am I bent or my symptoms are age related?

[Recdiver61]

7 days ago I had a bad dive. I felt no problem when I surfaced. However next day I pins and needles and tingling on my left hand and specially tip of my fingers. I contacted the doctor at the hotel and she told me that I have inflammation and prescribed a NSAID. I took two Aleeve that night and my symptoms were gone and I felt OK. I continued taking Aleeve for a next few days. On occasion I got sharp pain in my knee and ankles. sometimes on my right leg and sometimes on my left leg. in the past few days. I wake up with no symptoms and go to work. and in the afternoon. I have back pain and some numbness and weakness in my legs. I am 49 years old. The following is my dive profile. I did have another normal dive at 40 feet.

Thanks for any help or advice that you can offer.

Dive Profile
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Elapsed Dive Time (hr:min) Depth(FT) Nitrogen Bar Graph Oxygen Bar Graph Ascent Rate(FPM) Air Time Remaining Dive Time Remaining Deco Time (hr:min) Stop Depth(FT) Temperature(F) PO2 Tank Pressure Reading(PSI) Link Status Dive Status
00:00:30 11.6 0 0 (0-10) 00:24 09:59 0:00 0 81 1 2948 Linked
00:01:00 15.8 0 0 >30 00:23 09:59 0:00 0 80 1 2908 Linked
00:01:30 26.3 0 0 (0-10) 00:21 04:35 0:00 0 79 1 2870 Linked
00:02:00 34.4 0 0 (0-10) 00:27 02:29 0:00 0 79 1 2802 Linked
00:02:30 38.2 0 0 >30 00:23 02:00 0:00 0 78 1 2776 Linked
00:03:00 36.8 0 0 00:24 02:12 0:00 0 78 1 2712 Linked
00:03:30 45.3 0 0 (0-10) 00:21 01:16 0:00 0 78 1 2658 Linked
00:04:00 53.3 0 0 (0-10) 00:18 00:57 0:00 0 78 1 2600 Linked
00:04:30 58.8 0 0 (11-25) 00:17 00:42 0:00 0 78 1 2564 Linked
00:05:00 67.2 1 0 (0-20) 00:18 00:31 0:00 0 78 1 2518 Linked
00:05:30 67.9 1 0 (0-20) 00:34 00:31 0:00 0 77 1 2478 Linked
00:06:00 74.3 1 0 (0-20) 00:29 00:25 0:00 0 77 1 2420 Linked
00:06:30 72.1 1 0 (0-20) 00:19 00:26 0:00 0 77 1 2376 Linked
00:07:00 75.1 1 0 (0-20) 00:18 00:24 0:00 0 77 1 2280 Linked
00:07:30 74.4 1 0 (0-20) 00:21 00:23 0:00 0 77 1 2280 Linked
00:08:00 72.9 2 0 (0-20) 00:22 00:23 0:00 0 77 1 2232 Linked
00:08:30 74.1 2 0 (0-20) 00:26 00:22 0:00 0 77 1 2184 Linked
00:09:00 77.6 2 0 (0-20) 00:20 00:20 0:00 0 77 1 2134 Linked
00:09:30 75.6 2 0 (0-20) 00:17 00:21 0:00 0 77 1 2094 Linked
00:10:00 70.2 2 0 (0-20) 00:22 00:24 0:00 0 77 1 2082 Linked
00:10:30 80.5 2 0 (0-20) 00:22 00:17 0:00 0 77 1 2030 Linked
00:11:00 85.5 2 0 (21-50) 00:16 00:14 0:00 0 77 1 1966 Linked
00:11:30 77.3 2 0 (0-20) 00:19 00:18 0:00 0 77 1 1958 Linked
00:12:00 79.6 3 0 (0-20) 00:24 00:16 0:00 0 77 1 1910 Linked
00:12:30 75.4 3 0 (21-50) 00:23 00:17 0:00 0 77 1 1890 Linked
00:13:00 75.6 3 0 (0-20) 00:20 00:17 0:00 0 77 1 1854 Linked
00:13:30 73.6 3 0 (0-20) 00:24 00:17 0:00 0 77 1 1828 Linked
00:14:00 73.6 3 0 (0-20) 00:23 00:17 0:00 0 77 1 1790 Linked
00:14:30 74.3 3 0 (0-20) 00:21 00:16 0:00 0 77 1 1748 Linked
00:15:00 75. 3 0 (0-20) 00:22 00:15 0:00 0 77 1 1734 Linked
00:15:30 74.1 3 0 (0-20) 00:19 00:16 0:00 0 77 1 1700 Linked
00:16:00 79.8 3 0 (0-20) 00:16 00:12 0:00 0 77 1 1652 Linked
00:16:30 78.5 3 0 (0-20) 00:15 00:12 0:00 0 77 1 1598 Linked
00:17:00 67.3 3 0 (0-20) 00:15 00:17 0:00 0 77 1 1582 Linked
00:17:30 67.4 3 0 (0-20) 00:12 00:16 0:00 0 77 1 1532 Linked
00:18:00 61.8 3 0 (0-20) 00:11 00:20 0:00 0 77 1 1482 Linked
00:18:30 55.9 3 0 (0-10) 00:12 00:30 0:00 0 77 1 1460 Linked
00:19:00 59.1 3 0 (11-25) 00:09 00:24 0:00 0 77 1 1408 Linked
00:19:30 69.4 3 0 (0-20) 00:07 00:13 0:00 0 77 1 1290 Linked
00:20:00 67.4 3 0 (21-50) 00:08 00:14 0:00 0 77 1 1290 Linked
00:20:30 69.8 3 0 (0-20) 00:08 00:13 0:00 0 77 1 1234 Linked
00:21:00 73.8 3 0 (0-20) 00:07 00:11 0:00 0 77 1 1198 Linked
00:21:30 73.8 3 0 (0-20) 00:08 00:10 0:00 0 77 1 1174 Linked
00:22:00 76.4 4 0 (0-20) 00:07 00:09 0:00 0 77 1 1138 Linked
00:22:30 72.6 4 0 (0-20) 00:07 00:09 0:00 0 77 1 1104 Linked
00:23:00 56. 4 0 00:14 00:19 0:00 0 77 1 1078 Linked
00:23:30 63.4 4 0 (0-20) 00:10 00:13 0:00 0 77 1 1024 Linked
00:24:00 56.1 4 0 (11-25) 00:05 00:19 0:00 0 77 1 990 Linked
00:24:30 61.4 4 0 (0-20) 00:04 00:13 0:00 0 77 1 942 Linked
00:25:00 51.6 4 0 >30 00:06 00:27 0:00 0 77 1 932 Linked
00:25:30 42.4 4 0 (11-25) 00:07 00:46 0:00 0 77 1 890 Linked
00:26:00 42.9 4 0 (0-10) 00:04 00:42 0:00 0 77 1 854 Linked
00:26:30 45.1 4 0 (11-25) 00:04 00:36 0:00 0 77 1 830 Linked
00:27:00 46.3 4 0 (0-10) 00:03 00:33 0:00 0 77 1 794 Linked
00:27:30 36.9 4 0 00:02 01:15 0:00 0 77 1 764 Linked
00:28:00 41.1 4 0 (0-10) 00:02 00:47 0:00 0 77 1 736 Linked
00:28:30 37.5 4 0 00:01 01:14 0:00 0 77 1 708 Linked
00:29:00 27.8 4 0 00:02 02:43 0:00 0 77 1 682 Linked
00:29:30 8.1 4 0 00:03 09:59 0:00 0 77 1 656 Linked

 

[Bubbletrubble]

Could you please describe the tingling in your left hand in more detail? You mentioned that the tips of your fingers were involved. Which specific finger tips? (I'm thinking along the lines of nerve entrapment caused by inflammation in the wrist region and that's probably why the doctor recommended you take NSAIDs. A certain distribution of the tingling sensation would be consistent with this explanation.)

You also seem to be having several other neurological symptoms. Based on the dive info you provided, your dive doesn't strike me as super-aggressive in terms of nitrogen-loading, so DCS probability is relatively low. I say this without knowing your nitrogen-loading status from previous dives. However, your ascent rate did exceed 30 ft/min on a few occasions and you omitted a safety stop. That definitely leaves room for improvement in the future. Due to the delay in onset of symptoms, we can probably rule out arterial gas embolism. Something to keep in mind is that divers can sustain injuries in the course of diving that aren't necessarily nitrogen-loading/DCS-related. For one thing, it's easy to tweak your back while lifting heavy dive gear. Arching your back while diving (horizontal trim?) can also put stress on it. Sitting or walking around on a crowded dive boat can also lead to a situation in which you tweak your back.

Overall, the symptoms I find most concerning are: (1) the back pain associated with weakness and numbness in both legs and (2) the sharp pains in your knees and ankles. Have you experienced these symptoms before in other situations unrelated to diving? Have you seen a physician about this issue? Have you ever been diagnosed with spinal stenosis? Does anyone in your family have these kinds of back issues? I would highly recommend that you see a medical professional for further evaluation. There could be any number of things going on...some age-related (osteoarthritis, disk degeneration, thickened ligaments)...and some not (growths/lesions, injuries, etc.).

Please keep us posted on your progress. Feel free to give Divers Alert Network (919-684-4326 for diving emergencies; 800-326-3822 for non-emergent situations) a call to get their opinion on the matter. DAN can also give you a referral to a dive-savvy physician in your local area.

 

[Recdiver61]

The sensation involved all 5 fingers and it felt colder with the mild feeling of pins and needles.
as to my knees I have always had cracking knees. On various occasions I would stress my knees and feel some sharp pains from time to time.
This was my first dive of the trip. and my second dive was the 40feet smoother dive with normal safety stop.
There was no subsequent dives on this trip due to my sons cold and congestion.
again thanks for your advice and time.

 

[Bubbletrubble]

Hmmm. So it sounds like the sharp pains in your knees and ankles might be the continuation of some chronic process.

What was the temperature of the water in which you were diving?
Where were you diving?
The reason I ask is that cold exposure can be associated with a condition called Raynaud's phenomenon which produces a discoloration and pain/numbness/sensation of "cold" in exposed extremities. Not sure if that describes what you experienced. You didn't mention any discoloration (white or purple) of the involved finger tips, and you didn't say that this has happened before under other cold exposure situations. Low probability...but I thought I'd throw that idea out there.

I'd recommend seeing a medical professional about this.

 

[Superlyte27]

Call DAN talk with them. Better safe than sorry.

*edit
because of the stuff you've described, i'm leaning towards yes, you are bent.

 

[Recdiver61]

dived in Cozumel Mexico, Temp. was about 75 to 80 and water temp was 77 based on my dive computer. no discoloration of fingers.

 

[TSandM]

First off, I don't think your profile looks that bad. Also, an overnight delay before the onset of symptoms is unusual, and the symptoms you subsequently developed after what sounds like several days of delay (I assume without further diving?) are almost certainly not diving-related. If you are indeed having weakness in both legs, with back pain, I'd be much more worried about a disc problem.

But I agree that running this past DAN is a very reasonable approach, and if your computer can be downloaded, you can probably send them your profiles for the two dives.

 

[Bubbletrubble]

dived in Cozumel Mexico, Temp. was about 75 to 80 and water temp was 77 based on my dive computer. no discoloration of fingers.

OK, then. Disregard my comments regarding Reynaud's as there wasn't acute exposure to cold.

Call DAN and/or get a check-up with an MD.

 

[Superlyte27]

Oh, I missed that this was overnight...

Still possible but unlikely. I had a buddy goofing on doing a decompression in the chamber and the next morning he was covered in skin bends.

 

[DandyDon]

If you did not call DAN because you are not a covered member, forget that. They will still counsel you with the same care they give to a covered member. Anyone concerned about possible diving, scuba or even swimming problems is welcome to call, collect if needed, for advice and more. How you then pay for treatment possibly suggested is a different issue...

#Diving Emergencies (Remember: Call local EMS first, then DAN!)* 1-919-684-9111
# Non-Emergency Medical Questions
1-800-446-2671 or 1-919-684-2948, Mon-Fri, 8:30am-5:00pm (ET)
# All Other Inquiries
1-800-446-2671 or 1-919-684-2948​

* Me personally, I have called DAN to ask if I needed to see a doctor - and for a local referral to one who actually knows diving, and I have on the way to see one. In a real emergency, I'd try to call them from an ambulance I suppose.