Bend pain? Those who've had it?

[Little Pete]

Hey folks.

Just a thought from me. I'm always a bit of a hypochondriac so I wanted some guidance from some peeps.

When it comes to Type I bends, they are listed as being skin and pain syptoms. The pain type was never really described in the books/sources that I studied for Rescue and DM so I always found it a little vague.

So for those who have experienced a bend causing pain, what did it feel like? Is it aching/burning/sharp/throbbing etc etc.

I'll point out here that I'm not intending to self-diagnose should something go wrong and would ALWAYS look to proper medical advice but still curious.

Thanks to anyone who replies

[Janos]

Originally Posted by Little Pete

So for those who have experienced a bend causing pain, what did it feel like? Is it aching/burning/sharp/throbbing etc etc.

Or E, any / all of the above.

Although (touch wood) I don't speak from personal experience. I have been on boats (both abroad) where people have had a dull ache in an elbow which was diagnosed and treated as DCI, and the other person had an itchy feeling in the skin on her chest. And of course we've all read the horrors stories about people who have missed shedloads of stops and come up in agony.

So any pain could be symptomatic of DCI. Sadly it's never easy, as this week I had an aching back (lifting that bloody twinset); pain in my fingers (cut myself on the wreck); and an itchy nose (sunburn). All well worth it though

Janos

[Little Pete]

Fair enough, that's why I didn't want any kind of poll.

As I said, I'm a bit of a hypo so you see me questioning that muscle ache (from lifting gear) or that sore elbow (from bashing the door frame or whatever). You always have that little bit that thinks what if...

[tom]

I was actually thinking of posting something similar to this, after a couple of niggles this weekend. I know they were muscular strains and I know exactly how they happened, so nothing to worry about - but the mind does start to wander, and wonder exactly how *much* a bend would hurt...

[narked at 90]

oh now thats a hard one, your going to get loads of conflicting stuff

my bend started as just tingles in my fingers and a tingley numbness under my arm and may be some tiredness,
but after a day of denial things where a lot worse especially as i tierd to run over a main road to get to the hostple...time i got into the chamber my eyes were pointing in different directions and to say my balance had gone is an under statement.........dont run with a bend
at this piont i had no real pain that started after the treatment, felt like i had done 10 rounds with big mike
regards john routley

[Twinset & Wing]

when i had my bend I knew about it pronto tingles and aches accross the shoulders, then it came to pain in my leg and down my back and neck and a distinct lack of coordination

[DannyB]

I've once had an ache on a shoulder, I worried overnight, spoke to DDRC the next morning. After a chat about my symptomns and what I had done was told it was just strained. Apologosed for wasting their time, was told very definately that if you have a concern then ring. They would far prefer that you ring with nothing wrong then not ring and watch the bend get worse.

If in doubt phone the number.

England, N Ireland and wales 07831 151523
Scotland 01244 681818.

Admins is there anyway of making the numbers sticky somewhere?

Danny

[NotDeadYet]

I've been bent three times properly (if that's the right word).

First time, the pain was acute accompanied by really bad fatigue. The other times it was just pain.

A lot of people say that a bend pain is easily mistaken for a muscle strain. Anyone who says that probably has never been bent, it is totally different. The pain feels like it is deep within the affected area, totally different from muscle strain. Also different from muscle pain, changing position doesn't bring any relief or worsening -- it is just there. Mine didn't throb, it was just a constant pain.

In my experience, if you think you have a muscle strain then it probably is a muscle strain. If you have bend pain then you know it right away. Like I said though, that's just my experience it is not a hard or fast rule.

Most hyperbaric centres will tell you if you have any doubts then seek treatment and this is very good advice. They would rather examine you and tell you there is nothing wrong than let a bend go untreated. They aren't ogres, they aren't judgemental and they will not tell you off. DCI isn't the pox, it isn't something to be ashamed of.

[Andy the Coastie]

All mine differ slightly, as most have been from working hard underwater....

Tingles i got at all times were like when you have slept on a sofa in a position that sends limbs to sleep " pins and needles", you can not hold a cup as you have no feeling of grip, and the tingles last a long time

TRY THIS,,,,,,,, lay on the floor, proping your head in the paml of your hand , til you feel it got tingley.... try to hold a empty cup, ( you will drop it as you can't grip ),,, wait 30 secs and shake your arm for a bit , which gets the blood moving again. then you can pick up the cup with ease.

This is a good exercise for instructors teaching the effects of DCI, which can safely be done in a class room for a bit of hands on fun.... same can go for a leg.

(( Just for the record, this is why i watched Steve S at the weekend , because he could hold and drink a hot cup of coffee, )).

Pain I'm can stand a bit of pain , but when you get a bend , by god does it hurt....... First it's like CRAMP in the affected area, thats the best way i can explain it , but it just get worse the longer you don't treat.
Some do scream and some you can see the pain from facial expressions, I have never been able to point to the affected area of pain , but can say where it is roughly.

Hope that helps.

[Andy the Coastie]

Originally Posted by NotDeadYet

DCI isn't the pox, it isn't something to be ashamed of.

Oh yes it is ..........

It means you have been down on something & been naughty as you wasn't with the wife