OP
Tiny-Bubbles
Registered
Oh my gosh! You are all so very amazing and helpful. I honestly didn't expect any responses for a while ... if at all. This is my very first forum experience. Thanks! You're questions and suggestions make me feel more optimistic that this can be resolved, because so far, my doctor hasn't been any help at all ... but he's not a diver.
simskiscuba - my sinuses are pretty much always inflamed due to slight environmental allergies and food sensititivities. I can breathe through my nose most times, but usually with some amount of force. And my ears feel a bit plugged most times. I've started using a netty pot to help with this, so I hope it makes a difference.
TSandM, Jax & Hank658 - thanks for the link on C02 retention! I'm going to read it right away. I use rental gear, and my tanks usually have way more air in them then the others after a dive. I don't feel anxious beyond the first minute or two into the dive ... in fact I feel more relaxed while diving than any time else. If I'm breathing oddly, it's not consciously. I think that I may be a lazy breather. I'm not physically fit, so I just assumed that my lungs are smaller than fit people, and thought that was why I used less air. I've noticed that sometimes a regulator feels less natural ... that I have to force the air out a little bit harder ... not quite as easy as just naturally breathing. In is fine, it's out that's only sometimes conscious ... but I don't think those have been the times when I've had my episodes.
lulubelle - the breathing may very well be my issue if it's causing CO2 retention ... still need to read the link Jax sent. But I don't think my ascents or stops are part of the issue as my headaches and vomitting usually occur a few minutes into the dive or halfway thru. But it's always good advice to follow, so I'll try to mindful of it anyhow. Thanks.
Another tid bit of information is that on our short boat ride out before the last episode, I mentioned to the dive master that this is the sort of water that seems to give me more grief. And true to that ... it gave me loads of grief! The water was choppy, but I felt fine on the boat and on the surface of the water. As we were descending, I could already feel slightly disoriented but thought it would subside as we got down further ... this feeling does happen sometimes for me, so I close my eyes on and off or stare at my gauges for the descent. But as soon as we got down we began a fast moving drift dive, and whammo! ... I was thrown right into this episode of pain and throwing up. This is why I'm suspecting it has something to do with the drift dives. But I'm definitely not consuming much air, so will read up on the CO2 retention. Thanks sooo much again! I'm actually leaving for Roatan on Monday, and I'm getting some anxiety about this. Not having anything to base it on feels powerless. So, thanks!
simskiscuba - my sinuses are pretty much always inflamed due to slight environmental allergies and food sensititivities. I can breathe through my nose most times, but usually with some amount of force. And my ears feel a bit plugged most times. I've started using a netty pot to help with this, so I hope it makes a difference.
TSandM, Jax & Hank658 - thanks for the link on C02 retention! I'm going to read it right away. I use rental gear, and my tanks usually have way more air in them then the others after a dive. I don't feel anxious beyond the first minute or two into the dive ... in fact I feel more relaxed while diving than any time else. If I'm breathing oddly, it's not consciously. I think that I may be a lazy breather. I'm not physically fit, so I just assumed that my lungs are smaller than fit people, and thought that was why I used less air. I've noticed that sometimes a regulator feels less natural ... that I have to force the air out a little bit harder ... not quite as easy as just naturally breathing. In is fine, it's out that's only sometimes conscious ... but I don't think those have been the times when I've had my episodes.
lulubelle - the breathing may very well be my issue if it's causing CO2 retention ... still need to read the link Jax sent. But I don't think my ascents or stops are part of the issue as my headaches and vomitting usually occur a few minutes into the dive or halfway thru. But it's always good advice to follow, so I'll try to mindful of it anyhow. Thanks.
Another tid bit of information is that on our short boat ride out before the last episode, I mentioned to the dive master that this is the sort of water that seems to give me more grief. And true to that ... it gave me loads of grief! The water was choppy, but I felt fine on the boat and on the surface of the water. As we were descending, I could already feel slightly disoriented but thought it would subside as we got down further ... this feeling does happen sometimes for me, so I close my eyes on and off or stare at my gauges for the descent. But as soon as we got down we began a fast moving drift dive, and whammo! ... I was thrown right into this episode of pain and throwing up. This is why I'm suspecting it has something to do with the drift dives. But I'm definitely not consuming much air, so will read up on the CO2 retention. Thanks sooo much again! I'm actually leaving for Roatan on Monday, and I'm getting some anxiety about this. Not having anything to base it on feels powerless. So, thanks!