Please Help Spinal Hit!

[tyrrb]

About 6 months ago, I took a spinal hit while diving in Honduras type II.
I was paralysed on my lower right side and lots of numbness in my left leg. I was fortunate enough to have a chamber within minutes, I went trough a table 6 seven times 5 hours each, and plenty of anti inflammatories. After a few weeks in the island I was able to fly home to Colorado and walk on my own (limping) I got a chance to go see a specialist dive doc here in Colorado and he said that I was very lucky to be walking around like I was. He said to take it easy and get some physical therapy and it would take a while to be back to normal. Over the past 6 months things have gotten better, I still have a sleeping feeling in my right side stomach, and the sensitivity in the bottom of my feet still there, no more limping and I have gotten all of my knee strength back. The problem that I have is that for the past 6 months I have been waking up in the morning very very very tired. I am pretty active and in shape. Nothing I do changes this, sleeping more, sleeping less, vitamins, etc.. I am sick of it and the doctors are not helping I have had blood test and other physicals and no help. Once I get moving I am OK for the day. I have woken up 2 times in the past 6 months feeling like a champ and that was when I took a vicodin to sleep, even though I am not in pain. The doctor gave me pills to sleep and no help. I can't take the vicodin often because of its narcotic effects. I am desperate, maybe I am not getting proper circulation while I sleep. I feel like I am running a marathon in my sleep.
Please advice of what I can do or change, it is starting to affect my job and everything. sorry about the long post. thank you so much!!!

 

[timegan]

WOW...I feel for ya bud. I'm not any medical expert or any thing, but IMHO I'd suggest a couple of things....For one Doctors won't be of any use. (no offence Docs) They have been trained to use drugs and surgery. That will only make things worse. Your whole body has been shocked, thrown out of frequency, totally! Seek out a wellness centre that does not use drugs, they are out there....do a google. In the mean time try sleeping on a magnetic sleep mat.

 

[jmani]

"I feel like I am running a marathon in my sleep"

This line in particular got to me. My wife has been having similar problems (without the DCS hit, she doesn't dive at all)

Have your Doc check your thyroid. That was my wife's problem, she was put on meds to slow her heart rate, and the problem was solved

 

[DocVikingo]

...IMHO I'd suggest a couple of things....For one Doctors won't be of any use. (no offence Docs) They have been trained to use drugs and surgery. That will only make things worse. Your whole body has been shocked, thrown out of frequency, totally! Seek out a wellness centre that does not use drugs, they are out there....do a google. In the mean time try sleeping on a magnetic sleep mat.

I'm sorry, Timegan, but I find some of your statements to be irresponsible and without rational support.

I challenge you to cite a single published article from a recognized, mainstream, refereed scientific journal that supports the effectiveness of "magnetic mats" in promoting sleep.

And, I did find some what you said to be offensive.

While indeed doctors are trained to use drugs and surgery, many believe in and promote the general tenets of the less lunatic "wellness centers," such as proper nutrition and fitness, stress-reduction, relaxation, goal-setting, motivational improvement and the patient assisting his or her care and being an informed medical consumer.

Some also have an interest in alternative and complementary medicine, as is borne out the existence of such legitimate entities as:

The National Institute of Health's National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM)
National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine [NCCAM] - nccam.nih.gov Home Page

The Mayo Clinic's Alternative Medicine Center
Alternative Medicine Center - MayoClinic.com

The University of Maryland's School of Medicine's The Center for Integrative Medicine (CIM)
Center for Integrative Medicine: University of Maryland School of Medicine

I'll be the first to admit that "tyrrb" might benefit from treatment at a recognized, reputable, non-lunatic wellness center. However, I don't agree that it's in the poster's best interests to turn his or her back on traditional Western medicine quite yet.

Regards,

DocVikingo

 

[Rickg]

WOW...I feel for ya bud. I'm not any medical expert or any thing, but IMHO I'd suggest a couple of things....For one Doctors won't be of any use. (no offence Docs) They have been trained to use drugs and surgery. That will only make things worse. Your whole body has been shocked, thrown out of frequency, totally! Seek out a wellness centre that does not use drugs, they are out there....do a google. In the mean time try sleeping on a magnetic sleep mat.

I do believe it was modern medicine that enabled him to walk again - don't think a wellness center could have done much for a spinal hit.

 

[DocVikingo]

Amen, Rickg.

 

[ArcticDiver]

To me this is one of the few times a person can benefit from a good internet research project. I think you are right on track by doing your research while keeping close contact with your personal physician; especially since you are getting good results from treatment of the primary complaint.

So, take the suggestions you get from your research to your provider for an educated opinion and guidance. If it were me I'd also reach out to local support groups. Exactly how you reach them in your community I don't know. I'd try the local hospitals and clinics and perhaps explore the social service agencies for listings. But, the effort is worthwhile because they are the source of a wealth of information.

The fact is that sometimes it is persistent and intelligent research by the patient that leads to the ultimate resolution of a problem. Part of that research is deciding what is snake oil and what is worth pursuing.

Keep at it. Finding the answer may not be quick. But you will succeed!

 

[Papa_Bear]

You need a full work up! How old are you? What are your normal signs? Blood tests, Treadmill, and a battery of others! I hope you have good insurance otherwise Diver Up and move on! There are so many things it could be and many are not dive related, but you could have had more nerve damage that was not presenting at the time of the incident? You could have picked up Parasites while in that country? There are many things that can cause you such problems including post traumatic stress from the incident! So I would suggest if it really is the problem you describe seek good medical help! Magnets or cooper bracelets or even beads wont help!

 

[DocVikingo]

Not even ear candles?

 

[herman]

If you have not done so already, contacting DAN would be a good idea. After all, they are the experts in dive med.