The Kiss of Death for my diving activities, I think
#1
Posted 31 July 2013 - 01:36 PM
Think I'll go cry in my beer now. Oh wait, I can't drink anymore because of the med.
It's been a fun 10 years diving, many trips with SD that I will fondly remember...
Gerry
#2
Posted 31 July 2013 - 02:00 PM
#3
Posted 31 July 2013 - 02:55 PM
- Scubatooth likes this
#4
Posted 31 July 2013 - 05:26 PM
Don't give up. Find a good neurologist and get the real skinny. I have mad love for ER doctors but they have a limited scope. Don't give up until you get a specialist opinion.
Ill second that reccomendation. Also ask DAN if they have any Neurologists in your area that have dive medicine experience or are divers themselves.
A Novus Dies Has Adveho.... Occupo Dies
Where in the World is Tooth? ... Catch Me It You Can!
Traveling the World, Diving, and Photography, on my days off from saving lives as a Paramedic
#5
Posted 01 August 2013 - 08:48 AM
Choosing venues with good health care access is always wise whenever possible. And it may be required for you going forward. And you may need to limit your diving to 40ft or less. But please do talk to a specialist that is also a diver...it just may be the best 2nd opinion you've ever gotten!
In the meantime...lots of prayers coming your way... kamala
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#6
Posted 01 August 2013 - 11:22 AM
Dear Gerald,
Thank you for your e-mail and interest in DAN. Dive medicine experts would agree with you that there is no connection with diving and this condition. Most individuals that develop this condition have never been diving. The concern with this condition relates to the mechanics of retaining the regulator mouthpiece. Some individuals with this condition find that clenching a regulator for them, does aggravate the condition. In rare cases middle ear barotrauma is also a source of aggravation. As long as you are able to retain the mouthpiece without discomfort and are efficient with equalization diving itself may not be an issue. Of course no one can guarantee that the condition will not still be aggravated. If we can be any further assistance do not hesitate to contact DAN.
Divers Alert Network
Marty McCafferty, EMT-P DMT-A
DAN, Medical Information Specialist
(800) 446-2671 ext. 286
(919) 684-2948 ext. 286
(919) 493-3040 Fax
#7
Posted 01 August 2013 - 11:33 AM
A Novus Dies Has Adveho.... Occupo Dies
Where in the World is Tooth? ... Catch Me It You Can!
Traveling the World, Diving, and Photography, on my days off from saving lives as a Paramedic
#8
Posted 01 August 2013 - 11:37 AM
Thanks for the concern everyone. It may not be the kiss of death for diving, but I think it may be awhile before I would even consider diving again. And to think this could have happened 2 months ago in Nicaraugua just makes my blood freeze, knowing there was no one there who could have helped me....
#9
Posted 01 August 2013 - 11:53 AM
A dentists 2 cents worth
Edited by ScubaZoned, 01 August 2013 - 01:05 PM.
#10
Posted 01 August 2013 - 11:41 PM
Remember that all docs have a different set of eyes based on their training and that the process of figuring out a diagnosis is often a messy and indirect one. And presenting to an ER with your symptoms would probably be more likely to land you with a neurologist than a dentist. The neurologist is operating on some reasonable assumptions based on how your presented to the ER, but there isn't a solid way to confirm that diagnosis, and I agree that your presentation sounds more like a trip to a good endodontist for evaluation would be in order. And the neurologist is probably recommending the dental films to rule out what the good dentist suggested. This could end up being something simple. I sincerely hope it is.
If it is as the good dentist described, I literally feel your pain! It is pretty bad! Having recently been through this myself, your presentation of symptoms sounds just like what I went through. I had intermittent super sharp burning pain in my left face along the TG nerve , then constant sharp nerve pain in my face that wasn't touched by anything (and I was throwing some serious narcotics at it), then by the time I got to the dentist I was left with dull tooth sensitivity. Went to the endodontist and had a root canal right away and all is fine. Having been through some of the most painful things imaginable that were far more "serious" before, I was surprised how much that hurt!
Good on you for calling DAN, and Marty is the BEST. He and I have had occasion to talk QUITE a few times in the past few years. And his advice is solid, your condition (as assumed right now) and diving are not contraindicated, I can't see what benefit you would get from seeing a dive medicine person, but I can a great benefit in seeing an endodontist. Regardless of your ultimate diagnosis, and since diving is not contraindicated for your current one, it would be entirely up to you whether you felt comfortable going in the water, I would definitely feel the same until your diagnosis and treatment are all sorted out, I have had periods of time where I was cleared to dive medically, but I didn't clear myself for many months afterwards. Only we know when we are prepared to dive.
Always vet your meds with DAN too. Any time I have had a change in medication, I shoot Marty an email to check it out.
I understand what you are saying about diving in remote or third world countries when you are concerned about something happening. I have to deal with that same issue. And I had to medically evacuate a boat employee while in the Maldives which showed me exactly how challenging accessing healthcare can be. That's why I always carry cadillac trip insurance which provides for emergency transport. And sort out what facilities and medical transport capabilities are available where I am going. And I carry a literal pharmacy with me so that I can treat just about anything short of that which requires machines and hospitals. If your ultimate diagnosis is indeed TM, then when you are ready, talk to your doctor about diving and what you would need to have with you to manage until you could get to proper care. But on the heels of something serious or frightening, if you decide that you are ready to get wet again, be conservative with your choices. Both in location and dive profile. I have done that a number of times.
Best of luck, and I hope you feel better soon.
#11
Posted 02 August 2013 - 07:36 AM
Thanks. Ice water was the only thing which kept the pain down prior to ER visit. Took a jug of it to the ER with me. The docs have said the TM is atypical. I have read horror stories about root canals and extractions which didn't affect the pain since it was unassociated with the TM. I am looking for anything which would contradict the TM diagnoses, am seeing my dentist on Tuesday. Right now I'm taking Ibuprofen 3x day for the pain which is a bothersome pain, not severe. It is mostly around one tooth but the pain moves. For instance, in the ER it went from a bottom tooth to an upper tooth. It also affects my jaw area where upper and lower meet. Again, I would love for this to be a tooth problem. Hope the dentist can shed some additional light. The Neurologist is the one that said go back and get panoramic xrays since he too was scratching his head a little...it has been 3 weeks since starting the Carbamazepine, and the dull pain still persists...This does not sound like trigeminal neuralgia symptoms. Usually there is a trigger point and when it is triggered, the pain is breathtaking. There is not a buildup of pain with trigeminal neuralgia, it is immediate and intense. It sounds like a pulpitis with a tooth nerve as cold water helped allieviate the pain. I have patients actually come to my office with ice water just to keep the pain abated. My suggestion is to see your dentist or better yet an endodontist and have have them pulp test the teeth. The end result may be you only need a root canal and your good to go. If you are grinding this may have been caused by a hairline crack.
A dentists 2 cents worth
Thanks for taking the time to post....
Gerry
#12
Posted 02 August 2013 - 07:41 AM
Thanks for letting me know how much pain it caused/will cause. Looking forward to it if it is the culprit. As opposed to TN I would gladly have whatever it takes!What the good Dentist said.
Went to the endodontist and had a root canal right away and all is fine. Having been through some of the most painful things imaginable that were far more "serious" before, I was surprised how much that hurt!
#13
Posted 02 August 2013 - 08:54 AM
You will be diving before you know it. Your comment about the ice water is just so classic. I've seen this scenario too many times in my 30 years of practice. The sad part is the expense and time wasted while being in pain. I just wanted to give you some comfort that this is not TN. So forget about the gamma knife and soon you'll be off the meds and can give your liver a break. Get some small, fine detail xrays (not panoramic), get the teeth properly tested and I predict your dentist will become your BFF.
John
#14
Posted 02 August 2013 - 02:28 PM
Walks like a duck and quacks like a duck!!
Although it is none of our business, I hope you keep us apprised of your progress. Scientific curiosity is piqued.
#15
Posted 04 August 2013 - 12:04 AM
Thanks for letting me know how much pain it caused/will cause. Looking forward to it if it is the culprit. As opposed to TN I would gladly have whatever it takes!What the good Dentist said.
Went to the endodontist and had a root canal right away and all is fine. Having been through some of the most painful things imaginable that were far more "serious" before, I was surprised how much that hurt!
Oh gosh, I didn't mean the root canal. It was fine, like getting a crown, with only OTC pain meds needed. I was referring to the TG nerve pain before it was done, it was awful, so I understand why you were so alarmed. I wish I had thought of ice water!
Edited by Sharklover, 04 August 2013 - 12:06 AM.
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