Right side of head and Jaw burning and pain

[FrankPro1]

Ah... kelp, beautiful kelp..! I'm an east coast diver, but I fondly remember my time in La Jolla and Catalina. I should have known from your garibaldi avatar!

rothschilddesign.smugmug.com/gallery/3804435_CqfV7

Those are some great shots of Casino point Mike! The kelp forest is one of those special things that only a few ever get to explore, I'm humbled and honored to be one of them. Next time your in southern california let me know, I've got some GREAT local spots you need to check out.

 

[FrankPro1]

I pity the warm water wusses who won't dive kelp fields because the water is below 70F, or Puget Sound - wow!

Ha Ha.. water below 70..That comes with the territory for California divers. I made it half way through winter last year using a 3/2 surf suit, no gloves , no hood. This winter I've got a 6/5 Bear Skin, hood and gloves... and I'm gonna be COMFORTABLE. I've even been looking at a semi-dry at the local shop. Last year I was only dipping shortly through the thermocline, this year I'm staying down. So will see how I fare.

 

[FrankPro1]

If it were me and things have improved and stabilized, I'd have a go at a getting wet -- take it easy and see how it goes. Using a hood is a toss-up: pressure and/or temperature could be reasons for aggravating the initial problem.

My thoughts exactly.. I'm gonna take things slow and see how everything goes.

 

[FrankPro1]

I like beanies with chin straps anyway...

I'll have to look into those.. I really haven't dug the way the hood is restricting around my neck and the beanie style makes a lot of sense for someone with gland problems. Thanks for the heads up.

 

[DandyDon]

Ha Ha.. water below 70..That comes with the territory for California divers. I made it half way through winter last year using a 3/2 surf suit, no gloves , no hood. This winter I've got a 6/5 Bear Skin, hood and gloves... and I'm gonna be COMFORTABLE. I've even been looking at a semi-dry at the local shop. Last year I was only dipping shortly through the thermocline, this year I'm staying down. So will see how I fare.

As you gain more experience and your air last longer, you'll need more insulation. Extra is always better than not enough. Puget Sound is bardly colder than some spots around Catalina tho, and there are things there you won't see anywhere else, just across the street from a midtown parking lot. Need a 8C light or more tho...

I'll have to look into those.. I really haven't dug the way the hood is restricting around my neck and the beanie style makes a lot of sense for someone with gland problems. Thanks for the heads up.

You won't get as much from a beanie as a hood, but it has advantages - and for swollen glands, I think worth exploring.

 

[FrankPro1]

Puget Sound is bardly colder than some spots around Catalina tho, and there are things there you won't see anywhere else, just across the street from a midtown parking lot.

I can't even start to imagine what the waters at Puget Sound feel like. I've been up to the Sonoma county coastline many times and mid summer I can't go for a short surface swim without bringing at least a 3mm full suit. I guess that's what Dry suits are made for.

Edit: I see that you live in a high desert! That's also one of the special places in the world, where you get to see, smell, hear, touch and taste things that you won't any other place. I've been an avid explorer of the California/Arizona Sonoran desert since my youth and I can just imagine being able to settle down there.

 

[FrankPro1]

Just got back from my free dive at Marineland. Went down to about 20-25ft and everything seems fine. Going to try a scuba dive at Malga Cove on Friday. I'll keep ya'll updated.

"I'm still going to the doctors in October, but until then I'm going to continue doing short/shallow dives"

 

[doctormike]

Those are some great shots of Casino point Mike! The kelp forest is one of those special things that only a few ever get to explore, I'm humbled and honored to be one of them. Next time your in southern california let me know, I've got some GREAT local spots you need to check out.

Thanks! Will definitely look you up... looking forward to getting back there. But I did have a few nice dives on the wrecks off NYC this summer..!

Just got back from my free dive at Marineland. Went down to about 20-25ft and everything seems fine. Going to try a scuba dive at Malga Cove on Friday. I'll keep ya'll updated.

Good news! And I wouldn't worry too much about the effect of a hood on the lymph nodes.. while it is true that pressure can affect lymphatic drainage to some extent, this is usually more of a chronic problem after head and neck surgery, and not over the relatively short duration of the average dive. I have a Diving Concepts dry suit and hood, and they are VERY comfortable and toasty warm, even off the Jersey shore with temperatures in the 50s at depth...

 

[cutlass]

Just got back from my free dive at Marineland. Went down to about 20-25ft and everything seems fine. Going to try a scuba dive at Malga Cove on Friday. I'll keep ya'll updated.

"I'm still going to the doctors in October, but until then I'm going to continue doing short/shallow dives"

Sounds like a plan. If it does come back, take notes right away as mentioned before; maybe a pattern will develop. Get wet.

 

[FrankPro1]

Update:

I've had two scuba dives since last post. Both were at Marineland and went flawlessly. Went down to 35 but conditions and reef formations didn't allow for any deeper. Plan on going deeper this coming week, if conditions warrant it. Will be going for a full physical and blood work in a few days and from there I'll be going to a dentist / ENT. Thanks again to everyone who helped me to think rationally about my incident. I'll keep everyone updated as I continue to dive.