Spinal Cord DCS experience?

[Quero]

DAN also publishes online informational articles that might be of interest to you. In addition, you may write to them with questions.

https://diversalertnetwork.org/medical/articles/index.asp

 

[miked]

Quero,
Thanks for posting the link.
Mike

 

[DandyDon]

Althought I read the thread: I may have missed : Has anyone suggested your husband get checked for a PFO? ( A heart structure related condition.)

That crossed my mind, yes, but she's new here and looking for recovery answers more than causes, so I didn't want to muddle the waters. Glad you came on with your experiences, strength, and hope.

First, thank you all for your kind words. Also, thank you for those that are asking whether it's DCS or AGE. Don't know. The docs at Stanford are consulting with DAN. They are leaning toward DCS but there are things that are atypical about it. Regarding the above, I didn't initially ask medical questions, but for experiences. I thought this was the accidents forum. What a better place to gather information that could improve one's condition or save a life? We're under the care of top neurologist's at Stanford. I'm not doubting them, rather trying to understand this and gather as much information as I can. I think my 3 young boys would like to see their dad walking again.

Hanging, we're glad you're here and we want to help as we dan. The mission of the Accident forum is described on the Sticky at the top of the forum: Special rules - Please Read , but that's fine. Stay with us as others come on in time and you may see more helpfu;l posts...

 

[MoonWrasse]

Hearing things like this scare the hell out of me. That dive profile sounds so safe that it is hard to imagine it had anything to do with the dive alone but more a combination of the asthma, meds and the dive? Was your husband cleared to dive by a doctor? Anyone diving must have PADI or DAN Dive Ins

Hope he makes a full recovery. Best wishes.

That's one of the reasons I suspect AGE, not DCS, along with the description of the hit in the neck region (as I had just reviewed my rescue video).

Note from my earlier post here:
"Even swimming to the boat is risky. Most asthma-related accidents happen on the surface because aerosols of salt water can provoke hyperactive airways."

So it may not have been the dive, but the surface swim which provoked the hit.


From DAN, regarding AGE:
Lung conditions such as asthma, infections, cysts, tumors, scar tissue from surgery or obstructive lung disease may predispose a diver to air embolism.
...
Treatment - Call DAN!

The treatment for DCI is recompression. However, the early management of air embolism and decompression sickness is the same. Although a diver with severe DCS or an air embolism requires urgent recompression for definitive treatment, it is essential that he be stabilized at the nearest medical facility before transportation to a chamber.

Early oxygen first aid is important and may reduce symptoms substantially, but this should not change the treatment plan. Symptoms of air embolism and serious decompression sickness often clear after initial oxygen breathing, but they may reappear later. Because of this, always contact DAN or a dive physician in cases of suspected DCI - even if the symptoms and signs appear to have resolved.

Treatment involves compression to a treatment depth, usually 60 feet, and breathing high oxygen fraction gases at an oxygen partial pressure of between 2.8 ata (atmospheres) and 3.0 ata. Delays in seeking treatment have a higher risk of residual symptoms; over time, the initially reversible damage may become permanent. After a delay of 24 hours or more, treatment may become ineffective and symptoms may not respond to treatment. Even if there has been a delay, however, consult a diving medical specialist before drawing any conclusions about possible treatment effectiveness.

In some cases, there may be residual symptoms after a treatment. Soreness in and around a joint that was affected by DCS is common and usually resolves in a few hours. If the DCI was severe, significant residual neurological dysfunction may be present, even after the most aggressive treatment. In these cases, there may be follow-up treatments, along with physical therapy. The good news is that the usual outcome is eventual complete relief from all symptoms, provided treatment was begun promptly.
http://www.diversalertnetwork.org/medical/articles/article.asp?articleid=65

So the victim did the correct thing in being proactive and disregarding the initial doctor's advice
Sounds like he was aware of this risk and acted on his plan, which should help his recovery.

 

[ShakaZulu]

Wow, sorry to hear this, lets hope for 100% recovery. Thanks for posting this, it creates an awareness for the rest of us. I think we can all benefit from understanding decompression theory better. Ascend slowly, and no exercise after the dive..........

 

[pilot fish]

That's one of the reasons I suspect AGE, not DCS, along with the description of the hit in the neck region (as I had just reviewed my rescue video).

Note from my earlier post here:
"Even swimming to the boat is risky. Most asthma-related accidents happen on the surface because aerosols of salt water can provoke hyperactive airways."

So it may not have been the dive, but the surface swim which provoked the hit.


From DAN, regarding AGE:
Lung conditions such as asthma, infections, cysts, tumors, scar tissue from surgery or obstructive lung disease may predispose a diver to air embolism.
...
Treatment - Call DAN!

The treatment for DCI is recompression. However, the early management of air embolism and decompression sickness is the same. Although a diver with severe DCS or an air embolism requires urgent recompression for definitive treatment, it is essential that he be stabilized at the nearest medical facility before transportation to a chamber.

Early oxygen first aid is important and may reduce symptoms substantially, but this should not change the treatment plan. Symptoms of air embolism and serious decompression sickness often clear after initial oxygen breathing, but they may reappear later. Because of this, always contact DAN or a dive physician in cases of suspected DCI - even if the symptoms and signs appear to have resolved.

Treatment involves compression to a treatment depth, usually 60 feet, and breathing high oxygen fraction gases at an oxygen partial pressure of between 2.8 ata (atmospheres) and 3.0 ata. Delays in seeking treatment have a higher risk of residual symptoms; over time, the initially reversible damage may become permanent. After a delay of 24 hours or more, treatment may become ineffective and symptoms may not respond to treatment. Even if there has been a delay, however, consult a diving medical specialist before drawing any conclusions about possible treatment effectiveness.

In some cases, there may be residual symptoms after a treatment. Soreness in and around a joint that was affected by DCS is common and usually resolves in a few hours. If the DCI was severe, significant residual neurological dysfunction may be present, even after the most aggressive treatment. In these cases, there may be follow-up treatments, along with physical therapy. The good news is that the usual outcome is eventual complete relief from all symptoms, provided treatment was begun promptly.
http://www.diversalertnetwork.org/medical/articles/article.asp?articleid=65

So the victim did the correct thing in being proactive and disregarding the initial doctor's advice
Sounds like he was aware of this risk and acted on his plan, which should help his recovery.

Excellent link, Moon. That is very informative. Still scares me, but a bit less, since it seems it had an underlying medical cause, not just that simple dive profile.

Hanging, do you know whether or not your husband came up too fast at some point of the dive for over 30 ft or so, like 80 ft to 50 ft rapidly?

 

[Al Mialkovsky]

I think my 3 young boys would like to see their dad walking again.

We all would.

 

[rawls]

I have no idea what to say about this as far as it being an AGE, nitrogen hit...I do know a guy who got DCS and had lost all sensation from the waist down. He was given 100% O2 and by the time the evac helicopter arrived he walked to the basket. The main thing I want to say however is I sincerely hope and pray for your husband to experience a full recovery. Keep your faith. For some unknown reason I just feel he will be ok...I wish him the best.

 

[Willie]

I consulted with DAN and found them extemely helpful.

Exactly the reason I joined in the first place and recommend them. I spent one evening poking around on their website

http://www.diversalertnetwork.org/​

and decided it was something I wanted to support. I signed up online that evening. Just before my first trip overseas I decided to buy their insurance, but membership in DAN doesnt require buying the insurance.

Willie

 

[Hangingupthewetsuit]

Excellent link, Moon. That is very informative. Still scares me, but a bit less, since it seems it had an underlying medical cause, not just that simple dive profile.

Hanging, do you know whether or not your husband came up too fast at some point of the dive for over 30 ft or so, like 80 ft to 50 ft rapidly?

Pilot fish, I've been wondering that myself. @25m to 6m in 4 minutes.

The good news is that he's home and walking around with a cane. He will always have some spasticity. However, he's totally driven and improving tremendously already.

In answer to others' questions and for the record, according to the neuro team at Stanford, AGE was the mechanism that triggered the Spinal DCS. In regards to PFO, he hasn't been checked, but he works out 4x/week and has excellent endurance which seems atypical for PFO.

Lastly, Rawls and others, your supportive words are very helpful. Thank you!