Headache?

[Big Dave]

I think that I have just got to the bottom of my own headache problem, over tight neck seal.
Having never had more than an icecream headache in five or six years of diving I started getting some real thumpers after diving, and even during and towards the end of a dive.
I sarted to think what I had been doing differently from before and the only things that came up were, 1.Started using nitrox 2.New mask 3.Spanky new neoprene neck seal. So by a process of elimination, I used a different mask, still got headache, dived on air, still got headache, wore my semi instead of dry suit, BINGO.No headache.
Now these were some pretty knarley headaches, after doing two dives, one of 45 meters on the Eddystone and one to about 24 meters on the Scylla I came up off the second throwing my guts up thinking that the top of my head was being unscrewed. It was getting to the point that selling my gear and buying a new set of golf clubs was on the cards.
I'm glad to say that my suit is now sporting its new seal and my handicap will not be going down.
By the way people tell me that tight neck seals cause co2 build up, hey ho.
Dave.

[Helen F H]

If you read back, you will see that what i suggested was also on the list.

I have not ever dived a ffm, however, i did sit in on several lectures at LIDS regards the use of them. Next time i see the guys i will tell them they were talking bollocks for you.

Since you told me that Helium constricts the airways when i was asking about trimix, i really did stop taking much notice.

I can remember ages ago there was a question on here about something or other not being right post dive. There were loads of replies about what it could have been, until Hyperbaric (anyone seen him latley?) came on and was very surprised that only one person had suggested it could have been a bend! Guess who the one person was?

The two people in the street who keeled over (heart attack, stroke) and muggins was the only one who knew what to do seemed pretty grateful. Also my mate who had meningitis (which a doctor missed) seemed pretty happy with the outcome. All from appointed persons first aid, and taking symptoms seriously.

Now (to give an example) i have been sailing since ooooo, 1994, but i never profess to know everythng about it just because i have been doing it for a long time. Always willing to learn something new, and never so far up my own arse to admit im wrong, or that someone else is allowed to have an opinion different to mine.

[Fiji Dave]

I've had real viscious headaches in the past, though not when diving, and many of them can be attributed to dehydration. Something which now ensures I often drink enough before a dive that I need to be poured into my suit!
If I get a headache, as well as a couple of ibuprofen or paracetamol I also try to drink at least a pint of water, or more if I can.

A quick look on google for "diving headache" came up with the following.

(I didn't write any of this, I've only cut & pasted it - I make NO claims as regards it's medical accuracy. I am NOT a doctor and make no claims as such. If you have problems then I suggest you speak to a diving doc - there, that should stop anyone trying to sue me)

http://www.peebsac.ukdiver.com/peebsac_headaches.htm

and

http://www.scuba-doc.com/headache.html

and from another site -

Quote -
DIVER'S HEADACHE:
Diver's headache can have several causes. These include neck muscle headache, hyperventilation vascular headache, sinus headache, fume headache, tension headache, dehydration headache, hypertensive headache, and (worst case) decompression illness. The best treatment for any of these headaches is prevention. If you commonly get a headache while diving, try to identify the cause, then eliminate it.
Neck muscle headache: This headache usually starts at the back of the head, but can become generalized. It usually begins gradually after a couple of dives. It's caused by chronically tilting the head up during the dive -- for example, looking upward while swimming horizontally. The muscles where the back of the head meets the neck may be tender to touch. Ibuprofen (up to 800 mg every 6 to 8 hours) and ice packs can help.
Hyperventilation vascular headache: This is a pounding headache that can occur at any time during or after a dive. The cause is breathing more rapidly that you should (hyperventilation). So it's more common in free-divers than scuba divers. Reduced carbon dioxide levels during hyperventilation lead to constriction of the blood vessels of the brain. When the vessels relax again, they often dilate and throbbing pain begins. Sensitivity to light and nausea are common. Caffeine is often very helpful for this type of headache, when combined with ibuprofen, aspirin, or acetaminophen.
Sinus headache: This headache begins with congested sinus openings, so the sinuses don't equalize during descent or ascent. The pain is usually most intense in the face area, and often begins as an ache in the cheekbone, eye, or forehead. Besides ibuprofen (800 mg), use a nasal decongestant spray (example Afrin) to unplug the sinus. If blood and pus-like material come out your nose, you have progressed from sinus congestion to sinusitis -- and you will need antibiotics.
Fume headache: Diesel fumes. You need clean air.
Tension headache: "Ordinary" generalized pressure-type headache due to travel hassles, disrupted sleep patterns, and altered activity patterns. Treat with rest, fluids, and an analgesic such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen.
Dehydration headache: This headache throbs when you stand up. It seems to be better when you lie down. Often, you may have a "head rush" when you first stand up. The headache occurs because decreased blood vessel volume lets the brain "sag" down when you're upright. Alcohol, caffeine, and snug wet suits make this headache more likely. (Alcohol and caffeine act as diuretics, flushing extra water out through the kidney. Wet suits compress the veins of the skin, pushing blood into the central circulation. This fools the body into thinking there's too much fluid in circulation, so it orders the kidney to eliminate some -- which causes the familiar need to pee in the wetsuit.) Treatment is rest and lots of fluids.
Hypertensive headache: Some divers are sensitive to decongestant medicines such as pseudoephedrine (Sudafed) and phenylpropranolamine. The blood pressure can jump up significantly. Combine struggling with heavy tanks and cumbersome wet suits, and a hypertensive headache develops. This headache often comes on during the physical activity, and eases once you slow down. Have your blood pressure checked during the headache. If it's elevated, stop activity until it goes away. Avoid decongestants in the future.
Decompression headache: Any new headache after diving accompanied by a neurological symptom (blind spot, localized weakness, numbness or tingling, etc) should be considered a symptom of decompression illness until proven otherwise. You need immediate medical attention -- and probably a compression chamber.

Unquote


Hope that helps in some way.

Dave

[Andy the Coastie]

I am old and wise, have been around a long time,, so mature enough to stand by my actions.

However, please let me REMIND you,,,,,,,,,, SOS from New Zealand thread...

First thing that should have been sent to your mate was GET TO HOSPITAL STRAIGHT AWAY,,,,,,, then you can tell the world of her problem and out come.

I have not ever dived a ffm, however, i did sit in on several lectures at LIDS regards the use of them. Next time i see the guys i will tell them they were talking bollocks for you.

Whatever,,,,,, you can tell them also, that i have been using FFM and helmets of all kinds since 1980...... I was also around when FFM's started coming into the sports diving world, around 7 - 10 years ago.

[Helen F H]

Originally Posted by Andy the Commie 2

I am old and wise, have been around a long time,, so mature enough to stand by my actions.

However, please let me REMIND you,,,,,,,,,, SOS from New Zealand thread...

First thing that should have been sent to your mate was GET TO HOSPITAL STRAIGHT AWAY,,,,,,, then you can tell the world of her problem and out come.

I did, i was asking advice. If you want, i will give you her email and you can ask her what time it was when i phoned her (from UK to NZ) to yell at her to go to hospital.
I didnt word it too well, but what i was really wondering was if she got that bad she couldnt yell for help, what do you do? High comission? Not that it matters now anyway.

Andy by the way, its Porg not Prog. (always reminds me of being stabbed with a garden fork for some strange reason)

[RuthH]

That's the most comprehensive list of headaches I've ever seen...

In reply to the first question, it's just a fact of life that some people get more headaches than other people. If, say, it was cold or stress or both, maybe their bodies respond with headache and yours in some other less unpleasant way. I get eczema when stressed!

The worry of a headache/ visual disturbances/ etc meaning a bend is very real for me because I suffer migraine. Luckily I usually know a few hours in advance if I'm going to have a migraine so I just don't dive. The only potential difficulty is if I get the 'pre-migraine' symptoms during a dive, when so much else is going on I may not notice them.

It can be very difficult to persuade people that what you have is a migraine and not something more serious... I remember being at 3,500 m (altitude not depth!) and the mountain guide being desperate for me to descend because he thought I had altitude sickness, when all a migraine sufferer wants is not to move.

[Fiji Dave]

Originally Posted by RuthH

That's the most comprehensive list of headaches I've ever seen...

It can be very difficult to persuade people that what you have is a migraine and not something more serious... I remember being at 3,500 m (altitude not depth!) and the mountain guide being desperate for me to descend because he thought I had altitude sickness, when all a migraine sufferer wants is not to move.

The headaches I used to get were migrainous, (not actual migraines, but they did have several symptoms in common with migraines). At the time they were linked to stress, and would nearly always occur at the weekend, normally on a sunday. Work/life was an absolute nightmare for a few years and whilst I was busy and tense/stressed during the week I was fine, but as soon as I started to relax and slow down at the weekend - bang - headache kicks in. I remember one time getting an absolute blinder and the people I shared a house with thought I was pissed as a fart because my speech was slurred and I couldn't form coherent sentences. Took a while before I could convince them otherwise.

I jacked in the job, sorted out my life, buggered off to Fiji and Oz for 18 months and the stress strangely disappeared!(I wish my doctor had prescribed that instead of bloomin painkillers!) Thankfully I've not had one of those types of headaches for several years, now they're mainly due to dehydration.

[RuthH]

I get a migraine on average about once a fortnight. They used to severely affect me but now I have been prescribed a fantastic drug called Naratriptan. I can now carry on with normal life when I have an attack, though I do get a bit spaced out on it. Can't dive on it though... Basically, if a migraine comes on, that's it, no diving for at least 24 hours. Hope I don't get one on holiday.

Stress is my main trigger but sadly leaving my stressful job did not stop the migraines. Even more sadly, alcohol is a contributing factor... as are over-tiredness and too much exercise!! Better rest up...

[Padowan]

I get the occasional headache, but it's usually my own fault I also know that I sometimes skip breathe a bit - not great, but it does mean that I have a SAC rate of about 12

[Andy the Coastie]

Originally Posted by Padowan

I get the occasional headache, but it's usually my own fault I also know that I sometimes skip breathe a bit - not great, but it does mean that I have a SAC rate of about 12

all that gas , the tide will be running like a express train to worry about using it all