Breast Pain After Diving

[Ladydiver]

HI Octodiver,

I did receive your email with the information I had requested. I haven't had a chance to sit down and read through it yet, but I hope to tonight.

I think you make a very good point about who is IN the DCS studies. From various pieces of information I have heard here and there, much of the research comes from the military or similar sources. Now think about the type of person who would be a military diver; typically young, very physically fit, active young men. Relying on information based on this type of biased (for lack of a better word) study, would not only have adverse effects for women, but also for men who do not fit the study profile.

Another factor in the information available on DCS is that many cases of DCS go unreported, either through misdiagnosis or because the victim just doesn't do anything about it because they feel foolish or are afraid of being blamed in some fashion for what happened to them.

I look forward to further discussion of this issue.

Cheers,

 

[ScubaBaby]

Hello all!

My problem isn't quite the same as it cant be DCS however i wouldnt mind if anyone has any ideas as to what it is to let me know.

Last night (23rd Jan) I took a group of people from my college to do a try-dive down at my local pool.
It was a great laugh and everyone kept coming up to me thanking me for introducing them to diving - bless 'em. Except my best mate who had previously had a nausty experience with an "on the beach" organisation. So, I was up and down like a yo yo in this 3 metre pool with her. It only lasted an hour - so DCS is MAJORLY unlikely and I havent had any other problems that I feel are terribly related. But once out of the pool I got some sharp pains in my left chest. It was very sharp (like a needle) and still is occuring from time to time today.

Any ideas would be greatly accepted!

 

[octodiver]

Hi ScubaBaby,

How are you feeling now? This is not meant to scare you, only to encourage you to check it out with the professionals:

If you're still having symptoms - any symptoms - call DAN. 919.684.4326

Chest pain is a serious symptom that shouldn't be ignored - they'll let you know right away what to do! Tell them what ALL of your symptoms are (even if you feel they aren't "terribly related").

FYI, shallow water is THE place that air embolism's (DCI) frequently occur in, and with your many ascents with your friend, there were certainly plenty of "opportunities" for breath hold or rapid ascents.

Make sure you have a family member or friend with you for support (making these kind of calls is scary - I know - I've had to make them before!!)

Also contact the instructor you were with (or are you the instructor?).

Good luck, let us know how you are!!

Octodiver

 

[BillP]

Hi Abby:

Octodiver is right on target. Sharp chest pain after diving could be as simple as a minor musculoskeletal strain from lifting, or as serious as a collapsed lung. A sharp pain in the chest after diving requires more evaluation than can be accomplished on a message forum. A diver with such symptoms should contact DAN and consider seeking (immediate) medical attention.

When you ascend from depth after breathing compressed air, the air in your lungs expands. It is possible to have enough expansion of the air in the lungs to cause a rupture from an ascent from as shallow as one meter. That is why trained scuba divers are taught to never hold their breath and should be trained in the recognition of the symptoms barotrauma. It is also one of the many good reasons why people who are not trained to dive should only be introduced to scuba by a trained and qualified scuba instructor.

Good luck,

Bill

 

[ScubaBaby]

Thank you all for your concern.

I am pretty sure I'm cured - whatever it was has faded now. Unfortunately i am suffering with a bad back now tho - but i think that was just me lifting dive gear about badly.

But thank you all for your help and advice - really appricated.

 

[ScubaBaby]

Ok peeps!

I thought I was fine but it may not be the case. I was sitting down earlier and got the same pain in my chest again (left).

I have to be careful with my health - due to just under 50% normal kidney function and stuff, what would it be?

I wouldn't mind a few ideas before I contact DAN - just so I dont pass out with shock on the phone to them... lol

Any ideas?

 

[BillP]

Sorry to hear that you're still having trouble, Abby. I don't have any ideas to add before you contact DAN and/or go see a doctor. Most likely when you call DAN you will get an operator who will page the doctor on-call. The doctor will come on the line (eventually) and ask you about your symptoms and your diving. The doctor will then make a recommendation based on the information you give. It's about 7:30AM where DAN is (at the time I post this) so now would be a good time to call, but they'll answer the phone anytime.

Good luck,

Bill

 

[John Reinertson]

First of all, I agree with Bill P that urgent consultation with DAN is needed. There are a lot of causes of chest pain. Pulmonary barotrauma is one, and a very dangerous one.
It could be something as simple as minor muscle strain, but there's no way to sort that out on a keyboard and forum.

Back to the original thread, as I posted on the other thread by the same title, we need more information from chardiver and from other women with similar experiences.
Critical to establishing cause/effect here is more detailed information as to how often does it happen? Every dive, or only deep dives, or only dives at the NDL's?
My impression from Char's original post was that this happpened often. There are number of physiologic things that happen with submersion in addition to Nitrogen absorption that could explain engorgement type symptoms, but detail is needed. I'm not by any means consigning this to PMS, we just need more info to see if the pattern fits.

It is indeed true that we know far less about DCS in recreational diving than we'd like. We end up many times dealing with an educated guess, which is whay chamber treatments are often tried when symptoms are unclear but suspicious.
Dive safe and bubble-free,
John Reinertson

 

[octodiver]

I'm confused....

Didn't this thread start out in the Women Only section? I'm pretty
sure chardiver posted there and in Diving Medicine, and now they're
both in Diving Medicine...

John - did you get my email last night? I want to share the details,
but my messages end up being so looonnnggg...

Abby - are you out there??? How are you doing???

Octodiver

 

[ScubaBaby]

I am still here i hope!

Although I am not 100%. I tried phoning DAN and got put on hold for 45 minutes - by which time i was due in my next lesson so i never spoke to them - stupid of me really.


Took another group from college to do a try dive and the pain is right in my chest now. My b-friend spoke about P,something,something. Its to do with the heart and bellybutton and connection and holes and them opening etc.

Would someone give me details. I plan to go and see a physician asap but would like to know about this P** before hand so he doesnt have an unconcious victim when i do find out!