My Experience with DCS

[tstormdiver]

Did a 123 min dive, deepest depth 99 ft. Rebreather PPO2 set point was 1.2, using a 24/20 Trimix. Did decompression with a PPO2 of 1.52. Even stayed 5 min longer than prescribed decompression, waiting on buddies. After I got out of the water, I noticed that I had severe cramping (whether it had anything to do with it or not, I do not know) in my feet, ankles, shins hamstrings, lower back & middle fingers on the hands. After about 2 hrs, I noticed that I had some swelling in the breasts, especially the left side. After dinner, it was considerably worse. The left breast was 1-1/2 times normal size. I told my tech instructor the next morning & he told me to call DAN. I did & was instructed to go to the Valdosta South Georgia Medical Center (have a hyperbaric chamber). I went to the ER (arrived about 10 am) & after 5 hrs there, 3 consecutive of which, of which I never saw a soul, while hooked up to an IV (Damned, did I have to urinate), the ER Dr came in & asked me if I knew I was diabetic. I said "no" (runs heavy in my family- both parents & 2/4 of my siblings). The lab tests for the hyperbaric chamber had come back & my blood sugar was at 562 (normal is about 100). It was only a matter of time before I got it... The hyperbaric nurse came up & took me down to the chamber room. After changing into proper garb for the chamber, They put me in & got me under pressure. I did a schedule 6 (3ATA), 5 hour ride. The chambers were acrylic tubes with metal ends. 100% O2 environment with a mask for air breaks. I must admit, I got rather restless the last 3 hours. I am not at all used to being still for that period of time, especially on my back. After a half hour or so at 60ft, the swelling & soreness began to abate, . As I was very slowly brought down & out, the reduction in swelling was reduced by about 75%. When I got out the swelling was down 75%- 80% & pain was down about 90%. I was then taken to ICU about 9:30pm. I guess I missed dinner for the night & had eaten nothing since 8 am. I was so hungry that I could not get comfortable. The nurse was able to bring me a couple of crackers & apple sauce, which allowed me to feel good enough fall asleep. I was woken up twice for blood samples & 2-3 times to reattach leads that had fallen off.. That morning, after breakfast, the hyperbaric Dr came in & told me that I was going back to the chamber that day, while his NP listened to my lungs. Next thing I know, a couple hours later I'm being released. I asked about the mentioned chamber ride & the nurse looked it up & there were no orders. He called the Dr. & the Dr said if his PN put in orders, then it would happen. She did not, so I was let go. The Dr. believes my hit was a result of dehydration caused by the undiagnosed diabetes. I apologize if some of my terms/ words are not correct. I am just telling it as I experienced it. Looks like a lot of lifestyle changes ahead of me. Fortunately the DCS hit did have one silver lining- I found out I was diabetic & can get the care I need to manage it.

[Kelly Jessop]

Sorry about you incident, and thanks for sharing. I have always wondered why cave divers/tech divers want to treat DCS cases like the village leper, when it is an accident. So, I will reinforce what I said, kudos to you for sharing.

You present a lot of interesting information, and speaking with DAN doctors/ researchers may help you sort it out. One thing I was surprised to learn when I took a hit was how dehydration plays less of a role than we think. I explained my incident to each researcher, and offered maybe I was dehydrated ,and they pointed out how the research doesn't point to that as much as we think. I won't refute their knowledge,but I still will hyperhydrate myself before a dive. You also mention the co-morbidity of diabetes and elevated blood sugar,which I would be curious how that played a role. There is one piece of information that you left out, of course that is personal to you,so don't reveal,but your age. I have been fortunate to have a group of cave diving friends that I have been around for 15-20 years, and one thing I have seen among this group is increase in post-dive symptoms eg skin bends etc, where it didn't exist before. Also, aggressiveness of dives has really fallen off, for example shallower dives, no repetitive profiles etc; and in some cases leaving the sport all together. My days of doing long deep dives are done. Good luck in going forward, and with the chamber situation in Florida, I am glad you got medical attention.

[Jax]

Did a 123 min dive, deepest depth 99 ft. Rebreather PPO2 set point was 1.2, using a 24/20 Trimix. Did decompression with a PPO2 of 1.52. Even stayed 5 min longer than prescribed decompression, waiting on buddies. After I got out of the water, I noticed that I had severe cramping (whether it had anything to do with it or not, I do not know) in my feet, ankles, shins hamstrings, lower back & middle fingers on the hands. After about 2 hrs, I noticed that I had some swelling in the breasts, especially the left side. After dinner, it was considerably worse. The left breast was 1-1/2 times normal size. I told my tech instructor the next morning & he told me to call DAN. I did & was instructed to go to the Valdosta South Georgia Medical Center (have a hyperbaric chamber).

I went to the ER (arrived about 10 am) & after 5 hrs there, 3 consecutive of which, of which I never saw a soul, while hooked up to an IV (Damned, did I have to urinate), the ER Dr came in & asked me if I knew I was diabetic. I said "no" (runs heavy in my family- both parents & 2/4 of my siblings). The lab tests for the hyperbaric chamber had come back & my blood sugar was at 562 (normal is about 100). It was only a matter of time before I got it...

The hyperbaric nurse came up & took me down to the chamber room. After changing into proper garb for the chamber, They put me in & got me under pressure. I did a schedule 6 (3ATA), 5 hour ride. The chambers were acrylic tubes with metal ends. 100% O2 environment with a mask for air breaks. I must admit, I got rather restless the last 3 hours. I am not at all used to being still for that period of time, especially on my back. After a half hour or so at 60ft, the swelling & soreness began to abate, . As I was very slowly brought down & out, the reduction in swelling was reduced by about 75%. When I got out the swelling was down 75%- 80% & pain was down about 90%. I was then taken to ICU about 9:30pm. I guess I missed dinner for the night & had eaten nothing since 8 am. I was so hungry that I could not get comfortable. The nurse was able to bring me a couple of crackers & apple sauce, which allowed me to feel good enough fall asleep. I was woken up twice for blood samples & 2-3 times to reattach leads that had fallen off..

That morning, after breakfast, the hyperbaric Dr came in & told me that I was going back to the chamber that day, while his NP listened to my lungs. Next thing I know, a couple hours later I'm being released. I asked about the mentioned chamber ride & the nurse looked it up & there were no orders. He called the Dr. & the Dr said if his PN put in orders, then it would happen. She did not, so I was let go. The Dr. believes my hit was a result of dehydration caused by the undiagnosed diabetes. I apologize if some of my terms/ words are not correct. I am just telling it as I experienced it. Looks like a lot of lifestyle changes ahead of me. Fortunately the DCS hit did have one silver lining- I found out I was diabetic & can get the care I need to manage it.

This last part is particularly bothersome. Doctors are forced to process so many patients that they run together, and they rely heavily on their staff to put in the proper orders. I would like to think that if it were me, I would have demanded the two of them together and that they explain the anomaly.

And yes, thank you very much for sharing the information. Illness happens and we all need to know (a) that it does and (b) how to recognize it.

[FW]

I am sorry you went through this, but I am glad it wasn't any worse than it turned out!

[patpicos]

Thanks for sharing your experience

[tstormdiver]

Sorry about you incident, and thanks for sharing. I have always wondered why cave divers/tech divers want to treat DCS cases like the village leper, when it is an accident. So, I will reinforce what I said, kudos to you for sharing.

You present a lot of interesting information, and speaking with DAN doctors/ researchers may help you sort it out. One thing I was surprised to learn when I took a hit was how dehydration plays less of a role than we think. I explained my incident to each researcher, and offered maybe I was dehydrated ,and they pointed out how the research doesn't point to that as much as we think. I won't refute their knowledge,but I still will hyperhydrate myself before a dive. You also mention the co-morbidity of diabetes and elevated blood sugar,which I would be curious how that played a role. There is one piece of information that you left out, of course that is personal to you,so don't reveal,but your age. I have been fortunate to have a group of cave diving friends that I have been around for 15-20 years, and one thing I have seen among this group is increase in post-dive symptoms eg skin bends etc, where it didn't exist before. Also, aggressiveness of dives has really fallen off, for example shallower dives, no repetitive profiles etc; and in some cases leaving the sport all together. My days of doing long deep dives are done. Good luck in going forward, and with the chamber situation in Florida, I am glad you got medical attention.

My age is 47, will turn 48 in a few weeks. The Dr seems to believe that the dehydration was because of the elevated blood sugars was causing more urination, leading to a deficit.

[mdax]

Thanks for sharing.
There are a CONSIDERABLE number of dcs hits that no one hears about.
If more stories were shared I believe divers would be way more conservative.

I didn't know there was a correlation between diabetes and dcs.
I wonder what the connection is...very interesting.

Most of all, so killer that you found out without dying or losing body function!

[FW]

...
I didn't know there was a correlation between diabetes and dcs.
I wonder what the connection is...very interesting...

The connection is dehydration. The doctor thinks because of diabetes, she was dehydrated. We have known for a long time that dehydration contributes to DCS.

[Samantha]

Thank you for sharing your story, Tammy!

[Dominic]

Thanks for sharing, Glad you came out ok. That's a long time without being able to move! I'd be pulling my hair out.