parabolic
Contributor
Starting in 2000 I have had problems with my left arm. The symptoms are numbness in my shoulder and a tingling, "pins and needles" feeling in the inside forearm between the wrist and the elbow. To the best of my recollection, there was no noticeable loss of strength. I did not associate this with DCS although I did a lot of diving in 2000, probably 100 dives both in California and several warmwater locations (Sea of Cortez and Solomons). It was annoying enough that I complained about it to my internist (my "primary care physician") who had me do a cervical MRI. The MRI was inconclusive, didn't show any blockage or arthritic condition in C4-C6. Years passed, symptoms remained relatively constant, although the itching and tingling in the forearm increased to the point that in late 2005 I consulted a spinal injury specialist, who had me do another MRI which, like the first, was inconclusive. He also recommended physical therapy and accupuncture, which I did, and although they felt good while I was doing them, neither had any effect on the numbness or tingling.
Then in late February of this year 2006 I did a major dive trip to Papua New Guinea. The trip was uneventful as far as my left arm was concerned, but on the second or third day after I got back home (after about 20 hours of flying) I woke up with a dramatic loss of strength in the left arm. I could not lift the arm laterally above my shoulder, and could barely lift a glass of water. Scared, I consulted my internist again who referred me to two neurologists, one of whom did an EMG on the arm and identified significant nerve damage. I also did another MRI, and consulted a neurosurgeon who said she saw nothing that would suggest surgery. Finally, the light went on. I finally thought about DCS. How dumb could I have been? Classic DCS symptoms that appeared during a year when I was diving a lot. The next major change, after six years of symptoms, right after a major dive trip. Duh.
I contacted an old friend, a diving doctor and a specialist in diving medicine. He said DCS could not be eliminated as a cause, although chronic DCS like I was describing was unusual. He referred my to a local chamber where I had two treatments, one 5 hours, the next, a week later, 3 hours. The symptoms completely disappeared while I was in the chamber, however returned a few days later, although not with the same intensity. After the two treatments the arm is significantly better. The numbness is greatly reduced, and the tingling is intermittent, it comes and goes, after being constant for six years. The strength is substantially restored, although I can't tell whether that is due to the chamber treatments or to weight excercises that I have been doing daily.
Here's my diagnosis: It was in fact DCS that I did not recognize. The chamber treatments helped, but over the years it did some permanent damage which will never heal. Does this sound reasonable?? Any opinions would be greatly appreciated.
I am 66, reasonably good condition, experienced diver.
Thanks in advance for any help or input.
++Ken++
Then in late February of this year 2006 I did a major dive trip to Papua New Guinea. The trip was uneventful as far as my left arm was concerned, but on the second or third day after I got back home (after about 20 hours of flying) I woke up with a dramatic loss of strength in the left arm. I could not lift the arm laterally above my shoulder, and could barely lift a glass of water. Scared, I consulted my internist again who referred me to two neurologists, one of whom did an EMG on the arm and identified significant nerve damage. I also did another MRI, and consulted a neurosurgeon who said she saw nothing that would suggest surgery. Finally, the light went on. I finally thought about DCS. How dumb could I have been? Classic DCS symptoms that appeared during a year when I was diving a lot. The next major change, after six years of symptoms, right after a major dive trip. Duh.
I contacted an old friend, a diving doctor and a specialist in diving medicine. He said DCS could not be eliminated as a cause, although chronic DCS like I was describing was unusual. He referred my to a local chamber where I had two treatments, one 5 hours, the next, a week later, 3 hours. The symptoms completely disappeared while I was in the chamber, however returned a few days later, although not with the same intensity. After the two treatments the arm is significantly better. The numbness is greatly reduced, and the tingling is intermittent, it comes and goes, after being constant for six years. The strength is substantially restored, although I can't tell whether that is due to the chamber treatments or to weight excercises that I have been doing daily.
Here's my diagnosis: It was in fact DCS that I did not recognize. The chamber treatments helped, but over the years it did some permanent damage which will never heal. Does this sound reasonable?? Any opinions would be greatly appreciated.
I am 66, reasonably good condition, experienced diver.
Thanks in advance for any help or input.
++Ken++
