Hydrocephalus

[nagonoj]

Hello,

Last week I was diagnosed that I have Hydrocephalus after I got a severe headache. I was immediately treated by V-P Shunt surgery. Right now I'm back home and recovering well.

I'm 42 years old healthy man. Before the treatment I was an active Diver and undergoing Divemaster training. I asked my Doctor if its OK to Scuba Dive again in the future and he said it should be ok by three to six months after the surgery. However I did some reasearch on the web and most sites claimed that people with Hydrocephalus should avoid Scuba Diving, Excepts on <http://www.scuba-doc.com/hdrcph.html> that says that its OK if some criterias are met.

I would like to know from someone who has the same kind of sickness of have any experienced with people with Hydrocephalus to share they point of view.

I really love Scuba Diving but may have to give it up. Thanks Guys.

 

[MoonWrasse]

Well I'd say most divers suffer from "water on the brain"

Here's an article on the subject and diving. It seems to conditionally permit it.
http://www.scuba-doc.com/hdrcph.html

BTW, DAN doesn't have anything on the subject.

 

[MB]

I would have concerns if the shunt is permanent. That might be an area to explore with your neurosurgeon.

 

[ronbeau]

Hello,

Last week I was diagnosed that I have Hydrocephalus after I got a severe headache. I was immediately treated by V-P Shunt surgery. Right now I'm back home and recovering well.

I'm 42 years old healthy man. Before the treatment I was an active Diver and undergoing Divemaster training. I asked my Doctor if its OK to Scuba Dive again in the future and he said it should be OK by three to six months after the surgery. However I did some research on the web and most sites claimed that people with Hydrocephalus should avoid Scuba Diving, Excepts on <http://www.scuba-doc.com/hdrcph.html> that says that its OK if some criteria are met.

I would like to know from someone who has the same kind of sickness of have any experienced with people with Hydrocephalus to share they point of view.

I really love Scuba Diving but may have to give it up. Thanks Guys.

Call DAN.

1-800-446-2671

http://www.diversalertnetwork.org/


They can give you more information and possibly refer your neurosurgeon to a neurosurgeon that is familiar with hyperbaric medicine.

I hope this helps and may you have a speedy and safe recovery.

 

[TSandM]

I read the scubadoc reference, and the comments there make sense to me.

I would think (and I'm an ER doc, not a hyperbaric medicine specialist) that the underlying neurologic problem would be the big concern. In particular, any history of seizures would daunt me for some time, because of the potential lethality of a seizure underwater.

Thinking about the mechanism by which shunts work, I can't think of why one wouldn't work underwater. And even if something related to the pressure caused the shunt to work less efficiently, a decrease in shunting for one hour won't make a significant difference.

If it were me, and I met the criteria listed in the referenced article, I would dive. (This does not represent medical advice!)