Reoccurring DCS Symptoms?

[mepc]

Eight months ago, my wife experienced what we assume was DCS. The dives were not too deep (60 ft) or too long (40 min), but we flew about 10 hours after the last dive. We live overseas and do not have access to dive medicine experts or chambers. She ignored the symptoms for a few days (aching/tingling in arms). Finally she was examined by a local doctor who ran various blood gas tests and couldn't find any obvious problems. DAN was also consulted but was unable to give additional assistance without further medical tests. The symptoms went away and we figured that if it was DCS it cleared itself. Now she is experiencing the same syptoms along with back aches. We have not been diving since December 2003.

I know that the nitrogen gassed off within a day or two of the last dive, but is it possible that she is experiencing symptoms of nerve damage or neuological problems resulting from the December dive? Any suggestions what we should do to determine what's going on?

 

[DocVikingo]

Blood gas tests run by a local physician after the diver returned home would provide no information regarding DCS.

DCS-like symptoms that completely clear and then mysteriously return 8 months later in the absence of any additional diving are not suggestive of late effects of DCI.

BTW, the bubbles that are the distal cause of DCS are believed to disappear after a couple of hours and all excess nitrogen to be eliminated after about 24-36 hours.

Given aching/tingling in the arms and back aches, if one does not wish to consult with their primary care physician then consultation with an orthopedist would be a possibility.

This is educational only and does not constitute or imply a doctor-patient relationship. It is not medical advice to you or any other individual, and should not be construed as such.

Best regards.

DocVikingo