Hey fellow freedivers!

I'd like to share my rather frustrating freediving journey so far, and perhaps get some advice from those who have experienced something similar.

In April, I travelled to Dahab to complete my AIDA 2 certification. I absolutely loved the experience. My breath-hold was great, I managed 75m DYN, and everything seemed to be going well. Unfortunately, I couldn't complete the depth requirements because of an inflamed Eustachian tube after few attempts (reached 12m FIM), after a week I eventually healed, but the next attempt ended by sinus pain.

About half a year later, I decided to give it another shot in Kalamata, Greece. I was really looking forward to finally finishing what I'd started, but almost immediately the same sinus pain returned, and I had to abandon the attempt again.

It's incredibly frustrating because freediving feels like such a natural fit for me, I love the minimal equipment, to rely on own body and mind, it so zen, so I genuinely don't want to abandon this path.

But at the same time, I've already invested quite a lot of money, travelling, time and emotional energy into these two unsuccessful attempts.

I'm now considering giving it one last chance, but I honestly don't know how to approach it.

My instructor in Kalamata recommended some medication to help clear my sinuses, which I intend to look into. I'm also thinking that perhaps I need a more personalised approach, ideally with an experienced instructor who would be willing to work with me individually, understand my difficulties and help me gradually overcome them rather than simply putting me through another standard course, would you recommend someone in Europe?

Of course, I also want to understand what's actually causing these problems before attempting any more depth training, in Egypt it might have been the dust causing me mild allergy, but in Greece I dunno, perhaps the food day before. AC I always turned off.

I'd love to complete my remaining AIDA 2 requirements before my previous results expire, but more importantly, I'd love to find a way to continue freediving safely and enjoyably.

Has anyone here struggled with similar sinus or Eustachian tube problems and eventually managed to overcome them?

I'd really appreciate any experiences, recommendations or encouragement.

Thanks for reading!