Question Diving with PPPD

[tridacna]

A dive buddy was just diagnosed with PPPD. She has stopped diving and is concerned that she may never dive again.

Anyone have any experience with this? What advice to give her.

She starts vestibular therapy for 6-8 weeks soon.

@doctormike or @Duke Dive Medicine

 

[AustinV]

My wife suffers from PPPD, it's not common at all from what I have seen. I can't imagine my wife ever being able to dive in her normal state even if she was interested. Just my two cents from personal experience with a non-diving spouse, I am not a doctor. I don't mean to sound negative either, there are varying degrees of severity with PPPD, my wife is in an almost constant state of vertigo. There are a wide variety of treatment options and different people have different results.

Hopefully your buddy finds a treatment protocol that works well for them.

 

[Duke Dive Medicine]

A dive buddy was just diagnosed with PPPD. She has stopped diving and is concerned that she may never dive again.

Anyone have any experience with this? What advice to give her.

She starts vestibular therapy for 6-8 weeks soon.

@doctormike or @Duke Dive Medicine

Defer to @doctormike for details on this. In general I'd have some concerns about her diving, but a lot would depend on other underlying conditions, the severity of the dizziness/vertigo, and how she responds to treatment.

Best regards,
DDM

 

[-JD-]

Totally non-diving related, but this seems like an exact fit for what my mother is experiencing. Maybe having a "name" can get the docs to better focus treatment instead of shrugging.

Thanks!

 

[doctormike]

Not quite my area of ENT, but MY wife ALSO has it! She has had good luck with vestibular rehab. There are some aggressive surgical approaches as well. It comes down to how comfortable you are that you aren't going to have an episode while diving. For some people, the answer may well be that they are never that sure, and don't want to risk the possibllity of a panic spiral at depth. I wouldn't call it an absolute contraindication if symptoms are well controlled and in remission.

 

[doctormike]

@tridacna, is she going to New York Eye and Ear vestibular rehab? They are awesome. I also can give you some good neurootologist referrals if she is considering surgery.

 

[tridacna]

@tridacna, is she going to New York Eye and Ear vestibular rehab? They are awesome. I also can give you some good neurootologist referrals if she is considering surgery.

Mike- she just told me that she’s going to Phelps Hospital, Balance Center. (Specializes in balance disorders). Seeing the Director and the rehab specialist on Tue. She lives in CT.

 

[doctormike]

Mike- she just told me that she’s going to Phelps Hospital, Balance Center. (Specializes in balance disorders). Seeing the Director and the rehab specialist on Tue. She lives in CT.

Gotcha...

Could always try things out in a pool after some rehab...

 

[tridacna]

Gotcha...

Could always try things out in a pool after some rehab...

She’s terrified by the condition. I hope that she plucks up the courage to do just that.

 

[doctormike]

She might be interested in this:

DizzyFIX