Subclinical DCS??? ....headache

[johnnyseko]

Question....when will this headache go away?

Looking for a 3rd opinion, I guess. I've got AOW this w/end. I've already been to my PCP who said that I had mild baro trauma and that may be causing my headache. Was advised to take the 12hr sudafed...has really helped the ears. I then called a clinic recommended by DAN. I was again advised that since I have no other DCS symptoms, that a decongestant would be recommended. If sudafed does not work, to have my PCP prescibe something stronger. My PCP said I should be fine to dive this w/end btw.

So I've got this headache that comes and goes...at the back of my head/neck area. I was reading an old thread where someone mentioned subclinical DCS.

The background is on one particular dive, we descended to 51' within about 10 min. I was not down long, but started to feel serious anxiety as vis was horrible, lost the group. I know I was having a hard time breathing, which added to the anxiety. I began to ascend, did not look at my computer, had no clue we were that deep. When the surface didn't appear when I thought it would, I really started movin' to get up. I know this was stupid...... Upon surfacing, I did not feel any problems, besides being totally embarrased when the DM caught up with me. We went back down, to approx 30' and finished the dive. I did not have a headache at this time. Mild baro trauma, yes. Well the next day I had to get my confidence back, so went out and did 2 dives. No problems. Dive 1 was for approx 40min, max depth 58'. Dive 2 was for approx 60min, max depth 18'. SI was a good 40min at least.

If you need any more info regarding the specs on the dives, let me know. I did a total of 5 dives within 5 days that week. It was the dive on the 4th day that I had an issue.

Thanks,
John

 

[RIOceanographer]

Call Divers Alert Network and ask them if it is worrying you. That is what DAN is there for. You do not need to be a DAN member to call for information and its free.

Their non-emergency medical hotline is:
1-800-446-2671 or 1-919-684-2948, Mon-Fri, 9am-5pm (ET)

http://www.diversalertnetwork.org/

 

[Dr Deco]

Recreational divers generally get headaches from carbon dioxide retention.

The folks at DAN are always a good source of information.

 

[DandyDon]

RIOceanographer's advise was good, but you'd already called DAN.

I noticed this in your post, but was waiting for Dr.Deco to post. Dr.Deco's advise is even better than you'd get from DAN's non emergency line, and he's posted, too, I see.

I know I was having a hard time breathing, which added to the anxiety.

Your anxiety possibly lead to shallow breathing, which in diving can lead to carbon dioxide retention headaches. You'll learn to breath deeper with practice, which will also help with beginners dry mouth.

 

[RIOceanographer]

RIOceanographer's advise was good, but you'd already called DAN.

Oops... I missed where he said DAN recommended the clinic..... I get an F on reading comprehension today.....

 

[DandyDon]

Oops... I missed where he said DAN recommended the clinic..... I get an F on reading comprehension today.....

But an A for enthusiasm.

 

[pipedope]

The two things that spring to my mind are CO2 from the trouble breathing and muscle stress from unfamilar equipment and movements.

Fix the things that are making it hard to breathe. Make sure that your suit fits and especially your hood. Practice regular, slow, deep breathing.

The more you dive the more comfortable you will get in the water and the easier it will be.

From your dive profiles DCS is very unlikely.

Also learn more ways to clear your ears and practice them regularly to prevent trauma. Go watch the video at;
http://faculty.washington.edu/ekay/

 

[CameronMartz]

So I've got this headache that comes and goes...at the back of my head/neck area.

If I'm reading this right, it sounds like this headache comes and goes despite the fact that you haven't been diving for a few days. A CO2 headache, while brutal, I would think would be relatively short-term event that would not recur once resolved (without further diving and CO2 loading, of course). [Dr. Deco, others, am I wrong on this, and if so, what would be the mechanism for the recurrence of symptoms?]

If this headache keeps happening independent of your diving, I would pursue the diagnosis of a specialist, such as an ENT or neurologist, depending upon where you think the pain is originating from. They might have better ideas of what needs to be done to break the cycle for you than your PCP.

Cameron

 

[johnnyseko]

Figure I'd update this thread since I saw my PCP again today.

The headache still comes and goes. After all the good advice I contacted a clinic in RI that was recommended by DAN(thanks GIDDS). They explained (over the phone) I show no other signs of DCS so it most likely is not DCS, which has been confirmed by many of you and my PCP. Well, I just had to get my AOW over the w/end and that is what I did - with no issues. The headache is still with me. Went back to the PCP today and he believes it is a tension headache and recommended Excedrin. No need for an MRI or anything like that - whew! I passed all coordination/balance tests... So basically I was cleared to dive, workout, whatever...what a relief! Still unsure where this originated. Could be from banging the back of my head off my tank(which was too high) when trying to look up a few times...or possibly my ex g/f has a johnny doll with a pin stuck in its head(she did have a small altar in her bedroom!).

Just wanted to thank everyone for the good advice - and I am also now a DAN member w/ full insurance. If anything, I certainly learned a few lessons through all this.

John