Denisegg's incident and near miss at Jackson Blue

[denisegg]

I wish I had better news to share after seeing the Pulmonary Specialist DAN recommended today. He said no pulmonary problem caused the incident and he could not find out any information on IPE. I asked him so what do I do now? Who do I see now so that you will clear me to dive again.
He said I will never do that. We don't know what caused it the first time so we don't know if it will happen again or not and I can't risk that liability. You should just quit diving. I told him that wasn't going to happen.
He released me and said to go to another cardiologist, maybe one closer to home. I told him I already have a follow up visit on Wednesday with the one who treated me in the hospital, you know the one that sent me to you.

 

[joystershell]

Don't give up girl! The answer is out there, just have to keep looking and asking questions.

 

[SeaYoda]

... I asked him so what do I do now? Who do I see now so that you will clear me to dive again.
He said I will never do that. We don't know what caused it the first time so we don't know if it will happen again or not and I can't risk that liability. You should just quit diving. ...

Most med professionals are reluctant to put their name on the line. I had to get a check-up in order to take OW because I was being treated for high blood pressure. My Doc was very careful to qualify his release with "Of course, I can't guarantee that you won't have a heart attack or other medical condition that would cause your death". I just needed him to say my BP was under control - not guarantee that I would never die. So many people have made this world a legal nightmare!

 

[Crush]

Denise,

We have never met and I have far fewer dives than you, but not being able to dive would be a huge blow to me. Are there any correlations between IPE and depth of dive or temperature? Surely you could dive more shallow dives, could you not?

I hope it works out for you!

 

[Jax]

I agree with SeaYoda, Denise. You have a choice to make between professionals that don't seem to know anything more than you do, and a life-limiting 'other side'. See as many 'second opinions' as you deem necessary until you feel comfortable making the decision.

 

[denisegg]

Denise,

We have never met and I have far fewer dives than you, but not being able to dive would be a huge blow to me. Are there any correlations between IPE and depth of dive or temperature? Surely you could dive more shallow dives, could you not?

I hope it works out for you!

Thank you.
The Doc said the same thing. I quoted studies where it happened to "swimmers" in "warmer" waters. There does not seem to be a correlation. Diving to 90 to 110 ft is what I did almost every dive. 68F was warm, considering I dive a drysuit with plenty of thermal protection.
Diving in warm water in 30ft or less.... I am so sorry. I know you are being sweet. That is just what I hit before I even get into the cave.

 

[TSandM]

Denise, I'm not surprised at the verdict. Very little is known about this entity, except that it exists. I don't think anyone knows at all how to predict whether it will recur in a given diver. With your event having been so serious, if you asked me, I wouldn't clear you to dive again, either. The last thing I'd want would be your family member suing me because I told you you could dive, and you died.

This is one of those places where you are just going to have to do a personal risk assessment, knowing that the likelihood of recurrence is nothing we can quantitate, but that this problem can be lethal. I do not in any way envy you having to do this.

 

[D_B]

Take some time , see other doctors , but if little is known about this then you may not get any solid answers

Just dont rush, take as much time as you need, and then a bit more, before you decide on a course of action

We all want you with us, but we also want you to be happy too

 

[lowviz]

.........Diving in warm water in 30ft or less.... I am so sorry. I know you are being sweet. That is just what I hit before I even get into the cave.

What a self-defining post.

I gave it my all at post 116, got nuthin' more. (still doing IPE journal searches though)

Truly wish you the best,
lowviz

 

[denisegg]

Denise, you will most likely never know the exact combination of events that caused the episode. Probably drive you half crazy, but it looks like this is the way it is. Where to go from here? You can either stop diving (highly unlikely) or use vigilance, educated buddies, and O2. I am not a doctor and I wouldn't have the least problem getting the AMA to verify this. That being said, everything that I read ends with administed O2. You had an issue the day before. [-]If[/-] When anything happens again, get on O2. Take advanced nitrox and buy your very own 40 cuft sling. Hose length? -with the bottle on the passenger seat you should be able to comfortably turn heads all the way home. BTDT.

stay well,
lowviz

LOL...I didn't miss your post.. I can turn heads without a mask attached to my face You make alot of sense. I have already purchased an 02 AL40 with a brand new DiveRite reg attached to it. I promise to be vigilant, educated and have buddies (who have already promised to help me) by my side. Failure is not an option.