BlackToe
Registered
I've been having low-grade, but relatively persistent lightheadedness for about two months now. There is no spinning sensation, as with vertigo, just a general light/fuzzy feeling all over that persists throughout the day. My GP did blood tests, which came back normal, and I'm wondering if this could possibly be diving-related.
I'm a relatively new diver with about 100 dives in the past two years. My dive profiles are pretty safe (i.e. well within no-deco limits, no long dives > 60', 2-min half stop, 3-min safety stop, slow ascents, etc). However, I have experienced brief vertigo on two dives, and I feel a little woozy for a minute or two when I get out of the water sometimes. I dive a dry suit with latex seals which were pretty tight at first, and I figured the slight wooziness was caused by the neck seal reducing blood flow.
I had a problem with sinus squeeze during my first 20 or so dives, but Afrin seemed to help. I've since stopped using decongestants, and I never have problems equalizing. I equalize early and often on descents.
The lightheadedness seems to have gotten steadily more persistent over the past two months, but I don't have any other symptoms. My blood pressure and heart rate are normal, and I can do moderate cardio exercise without getting winded or having the lightheadedness worsen.
I understand that advice presented here is "educational." My objective is to get information about what could possibly be wrong so I'm a more informed patient when I see the doctor again. My insurance sucks, so I need to maximize every doctor visit!
Also, if you know a good ENT in the Seattle-Tacoma area who is familiar with diving, please let me know.
Thanks in advance,
BlackToe
I'm a relatively new diver with about 100 dives in the past two years. My dive profiles are pretty safe (i.e. well within no-deco limits, no long dives > 60', 2-min half stop, 3-min safety stop, slow ascents, etc). However, I have experienced brief vertigo on two dives, and I feel a little woozy for a minute or two when I get out of the water sometimes. I dive a dry suit with latex seals which were pretty tight at first, and I figured the slight wooziness was caused by the neck seal reducing blood flow.
I had a problem with sinus squeeze during my first 20 or so dives, but Afrin seemed to help. I've since stopped using decongestants, and I never have problems equalizing. I equalize early and often on descents.
The lightheadedness seems to have gotten steadily more persistent over the past two months, but I don't have any other symptoms. My blood pressure and heart rate are normal, and I can do moderate cardio exercise without getting winded or having the lightheadedness worsen.
I understand that advice presented here is "educational." My objective is to get information about what could possibly be wrong so I'm a more informed patient when I see the doctor again. My insurance sucks, so I need to maximize every doctor visit!
Also, if you know a good ENT in the Seattle-Tacoma area who is familiar with diving, please let me know.
Thanks in advance,
BlackToe
I am a DAN member, but I tend to forget all the non-emergency services they offer. Thanks for the reminder!
