OP
2 DCS hits and a PFO closure
- Thread starter Pullnglide
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WetRocks
Contributor
Interesting you mention intrapulmonary shunts...I'm reading through the articles you've posted in the other thread.
I had a PFO closed last year after multiple unexpected DCS hits. Closure was a deemed a success but I've experienced two more hits since. "Just" skin bends but still, concerning and frustrating.
I am planning on investigating other possible shunts while trying to take additional precautions (short of giving up cave diving...) Any advice on next steps is welcome!
OP
We're your hits before having the PFO closed DCSII? Your the first I've heard of someone having DCS symptoms after having the PFO closed but I'm sure there are others out there. Sometimes it's just meant to be when it comes to what we can and can't do especially with decompression diving. If I suffer another hit then unfortunately I'm done decompression diving or I will most likely end up divorced
My wife absolutely hates cave diving and was extremely upset after this last hit, a 3rd will do me in.
WetRocks
Contributor
Skin bends twice after closure. It's possible.
@Duke Dive Medicine, Prior to closure I had cutis marmorata twice. After closure it's been just redness and skin/tissue/muscle pain (itching first time, not the second.) Felt like I was hit by a truck for a few days afterwards.
You are correct with the no guarantee that the closure will stop DCI, having had mine closed 10 months ago I still get on average a hit every other dive.
Very annoying.
Looking back through my logbook I have marked more than 100 dives in nearly 500 that I have had a bend of some sort.
Glad you have had the procedure done with no problems, but just to let you know you will be just as susceptible and you will need to be considerably conservative with extra long safety/deco stops.
OP
Wow, 100 out of 500, you may have something else going on. I hate to hear you have had so many problems!
That's interesting. What you're describing sounds more like type I skin bends and possibly lymphatic bends which aren't associated with PFO, but it could also be an atypical cutis. Did you have any swelling anywhere?
What type of diving do you do? Breathing gas mixes? Wetsuit or drysuit? If you use a drysuit, what do you inflate it with? What decompression algorithm do you use, and if you use a computer, what settings are you using?
Best regards,
DDM
OP
Speaking of skin bends, something I didn't mention about my last hit. It was weird and something I'd never heard of. I'm not aware of any other places on my body with skin bends but both of my ears were ON FIRE!! So much to where the pain radiated if I touched them. The hyperbaric Dr told me the type of skin bends it may have been I can't remember what he said. After the table 6 that pain was completely gone.
This is a picture of what I get on a regular basis, sometimes on other area's of my body, usually shoulders and backs of the arms. Now that's what you do see.
Shortness of breath and pain in the chest making it hard to breath is worse.
All usually dissapates within 24 hours.
Now the pain in the Base of my back and neck that crackles when you twist normally takes 3 to 5 days to ease.
One day I'll take myself to the chamber.
What I think is all these bends must be fairly minor all beit a little inconvenient as the body repairs itself ready for the next bout the next time you dive. Think a lot of it has been over dramatised. The body is just telling you to take it easy.
I hope.
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