could it be dcs

[ivansie]

Hi, I had my 4 OW certifications dives over the weekend, I dont have my log book with me but on saturday there were 2 30f for between 35 to 40 minutes and on sunday a 60f for 30 minutes and a 28f for 41 minutes. I did not feel anything that day (just a little bit tired I guess for the weekend excercise, pool plus dives) and all ascends were made at the pace that the instructor set so I dont think there were any rapid ascends.

After that I have felt a couple of times kind of dizzy but for brief moments, but it felt more to me like it was because of the movement of the boat (the seas were kind of rough) and maybe my senses were still disoriented. I felt a little bit of pressure on my head but I guess is because I am not used to diving that much in consecutive days

I havent felt any pains, no nausea, vomit or anything but today I felt a little bit of a tingling in my lower back, no numbness.

My question is could it be dcs or I am just paranoid?? I have read all the possible symptoms and I really havent experience anything like that but only a couple of independent symptoms that probably I would not pay much attention to if I havent been diving over the weekend.

Thanks for any feedback on this

 

[Soggy]

I'm not a doctor...I don't play one on TV, but...

Most DCS symptoms occur within 12 hours of diving. It sounds like it is 3 days later when the symptoms are occurring. The tingling in the back may be something as simple as straining something while carrying tanks. The headache...well...headaches happen. Drink lots of water.

But....we'll wait for Dr. Deco to respond!

This is just my, admittedly uninformed, opinion.

 

[Alban]

Hello ivansie


I do not know if DCS is the case here but I have felt dizzy on occasion after being on a boat it usually only lasts a couple of seconds I think its just a matter of getting your land legs back.

I also can feel a little stiff a few days after a dive but that is probably my age and having the weight belt around my back for several dives , I would think perhaps in your case you have been using muscles you don't normally use.

see what the doc's think .

Alban

 

[DocVikingo]

.... to the scientific aspects of decompression (the thrust of DrDeco's forum), I have taken the liberty of moving it here. However, he will still see it.

You report a weekend profile involving 2 dives at ~30' for between 35- 40" on Sat, and one to ~60' for 30" & another for 28' for 41" on Sun. I'll assume that the instructor, whom you seemingly followed, ascended in a conservative manner, and that appropriate safety stops were performed, although your report confirms neither of these. If I have it about right so far, on the face of it this is not especially worrisome.

It is not clear to me what you mean by, "I did not feel anything that day (just a little bit tired I guess for the weekend exercise, pool plus dives)." Is "that day" the end of Sat, or Sun?

Considering your symptoms, it's also not exactly clear to me what "a little bit of pressure on my head" means.

Dizziness can be a manifestation of DCS, but it typically lasts for some period of time, not just a couple of episodes for brief moments.

In any event, both the sensation of pressure on the head & dizziness rapidly resolved, correct?

Regarding the tingling without numbess in your lower back area that apparently began today, while such a sensation can be a symptom of DCS, the time frame is not consistent. As a rough rule of thumb when diving air, in about 50% of cases of DCS the signs/symptoms are noted within ~30" of the last dive. In ~90% of cases they are noted by 3 hours after the last dive. In almost all cases, they are noted by 12 hours. Thus, it's very improbable that the tingling is the result of DCS.

You deny any other features of DCI, and that is good.

Based on the picture you give, it seems unlikely that you have sustained a DCS hit. Nonetheless, if the tingling, or any other symptom you may be experiencing, does not improve relatively quickly, or gets worse, you should seek medical attention.

This is educational only and does not constitute or imply a doctor-patient relationship. It is not medical advice to you or any other individual, and should not be construed as such. Divers & their doctors may submit questions to DAN http://www.diversalertnetwork.org/medical/.

Best regards.

DocVikingo

 

[ivansie]

Doc and others, thanks in advance for taking the time to answer me and sorry for not being as specific, I should have done better...

Here is some more info:

In the 60f dive we did a 15f 4 minute stop, it was supposed to be 3 minutes but the ascend was crowded

the tireness was at the end of sunday

I am not prone to headaches and those type of things but after the weekend dives I did feel some kind of a pressure on the top/back of my head (kind of if you had the flu) but not painful, just uncomfortable but also for brief moments (couple of minutes)

The dizziness and pressure in the head went away after a few minutes everytime and it has resolve now.

Maybe its just a mental thing because since I had really tried to understand diving and DCS I had it in my mind before going diving and could be associating every little thing with it....

Again, thanks for you opinions and responses

Ivan

 

[Spectre]

ivansie once bubbled...
I am not prone to headaches and those type of things but after the weekend dives I did feel some kind of a pressure on the top/back of my head (kind of if you had the flu) but not painful, just uncomfortable but also for brief moments (couple of minutes)

Did it feel anything like a sinus headache?

I often find I get water up in my sinuses during my diving... it's never an issue, but I'll feel a little pressure, bend over, and let the water run out [sorry for the nasty picture

 

[Dr Deco]

Dear Ivan:

DCS?

Answering only in a very general sense, the duration and depth that you described would be unusual to produce joint pain DCS, commonly called “the bends.” These gas loads would be too small.

Neurological DCS

The sensations that you describe would be more indicative of neurological decompression sickness, that is, the numbness, “pins and needles,” etc. However, the time frame for the appearance is not correct, as DocVikingo indicated.

New divers often think that any pain is DCS, but it is good to be suspicious and to ask.

Dr Deco :doctor:

 

[PnL]

I get headaches when I'm dehydrated - could that be one reason?

Also, my wife and I just got certified last weekend, doing our final OW dives (3) on a boat off Catalina Is, CA. There were swells and the boat was constantly being pitched about. There was a slight surge/current also. We were both exhausted but felt fine until we got home and sat down ... the world seemed to be moving!! Up until that point our bodies were in constant motion for ~10 hours and sitting still was a strange feeling! We got our 'legs' back soon though

BTW - deepest dive was 46' and 24 min, with the other two dives at less depth and about the same time.

 

[ivansie]

Thanks guys for all your input. I think that probably the new diver explanation will be the one. I fell perfect now, probably after reading your opinions, although as the doc said I think better safe than sorry, mostly when you are playing with your life. Now that I am a diver I will pay more attention to any of this sympthoms, hopefully I will always be wrong....

About the sinus headache, I dont think it was that because it was more towards the back of my head although my wife did get mild sinus headache for a day or two.

The boat was moving a lot so probably the dizziness comes from that. Again I feel great now so I guess it wasnt DCS after all