The Bends? Is this a symptom?

[417Diver]

Not sure where to put this post..
I will start off with I have always had troubles with my neck. I had a car wreck when I was 16 and broke the ends off of some of my upper vertabre. Well after the bonne terre mine treasure hunt and carrying the gear up and down the steps I had a bad pain on the back of my neck. About 2.5 weeks later I where a neck brace and the pain is gone in 4 days in my neck. And I have the muscle pull in the left side of my back under my shoulder blade that is pretty painful. But I decide to go diving anyways and we go to the local dam on the 25th of june and the to these bluffs on the 26th. I was using nitrox 30% on both dives. Max depth at the dam was 116 and never exceeded the no deco time. The dive went well with no issues. I dont think I had any pain then. We then go to the bluffs the next day. Only hitting 70ish feet for 30 mins. Came up with a sever headache. SI was 15 mins headache was starting to go away. So we went back under and I made it to only 15 feet when my ears wouldnt clear so I aborted the dive.

Now ever since that weekend I have had this awful severe nerve feeling pain. It is only in my left upper side and (feels) like my left shoulder is dislocated and a rib out of place. This pain goes away when I lay down on my back or on my stomach with my head turned right. As soon as I get up it hurts like crazy especially when I sit still. I took Valiume, percocet, and then had to take time released morphine to finally get rid of the pain. But now the morphine has went away and I am still feeling this pain which is more noticable in the top of my shoulder by the socket.
In this picture the top three spots.

 

[417Diver]

So if it is somehow a bubble in my joint will it just eventually pass through my skin or do I have to go to a chamber if it were the bends?

 

[Saltwater Junky]

Call D.A.N - divers alert network for an expert opinion.
Diving Emergencies (Remember: Call local EMS first, then DAN!)
1-919-684-9111
International Emergency Hotlines
Non-Emergency Medical Questions
1-800-446-2671 or 1-919-684-2948, Mon-Fri, 8:30am-5:00pm (ET)
All Other Inquiries
1-800-446-2671 or 1-919-684-2948

 

[417Diver]

I called the non emergency line but they were closed today. And did not think that this was an emergency since I have had this for over a week.

 

[Saltwater Junky]

I have degenerating disks in my neck and what you describe sounds like a nerve issue. You may need steroid injections to reduce the swelling that may be pinching a nerve.

 

[417Diver]

I have had herniated disks in the past and was told I have arthritis of a 90 yr old in my neck so its a possibility. I thought it was a nerve issue myself but was unsure.

 

[jc60625]

I don't think it's the bends, probably nerve/muscle related issues due to your previous injuries but call DAN anyhow.

I dislocated a rib some years ago and always had back/neck issues crop up from time to time and once very severely after diving. likely something about the muscles/positions used in diving that really aggrevated the injury, not to mention the dehyrdating nature of the sport. I know it sounds weird but once you heal up have you ever considered pilates (i've heard yoga has a similar effect)? I've been doing it a couple years now and my back has never felt better.