hermissenda:
It seems like pinched nerves can cause DCS-like symptoms?
Would a Elctro Myography allow to differentiate between the two?
Yes, very much so. Yes, EMG can help differentiate the two if there is nerve pinching but if its bursitis or tendonitis, which is pain in the elbow soft tissue, it won't help. In cases of DCI, if breathing 02 on the surface helps the pain is more likely DCI. One test you can do is breathing 02 with the pain anytime before diving, to insure it
doesn't help. O2 has a habit of making many things better, so just to insure it wont' be confused with elbow joint DCI, try it before diving, 100% o2 for 30 min tops.
I have DCS like residuals in my left elbow that manifest themselves e.g. when I strain myself or when I am tired or really sick: elbow joint pain with occasional tinteling of the hand.
Those signs are suggestive of nerve pinching, an EMG will test the functional issue and an MRI will help identify were the pinching occurs.
MRI/NMR I do have a bulging disc.
A vertebral disk?
THe issue I am struggling with is that the pinched nerve could mask a real DCS hit?
I am staying away from depths deeper than 10m/30feet thse days - nothing down there anyways.
All kinds of pain can mask DCI. Stay at 30' tops should almost eliminate a risk for DCI for NSL dives, particularly for a typical dive, i.e., 1hour or less. Deeper dives then 10+min safety stops or nitrox on air tables, can reduce risk further.
On the side would there be any potential issues with antibiotics and nitrogen absorbtion/release or some of these neurological symptoms. I am thinking in particular of Zithromax?
None on record, and nothing theoretically possible. However, if diver has a sore throat or sinus congestion, it could make equalization a problem. Its not the medicine's fault, its the disease. Also, if a diver is not feeling entirely well and has a moderately serious illness like a pneumonia or a bronchitis, an illness, either from chemicals released to combat the disease or just fatigue
alone increases a risk for DCI.