A potential screaming halt on my diving career?

[Tazzie]

I'm after some opinions from medical professionals or perhaps someone who's suffered the same as me before.

7 years ago I had a case of benign intercranial hypertension, I was only aware of the condition on occasion when I'd have visual disturbance followed by a headache. Diuretics (sp?) didn't take the swelling down so I had a lumbar puncture which worked, visual disturbances went away as did the headaches.

I was told the oly things they could think of that caused the condition was the fact I was a girl (not alot I can do about that) my age (nor that) and the fact I was overweight (still battling with that!)

It did however come back a year or so later, straight back in for a lumbar puncture all gone to have not returned since *touches wood*

Now I've just been down for my DM medical and have been told it might be an issue even though on the training record's diver medical form there is nothing I can see that relates to this (Closest is "recurring complicated migrane headaches" but I was told that this was nothing to do with migranes when I was first diagnosed and like I said it's over 5 years ago)

I get very clear warnings when my vision is about to disturb, not that it disturbs enough to stop me doing anything however I can understand that could be a potential risk underwater.

In your opinion / experience, given that these two incidents happened over 5 years ago, would you recomend I discontinue diving?

My doc is going to call the Navy doctor tomorrow to discuss it but I don't think I can wait gutted

[Finless]

No, but that's easy for me to say as it's not me at risk. If you have been diving for the last 5 years and nothing has changed then why give up?

Now you have entered "the loop" you will not get insurance without a doctors certificate giving you the OK to dive.

If it's a NO then after that it is up to you and your buddy if you still dive.

I am firmly of the opinion that, these days, there will be a tendancy for the medical profession to say NO even if they are not sure ..... no one wants to take a risk.

Hope the doc comes up with the right answer!

[Tazzie]

Yeah I know what you mean Finless, seems we wont be able to cross roads anywhere other than a crossing soon thanks to all the legislation and blame culture idiots around.

I guess I could still dive I'll just not be able to progress any more training, certainly not DM if she wont sign me off

[Spike Jackson]

Make sure you speak to a competent diving doctor, one who actually understands diving and diving risks. Good luck.

[gasman]

Originally Posted by Finless

I am firmly of the opinion that, these days, there will be a tendancy for the medical profession to say NO even if they are not sure ..... no one wants to take a risk.

Hope the doc comes up with the right answer!

Really Finless? What makes you think the majority of diving doc's, such as UKSDMC referees, have spent a great deal of time and effort doing courses and attending meetings just to ban people from diving? I think you should consider exactly what you mean, and think about the effect of this sort of comment. Worth considering that a number of those referees have a look in here from time to time, and that the diving community needs to keep them on-side.

Also, the right answer is not always the one the diver wants to hear.

Anyway, rant over, and I hope that my comments are seen as constructive.


As to diving fitness with intracranial hypertension:

I'm not a referee, or a neurologist, and I don't do medicals, but there are a number of concerns here which will be explored by your doc in his or her discussions:

First, the standard of a commercial medical is much higher than a recreational one. The medic has to consider not only the risks posed to the individual from their medical condition, but also the ability of that individual to provide appropriate care and attention to their less experienced charges. Any condition which may lessen your ability to do that is going to give your doc serious misgivings.

I won't go on about liability, but you have to think about the law as it applies to you, your employer, your doctor, etc. etc. It's worth remembering that this law exists to protect you AND the public.

There are good theoretical reasons why diving and the attendant exposure to high pressures may be problematic here. Without going in to all the details, the high pressure environment can potentially decrease the ability of blood to drain from the brain, and intra-cranial pressure may rise. You may be at risk of visual disturbance or decreased level of consciousness, which may come on suddenly, and endanger yourself or your students.

If you have been completely free of problems for some time, this may help, but may not be sufficient in the setting of a commercial medical.

Good luck,
Sean

PS This discussion should in no way be seen to constitute anything over than general information rather than direct advice. It is impossible to give anything more than that without a much fuller discussion which is impossible over t'interweb.

[Tazzie]

Thanks Gasman, I guess I was looking to vent as much as anything as i'm not going to get my answer from the doc for a while. Thanks for taking the time to explain a few things

PS

I *think* Finless was referring to GPs rather than diving docs / referees? Luckily for me the GP doing my medical is married to a Dive Master, I think she understands

[Rod]

Tazzie,

Any problems contact Dr Jules Eden who is a proper diving doctor and is very up to date with his knowledge. e-med.co.uk

Are you getting an HSE medical or just a fit to dive one from your GP? It is probably worth getting a proper HSE one.

[Tazzie]

Originally Posted by Rod

Tazzie,

Any problems contact Dr Jules Eden who is a proper diving doctor and is very up to date with his knowledge. e-med.co.uk

Are you getting an HSE medical or just a fit to dive one from your GP? It is probably worth getting a proper HSE one.

At the moment I've been told to get a fit to dive medical as the HSE has a shelf life so to speak and they're recommending I get that towards the end of my training to get the best out of it, does that make sense?

Cheers for the heads up on Dr Jules Eden, will contact if I get a problem

[sidthejedi]

Originally Posted by Rod

Tazzie,

Any problems contact Dr Jules Eden who is a proper diving doctor and is very up to date with his knowledge. e-med.co.uk

Are you getting an HSE medical or just a fit to dive one from your GP? It is probably worth getting a proper HSE one.

Wot he said.

I'd recommend anyone to go to him. Just make sure you don't do a heavy workout the night before any medical as the step he uses is rather high....

[Tazzie]

Originally Posted by sidthejedi

Wot he said.

I'd recommend anyone to go to him. Just make sure you don't do a heavy workout the night before any medical as the step he uses is rather high....

Step? Can you enlighten me a little more? What can I expect from a full medical?