cat nanny diver
Registered
Hi divers, here's the story:-
Got the bends in Egypt Nov 2003.
-Diagnosed PFO and put on the list for closure.
-Did a Nitox course to increase my 15m on air limit to 22m ish, helped to improve the diving.
-Went for closure, finally, May 2005. Trouble is they were unable to do the closure due to blot clots forming around the tubes they inserted into the femeral artery, so they tried the other side. The clots then started floating off, so they abandoned the procedure as it was getting too dangerous. (My brother, aged 51, died from a pulmonary embolism in July 2003.)
-They also discovered another small hole in the heart and a loose flappy bit in between.
-Because of the clots they have put me on Warfarin for 6 months, and I am awaiting the results of a blood screening test, for goodness knows what (looking on the internet at this point is not so clever as it scares you silly). these results are due back in a couple of weeks, when I get to see the consultant again for an update.
-Because of the arteries now being compromised, it looks as though surgery is on the cards, also there is now more to do. They will probably cut the loose flappy bit right out, also getting rid of the holes, and plug the gap. They may be able to do this through a rib under the breast, or it may be a full 'crack open' down the sternum.
-Is it worth a life threatening operation for a bit of RNR my own doctor asks, he thinks taking up sky diving would be safer! Well fellow dive buddies I have to say it is! Apart from loving it, it is now a part of who I am, just ask the kids in school. On a medical front, my right to left shunt on the PFO, apparently makes me more prone to clots and possible stroke. There is also the side of, I am reasonably fit at the moment so I would be able to get over the op better, rather than try to recover from a stroke or heart attack, another 10 years down the line.
I can still dive with 'the heart' even with limitations, it is the warfarin that is stopping me diving and until I get some answers I an in a bit of a limbo with my life, which does not suit my personality at all. Other consequences are:-
a) carrying a warning card for Endocarditis to my dentist
b) I have to take antibiotics an hour before going to the dentist, because of the Endocarditis bit
c) a normal scrape and polish at the dentist, may cause a trip to Aand E if gum bleeding doesn't stop courtesy of the Warfarin.
d) First Aiders at work panicked and wanted all the info on the Warfarin, fair enough, because they didn't know what to do. (Neither do I at the moment, because it hasn't 'happened' yet. I don't normally bleed at work, but you've heard of the Law of Sod!!
e) I have also had to cancel my dive trip to Indonesia in August, that really has p..... me off.
f) regular blood tests to ensure the INR levels (clotting time) required is stable whilst on the Warfarin. So far I think I have glue in my veins, as after two weeks I am still not anywhere near my target level. These tests will also mean that I shall have to be late in to work.
On the whole I am fit and well, aged 52, but it's this being out of control I don't like, plus no diving. I don't think I'm worrying about the what if's because they may not come to anything. I will get very impatient for my next hospital appointment though, as that is when I expect to get some answers. Anyone got any experience, advice, thoughts on the situation, I would be only too pleased to hear from you.
Got the bends in Egypt Nov 2003.
-Diagnosed PFO and put on the list for closure.
-Did a Nitox course to increase my 15m on air limit to 22m ish, helped to improve the diving.
-Went for closure, finally, May 2005. Trouble is they were unable to do the closure due to blot clots forming around the tubes they inserted into the femeral artery, so they tried the other side. The clots then started floating off, so they abandoned the procedure as it was getting too dangerous. (My brother, aged 51, died from a pulmonary embolism in July 2003.)
-They also discovered another small hole in the heart and a loose flappy bit in between.
-Because of the clots they have put me on Warfarin for 6 months, and I am awaiting the results of a blood screening test, for goodness knows what (looking on the internet at this point is not so clever as it scares you silly). these results are due back in a couple of weeks, when I get to see the consultant again for an update.
-Because of the arteries now being compromised, it looks as though surgery is on the cards, also there is now more to do. They will probably cut the loose flappy bit right out, also getting rid of the holes, and plug the gap. They may be able to do this through a rib under the breast, or it may be a full 'crack open' down the sternum.
-Is it worth a life threatening operation for a bit of RNR my own doctor asks, he thinks taking up sky diving would be safer! Well fellow dive buddies I have to say it is! Apart from loving it, it is now a part of who I am, just ask the kids in school. On a medical front, my right to left shunt on the PFO, apparently makes me more prone to clots and possible stroke. There is also the side of, I am reasonably fit at the moment so I would be able to get over the op better, rather than try to recover from a stroke or heart attack, another 10 years down the line.
I can still dive with 'the heart' even with limitations, it is the warfarin that is stopping me diving and until I get some answers I an in a bit of a limbo with my life, which does not suit my personality at all. Other consequences are:-
a) carrying a warning card for Endocarditis to my dentist
b) I have to take antibiotics an hour before going to the dentist, because of the Endocarditis bit
c) a normal scrape and polish at the dentist, may cause a trip to Aand E if gum bleeding doesn't stop courtesy of the Warfarin.
d) First Aiders at work panicked and wanted all the info on the Warfarin, fair enough, because they didn't know what to do. (Neither do I at the moment, because it hasn't 'happened' yet. I don't normally bleed at work, but you've heard of the Law of Sod!!
e) I have also had to cancel my dive trip to Indonesia in August, that really has p..... me off.
f) regular blood tests to ensure the INR levels (clotting time) required is stable whilst on the Warfarin. So far I think I have glue in my veins, as after two weeks I am still not anywhere near my target level. These tests will also mean that I shall have to be late in to work.
On the whole I am fit and well, aged 52, but it's this being out of control I don't like, plus no diving. I don't think I'm worrying about the what if's because they may not come to anything. I will get very impatient for my next hospital appointment though, as that is when I expect to get some answers. Anyone got any experience, advice, thoughts on the situation, I would be only too pleased to hear from you.
