DCI II, the aftermath...

[ianr33]

If you put a star after it it works (ie "PFO*" -no quotes).

-Erica

Cool. Thanks

 

[pipedope]

I don't have the links at hand but I am sure someone will pop up with them.
Richard Pyle wrote about his experiences with serious DCI and his recovery.

His stories are both sobering and hopeful at the same time.

I think one was called, "Confessions of a Mortal Diver."

 

[cdl1747]

Thanks for your advice. I did post my question with Doc Deco as you suggested. In short, I had about 50 dives under my belt when I embarked on what was to be a 17 dive, week long vacation in Belize. On the first day, after the second dive of only 60 feet, my abdomen tightened, feet tingled, and I was bent. My dive profile was very much within limits as I am a cautious diver. I later learned that the mild core body exercises I had done before the second dive might have contributed to my getting the bends. These were done in an air conditioned room and I was well hydrated, but just the activity in that area of the body may have stirred up the nitrogen bubbles. Mea culpa, I didn't know about any link between exercise and the bends.

Anyway, as soon as I reached shore with the signs that I was bent, I started on oxygen, which I continued for four hours, minus a 45 minute gap when the O2 ran out, before I reached the hyperbaric chamber on another island. The hyperbaric treatment lasted for 2 1/2 weeks, 27 treatments, 72 hours and I went from paralysis from the waist down to walking unassisted.

Now, back in the D.C. area, I have yet to find an MD to consult on my DCI. This is my constant frustration. I contacted the DAN recommended doc who knew nothing about my situation and charged a lot of money to tell me that. My lower body is undergoing a tremendous amount of inexplicable change in sensory perception (while motor skills are strengthening continually) and I'd like to talk it over with a knowledgeable source. I've tried the Naval Hospital, academic teaching hospitals, etc. but can't seem to find a doc knowledgeable about the diving angle. Any suggestions?

First welcome to the board.

I have been there and done that. More about that later. I would ask that you post your experience (story) of what happened (the dive, the dive profile, what happened as you know it) and your experience in treatment following. This allows others to learn from your experience. It also helps educate and dispel misconceptions many divers may have.

I would also recommend post this question with Doc Deco under Marine Science and Physiology. He is a medical man. NASA physician and expert in Deco medicine.

Divers Alert Network at http://www.diversalertnetwork.org/ is also a good resource Second under Accidents and Incidents and Near Misses we would love to hear your full story so that we can learn from it.

Now for the attorneys: I am not a medical person or other expert on the subject. Each person is unique and their experience and prognosis may differ. The following does not constitute medical advice but is only my personal experience.

Been there, had that. I got bent (diving not drinking) in 2001. I had a tingling sensation in the bottom of my foot for years. Actually I still do to a small extent; I just no longer notice it most of the time. As I understand it (from talking to people, reading about it here and else where etc), in this type of DCS there was a Nitrogen bubble interacting with a nerve or nerve path. This interaction causes injury, or even death to the involved nerve or nerve path. The resulting damage can manifest itself as anything from a phantom feeling (my case) to numbness (yours) or paralysis or worse. Depending upon the severity of the damage, how long the bubble was there, where it was etc, the body may or may not ever recover. The body is an amazing thing and will sometimes find new paths (rewire itself) if a nerve path is damaged. Other times it may not. I know one guy who was paralyzed from the waist down, 10 minutes after leaving the water, got on O2 right away and walked out of the hospital later that night. Yet others are not so lucky.

In short, this may or may not ever go away. In my case it did get better over several years but not completely resolved. But it could also be a life long condition. No guarantees either way.

 

[clgsamson]

How did you end up with a Type II DCI? I hope you were and are still insured bro.

 

[RIOceanographer]

Have you tried calling the DAN medical information line? It is a free call.

http://www.diversalertnetwork.org/

Non-Emergency Medical Questions
1-800-446-2671 or 1-919-684-2948, Mon-Fri, 9am-5pm (ET)

 

[Dr Deco]

The Divers' Alert Network is your best single source at this time. RIO gave it in the above post.

 

[pasley]

...Now, back in the D.C. area, I have yet to find an MD to consult on my DCI. This is my constant frustration. ...but can't seem to find a doc knowledgeable about the diving angle. Any suggestions?

DAN is in NC at Duke University Medical Center (DUMC) and a short drive from you in DC. Perhaps you could make an appointment to visit with a physician there.

Thank you for sharing your DCI story too. Doc Deco has written often on exercise and DCI. There are so many facets that can cause or contribute to DCI that it may be challenging for you to pin point the true cause but the exercise may be it, or may have nothing at all to do with it.

From I-85 South (from Virginia)
Take I-85 to the 15-501 exit (after the Hillandale Road). Be careful! This exit will be to the left off of I-85 South. Follow 15-501 until you get to the Cornwallis Road exit. At the stop sign, turn left and go under the overpass. Turn right onto Western Bypass Road. At the stop sign, turn right. Take the first road to your right (Colony Road). DAN is located on the left.

 

[Dr Deco]

CDL 1747:

DAN is still your best bet. Things will generally improve with time. Physical thereapy and possible repeated HBO treatments. DAN will advise.

Best of luck!

 

[kraken]

I too am a member of the type II club, I started in July 04.

I also experienced a high level of fatigue and occassional bouts of light-headedness post treatment. I fought and fought with the insurance companies to get tests to figure out what was wrong (if anything). My accident resulted in paralysis in both legs and one arm, which was mostly resolved with my first treatments. The lack of balance and problems with fine motor skills improved with a follow-up treatment in the states 5 days later. HOWEVER even after hte second treatment my balance was slightly off. The neurologist I saw said it was not surprising and would take up to 12 months to return. It's been 15 months now and I'm probably 98-99% percent normal and finally able to start working out again. I still get fatigued easy and it's harder than before to work an 18 hour day (might just be I'm getting older) and I occassionally have tingles in my arm and occassionally have other odd sensations.

At the end of the day I was allowed to return to diving with limitations and a warning that next time it might not resolve with treatment. I'm close to 40 dives post accident now (most less than 60'). I was also diagnosed with a PFO, which may or may not have been a contributing factor, guidance is not clear. I had 600+ dives prior to the accident and I got bent on a normal dive (started with a stomach ache before the second dive).

I was advised to take vitamin B, get lots of rest right after the accident, and exercise lightly as much as I could. The cardiologist recommended lots of anti-oxidents and a cup of green tea per day. Your doc might tell you differently. The key is be relentless in your quest for help. Sadly I found using the benefits dept at my company (130k employees) the best way to get the insurance company to authorize tests and get me to see specialists.

dave