DiverGirl1972
Contributor
After 12 nights at Mike's Dauin Beach resort, including 26 dives over 9 days, we spent what was to be our final day in the Philippines resting and relaxing while our gear dried out. We were a little tired, but felt great and enjoyed some cocktails in the evening with some fellow guests. We turned in at 1030pm, as it was time to make the grueling trip back to Pennsylvania.
A few hours after turning in, I went to turn over in my sleep and suddenly experienced a terrible bout of vertigo. I tried to sit up, but that caused an intense feeling of nausea. I layed back down which lessened the symptoms and managed to fall back to sleep. I thought, "wow, I guess I had a couple too many beers".
Unfortunately, when I woke in the morning, I knew something was terribly wrong. Just sitting upright caused me to vomit and it felt like the world was spinning. Our flight was scheduled to leave later in the afternoon. I decided there was no way I could travel without medical intervention, so at approx 8am, I made the 30+ minute drive to Dumaguete where the ER was located.
Before leaving, I called Francis at DAN and after sharing my last dive profiles, she felt it was highly unlikey to be DCS. I did share with her that I had some ear discomfort on my last day. My left ear was popping a bit and was a bit sore, but of course, I was determined to complete our last 4 scheduled dives. She suggested I may have experienced some middle ear barotrauma, which could explain the vertigo.
Off to the ER I went. The doc looked at my ears and stated he saw no issues, just a little redness. I begged for antivert and something for nausea. I was desperate for some relief. The doc said that an ENT would see me shortly and he disappeared. Over an hour later, he brought me a prescription for mecclazine ( which I had already taken in the form of Bonine before leaving the hotel) and 4 pills called Stugeron (sp?).
We had to hit 4 pharmacies, as no one had the meds. During this time, I was vomiting and feeling horrible.
We made it back to the hotel finally and realized we missed our flights. I slept the entire day with no improvement. I googled vertigo and I've tried the Epley Maneuver twice. There has been some minor improvement but I still feel very dizzy.
Philippines Airlines refused to extend us any consideration for the medical emergency. They told us we wouldn't even be able to get flights for 8 more days and they would be at full fare. My travel companions spent all day yesterday on the phone and online. We ended up having to buy 3 new tickets home and we start our trip home tomorrow afternoon.
I am worried about my ability to fly, but we need to get home so I can see a knowledgeable doctor. I'm so discouraged. I have no idea what caused this, have no real meds that are helping, no idea if/when the vertigo and dizziness will resolve and if there is anything else I can do myself to help and no idea how flying will affect my condition. Its pretty scary being 8900 miles from home when something like this happens. I have no ear pain, no discernable hearing loss, no full feeling in my ears, and no medical history of heart or BP issues.
Any thoughts that might help would be appreciated.I am hoping this doesn't somehow mean I won't be able to dive again, but getting home to competent medical attention is my first priority.
A few hours after turning in, I went to turn over in my sleep and suddenly experienced a terrible bout of vertigo. I tried to sit up, but that caused an intense feeling of nausea. I layed back down which lessened the symptoms and managed to fall back to sleep. I thought, "wow, I guess I had a couple too many beers".
Unfortunately, when I woke in the morning, I knew something was terribly wrong. Just sitting upright caused me to vomit and it felt like the world was spinning. Our flight was scheduled to leave later in the afternoon. I decided there was no way I could travel without medical intervention, so at approx 8am, I made the 30+ minute drive to Dumaguete where the ER was located.
Before leaving, I called Francis at DAN and after sharing my last dive profiles, she felt it was highly unlikey to be DCS. I did share with her that I had some ear discomfort on my last day. My left ear was popping a bit and was a bit sore, but of course, I was determined to complete our last 4 scheduled dives. She suggested I may have experienced some middle ear barotrauma, which could explain the vertigo.
Off to the ER I went. The doc looked at my ears and stated he saw no issues, just a little redness. I begged for antivert and something for nausea. I was desperate for some relief. The doc said that an ENT would see me shortly and he disappeared. Over an hour later, he brought me a prescription for mecclazine ( which I had already taken in the form of Bonine before leaving the hotel) and 4 pills called Stugeron (sp?).
We had to hit 4 pharmacies, as no one had the meds. During this time, I was vomiting and feeling horrible.
We made it back to the hotel finally and realized we missed our flights. I slept the entire day with no improvement. I googled vertigo and I've tried the Epley Maneuver twice. There has been some minor improvement but I still feel very dizzy.
Philippines Airlines refused to extend us any consideration for the medical emergency. They told us we wouldn't even be able to get flights for 8 more days and they would be at full fare. My travel companions spent all day yesterday on the phone and online. We ended up having to buy 3 new tickets home and we start our trip home tomorrow afternoon.
I am worried about my ability to fly, but we need to get home so I can see a knowledgeable doctor. I'm so discouraged. I have no idea what caused this, have no real meds that are helping, no idea if/when the vertigo and dizziness will resolve and if there is anything else I can do myself to help and no idea how flying will affect my condition. Its pretty scary being 8900 miles from home when something like this happens. I have no ear pain, no discernable hearing loss, no full feeling in my ears, and no medical history of heart or BP issues.
Any thoughts that might help would be appreciated.I am hoping this doesn't somehow mean I won't be able to dive again, but getting home to competent medical attention is my first priority.
