Vincent Vega
Registered
Hi everyone,
I've been mulling over the idea of taking a PADI OW course, however I have a slightly unique situation. Let me preface this question with a disclaimer first though, so I can avoid the inevitable responses. Yes, I know you might not be doctors, and yes, I have already seen several doctors, neurologists and neurosurgeons. Oh, and yes I used the search function, and came up empty handed.
Anyways here goes. Last year I turned 30, and I became a stroke survivor. I was (and am returning to being) extremely active, and in good physical condition. During the course of my life (possibly lifting weights or during a Yoga class) I developed a dissection(tear) of my left vertebral artery. A thrombus(clot) formed, and subsequently was dislodged, moved into my cerebellum and I had a series of 3 ischemic cerebellar strokes, the worst of which left me unable to walk, speak or see. My condition improved rapidly after diagnosis and treatment, and now one year later after my Warfarin therapy is over, I have no lasting ill effects aside from a very slight loss of peripheral vision and minor narrowing of the affected (and now healed) artery. I am also sentenced to daily 81 mg Aspirin for the rest of my time above ground. Phew.
OK, so now here's my question. Do those of you with experience know of any reason why SCUBA might not be safe or advisable for me? I have asked my GP, Neurosurgeon and Neurologist this exact question, and have been met with blank stares. All I have been medically advised against is any activity which might agravate my previously injured artery. (Think whiplash...contact sports, bungee jumping etc etc)
Please bear in mind that I know virtually nothing about SCUBA, except that I have a basic understanding of air/gas embolism, and I am aware that it can be a concern for divers. Other than that I'm just a newb who is really excited to learn to dive.
Sorry for the long post. Thanks for reading.
-VV
*I do intend to have this conversation with the PADI instruction when I'm able to!*
I've been mulling over the idea of taking a PADI OW course, however I have a slightly unique situation. Let me preface this question with a disclaimer first though, so I can avoid the inevitable responses. Yes, I know you might not be doctors, and yes, I have already seen several doctors, neurologists and neurosurgeons. Oh, and yes I used the search function, and came up empty handed.
Anyways here goes. Last year I turned 30, and I became a stroke survivor. I was (and am returning to being) extremely active, and in good physical condition. During the course of my life (possibly lifting weights or during a Yoga class) I developed a dissection(tear) of my left vertebral artery. A thrombus(clot) formed, and subsequently was dislodged, moved into my cerebellum and I had a series of 3 ischemic cerebellar strokes, the worst of which left me unable to walk, speak or see. My condition improved rapidly after diagnosis and treatment, and now one year later after my Warfarin therapy is over, I have no lasting ill effects aside from a very slight loss of peripheral vision and minor narrowing of the affected (and now healed) artery. I am also sentenced to daily 81 mg Aspirin for the rest of my time above ground. Phew.
OK, so now here's my question. Do those of you with experience know of any reason why SCUBA might not be safe or advisable for me? I have asked my GP, Neurosurgeon and Neurologist this exact question, and have been met with blank stares. All I have been medically advised against is any activity which might agravate my previously injured artery. (Think whiplash...contact sports, bungee jumping etc etc)
Please bear in mind that I know virtually nothing about SCUBA, except that I have a basic understanding of air/gas embolism, and I am aware that it can be a concern for divers. Other than that I'm just a newb who is really excited to learn to dive.
Sorry for the long post. Thanks for reading.
-VV
*I do intend to have this conversation with the PADI instruction when I'm able to!*
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