Recent Accident Should I Begin Classes

[AllenG]

You are asking questions re diving when, I believe, you should be asking questions re having had a brain injury. The symptoms and lingering effects of a brain injury can be very difficult to diagnose. That you are still experiencing "some feeling of motion 'almost vertigo'" two weeks post suggests that you first need to attend to the proper diagnosis and treatment of the head injury. Once you've got those issues resolved, the question of diving-related risks can be addressed more thoroughly.

You have suggested that you will see "your primary (care physician)." Unless your primary care physician just happens to be a specialist in brain injuries, I would strongly urge you to seek an evaluation from a neurologist or a physiatrist (a physician specializing in physical medicine and rehabilitation) or a neuro-rehab clinic. We frequently see post-concussive patients who, because they did not get any follow-up after an Emergency Room visit, have not been properly assessed and problems became greater. Head injuries can cause many other initially subtle, but subsequently significant symptoms.

I certainly don't want to cause alarm, because such symptoms often do pass and there is no significant damage. But I will be pleased to hear that you have first attended to your medical needs and only afterward have moved into your leisure needs!

Like BillP, I too offer the usual warnings against substituting ScubaBoard information for individualized medical intervention. I cannot evaluate your condition from a posting, but I must caution you that any clinical symptoms following a head injury represent a serious matter.

 

[waterdogs]

Allen, you know it's been quite amazing. three weeks ago monday i was in the ER, did CT scan with diagnosis of concussion, followed up the next week with primary who said "symptoms" of concussion, take it easy it should pass, the next tuesday still did not feel right and went back to ER for re-evaluation, did another CT scan negative, DR. said you still may have some effects if they still don't get any better visist neurogolist.

In the meantime tried myself to schedule and appointment with the neurologist, they said we can squeeze you in March, MARCH?, I am calling my primary on Monday to see if either I can come back so they can refer me back to the nerologist before march.

I am getting better, i do have a slight sensation of motion, not all the time, but sometimes.

I was hoping that our first class sessions, since I scheduled "private lessons" for me and my future wife could do mostly class portion and skills without tanks. That would give us two additional weeks before our next class, our DM is out the following week, so it does give me time to heal.

thanks,

waterdogs