Long term problems after diving

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Hi Julia, this is an interesting symptom set. Have you seen a GI specialist?

Best regards,
DDM
 
You're most welcome. Given your symptom presentation I wondered if maybe you'd damaged something when violently seasick.

Best regards,
DDM
 
What imaging have you had?
Chest x-ray, chest CT, brain MRI, heart ultrasound. My gp mostly just asks what I want, doesn't really help me out with research, so I would love suggestions on what to look for. At the beginning I was sure there must be a bubble in my chest because of the pain. But now I am much more concerned with the fact that any change in altitude and my brain is having severe problems.
 
Julia,

This is speculation based on what you posted previously and only one possibility, but it's not out of the question that you suffered damage to your stomach and/or esophagus when you were vomiting. Both branches of the vagus nerve wrap around the esophagus; I wonder if there could be some interaction there. The vagus nerve has a lot of functions, but if it's stimulated it can slow down your heart rate and drop your blood pressure. If you had an air pocket in your stomach or esophagus that expanded on ascent to altitude in an airplane, it could theoretically stimulate the vagus nerve in a damaged area. It would be something to ask a GI specialist and/or a neurologist about.

Best regards,
DDM
 

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