Head Aches and and numbness

[KA1976]

I am a healthy and active 33 year old male. About 6 to 8 weeks ago I started to suffer some mild muscular stiffness on my left leg. I did not think much of this as I thought it was over compensation of my walking due to an acl and meniscus operation on my right knee prior.

This stiffness has now spread to my left arm and I have also had shooting pains down my back from my neck and severe headaches, which is bluring the vision in my left eye. I have been to the doctor who have given me numerous tests (blood, blood sugar, urine, blood sugar and a doppler) and concluded that the only abnormality was slightly low magnesium levels (165) apart from that everything was normal.

What should be my next route of action?

Further to this and my only possible explaination is that about 4 months ago I went diving and did not do a safety from approx. 24m down. The symptoms that I have seem to concurr with decompression sickness, but I have ruled this out due to the fact that this happen some time back and these symtoms usually happen within 48 hrs......

Any help would be much apprieciated

[caregiver222]

Decompression sickness is the most likely etiology. There are missing pieces to the dive story. Several dives in succession can result in higher residual nitrogen. You are correct in that typically symptoms appear within 48 hours, but not only. It's been decades since I went diving, but I remember the rules.

Drnee provides excellent advice and suggestions. Much better than mine.

I would really look for a physician with diving experience for some input.

[EdwardPB]

In addition, to above noted, it can still be dive related or a thrombus/embolus.

[KA1976]

Thanks alot, very useful information

[Dr. Kokil Mathur]

Hi
Welcome to the MedHelp forum!
You should explore the possibility of compression of the spinal nerves in the cervical spine region. This can happen due to overuse of computers, work involving straining of neck, herniated disc, canal stenosis, bone disease, spondylosis, poor posture etc. A MRI of the cervical spine and nerve conduction studies may be required. Please consult a neurologist. The treatment is to remove the compression. You have to discuss the best treatment option with a neurologist, which can range from medication to physiotherapy to traction, cervical collars or even surgery. Alternatively you can visit a chiropractor or a physical therapist and learn some exercises which you can do to relieve the compression.
The other possibility is benign intracranial hypertension. This happens due to impaired CSF absorption. A generalized throbbing headache worst felt in the morning and last thing at night. This headache is generally relieved on standing (consistent with raised intracranial pressure). It is aggravated by straining, coughing or a change in position. The second most common symptom is visual defect, which you too have. Hypothyroidism, hypoparathyroidism, adrenal insufficiency are a few things I would recommend you get investigated for. These can precipitate BIH. A spinal tap is a must both to diagnose the condition and to treat it.  Hope these tips help. Please let me know if there is any thing else and do keep me posted. Take care!