Inner Ear Decompression Sickness on recreational dive

[cmarz]

DDM,
I wanted to thank you again for you help. I did call London Diving Chamber and they were helpful in allaying my concerns and pointing me in the direction of the ENT, who I saw this morning. He ran some simple balance tests, which I passed ok. He couldn't see any damage in the ears. He thought my symptoms seemed light for a case of IEDCS (which I agree) and suggested I just might have a case of very mild IEDCS, or barotrauma, or Mal de Embarquement or a combination of all things. Simply put, my ears are out of whack. He doesn't suggest I take any medicine, just ibuprofen for the headaches I've been getting in the evening since it seems to help.

He suggested I carry on with all normal activity, and take pauses when I feel too woozy. He also wants me to do some vestibular rehab and pointed to these exercises: Cawthorne-Cooksey Exercises for Dizziness. It could take days or weeks to get back to normal, at which time I can dive again (the most important thing!). And it's ok to fly.

I thought I'd post this in hope that it helps other divers who might experience the same thing. Strange new world, but I'm adapting!

Thanks again for your invaluable comments. Glad I found this forum.

 

[Duke Dive Medicine]

You're most welcome, glad you were able to get some help!

 

[Kathryn_Rob]

Just thought I'd give you an update on my complicated little case...

I am still struggling with dizziness, vertigo and nausea with too much head movements since my Inner Ear Decompression sickness incident in June 2012. It is improving but very slowly. I have had further tests done which have shown that I have absolutely no inner ear damage at all, however, nastagmus was picked up on some balance tests leading specialists to believe the decompression sickness was neurological and that my brain stem has been affected. I am on a new vestibular rehabilitation program with EQUILIBRIUM REHAB in Brisbane which has given me faster progress than anything else I have done so far. It really makes a difference when your rehab specialist is experienced and knows what they are doing! Doctors say due to the brains plasticity, I should eventually make a full recovery (yay!!)

A PFO was in question as the potential reason for the decompression sickness and the severity of it, and this has been proven to be so. I had a transthoracic echocardiogram and it was very obvious, even without the bubble contrast. I have been advised that the risk of closure is greater than the risk of leaving it, so it has not been closed. I have also (sadly) been advised that it would be too dangerous for me to dive again.

I hope this may be of some interest to you.

I am travelling to LA and San Fransisco and am wondering if there are any dive doctors there that may have a special interest or experience in Neurological decompression sickness? I live in a small town in Australia and it has been very difficult seeking answers.

Cheers

 

[Duke Dive Medicine]

Hi Kathyrn,

Glad to hear that you're recovering. There are a several physicians in the LA area I could recommend; the first would be Dr. Mike Strauss in the hyperbaric center at Long Beach Memorial Hospital. Here's a link to their website:

Department of Hyperbaric Medicine at Long Beach Memorial Medical Center & Miller Children's Hospital Long Beach

You could also try the hyperbaric center at UCLA:

The UCLA Gonda Center for Wound Healing and Hyperbaric Medicine

Best regards,
DDM

 

[koyote1111]

Hello Kathyrn,

Here is a link to the website of Dr. Ralph Potkin:

Dr Ralph Potkin | Bevery Hills Center for Hyperbaric Medicine

He is the dive physician that I saw after experiencing Type II DCS and is on the DAN list of recommended physicians.

I also had a PFO (closure performed in June '12) and it was Dr. Potkin who was able to refer me to some excellent specialists at Cedars Sinai Hospital.

I wish you the best,

Bev.

 

[Duke Dive Medicine]

Thanks Bev, didn't mean to leave Dr. Potkin out.