Topic: Odd thing...Hubby dizzy/spacey, not feeling well after diving in deep end repeatedly
Tracy9
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 7521
posted
My husband yesterday dove down to the bottom of our pool about 40 times to fix the drain yesterday. He held his breath as long as he could down there each time working on the drain. It is about 9 feet deep.
After doing this he became very ill; feeling weak, shaky, headache, and dizzy, also spacey. I guess he had to sit down there by the pool for about 45 munutes before he could even make the walk up to the house.
He was not feeling well all night and still feels very shaky today. Any ideas what it could be? He has Lyme, babs, and bart. He is not currently on treatment as he was feeling better after about 2 years of orals and 7 months of IV.
13 years Lyme & Co.; Small Fiber Neuropathy; Myasthenia Gravis, Adrenal Insufficiency. On chemo for 2 1/2 years as experimental treatment for MG. Posts: 4480 | From Northeastern Connecticut | Registered: Jun 2005
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Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted
- It actually makes a lot of sense. But, it's still miserable even if it makes sense.
The inner ear had a lot of work just to help maintain balance with 40 times up and down. It got a very strenuous workout so probably just needs a lot of rest.
Adding to that, the inner ear really gets a lot of pressure at that depth. Plus, if he had the stress of holding his breath and the physical work, it is understandable that he's worn out. From the workout, hypoperfusion may have increased if that is an issue for him.
The pressure even in nine feet of water can be like a ton of bricks on the inner ear.
He may need some recovery time, lying with torso and head elevated to a 30-degree angle as that is the best position to help the inner ear with less strain.
Ginger capsules may help decrease inflammation and help normalize inner ear function but if it was under that much pressure for that long, it could take days - or longer - for the vertigo/dizziness to subside.
I'm assuming he had no major ear pops or you might have mentioned that. If he had hear pain or pops, he should see an ear specialist. Otherwise, rest will probably be best.
Many links come up with a cross search at Google for: "ear pressure" "swimming pool"
The stress of the work likely triggered stress hormones. So, adrenal / endocrine hormones probably also either shot to the moon or went right down the pool drain, so to speak.
Blood glucose, too, could have taken a dive. All that can take days to get over and normalize again. Low blood sugar can take days to bounce back from. Some doctors see hypoglycemia as more damaging to the body than high blood sugar, actually. Mixed with high cortisol from the stress, it can clobber one even harder.
Adrenal support can help.
The chlorine (or other pool chemicals) can also be stressful on the liver, kidneys and nerve tissue - resulting in exhaustion and brain-fog or a spaced-out sensation.
Liver support can help that. -
[ 07-05-2010, 04:05 PM: Message edited by: Keebler ]
Posts: 48021 | From Tree House | Registered: Jul 2007
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Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted
- There is a link in this thread regarding increased hypoperfusion after exertion. See the Nightingale Foundation post: -------------------
Topic: To everyone with cardiac symptoms please read ! -
Posts: 48021 | From Tree House | Registered: Jul 2007
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Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted
- Hey, you guys might want to get a 12 to 15-foot tube to and attach to a snorkel mouthpiece. It could help if that drain needs any further attention.
It won't help with ear pressure but it sure could be nice to have some oxygen.
Keeping the tube clean inside might be a trick so it'd be best for it not to have accordion creases but, instead, be very smooth on the inside. Rinsing and shaking out before each use would be good. If it could be a clear acrylic tube (aside from the fittings), that would have some advantages with it needing to be so long.
Someone may already make such a thing. Also, the slower the descent, the easier it is on the ears. With a long snorkel tube, time would not force a rapid descent.
I bet he'll be feeling better in a few days. Hope so.
===============
Oh, maybe not such a good idea to snorkel to a nine-foot depth. Maybe some light scuba gear, though?
From a Google Search for "long snorkel" here's some detail to consider from a URL that was just too long to post:
" . . . For every foot of water above your lungs, there is .433 lbs of pressure per square inch. After you go about five feet down, the pressure is so great, you simply can not inhale. . . . " -
Posts: 48021 | From Tree House | Registered: Jul 2007
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Tracy9
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 7521
posted
Keebler, THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!!
I really appreciate it, you have helped us out a great deal! We just finished the pool about a week ago, and he was going to use a garden hose as a snorkel to go down there. I'll have him read your posts!!!
You are such a wealth of information! But you already knew that.
13 years Lyme & Co.; Small Fiber Neuropathy; Myasthenia Gravis, Adrenal Insufficiency. On chemo for 2 1/2 years as experimental treatment for MG. Posts: 4480 | From Northeastern Connecticut | Registered: Jun 2005
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Keebler always amazes me as well! There is always so much fascinating information from our friend! I am sorry to hear your husband is suffering so severely. It is incredible how a small amount of activity can harm those of us with finicky bodies.
I agree with Keebler's recommendations. One idea that crossed my mind is the air pressure having a negative impact on the entire body. The ears are extremely sensitive, but the rest of the body generally is reactive to the situation as well. Air Decompression Sickness comes to mind. It is also called "The Bends". Nitrogen builds up in the body and causes severe pain, seizures, and other symptoms. HBOT is used to treat it.
seekhelp
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 15067
posted
Keebler NEEDS to start a consulting service. I really think her advice would be paid for and help pay for better treatment too for herself. She's SO helpful to so many.
Posts: 7545 | From The 5th Dimension - The Twilight Zone | Registered: Mar 2008
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Rumigirl
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 15091
posted
Hear, hear, I agree with seek about Keebler. I'm sure that many, many of us agree as well.
Tracy, I hope your husband recovers soon from the stress of the job. I can see how it could do a Lymie in! (and non-Lymies, too, for that matter).
Posts: 3771 | From around | Registered: Mar 2008
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Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted
- Oh, my. It's 9:30 at night and I'm still in my jammies - no energy to shower all day. Thanks for the laugh, guys.
I do think I would make an excellent "ambience director" - and adrenal safety manger for any company. Too much stress from irritants in the work place - I'd know exactly how to lower sensory stress since I've so much experience getting hammered by it. I'm sure "ambience director" would really rank high on the priority list these days.
Actually, the underwater stuff comes easy. I used to be a lifeguard and had a time adjusting the grates on the bottom of the pool. It was exhausting even when in my early 20's (too many decades ago).
My ears also had their share of hits from being on the diving team. Wish I had known then what I know now. -
Posts: 48021 | From Tree House | Registered: Jul 2007
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posted
Dear seekhelp and Rumigirl, Keebler would make a wonderful advisor. It is important that people who have knowledge share it. There is no use in knowing anything if the information is not shared. My mother thinks I should be a physician. I just do not want to become one of those people who thinks they are God in a labcoat.
Dear Keebler, I am often too exhausted to take a shower, so I sympathize! The chlorine exposure makes me drowsy. It is interesting you used to be a lifeguard. Two of my cousins worked as lifeguards during their summers as teenagers. What is so amazing is how many people do not realize how dangerous the suction can be at the bottom of the pool.
Many lose their lives from being stuck under water and drowning when their hands are trapped. Others have been pulled down by their hair, and hot tubs are another source of trouble. Pools are credited more with drownings, but hot tubs are overlooked all the time. There is such a serene feeling while swimming under the water. It is difficult not to get lost in the peacefulness.
Tracy9
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 7521
posted
It is interesting how my husband used to be a lifeguard, too. And a long distance swimmer for many years....
Our new pool has drains that have special protective devices on them so they are anti suction. Those horrific accidents can't happen, fortunately! I'm glad hubby spent the extra money to get those kind of safeguards in the pool and spa.
13 years Lyme & Co.; Small Fiber Neuropathy; Myasthenia Gravis, Adrenal Insufficiency. On chemo for 2 1/2 years as experimental treatment for MG. Posts: 4480 | From Northeastern Connecticut | Registered: Jun 2005
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posted
Dear Tracy9, That is so funny! Lifeguards are everywhere! I used to be on a swim team. It is good to know your pool is safe from the suction dangers. I am so jealous! I wish we had a pool! Oh well, it is bad for my body type anyway according to "Escape Your Shape." We pear-shaped ladies need to avoid anything that bulks up our bottom halves!
Also have had an mild to moderate ear ache for about a month that started with TMJ pain.
I used to spend a ton of time in the ocean swimming, surfing, snorkling, and just about anything. Althogh going down and up and using tools underwater was all ok or kinda fun-- all the sudden I just felt WACKED and had to get out and lay down. Still feeling the effects today.
And yes if I did use a hose to do this kind of work again I do know to only breathe in via the hose and exhale via my mouth underwater as not to suck in my own CO2.
I would like to find a cheap used scuba tank and regulator just for fun and to do underwater cleaning and repairs. I could also teach Cody the kids.
For now just laying low--- as it really did wack me out.
Thanks again for the info. It does make sence.
Blake
-------------------- Positive 10 bands WB IGG & IGM + Babesia + Bartonolla and NOW RMSF 3/5/09 all at Quest
posted
Dear djf2005, I know I am sensitive to chlorine. Whenever I take a shower, my eyes burn. The steam must be why. If only we could afford a filter for the shower! My scalp is always itching, and the chlorine may be the culprit. Switching shampoos (even sulfite/sulphate free ones) has not helped.
I cannot drink tap water. It gives me diarrhea and stomach cramps and nauseates me. Our tap water is deadly! Splenda also makes me ill in the same way. What I figure is, that bacterial dysbiosis may be part of it. Candida is definitely there, but SIBO tends to accompany the yeast overgrowth frequently. Chlorine destroys bacteria, good or bad. Splenda is bleached with it, and is known to cause brain fog.
posted
Ours will be a salt water pool. It is new and for the first month we have to go with chlorine until the plaster settles. Then we can use the converter.
-------------------- Positive 10 bands WB IGG & IGM + Babesia + Bartonolla and NOW RMSF 3/5/09 all at Quest
posted
Dear Derek, Thank you for the link! I am going to do this as soon as I am financially able! There is a lot of estrogen in our water as well. Your skin absorbs more toxins than any other part of the body from what I understand. My father smokes, and I wish I could avoid that. Unfortunately, I have no choice but to live here and stay out of the room he is when while smoking as much as possible.
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She's SO helpful to so many.
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And a long distance swimmer for many years....
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