Have I been poisoned?

[Neil M]

Originally Posted by Venus

l went to see a nurse on Friday who used to be a diver, but can't dive anymore (l didn't ask why).

She had worked in Weymouth, Leicster and with the Royal Navy in Plymouth and had seen many diving incidents .... but she didn't know what to do and told me to look on the web

I told her the web told me to contact my doctor and she just laughed

Still sore and red, hurts when l type and can't bend my fingers too much

hopefully it will work it's way out - l'm getting used to it now and know not to reach for a wine glass with my left hand as l won't be able to grip it and l can't use my computer mouse for too long

l'm looking on the bright side ..... l have another hand to hold my wine glass with ;-)

I hope you are all having a wonderful sunny weekend

Venus

have you spoken to the DDRC?

hope this sorts itself soon....

[gibbon]

Originally Posted by Venus

I told her the web told me to contact my doctor and she just laughed

Still sore and red, hurts when l type and can't bend my fingers too much

usual disclaimers apply.

Marine envenomations


I would be taking anti-histamine and perhaps safe amounts of ibuprofen along with liberal application of hydro cortizone cream.

I would be suprised if the effects have not subsided 90% in the next 2 weeks.

Next time a PADI dive master says that they dont allow people to wear gloves - what will you say?

As others have said - you should be looking for advice from the DDRC and trying to find a doctor that has experience of hydroids/fire coral etc..

Best of luck

J

[Venus]

Hi

I haven't added to this note for a week as I've been in the chamber for most of it

I went to see Gary at my local dive shop and he told me I have the classics symptoms of DCS, so off I went to the nearest chamber and had:

one initial treatment of 5 hr 45mins
five follow up treatments of 1hr 45mins

After the first session it got much better
And the subsequent treatments it felt better when I was on O2, but an hour after it went backward

The joints on my fingers are so painful that I can't bend my fingers, and the swelling has spread down my fingers and sometimes my hand and finger tips still red

Now, there is a possibility that it was nitrogen plus toxins or just toxins
I have been given a prescription for anti-inflamatories to take down the swelling in my joints and recommended to wait until the toxin works it's way out (it's already been over three weeks)

I don't know and no-one else seems to know

The doctors and technicians at the chamber were very friendly, helpful and did their best, but I'm getting worried

Venus

[Spacehopper]

Bloody hell Venus that sounds painful but at least you seem to be on the right track. Do you have to go back to the pot again? Whatever happens get well soon and keep us posted.

[Finless]

Originally Posted by Venus

Hi

I haven't added to this note for a week as I've been in the chamber for most of it

I went to see Gary at my local dive shop and he told me I have the classics symptoms of DCS, so off I went to the nearest chamber and had:

one initial treatment of 5 hr 45mins
five follow up treatments of 1hr 45mins

After the first session it got much better
And the subsequent treatments it felt better when I was on O2, but an hour after it went backward

The joints on my fingers are so painful that I can't bend my fingers, and the swelling has spread down my fingers and sometimes my hand and finger tips still red

Now, there is a possibility that it was nitrogen plus toxins or just toxins
I have been given a prescription for anti-inflamatories to take down the swelling in my joints and recommended to wait until the toxin works it's way out (it's already been over three weeks)

I don't know and no-one else seems to know

The doctors and technicians at the chamber were very friendly, helpful and did their best, but I'm getting worried

Venus

Venus,

Contact the tropical diseases place ...... I'll be back in a sec after I've had a Google for you. If you have been stung/bitten etc by something on the shot line then it is unlikely that any GP or even Diving Doc will know anything of great help (although I would have thought they might have referred you to someone?).

Sorry, my memory is terrible and I've already forgotten the specifics of your original post BUT, have you contacted the Dive Centre you were diving with ..... maybe it is a common occurrence or they may have some suggestions as to what may be the cause?

Surely the most obvious thing is that there were some jellyfish tentacles wrapped around the line?

I'm not sure if this is the place I was thinking of BUT they should be able to refer you on if they can't help?

The Hospital For Tropical DiseaseThe Hospital for Tropical Disease providing equipment such as first aid kits, ... Bevan stated "It is proposed to develop a tropical diseases centre as a ...
The Hospital For Tropical Disease - 18k - Cached - Similar pages

Get it looked at asap. Ask your GP to find out where you should go and even refer you. Don't sit around worrying, make a few phone calls and get it checked out.

Hope it gets better soon.

Bryan

[edit]I can't find the exact place ...... I think it was in Liverpool (if my TV memory is working) ...........

[gibbon]

As Bryan said perhaps a tropical diseases centre will be able to help you.

If O2 helps perhaps you should get some more!

When you are feeling better, can you try to write up what happened to you again and detail when you were injured, what dives you did on what days (profiles) and when you flew.

Make the NHS work for you and get some more help!

J

[Pittnuma]

Geez, Hope you are feeling better.

Did the symptoms come on straight away or was it a while after diving? Any puncture wounds at all?

Hope all is going well.

[Venus]

Hi

Last week I made a break thru
I went to a physio and had vibration therapy

After a few minutes I could bend my fingers - almost made a fist
The next day I went back to the office and manged to type for a while with both hands. Then my finger tips got too sore and I had to stop using that hand again

After three sessions of vibration in four days - I have made an amazing recovery

I'm still a little sore when I type, still a little red but much much better

Thanks for the notes of support and direction from you all

Venus

[Tonto]

Nice one, glad its working out for you.

[Eeyore]

Hi Venus,
What a saga!!
glad you're ok now
Aaran