Yeah, its a tough subject to get info on - even online.. My knees, as a whole, are not discolored, but the areas where the skin was broken and potential coral fragments embedded, are - they are more of a darkish gray, probably each about the size of a dime..
I did go to the doctor two weeks ago after running 102F fever and they drew blood, but only said I didn't have an infection.. My concern was that since the coral is made of living organisms covered in bacteria, that they are spreading or off-gassing or whatever and my body is viewing it as being invaded - I dunno - its all I've got right now.. Like I said, I've been nauseated since the trip, dizzy, severe headaches/neck pain (that's common for me, tho) but now also severe lower back pain and my legs hurt like hell.. they are also very sensitive to the touch..
There's nobody in this town qualified to make any assessment on something like coral toxicity.. Hell, 18 years ago when I had 2 dead numb toes after a dive trip, the local hyperbaric chamber doctor (and DAN specialist) told me it would clear up on its own without treatment and refused to treat me.. well, 18 years later with permanent nerve damage in my foot............. 9 days after symptoms I found a hyperbaric chamber builder 60 miles away and he treated me 8 times for free, but after 9 days the damage was done..
Anyways, thanks again.. I will keep trying to find info on this - to rule it out, if anything.. Coincidentally I have two appointments with neurologists for neck surgery next Thursday.. Life is good.... (not really)..
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waterfield
Sorry Steve- know nothing about "coral toxicity". However I would first ask if your knees are discolored or are hot to the touch. If so then you likely have an inflammation localized to that area. The rest of your symptoms could be from all sorts of stuff. But getting a coral infection into the blood stream that would cause those symptoms seems like a long shot to me. But I'm no Doc so see a good internist for a start. which I'm sure you have. What does he or she think it is? Sounds serious enough to me -especially the lengthy duration-to go all out for an explanation. Not sure how far from Houston you are but M D Anderson is the best in the business.I know its a cancer center but they can refer you to the right people. Don't mess with this stuff.I would like to have you with me when I dive on my dad's plane.
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