Minor DCS type 2 case possible? What happens if untreated?

[tamas970]

I did a deep dive in cold water on Saturday (40m, according to my computer I didn't violate NDL) and ~24h later I drove my car in the mountains (~1000m). Later, I felt pain in my knees, which disappeared in a day. (BTW, warm bath relieved the pain)
Another day later I felt pain in one finger joint (Carpometacarpal joint).

The interesting aspect is, that none of my large joints (hips, shoulders) are affected, but the ones that are more exposed to cold water.

Can it be a mild DCS type I?
In 3 days all symptoms disappeared. Shall I still contact a doctor?

Of course in the mountains I didn't have oxygen ready...

 

[iamrushman]

perhaps.......please be careful and avoid high altitudes post dives...i'm not a doctor but i think you will live to dive another day.

 

[nimoh]

I would call DAN

 

[TSandM]

Certainly that depth can be associated with enough nitrogen to cause a risk of DCS, but the 24 hour delay in onset of symptoms is atypical. 1000 feet of elevation is not highly provocative, and the symptoms, per your history, did not correlate with your ascent, but were delayed after it. Mild symptoms relieved by warm bath are not typical for DCS pain, either. I think it is unlikely this was decompression-related. As the symptoms have resolved, it would be hard to improve your condition, and generally, after this much delay, treatment wouldn't be undertaken unless they were very severe, anyway.

 

[nimoh]

Certainly that depth can be associated with enough nitrogen to cause a risk of DCS, but the 24 hour delay in onset of symptoms is atypical. 1000 feet of elevation is not highly provocative, and the symptoms, per your history, did not correlate with your ascent, but were delayed after it. Mild symptoms relieved by warm bath are not typical for DCS pain, either. I think it is unlikely this was decompression-related. As the symptoms have resolved, it would be hard to improve your condition, and generally, after this much delay, treatment wouldn't be undertaken unless they were very severe, anyway.

good info from a reliable source, although the altitude in question is a little over 3000 feet. Not sure if this would change anything though.

 

[tamas970]

The warm bath effect surprised me too. If there were bubbles that time, the situation should rather have worsened (gas expansion). nimoh is right, i drowe (for quite long, 2-3 hours) at 1000 meters (~3000feet).

 

[DocVikingo]

Can it be a mild DCS type I?

No.

Regards,

DocVikingo

 

[tamas970]

Thanks Doc. Seems I need to take better care of my joints - keep them warmer...

No.

Regards,

DocVikingo

 

[Dr Deco]

Hello tamas 970:

The time line for your problem does not indicate it to be DCS. I suspect that you have soreness associated with the moving of dive gear. Individuals who are not in the best shape will find that soreness arrises from work. The other responders have roughly the same opinion.

 

[Shuu]

Deleted in favor of new thread.