After dive medical issues

[Treetop]

I was diving last week with a friend, and had mostly the same dive profile as he did, 88deg water, 60-70feet, normal ascent rates, 3-4 minute safety stop, plenty of air left. After the dive, he tried to climb back on the boat, and lost strength to his body, then became confused and partially paralysed. He was pulled into the boat after gear removal, supplied with oxygen for about ten-fifteen minutes, and made a full recovery. Medics examined him on shore, and could not find a problem. Two day surface interval, and he tried again. Dive went well, after surfacing, got on boat, shortly after standing to get water, his right side lost strength in hand and leg and again took about ten minutes to full recovery.
Hospital stay performed EKG, CAT and blood work without tracking down cause.
Has anyone come across something like this previously? Diver is around 50, and in fit shape otherwise.

 

[johnbeckham]

sounds like a TIA . Its kind of a mini stroke that resolves itself.Have him ask his doctor about CTA scan its like a high def CT scan

 

[SteveAD]

Holy Crap!! What the hell is he doing getting back in the water 2 days after an incident like that. You say "medics" checked him out on shore. Does that mean physicians? or ambulance crew? Those are stroke like symptoms and must not be taken lightly. A second occurrence proves this is not a one time fluke. As long as cause is unknown this guy should not even think about diving. These are major neurological symptoms. He needs to consult with a neurologist.

 

[Treetop]

He is seeking his doctor's help since we have gotten back from vacation. No more diving since this seems to be a trigger, if not the cause. Ambulance medics, and on-island doctors cleared him for helath risk, and he was unsure after the first time if it actually was the dive that caused the issue.

 

[Law5Guy]

wow. Did you call DAN?

Divers Alert Network : DAN Medical Center : Diving Emergency Hotline

 

[Treetop]

Thanks - I'll mention TIA so his doctor can at least have some input to go on, trying to help him narrow it down.

 

[bsee65]

I'm sure the doctor will consider TIA if that's appropriate without any outside advice. One needn't be a dive specialist to diagnose TIA. Now, the doc certainly needs to know the scenario so he can consider dive-related possibilities if there are any. For example, was it a right side issue both times, or did the symptoms vary?

If the guy had a hospital stay after the incident and they didn't come up with anything, I wonder if they screwed up, or if there's just no evidence to be found?

 

[tc]

May want to ask his doc to do a check for a PFO.

An arterial gas embolism would also produce the noted symptoms and with an onset that soon after a dive would be highly suspect as the cause. If the ascents were indeed slow (Is a download from his dive computer available?) then a PFO (You can search it here but the quick version is a hole between the halves of the heart) would be a point I'd want to get ruled out before diving again.

If his doc isn't up on hyperbarics he can call DAN for a consult or for referrals to a hyperbaric doctor in your area.

 

[muddiver]

Might as well throw in ruptured ear drum, Type II DCS, fatigue, reverse sinus block on right side, ...

Too many possible reasons without being on site to see the actual signs and inquire about all of the symptoms.

 

[DandyDon]

You didn't say where you were when this happened or if DAN was consulted so answers will lack focus here.