Seadreamer
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I am posting this history which was previously on another thread, because I have a couple questions, and Dandy Don suggested I ask them here.
I had possibly 4 episodes of DCS, not recognized until #4 (all explained below). I don't think I have any residual symptoms, except for possibly this: My legs always feel cold; they ache with the cold, even when it's hot. I can't remember exactly when this started, but it seems like it was about the same time as the problems with DCS. I've asked several doctors about it and they don't have a clue.
First question: Is it possible that this leg symptom is DCS related?
In a couple days I am leaving for Mexico, and I'm dreaming of doing some diving. I can do Nitrox, and keep it shallow.
Second question: Is that a crazy idea?
Now for the history. Dive profiles follow.
September 2005. Dive Vacation in Bonaire. On my last day of diving (all on Nitrox except one deep dive to 121 ft), my computer accused me of going into deco, although I had dived quite conservative profiles. I was at 22 feet, and aborted the dive. My diving companions, most of whom were much more experienced than me, felt it was a fluke on the part of the computer. Later that day I did one more long but shallow dive (40 feet max).
A few hours later, I developed a mysterious pain in my right ankle. A little later, my left ankle also started hurting. Everyone (including several instructors) felt that I had injured my ankles on a dive, since there had been a rather difficult surf entry. By the time I flew home (on Sunday), my ankles were really bothering me.
Back at home, I became more and more concerned that I the ankle pain was DCS-related. Finally went to the ER of the only hospital within 5 hours with a chamber. The doctors did a thorough exam and called DAN. Verdict: Not DCS. The ankle pain subsided after about 2 weeks.
During the course of the next year, did a few more dives without any problems.
September 2006. I flew to Coron, a Wreck Diving Mecca and enjoyed some awesome wreck diving, to about 100 feet (not Nitrox). A few hours after the dive, developed pain, itching, and a red rash on my upper legs. The literature for a med I was taking said this was a possible side effect. Stopped the med. The rash disappeared. A few days later, flew to another area of the country and did a few shallow dives, with no more problems.
December, 2006. On a vacation to Mexico, did a couple shallow cenote dives, and the following day two hour-long ocean dives to 70 feet. (Not Nitrox.) An hour after the second dive, developed the same painful, itchy rash on my thighs. Began to have Grim Forebodings about the possibility of DCI. Did a lot of research on the Internet, including here on SB. Rash disappeared in a few hours.
Five days later, did a couple more hour-long dives to around 60 feet. Saw a whale shark and really swam hard to try to follow it. An hour after the last dive, developed notable pain and itching in my lower back, upper abdomen, and thighs. Upon examination, found blotchy red rashes on abdomen and back, with curious horseshoe-shaped bruises in the centers of the rashes, front and back. I called the dive medicine docs who advised that I make haste to visit their facility, which I did. After a thorough history and physical, I was given a 5-hour Chamber ride. The rash disappeared, along with most of the pain.
The next morning, on a follow-up examination, the pain had returned, along with a headache; so I was treated to three more hours in the Chamber.
The doctor spent quite a bit of time with me. He felt that the incident in Bonaire, as well as the one in Coron and the earlier incident in Mexico, were manifestations of DCS. This made FOUR Incidents before I received treatment.
I flew home four days after the last treatment, and I have not been diving since. I was very tired with shortness of breath for a few weeks afterward, but this cleared up. I don't smoke and don't drink alcohol. I am not on any meds. I am slender and in good physical shape.
Possible contributing factors:
Hydration: I do try to keep hydrated, although I know I could do better. On the last dive, I drank about .75 liter of water before the first dive on the boat going out. Now I realize it should have been earlier in the day, although I had taken liquids earlier, as well.
Another contributing factor could have been that I got about 6 hrs sleep the night before the last day of diving.
Also, in Mexico I had a warm bath an hour or so after the dive. I had been very cold on the dive and in the interval between the first and second dive.
Here are my profiles:
I used the same computer, a Sherwood Wisdom, for all the dives. When there is any depth involved, I never do square dives. I always end up with a comfortable margin remaining of allowed bottom time.
When I dive nitrox, I usually leave the computer set on air, for an extra margin of safety. I also make sure not to go deeper than 111 feet.
1. First hit.
9-30-05
Logged dive #67. Dive #29 in an 8-day period, almost all were on nitrox. (Deepest dive on the trip was #19, to 121 feet on air, stayed only 5 minutes at depth, with gradual ascent, accompanied by a friend who is an instructor. 50 minutes bottom time. 860 psi left in tank; .98 PO2.)
Other dives that day:
#64
On air
SI 13:58
Depth 118 (5 minutes)
Bottom Time 53
Beginning/ending psi: 3000/980
0.96 PO2
#65
32% Nitrox
SI 1:14
Depth 94
BT 53
Beg/end psi: 3000/1080
Ascent - red (which was probably a brief incident of a few feet, because it was a slow, careful dive)
Nitrogen - green
O2 - green
Did long safety stops
#66,
SI 1:36
32% nitrox
When I reached 22 feet my computer said TOO DEEP, and the indicator for deco was flashing on red. I aborted the dive at 2 minutes, gradual ascent with safety stop. Total time 6 minutes.
#67. SI 1:53. Computer was happy.
32% Nitrox
BT 79 minutes
Maximum depth: 40 ft, mostly much less.
That evening, about 2-3 hours after dive, developed pain in right ankle, and then left. There was considerable swelling. Attributed to possible injury on a difficult surf entry on dive #65.
2. Hit #2
9-17-06
Wreck dives on air.
#72:
Depth 98
Bottom time: 52 minutes
Beginning/Ending psi: 2800/510
Mask leaking profusely
#73
SI: 2:07
Depth 73
Bottom time: 50 minutes
Beginning/ending psi: 3000/910
Mask leaking profusely
A few hours after the last dive, developed painful, itchy rash on fronts of upper legs, which faded after several hours. Attributed to reaction to medication. In any case, the only way I could have reached a chamber was by air.
Hit #3:
12-1-06
Boat dives on air
#79 SI several days
Depth 52 ft
Bottom time 58 minutes
Beg/end psi: 2900/1180
#80
SI :59
Depth 56
Bottom time: 65 min
Beg/end psi: 3000/1230
About an hour after dive, developed painful itchy rash on front of upper legs; subsided in 1-2 hours.
Hit #4
12-6-06
Boat dives on air
#81
SI 5 days
Depth: 79
Bottom time: 53 minutes
Beginning/ending psi: 2800/890
Swam with turtle for quite a distance
Very cold after dive, with 3/2 wetsuit in 81 degree water
#82
SI 1:06
Fell while getting on boat and cracked a rib. Pain subsided within a few minutes, and it did not bother me on the dive. However, it was extremely painful for about 6 months after that.
Depth 58 (for about 1 minute; mostly at around 40 feet)
Bottom time: 58 minutes
Beginning/ending psi: 3000/980
At end of dive, saw a whale shark and swam very enthusiastically with it for maybe 10 minutes.
An hour after dive, began to develop painful itchy rash on front and back of torso, with horseshoe shaped bruises. Also pain in sides and back of thighs.
That night: Chamber ride 5 hrs
Next day: Chamber ride 3 hrs
I had possibly 4 episodes of DCS, not recognized until #4 (all explained below). I don't think I have any residual symptoms, except for possibly this: My legs always feel cold; they ache with the cold, even when it's hot. I can't remember exactly when this started, but it seems like it was about the same time as the problems with DCS. I've asked several doctors about it and they don't have a clue.
First question: Is it possible that this leg symptom is DCS related?
In a couple days I am leaving for Mexico, and I'm dreaming of doing some diving. I can do Nitrox, and keep it shallow.
Second question: Is that a crazy idea?
Now for the history. Dive profiles follow.
September 2005. Dive Vacation in Bonaire. On my last day of diving (all on Nitrox except one deep dive to 121 ft), my computer accused me of going into deco, although I had dived quite conservative profiles. I was at 22 feet, and aborted the dive. My diving companions, most of whom were much more experienced than me, felt it was a fluke on the part of the computer. Later that day I did one more long but shallow dive (40 feet max).
A few hours later, I developed a mysterious pain in my right ankle. A little later, my left ankle also started hurting. Everyone (including several instructors) felt that I had injured my ankles on a dive, since there had been a rather difficult surf entry. By the time I flew home (on Sunday), my ankles were really bothering me.
Back at home, I became more and more concerned that I the ankle pain was DCS-related. Finally went to the ER of the only hospital within 5 hours with a chamber. The doctors did a thorough exam and called DAN. Verdict: Not DCS. The ankle pain subsided after about 2 weeks.
During the course of the next year, did a few more dives without any problems.
September 2006. I flew to Coron, a Wreck Diving Mecca and enjoyed some awesome wreck diving, to about 100 feet (not Nitrox). A few hours after the dive, developed pain, itching, and a red rash on my upper legs. The literature for a med I was taking said this was a possible side effect. Stopped the med. The rash disappeared. A few days later, flew to another area of the country and did a few shallow dives, with no more problems.
December, 2006. On a vacation to Mexico, did a couple shallow cenote dives, and the following day two hour-long ocean dives to 70 feet. (Not Nitrox.) An hour after the second dive, developed the same painful, itchy rash on my thighs. Began to have Grim Forebodings about the possibility of DCI. Did a lot of research on the Internet, including here on SB. Rash disappeared in a few hours.
Five days later, did a couple more hour-long dives to around 60 feet. Saw a whale shark and really swam hard to try to follow it. An hour after the last dive, developed notable pain and itching in my lower back, upper abdomen, and thighs. Upon examination, found blotchy red rashes on abdomen and back, with curious horseshoe-shaped bruises in the centers of the rashes, front and back. I called the dive medicine docs who advised that I make haste to visit their facility, which I did. After a thorough history and physical, I was given a 5-hour Chamber ride. The rash disappeared, along with most of the pain.
The next morning, on a follow-up examination, the pain had returned, along with a headache; so I was treated to three more hours in the Chamber.
The doctor spent quite a bit of time with me. He felt that the incident in Bonaire, as well as the one in Coron and the earlier incident in Mexico, were manifestations of DCS. This made FOUR Incidents before I received treatment.
I flew home four days after the last treatment, and I have not been diving since. I was very tired with shortness of breath for a few weeks afterward, but this cleared up. I don't smoke and don't drink alcohol. I am not on any meds. I am slender and in good physical shape.
Possible contributing factors:
Hydration: I do try to keep hydrated, although I know I could do better. On the last dive, I drank about .75 liter of water before the first dive on the boat going out. Now I realize it should have been earlier in the day, although I had taken liquids earlier, as well.
Another contributing factor could have been that I got about 6 hrs sleep the night before the last day of diving.
Also, in Mexico I had a warm bath an hour or so after the dive. I had been very cold on the dive and in the interval between the first and second dive.
Here are my profiles:
I used the same computer, a Sherwood Wisdom, for all the dives. When there is any depth involved, I never do square dives. I always end up with a comfortable margin remaining of allowed bottom time.
When I dive nitrox, I usually leave the computer set on air, for an extra margin of safety. I also make sure not to go deeper than 111 feet.
1. First hit.
9-30-05
Logged dive #67. Dive #29 in an 8-day period, almost all were on nitrox. (Deepest dive on the trip was #19, to 121 feet on air, stayed only 5 minutes at depth, with gradual ascent, accompanied by a friend who is an instructor. 50 minutes bottom time. 860 psi left in tank; .98 PO2.)
Other dives that day:
#64
On air
SI 13:58
Depth 118 (5 minutes)
Bottom Time 53
Beginning/ending psi: 3000/980
0.96 PO2
#65
32% Nitrox
SI 1:14
Depth 94
BT 53
Beg/end psi: 3000/1080
Ascent - red (which was probably a brief incident of a few feet, because it was a slow, careful dive)
Nitrogen - green
O2 - green
Did long safety stops
#66,
SI 1:36
32% nitrox
When I reached 22 feet my computer said TOO DEEP, and the indicator for deco was flashing on red. I aborted the dive at 2 minutes, gradual ascent with safety stop. Total time 6 minutes.
#67. SI 1:53. Computer was happy.
32% Nitrox
BT 79 minutes
Maximum depth: 40 ft, mostly much less.
That evening, about 2-3 hours after dive, developed pain in right ankle, and then left. There was considerable swelling. Attributed to possible injury on a difficult surf entry on dive #65.
2. Hit #2
9-17-06
Wreck dives on air.
#72:
Depth 98
Bottom time: 52 minutes
Beginning/Ending psi: 2800/510
Mask leaking profusely
#73
SI: 2:07
Depth 73
Bottom time: 50 minutes
Beginning/ending psi: 3000/910
Mask leaking profusely
A few hours after the last dive, developed painful, itchy rash on fronts of upper legs, which faded after several hours. Attributed to reaction to medication. In any case, the only way I could have reached a chamber was by air.
Hit #3:
12-1-06
Boat dives on air
#79 SI several days
Depth 52 ft
Bottom time 58 minutes
Beg/end psi: 2900/1180
#80
SI :59
Depth 56
Bottom time: 65 min
Beg/end psi: 3000/1230
About an hour after dive, developed painful itchy rash on front of upper legs; subsided in 1-2 hours.
Hit #4
12-6-06
Boat dives on air
#81
SI 5 days
Depth: 79
Bottom time: 53 minutes
Beginning/ending psi: 2800/890
Swam with turtle for quite a distance
Very cold after dive, with 3/2 wetsuit in 81 degree water
#82
SI 1:06
Fell while getting on boat and cracked a rib. Pain subsided within a few minutes, and it did not bother me on the dive. However, it was extremely painful for about 6 months after that.
Depth 58 (for about 1 minute; mostly at around 40 feet)
Bottom time: 58 minutes
Beginning/ending psi: 3000/980
At end of dive, saw a whale shark and swam very enthusiastically with it for maybe 10 minutes.
An hour after dive, began to develop painful itchy rash on front and back of torso, with horseshoe shaped bruises. Also pain in sides and back of thighs.
That night: Chamber ride 5 hrs
Next day: Chamber ride 3 hrs
