ajduplessis
Contributor
PFO Test!! More specifically a Saline Doppler with Valsalva Maneuver. Sounds like you have the shunts big time.
Incident on the Spiegel
- Thread starter Dan G
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nevamind
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Tommy, thanks for sharing your harrowing experience. It is a learning experience for all of us. We hope all turns out well for you and that you keep us posted on your progress as well future "happy" dive reports.
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I'm not a medical doctor, though I fix sick Networks. 
I think the friendly advice to be checked for a PFO is indicative of the Native ScubaBoardians' desire to help others. Most doctors treating a dive induced illness have little experience with divers. Its incumbent for all of us to educate them as much as possible and to ask for tests that they may overlook. In that vein, I salute and respect the several who suggested that he be examined for a PFO. It fits the scenario nicely. +1 to asking your physician about this.
I think the friendly advice to be checked for a PFO is indicative of the Native ScubaBoardians' desire to help others. Most doctors treating a dive induced illness have little experience with divers. Its incumbent for all of us to educate them as much as possible and to ask for tests that they may overlook. In that vein, I salute and respect the several who suggested that he be examined for a PFO. It fits the scenario nicely. +1 to asking your physician about this.dkktsunami
Contributor
Tommy, Great report and very descriptive. Thanks. Hope all goes well for you. Good luck.
Tommy, thanks for a lucid, objective review of your incident.
I know it's your intention to follow up with proper med reviews/tests which is all everyone here wants for you.
Your profile would certainly appear not to invite any issues, however, that is obviously not always the last word. Your 30% mix did not exacerbate your situation, if anything, it prevented a worse scenario.
Best wishes for a very fast full recovery, and thanks again for sharing.
I know it's your intention to follow up with proper med reviews/tests which is all everyone here wants for you.
Your profile would certainly appear not to invite any issues, however, that is obviously not always the last word. Your 30% mix did not exacerbate your situation, if anything, it prevented a worse scenario.
Best wishes for a very fast full recovery, and thanks again for sharing.
moubike1
Registered
Sorry to hear about the experience and glad that you're OK. Sure could have been worse. I had a seizure about 10 yrs. ago due to low blood sugar, not in the water, and I was dry docked by the Doc for 1yr. Really screwed up the DM course that I was three dives from finishing. Better to be safe. I was given the option to start, or not start, the neuro meds. I chose not to as it can very difficult to get off them. When most people stop the meds they seize up. Then, instead of it being an isolated incident it becomes a seizure disorder which further complicates things. Just something to think about.
hardtime
Registered
First off
. Tommy, I am really glad that you are alright. That is an amazing story of reflection. It is really encouraging that you have gone full circle with this issue. From diving, to having a problem, to that evolving to an extremely serious emergency, to reflection back on the problem and seeing the seriousness of it back to wanting to dive again!
Second .. I think the importance of this tread has been hijacked by people questioning medical advice or trying to be doctors and that is a shame. It is not a bad thing to question medical advice and to question your doctor but that will all come it due course!
Third .. Dan G, it is great to see someone who was concerned about the well being of a complete stranger! Speaks volumes for your character, not that my opinion means anything . Just thoughts!
Last . Thanks for sharing your experience. I am sure it will help many people in the future!
Second .. I think the importance of this tread has been hijacked by people questioning medical advice or trying to be doctors and that is a shame. It is not a bad thing to question medical advice and to question your doctor but that will all come it due course!
Third .. Dan G, it is great to see someone who was concerned about the well being of a complete stranger! Speaks volumes for your character, not that my opinion means anything . Just thoughts!
Last . Thanks for sharing your experience. I am sure it will help many people in the future!
Rileybri
Contributor
So a PFO is the New BP/W debate hu?? lol Glad your ok brother and before you read any more of this nonsense CALL DAN!!!
I am not a Doctor nor did I stay in a Holoday Inn Express last night. I am however an EMT-I with 15+ years of stacking and packing. In addition I have followed and studied some dive medicine in that time. Now that my qualifications for providing non-solicited medical advice on subjects I only marginally comprehend let alone am qualified to Dx let alone treat hear is my 2psi.
Ya ask your MD about a PFO test when he scoffs at you due to it being a wholly unneeded test give him DAN's digits and ask him to consult with them. Better yet (the MD's love it when you do this) call DAN while the MD is in the room and let them discuss the merits of the test together. If very well could be a PFO. I was able to recommend the test to my mother a long time migraine sufferer after reading the copious amounts of PFO info hear and she is not 15 months migraine free after a positive result on her exam and having it repaired. I don’t know that it is what you have going on but like it has been said already its worth a look.
That all aside there is something I am seeing not mentioned hear, and again I am just a lowly EMT, but from the dive profile he describes and the physical effects he is experiencing I am wondering if anyone bothered to have his cylinder checked for CO contamination or the correct NITROX mix? CO/ Ox Tox poisoning would give similar symptoms of hypoxia and neurologic impact with LOC? Again I am not a MD and I am just hypothesizing on a incident review and looking to fill in the blanks.
diver Brian
I am not a Doctor nor did I stay in a Holoday Inn Express last night. I am however an EMT-I with 15+ years of stacking and packing. In addition I have followed and studied some dive medicine in that time. Now that my qualifications for providing non-solicited medical advice on subjects I only marginally comprehend let alone am qualified to Dx let alone treat hear is my 2psi.
Ya ask your MD about a PFO test when he scoffs at you due to it being a wholly unneeded test give him DAN's digits and ask him to consult with them. Better yet (the MD's love it when you do this) call DAN while the MD is in the room and let them discuss the merits of the test together. If very well could be a PFO. I was able to recommend the test to my mother a long time migraine sufferer after reading the copious amounts of PFO info hear and she is not 15 months migraine free after a positive result on her exam and having it repaired. I don’t know that it is what you have going on but like it has been said already its worth a look.
That all aside there is something I am seeing not mentioned hear, and again I am just a lowly EMT, but from the dive profile he describes and the physical effects he is experiencing I am wondering if anyone bothered to have his cylinder checked for CO contamination or the correct NITROX mix? CO/ Ox Tox poisoning would give similar symptoms of hypoxia and neurologic impact with LOC? Again I am not a MD and I am just hypothesizing on a incident review and looking to fill in the blanks.
diver Brian
Wow! First of all, let me say thanks for the first hand story! I'm not a doctor... so no further fuel on that discussion. It seems from your comments that you've done the most important thing as a result of all this...you've learned.
A couple of key points that jumped out at me:
I truly hope you have a full and complete recovery and that everything works out for you. If you want to dive again, I hope you can.
Best of luck,
Troy
A couple of key points that jumped out at me:
1) too many "new" things at once - nitrox, deep, Speigel. I'm actually surprised that someone took you to the Speigel with only 17 dives....I'm around 75, with both Advanced OW and Nitrox and when I saw the experience level recommended, talked with a local shop and read various stories on this board about conditions and trips....I said "Not Yet".
2) One contributor here mentioned it and I'll echo it...DAN provides great insurance. Yeah it might be expensive, but it's like any other insurance - if you need it, it's invaluable. DAN will also act as a resource without insurance and may be able to provide some info to your GP/Specialist.
3) Everyone is different. Our physiology may be common but we can all react differently to common events. Your intro course should have talked about this, but your nitrox course should have made it very clear. Stress, respiration rates, depth - these things all affect our bodies. While you are within the tables for time and your computer, tables and computers are averages - you may be an outlier. This is what experience teaches.
I truly hope you have a full and complete recovery and that everything works out for you. If you want to dive again, I hope you can.
Best of luck,
Troy
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