if you're sick after a dive, take it seriously

[kaylee_ann]

@kaylee_ann sorry to hear about this unfortunate and undeserved situation.

I’ve read all 6 pages of the thread so far and wondering if I missed the details of the diagnosis. All I can find is an affirmative response to a question about nerve damage.

Can someone point out where I missed it? Or perhaps Kaylee, are you willing to share details such as was there some medical specialty of the doctor who diagnosed your condition other than "dive specialist" and how was the diagnosis of nerve damage made/which nerves? Was it just based on an interview, or some further testing done?

It might help someone else if we know what to have the doctor check for in a similar situation.

Best hopes for a full recovery.

oh okay so i went to the diving and hyperbaric center of the University of Pennsylvania. i don't know their specific title, i'd say maybe hyperbarics would be their specialty.
the doctor was pretty puzzled, said my symptoms look a lot like DCS but the dive profile makes it impossible, so it may have been an embolism if i have a lung abnormality
it was based on the sensation tests they did but i'm going to see a neurologist to see if there's further specifics
thanks

 

[formernuke]

Possibly related.

In January I had pretty much asymptomatic walking pneumonia. I called DAN for out of water time and test. They said that any fluid left could result in a lung overexpansion because the fluid could trap air.

So a guess if there is a unknown lung issue that could trap air perhaps it is possible. Just brainstorming though.

 

[kaylee_ann]

Possibly related.

In January I had pretty much asymptomatic walking pneumonia. I called DAN for out of water time and test. They said that any fluid left could result in a lung overexpansion because the fluid could trap air.

So a guess if there is a unknown lung issue that could trap air perhaps it is possible. Just brainstorming though.

my dad was born with a weak spot in his lung so I’m gonna get a CT scan to see if I have one too
some things can be genetic I guess
I just wish I had a definite explanation for everything that happened.

 

[formernuke]

my dad was born with a weak spot in his lung so I’m gonna get a CT scan to see if I have one too
some things can be genetic I guess
I just wish I had a definite explanation for everything that happened.

Make sure you check if you have to supply the cat or they provide it.

 

[Kupu]

So a guess if there is a unknown lung issue that could trap air perhaps it is possible. Just brainstorming though.

This situation reminds me of a diving accident where a close friend suffered from full body paralysis minutes after surfacing from a dive.
A chest CT scan after the accident revealed bronchiectasis and air trapping which had very likely led to AGE.

 

[Hppyfam]

I feel like a neurologist would be a wise next step. They can help diagnose a lot of issues that could be related to this.

 

[kaylee_ann]

This situation reminds me of a diving accident where a close friend suffered from full body paralysis minutes after surfacing from a dive.
A chest CT scan after the accident revealed bronchiectasis and air trapping which had very likely led to AGE.

Did they recover? I hope they’re okay.

I feel like a neurologist would be a wise next step. They can help diagnose a lot of issues that could be related to this.

I’ll be calling around Monday. Hopefully I can find someone, should be easy since I go to Philadelphia for everything

 

[Kupu]

Did they recover? I hope they’re okay.

Fortunately there was a full recovery from the accident, no lasting neurological or other damage.
Unfortunately the preexisting lung damage cannot be fixed, and the individual made the decision to stop all diving after discussing the situation with dive doctors.
For someone who lives for and loves diving, giving up diving is a painful and life changing choice. I wish you all the best, thanks for sharing your experience.

 

[kaylee_ann]

Fortunately there was a full recovery from the accident, no lasting neurological or other damage.
Unfortunately the preexisting lung damage cannot be fixed, and the individual made the decision to stop all diving after discussing the situation with dive doctors.
For someone who lives for and loves diving, giving up diving is a painful and life changing choice. I wish you all the best, thanks for sharing your experience.

It’s the worst when it’s basically taken from you and it’s not a choice. Unless I would want to risk severe permanent injury. I feel for your friend. How are they doing now? Find any other hobbies?
And thanks/of course.

 

[Wants2divemore]

So sorry to hear about this, @kaylee_ann. As a new diver myself (24 dives) I've loved your enthusiasm.

The chest CT won't be able to look for a PFO (patent foramen ovale), you'll need an echocardiogram for that. A neurologist should be able to order the echo since it's normally part of the workup looking for possible causes of a stroke.

PFOs are common (up to 25% of the population has one). If you have one and your symptoms are felt to be related to arterial gas embolism (AGE) and no other cause for AGE is found, it may be worth speaking with an interventional cardiologist, as current recommendations are to close the PFO in that situation. Hopefully the Dive Medicine physician at Penn can point you in the right direction.

Adam