orange flavor:-)

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Charlotte (BonaireTalker - Post #21) on Thursday, December 28, 2006 - 1:14 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

I think what Mara is talking about is "Ocean Nasal Spray" -- it's a saline solution. My mom sent me to find "Ocean Spray" at the drug store a couple of weeks ago and I'm thinking, "Cranberry juice? In your nose?"

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Mara - you pronounce it like Sarah (Extraordinary BonaireTalker - Post #1632) on Thursday, December 28, 2006 - 1:36 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Nope - it's not Ocean Nasal Spray though I do have some of that - and yes, it does make one think of spraying Cranberry Juice up your nose. LOL! What I'm talking about is called NeilMed Sinus Rinse Kit. The description says...

For Large Volume & Low Pressure Therapeutic Saline Nasal Irrigation, Moisturization & Daily Nasal Hygiene.

Relieves Allergies & Sinus Symptoms:
Nasal allergies & dryness.
Sinus pressure & nasal stuffiness.
Nasal symptoms from flu & cold.
Nasal irritation from occupational dust, fumes, animal dander, grass, pollen, smoke, & house dust.
Post nasal drip & nasal congestion.

You use warm water, mix it with the "packet" and yeah - basically - irrigate you sinuses.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By seb (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #3044) on Thursday, December 28, 2006 - 2:15 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

The device used to irrigate the sinuses is a Neti Pot.
I find it essential to use a saline nasal spray on the airplane. Once I'm in the water, the sea seems to do the job.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Aaron Holoway (BonaireTalker - Post #23) on Thursday, December 28, 2006 - 3:34 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

The Neilmed thing Mara is talking about is AWESOME. I have had a sinus infection since friday and my doc told me to use it. I have been using it for a few days now and WOW what a difference, i can breathe again. I have to do it twice a day. Hope you feel better and maybe you can find something like this to try out.

Mara to use it lean forward a little over the sink and breathe through your mouth and it wont go down the back of your throat. Have some tissue standing by as you will need to blow your nose a couple times afterwards.

(Message edited by scubaaaronh on December 28, 2006)

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Jim McPeak (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #503) on Thursday, December 28, 2006 - 5:48 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Thank you all. I feel much better today. Did two dives this morning, no problem.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Mara - you pronounce it like Sarah (Extraordinary BonaireTalker - Post #1642) on Thursday, December 28, 2006 - 5:52 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Thanks Aaron - I probably should have used it last month but they say you can use it as a daily or weekly routine anyway.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Aaron Holoway (BonaireTalker - Post #24) on Thursday, December 28, 2006 - 8:07 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

My ENT has been telling me to use it every other day. I didn't listen, and now that i have tried it i am going to use it regularly. It was just the thought of spraying water up my nose that turned me away to it. But after you do it the first time you get used to it very easily.

(Message edited by scubaaaronh on December 28, 2006)

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Brian (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #2655) on Friday, December 29, 2006 - 5:21 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Cynde Airborne looks good, it also contains Zinc and Echinacea, but it is not sold in the UK as far as I can find. Looked at Amazon and they can't ship that product to the UK. No worries though our current cure works fine.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By seb (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #3049) on Friday, December 29, 2006 - 8:47 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

I can ship it to the UK Brian. Maybe I could trade you for some topical ibuprofen!?

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Brian (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #2656) on Friday, December 29, 2006 - 11:04 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Hi Seb Do you mean Ibruprofen Gel? http://www.boots.com/shop/product_details.jsp?productid=1059206&classificationid=1026667

If thats the stuff then sure I can send some. send me a pm. We found a very similar product to Airborne this afternoon so we are ok for Bonaire in 11 days time.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Cynde (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #543) on Friday, December 29, 2006 - 12:02 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Brian...YGM:-)

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Jerry (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #3234) on Friday, December 29, 2006 - 12:12 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Seb got it right, just go swimming!

Brian, I'll trade you some bugger spray for some bug spray!

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Mara - you pronounce it like Sarah (Extraordinary BonaireTalker - Post #1648) on Friday, December 29, 2006 - 12:13 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

BRAIN - I REFUSE TO BE JEALOUS but...I'm tearing here a little. Bonaire in 11 days - waaaaaa.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Jerry (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #3235) on Friday, December 29, 2006 - 12:23 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

I'm still three weeks away. That's a long way off!

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Brian (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #2657) on Friday, December 29, 2006 - 12:36 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Jerry

We have got Autan for you 100ML Spray. How many will you need? They also do a stick? Let us know PDQ as we are about to order some more.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Brian (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #2658) on Friday, December 29, 2006 - 12:42 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Mara

Sorry and whole 18 nights worth. Maybe Jerry and I can give you a virtual Bonaire experience while we are there.

Cynde, Seb YGM too.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Jerry (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #3238) on Friday, December 29, 2006 - 1:04 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Thanks Brian.
Mara, we will take care of you!

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Mara - you pronounce it like Sarah (Extraordinary BonaireTalker - Post #1652) on Friday, December 29, 2006 - 5:33 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Please do - I am so afraid I am not going to get my Bonaire fix in 2007. It's sailing in the BVI's for me but maybe, just maybe....

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Jerry (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #3251) on Friday, December 29, 2006 - 5:42 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Don't be afraid, there are a few surprises coming in Jan 07. All I can say at this time is keep an eye open on the downtown cam.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Paul Chase (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #2) on Sunday, December 31, 2006 - 8:57 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

What is the water temp?

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Jamie Barber (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #160) on Wednesday, January 3, 2007 - 2:20 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Brian, I like your idea of zinc and the other holistic stuff. Zinc has been working like a champ for me against colds since I discovered it about 10 yrs ago.

One word though, if you use zinc it is best NOT rinsed down with OJ. The vitamin C (ascorbic acid) chelates or binds the zinc and makes it completely nonfunctioning. So in effect you may be removing any beneficial effect of both the OJ and zinc if taken together. Best to wait 30 min or so between these. Always has made me laugh when I see some over-the-counter preps that have both in them. That's a problem with some nutriceuticals--they don't have to be proven to work, just that they're marketable.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Mara - you pronounce it like Sarah (Extraordinary BonaireTalker - Post #1672) on Wednesday, January 3, 2007 - 2:52 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

And for me, I take zinc as the doctors think it may help prevent too much hair loss. At least that is the current thinking...so it's a zinc lozenge a day for me.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By DARLENE ELLIS (Extraordinary BonaireTalker - Post #2329) on Wednesday, January 3, 2007 - 9:57 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

To all my diving friends. If you can't get under the water with sinus issues you can always go on top and see just as much! :-)

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Ron Gould (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #752) on Thursday, January 4, 2007 - 1:39 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Just remember this: When your snorkleing the beautiful reefs you are watching the Discovery Channel-But when you are Diving the same breath taking reefs You are in the picture... Ron

 


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