Medical Question, New Diver, 1st day...

[Ox///M]

Hello,

I hate for this to be my first question, and perhaps I'm just freaking out. Today was day 1 of 2 of my closed water diving class and now, about 7 hours later I'm having either anxiety from just thinking about it, and the excitement of the next day; however, I've got a little bit of chest pain in my upper left side, with a mild case of the desire to cough three or four times about every 5-10 min. Nothing in the arm is bothering me. That being said, the DI had me do a fin lift and told me that he wanted me to hold my breathe for this and only this. I was in a 4-5 section of the pool and went from the very bottom to the top on a fin pivot.

Next we practiced breathing with the regulator purge valve depressed so it was free flowing. I had a little trouble the first time and felt as if I was inhaling water... just a touch.

So my question is, should I seek medical attention immediately? Can lung overexpansion or dry drowning issues happen in a situation such as this?

I'm worried to even ask because I don't know how severe something can or can't be, and I don't want the get into an anxious state that makes something that may not be a problem worse.

Thanks!

 

[lowviz]

It is unfortunate that you posted in Diving Medicine. Try re-posting in Basic Scuba Discussions: http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/basic-scuba-discussions/ SCUBA is a total immersion sport. Fill out your "About Me" and you will get better advice.
Anxiety...

 

[Ox///M]

I think the post was moved here. I was going to join DAN anyway, so I did tonight moments before I gave them a call. Talk about service. I can't get any medical advise that fast anywhere else. About me incoming! I was way too rushed by my own worry.

 

[lowviz]

...//... I was way too rushed by my own worry.

No, stay safe. Do not proceed until your concerns are answered. You have time...

---------- Post added May 5th, 2013 at 01:40 AM ----------

DAN is generally great at being responsive and giving good advice.

One last thought, if you elected "standard" coverage you should consider upgrading to "master". (There are a lot of holes in the "Standard" plan)

 

[TSandM]

Nobody can diagnose over the internet. The combination of a breath-holding ascent in the pool and chest pain and a desire to cough would make me think that an ER trip for a chest x-ray to rule out a pneumothorax might be in order. You can have lung overexpansion injury from a breath-holding ascent from four feet. It might be overly conservative, and if you are young and healthy, a pneumo isn't likely to be a life-threatening problem, but it's better diagnosed a treated early than late.

 

[DandyDon]

I think the post was moved here. I was going to join DAN anyway, so I did tonight moments before I gave them a call. Talk about service. I can't get any medical advise that fast anywhere else. About me incoming! I was way too rushed by my own worry.

They are great, huh. And you don't have to be a member to call, but it's good that you are.

One last thought, if you elected "standard" coverage you should consider upgrading to "master". (There are a lot of holes in the "Standard" plan)

Yeah, if you got the cheapest plan, it's a dog. Pay $10 more for the far better middle one at least. Call them Monday during business hours.

However, TSandM is a very respected ER physician, and she seems to think you should get examined - so you probably should.

I guess you gave more info to DAN. What did that doctor say...?

 

[Ox///M]

Yes, I did the upgrade. The case for the upgrade was about a 15 second debate.

---------- Post added May 6th, 2013 at 03:02 PM ----------

I'll absolutely get it checked out. The pain is intermittant and sometimes is in my back as well. Of note, I had to perform the swim test that day as well. I am not a frequent swimmer at all. DAN indicated that it might be muscular. On day 2 of the closed water sessions I took a single 250mg advil and didn't notice any pain.

 

[Duke Dive Medicine]

It's pretty unlikely that this is a lung overexpansion injury but it's not unheard of and it can't be ruled out, especially over the internet. I'd echo TSandM in that it's not impossible that this is a minor pneumothorax or possibly aspiration, as you suggested. I'd recommend you go get checked out in the nearest emergency department or urgent care center if you haven't done so already.

Best regards,
DDM

It is unfortunate that you posted in Diving Medicine. Try re-posting in Basic Scuba Discussions: Basic Scuba Discussions SCUBA is a total immersion sport. Fill out your "About Me" and you will get better advice.
Anxiety...

Hopefully the OP got as good an answer here as he/she would have in Basic Scuba. We aim to please you know!

 

[Ox///M]

Is there a listing of local physicians and ER centers that maintain a higher than normal knowledge of diving out there?

 

[TSandM]

DAN maintains some lists of doctors, especially specialists, with an interest or training in diving medicine. Other than that, I am unaware of any resource for finding diving-savvy physicians, except by word of mouth. And in an ER, you are playing the luck of the draw on who you get. However, any physician should be competent to diagnose a simple pneumothorax, or aspiration.