Post Dive Dizziness

[schnitz011]

Hi All,

I recently returned from a bareboating trip in the BVI's. As part of this I was able to do 4 dives over the course of a week. None were all that deep 82 ft max on one dive for less than 2 minutes all others maxed out at less then 55 ft. I completed full safety stops for all dives as well. However, for the past week I have been experiencing dizziness particularly at night and when shifting head positions. I was at first attributing this to "land sickness" but am beginning to fear that this may be somehow dive related.

Has anyone experienced this or like symptoms? If so, do you have any recommendations/explanations?

Thanks,

Mike

 

[fnfalman]

Anything can happen, but I seriously doubt that you're experiencing DCS right now. Are you sure your blood pressure/blood sugar isn't all off?

That dizziness thing that you experienced is a regular for me but not because of diving but because I'm out of shape and a diabetic.

 

[schnitz011]

Anything can happen, but I seriously doubt that you're experiencing DCS right now. Are you sure your blood pressure/blood sugar isn't all off?

That dizziness thing that you experienced is a regular for me but not because of diving but because I'm out of shape and a diabetic.

I would not categorize myself as being out of shape by any stretch but maybe I should have a doctor look at the old BP and blood sugar.

Thanks for the advice!

 

[vjanelle]

Would you describe it as vertigo?

 

[Selachimorpha]

It could well be related to your ears. I would suggest seeing a doctor who specialises in these things.

Hope your problem gets resolved!

Safe diving

 

[Web Monkey]

Hi All,

I recently returned from a bareboating trip in the BVI's. As part of this I was able to do 4 dives over the course of a week. None were all that deep 82 ft max on one dive for less than 2 minutes all others maxed out at less then 55 ft. I completed full safety stops for all dives as well. However, for the past week I have been experiencing dizziness particularly at night and when shifting head positions. I was at first attributing this to "land sickness" but am beginning to fear that this may be somehow dive related.

Based on all the years I didn't go to med school, and the fact that I have absolutely no medical training at all, I'd recommend having an actual doctor take a look at you.

You can call DAN for a referral if you want, but a good ENT should be able to tell if you have an infection or damage.

In any case "dizzy" isn't normal, so you should definitely have someone figure out what's wrong.

Terry

 

[austriandiveress]

Sounds a bit like benign positional vertigo: there are little stones in your inner ear (help, I'm not a doctor) made of, I believe calcium, that can mess up your equilibrium. I had a pretty bad case, but was thankfully 100% sucessfully treated. In my case it had nothing to do with diving... It was very bad at night (I was told the eyes are part of our balance system, and when its dark we lose this extra help: had to sleep with a nightlight), also when tipping my head back or to the side. Good luck!

 

[Wlragan]

I had a similar experience earlier this year. I was in Jamaica for a short trip with my Mom for a cousins wedding. Took advantage and did 2 dives a day for 3 days in a row. I had never done this many in a short time before. All were pretty shallow 60 ft max. Minimal alcohol consumption during those days. Noticed the "dizzy/light headedness" on maybe evening #2. Flight home was 24 hours after last dive. For about a week to 10 days after I got home I would notice a light headed feeling every once in a while. Was beginning to think I should have it checked out when it went away.

2 months later did a houseboat trip on a lake and did 9 dives over 3 days. Did not have the problem after this trip. I came to my own conclusion that maybe I ascended a little too quickly. In the lake we were shallower due to cold and viz. Also often swam up to shallower water following the bottom vs straight up.

Figured I would watch this a little more closely and see if I go a little slower if it happens again.

If it had not gone away I would have called DAN. Hope yours goes away with no ill effects.

Wendy Ragan

 

[schnitz011]

Would you describe it as vertigo?

It does appear to be like vertigo... the room starts moving up and down and I can't seem to get my bearings right away. I will definitely place a call to DAN and hope that they can provide guidance.

I was diving with a comp and was sure to listen for ascent alerts and monitor my deco stops on all four dives. I guess that is what has me most nervous... knowing that I adhered to the safest dive profiles and yet these symptoms arise.

Thank you all for the advice and well wishes.

Update - I spoke with DAN and was informed that this is not dive related given my dive profiles for the week. They informed me that this was most likely residual "rocking" from time spent on the boat and could extend for some time (approx 1 more week). I was instructed to take motion sickness meds if the symptoms impair my everyday functioning but outside of that the symptoms will subside on their own.

Thank you all again!

 

[scubagoldmc]

Whenever I go on a boat I experience intermittent vertigo for a long time after getting off the boat. For a 7 day trip I can experience it for 10 to 14 days, it decreases with time. Doesn't matter whether I dive or not.

Just a point of reference, some of us are more susceptible than others.

Mike