Who makes the call on returning to diving?

[Lopaka]

Over the last year after my episode with a probable inner ear DCS hit, got hearing/fistula tests, MRI that showed a small stroke, MRA that showed nothing, echocardios that showed a PFO, and getting finally getting the PFO plugged. I have seen an ENT, a neurologist, one regular cardiologist, and the cardio guy that did the plug.

Been a bit over 5 months since the plug, still on Plavix until told otherwise. Will see the cardiologist Monday. Saw the neurologist several weeks ago. Have not seen the ENT since he handed me off.

Question is, when dealing with a variety of specialists like this, who makes the call about when to resume diving? Did not directly ask the neuro, he just wants to do another MRI late summer to look for any changes. Seems disinterested (Are all neuros so remote? My nurse stepmom says yes) in my desire to dive again. Cardiologist does seem interested, as he was the one to say get the plug if I wanted to resume an active life. I will ask him.

So ya'll that have had similar experiences, who gave you the green light? My GP is out of the loop other than to be advised of the procedures.

[piikki]

IMHO, if someone is disinterest and/or does not know what scuba is about pretty much renders their opinion useless. With less serious health issue I would listen to the opinion that pleases me the most ;) but in your case you really should try to find out which one of your doctors knows what diving entails regardless on how high on the totem pole they are as specialists. This might mean you need to find at least one more expert and make sure they know everything that is going on with you.

I am beached for a good while myself right now, and while it is taking a huge toll on me mentally, I am eternally thankful that both my GP and neurosurgeon are ex-divers, and I do not need to worry about wailing about my obsession to get back into water.

Good luck, and nice avatar!

[Lopaka]

Good luck, and nice avatar!My wife says it reminds her of me some days...........

Thanks for the reply. AFAIK, the ENT was a Navy diving doc, dunno about the other two, but I doubt he would want to chime in. He made it clear he wanted nothing to do with the MRI diagnosis of stroke and referred me to the neuro.

This is Hawaii, so diving and other water sports are pretty common. If the cardiologist is iffy about his knowledge of diving issues, I'll ask for a referral.

[mikemill]

Do you have a GP you see regularly? IMO that might be the best person to talk to about weighing the various specialists' advice. You can also contact DAN to get their advice.

[mts0628]

Do you have a GP you see regularly? IMO that might be the best person to talk to about weighing the various specialists' advice. You can also contact DAN to get their advice.

Hey Lopaka:

Mike has good advice, "You can also contact DAN to get their advice". I personally have seen a Dive Medical Officer (DMO) who is a Physician that specializes in diving and hyperbaric medicine, but my problems were related strictly to diving (DCS). DMO's can take all of your history and give you the best professional advice that can be gotten. Then, we as divers usually discard what we want to satisfy our needs and plans.:popcorn:

Either way, I would not return to diving without an approval from someone versed in Diving Medicine.

I hope this helps,
Thomas

[Thalassamania]

You need a hyperbaric consult. I don't know who is on your island at the moment. Call DAN to try and find consult there. If your going to the mainland any time soon I'd strongly recommend Tom Neuman (http://www.healthgrades.com/directory_search/physician/profiles/dr-md-reports/Dr-Tom-Neuman-MD-6C6E5886.cfm).

[mts0628]

You need a hyperbaric consult. I don't know who is on your island at the moment. Call DAN to try and find consult there. If your going to the mainland any time soon I'd strongly recommend Tom Neuman (http://www.healthgrades.com/directory_search/physician/profiles/dr-md-reports/Dr-Tom-Neuman-MD-6C6E5886.cfm).

Dr. Neuman? Yeah, he'll do. Actually, he's one of the best!

[Lopaka]

Well, the local cardiologist (not the mainland guy that did the closure) punted. Said the latest ECG looked fine, but did not want to give an ok to diving, that he preferred the neurologist make the call. Mentioned he would prefer me to stay out of the water for a year??? What the hell, divers on the board are back in 3-6 months later.

Oh well, now I wait until August to have another MRI done for the neurologist and to see him. He is not a diving medicine guy either. Kind of sucks that Hawaii has no DM talent that DAN knows of.................

[Thalassamania]

You might get a chart based consult from Tom, give him a call, or have your Doc call him. You're lucky you're not a research diver, one DCS hit is all you get. After that you are disqualified. I only know of one person who's been able to regain diver status after a DCS incident.

[Lopaka]

Yeah, I'll print out Tom Neuman's info and take it with me. Neuro guy is a cold bird, does not like to shoot the breeze, but he should be professional about this if he does not have the background.

[Gene_Hobbs]

Kind of sucks that Hawaii has no DM talent that DAN knows of.................

I would think they would have sent you to Rich Smerz (http://archive.rubicon-foundation.org/dspace/items-by-author?author=Smerz%2C+RW) in Honolulu for a hyperbaric consult or suggestions on specialists...

[Lopaka]

Hmm, good call. Reading the abstracts sounds like he is the local guy to talk to.

DAN did say to call the UH hyperbaric guys to find a local ENT with dive medicine experience since they had no referrals. This is back when I thought I had barotrauma. I went to one of the ENTs they suggested.

Will make sure the neurologist is aware of this resource, and call them myslef before I go in to see what they have to say.