Vertigo and Ear Equalization Problems

[lundysd]

I'm posting this here in hopes that someone can provide me with an answer or at least some advice with this problem. About a year ago I did a 2-tank resort dive; the first dive went fine (~40ft), but during the second dive (~55ft) I became very nauseated and very dizzy if I turned my head. Upon ascending, at about 10 feet I fed the fish and simply attributed it all to seasickness. (I was fine 1 hour later)

I've been taking an OW course for several weeks now and have had about 12 pool sessions (18 ft pool). With one minor exception I've had no problems whatsoever. Today, however, I went out for 2 of my 4 OW checkout dives. Again the first dive wasn't a problem -- 30 minute dive at less than 30 feet. The second dive was after a 1 hr surface interval and maxed out at 50 feet. Again halfway during the dive I became dizzy; I should point out that there was a thermocline on this dive, but my dizziness didn't really seem to correlate with my passage into and out of the thermocline. We did a 3 minute safety stop and the entire time I was very nauseated; after leaving the water, however, I was fine.

In both of these cases I ascended very slowly (30ft/min) and cleared my ears often on the way down (every 2 feet). I also keep my ears very clean, so as far as I know there isn't any blockage in the outer ear. As best as I can figure, though, I'm having a problem with one ear that may cause my dizziness and vertigo. I'm also hoping to see an ENT that dives before my first real trip in a month to check this out.

Does anyone have ANY ideas about what else may help or what else I can do? I really love diving, but this nausea is really killing me.... thanks yall

Scott

 

[knotical]

Possibly alternobaric vertigo? Caused by different pressures in the two middle ears. Reportedly occurs primarily on ascent. Combatted by frequent equalizing while ascending.

Some info here: http://www.scuba-doc.com/vert.htm
(A more reliable source than I.)

 

[scubadoguk]

Call DAN, many reasons for why but a doctor or ENT specialist is the place to go I had a student have the simular problem from over clearing his ears??

 

[Kriterian]

I never quite understand when the problem was occuring for you. I had vertigo on ascent during pool training that was a reverse squeeze caused by an ear infection. Either way, you're on the right track for getting it fixed, see a diving ENT. Your best bet is to get a reference from DAN by calling their non emergency medical number:

1-800-446-2671 or 1-919-684-2948, Mon-Fri, 9am-8pm (EST)

 

[pipedope]

To help you learn and understand more go watch the streaming video at;
http://faculty.washington.edu/ekay/index.html

It will help you understand a lot more about your ears and diving and will help pass the time between now and seeing a good ENT.
Might give you some more things to discuss with the Dr.