Diving and Meniere's Disease

[The Great Kazoo]

I have been searching information as I was told awhile back that I may have Meniere's Disease. I never went back to be tested to find out... So, I cannot say for sure. I do have ALL the symptoms. I still dive (almost every day now that I am laid off) and have no problems. I have turned the beep off on my computer, as my ears ring and can not hear the beep beep beep.

 

[wve]

... I have some personal experience with vertigo, and I can tell you that vertigo underwater is both extremely unpleasant and potentially dangerous. I don't have Meniere's, but I have a strong tendency to disorientation in midwater, when bereft of a visual reference.

When I was a kid, I used to love carnival rides that would go spinning. Then somewhere along the way -- I think during medical school -- I got on a favorite ride at Six Flags and realized things had changed. It was all I could do not to barf.

I grew up on boats and water. Seasickness was unheard of. But now that I am older, I have found that I can no longer read or do certain tasks when the boat is pitching or rolling. And, like you, I have experienced vertigo when the visual cues disappear.

One's susceptibility to dizziness is a genuine concern. It can happen, and sometimes you don't know what is causing it -- cold water in the ear, poor visibility, etc. So I agree with your advice that folks with inner ear problems who want to dive should be very cautious until they see how things are going to go.

 

[Gene_Hobbs]

removedhttp://archive.rubicon-foundation.org/2663

 

[Gene_Hobbs]

I don't have medical advice for you -- I couldn't find anything on a quick search on Meniere's and diving.

I am actually kind of surprised you didn't find too much with that search. Going back to the 1900's, beyond Behnke and Shilling's heavy work in the 1940's, vestibular issues in diving were often described as "Meniere's-type". Rozsahegyi used "pseudo-Meniere's" for his work through the 1960's.

Cool history but it does not really help with what to do.

Vorosmarti J, Linaweaver PG (eds). Fitness to Dive. 34th Undersea and Hyperbaric Medical Society Workshop. UHMS Publication Number 70(WS-WD)5-1-87. Bethesda: Undersea and Hyperbaric Medical Society; 1987; 116 pages. RRR ID: 4249

You might Find Farmer's comments interesting on page 73 as he lists it as a contraindication to diving. Bove breaks it down more to state it is a contraindication "when characterized by vertigo, tennitus and hearing loss" in his chapter on Fitness to Dive in the 5th edition of Bennett and Elliott.

Good luck!


__________________
If anyone wants to read more on the history, this is a pretty good review article:

Kennedy, RS. General history of vestibular disorders in diving. Undersea Biomed Res. 1974 Mar;1(1):73-81. Review. RRR ID: 2663

 

[wve]

Gene,

I think we should dub you the "Scuba Librarian." You always come up with interesting articles.

 

[Oceanfan]

I had a bad experience today. At a local mall, there were some yellow diagonal line painted near the entrance. As I walked across them, I made the mistake of looking down at them and nearly lost my balance. As soon as I went into the store, I was fine except for a touch of nausea.

But that really shook me. If I can't walk across some diagonal lines, then what will happen when I'm in the water without any sort of visual reference?

I know I sound like a wuss, but I think it would be safer for me to stay on land (and avoid diagonal lines, lol) rather than risk my safety or someone else's by diving.

At least I can have the vicarious thrill of diving from your experiences. And I promise you, if they ever find a cure for Meniere's, be sure that I'll be first in line and then we'll meet somewhere in the deep blue.

 

[wve]

I had a bad experience today. At a local mall, there were some yellow diagonal line painted near the entrance. As I walked across them, I made the mistake of looking down at them and nearly lost my balance. As soon as I went into the store, I was fine except for a touch of nausea.

But that really shook me. If I can't walk across some diagonal lines, then what will happen when I'm in the water without any sort of visual reference?

I know I sound like a wuss, but I think it would be safer for me to stay on land (and avoid diagonal lines, lol) rather than risk my safety or someone else's by diving.

At least I can have the vicarious thrill of diving from your experiences. And I promise you, if they ever find a cure for Meniere's, be sure that I'll be first in line and then we'll meet somewhere in the deep blue.

You don't sound like a wuss to me. You sound smart.