Question about a equilibrium problem

[Staticdiver]

i went to my doctor because i was getting dizzy and kept throwing up. it was like i was sea sick. so i went to the doctor and i have labernathis. i cant spell it but its a inner ear problem that controls your equilibrium. and they gave me motion sickness meds. i was wondering if anyone ever had this problem? and if it will effect my diving?

 

[lord.harshil]

I do believe you have labyrinthitis. Its an inflammation of the inner ear and its known to be associated with disturbances in balance. However, due to the inflammation, I presume its blocking the tubes that need to stay open in order for you to equalise your ears.

Its not a permanent condition so the meds should cure it. Motion sickness meds are for the motion sickness that results from the inflammation and not in order to cure the illness.

Depends on which motion sickness meds you have been given. Some are harmless, but some have a heavy dosage which can cause drowsiness.

Best thing to do would be to check with your doctor and not a bunch of posters on an internet forum. Listen to what he says.

If the meds make you drowsy, don't dive. If you're not sure, don't dive. Its not a permanent condition anyway, so you'll be diving before you know it.

 

[Staticdiver]

thank you. ya that's the one. the meds don't make me drowsy or anything. and i can clear my ears fine on land. i have a appointment next week. im just a bit worried if i get dizzy underwater. but ive had it for almost a 4 months now. and my trip is 3 weeks away. so im really just asking if anyone has ever dove with this.

 

[Interceptor121]

There is research by DAN that indicates that some motion sickness medication increases risk of DCI. So check with your doctor and with DAN if you need to be more conservative during your dives

 

[waynne fowler]

As far as diving with the inflamation... Can you do it? Of course, but even if others have done so with no prob, that's no real indication as to what that will mean for you... Others may have had problems too, but that does not exclude the possibility of you having NONE.

I would imagine one of the worst things you can do to an already ailing ear is expose it to higher pressures AND water that's filled with other bacteria. If it were me, I'd be spending my time babying the ear, taking the meds and asking the doc about doseing with ibuprophine for the inflamation.

Don't base this type of thing on what others have or have not gotten away with... Talk to your Doc and if they are not a diver with experience in this kind of thing then find someone who IS and DOES.

As someone said DAN would be a wonderful resource for you I think.

 

[Staticdiver]

thank you all for your help.

 

[CamG]

Greetings Staticdiver and my best wishes for your quick and speedy recovery.
In my experience from dealing with ear/sinus issues ENT's are priceless to a diver like us. I have found that a good relationship with mine is like diving insurance through DAN. I was on a tight schedule before my trip and came down with a sinus infection 10 days before my trip. I went to the ENT told him of my intensions and explained my diving. In about 30 minutes he had given me a detailed regiment of meds and methods to allow me to fly and dive without worrying about drug interactions. In my opinion always go with the medical professionals advice if he says no diving that is what it means. I would hate it but have to hope for another opportunity soon.
Good luck and please keep us posted on your progress.
CamG Keep diving....keep training....keep learning!

 

[TSandM]

Labyrinthitis is a condition of the inner ear, and therefore whether you get water in the external auditory canal or not is immaterial. However, since the essence of the illness is that the semicircular canals are feeding false information to the brain, anything that stimulates them could certainly make the symptoms worse. I can tell you from repeated personal experience that vertigo underwater is NOT fun and puts you at risk of loss of buoyancy control (mine was not due to labyrinthitis, however).

I'm a little concerned about the diagnosis, however, in view of the duration of symptoms. Labyrinthitis is most often a self-limited process which can last a couple of weeks. But at four months, I think I'd begin to worry about something else, like perhaps Meniere's disease. Did you see a family practitioner for this, or an ENT specialist? If you haven't seen an ENT doc, I'd highly recommend you do so.