74 replies to this topic

[Diverbrian]

I warned you guys about triggerfish!
And thanks, Tom. I've added you to the database.
Sounds like hydration is more important on dive trips than we originally thought, esp with that recreational drug induced redistribution of blood flow.
Someone check chinacat and make sure he didn't break anything while ROTFing

NP, that is one body part that most people aren't that willing willing to check (LMAO part of the comment)........

[triggerfish]

Is Viagra classed as a recreational drug?

no. it is a life saving gift from god.

personally, i like the little disclaimer at the end of the cialis commercial...
"erections lasting more than four hours can lead to serious complications. you should call your doctor immediately".

screw THAT....call ME immediately!!!!!

Oh, and you would do more than another kind of HCP to fix the problem, right?

We knew that she couldn't hold it in long. :shakes head:

oh, you bet your butt!!!!

and define "holding it in'??????

on a serious note (from ME???)


brian...will think about your question and get back to you re: chicago

[passion diver]

Hi guys ... I also have asthma. I went to my asthma doctor to ask if I could dive so I could get my medical form signed for my OW last Sept.... he said, you can dive, but only go 30 feet! EEGAD!!! what???? Okay forget that answer.. so I went on line that night and found an asthma doctor that DIVES! Yeah he will know what to do. Sure enough this guy was great! His name is John Millington and has written papers on this subject. He is located in Camerillo CA. He also runs the Hyperbaric (did I spell that right?) dept at the hospital too. If you need more info for the database, I can look it up again for you.

~Elaine

[No Pressure]

Hi Passiondiver. What a great name! Tells the whole story in one word.

The Underwater and Hyperbaric Medicine Society, as well as the United Kingdom, Australia, South Pacific Underwater Medical Society, DAN, and other organizations have a range of recommendations regarding diving with asthma. There is no clear quideline, and most say to consult with your local physician. ( part of the reason for this thread). Australia requires all divers to pass a spirometry (breathing test) before certification. UK states asthmatics can dive if they have not needed a bronchodilator in 48 hours, and depending on the cause of the asthma. DAN has changed their opinion in the last 10 years based on other diving medicine groups imput. A dive organization does not want to put a diver at risk by saying that diving with any condition is guaranteed safe, so the conservative approach has been to say no.
I will try to summarize the info out there.
Mild, internittent, and moderate asthma, if well contolled, may permit those people to continue/ start diving. The only classification of asthma that would prevent someone from diving is severe persistent asthma. This type is described as continuous symptoms, lung function less than 60% of normal, limited physical activity because of asthma. Everything less severe than this can be considered possibly safe to dive.
If you have asthma, get PFT's, or pulmonary function tests, preferably after doing the activity that causes your asthma (cold, exercise, etc). This may mean jogging in the parking lot of your doc's office. Test your lung function during an asthma flare. It should be greater than 60% of expected, and preferrably > 80% of predicted values. With that as a baseline, and with a routine bronchodilator medication regimen (short acting, long acting bronchodilators and/ or inhaled steroids), you may well be OK to dive. If cold dry air is a trigger for you, grab a scuba tank and take it with you to your doc's. Breathe off that thing thru a reg for 10-15 min and then get checked.
Take your asthma meds with you on the dive trip, and take "a hit" from your inhaler before getting into the water. Put it in your dry bag/ carryon, to have after the dive if needed. (Note: that's what I used to do for my asthma. It had gotten better over the years, but I still have an albuterol puffer in my dry box on the boat. I have not died from an asthma attack yet)
DAN and world data basically says that people with asthma who dive get into trouble at the same rate as people without asthma. So asthma has relative risks for decrease in pulmonary reserve underwater, but if stable and controlled, is not an absolute contraindication to diving. I would be happy to go over the potential complications underwater in someone with asthma. They basically are: any diving complications related to the lungs that can happen to anyone, can happen to someone with asthma, and may be more serious cause the lungs ain't normal to begin with.
Hope this helps, and I hope you finished your OW course with a big smile on your face.

[Marvel]

(NP) I have not died from an asthma attack yet

Gee, NP, THAT"S good to know....

[passion diver]

Thanks for the info .... I have been fine with diving and have no trouble with my asthma... I put the post in because I thought you were collecting info for your database... that's why I mentioned Millington. His office is pretty KOOL, it has all his dive pictures up on the walls. Although the nurses were NOT very sympathic, they kept asking why I want to engage in a dangerous sport... Guess they only see the bad side working where they do.

Thanks again

[Diverbrian]

I was fortunate as I have sinus problems and allergies. My internal medicine (primary care for me) doctor is a former military doctor. He is somewhat knowledgeable about what is required to dive as he used to have to do dive physicals in the Air Force.

My tech diving instructor is an ER doctor. What questions my first doctor can't answer Dr. Walker can at least refer to who in the medical community in the area can answer them.

[WreckWench]

Thanks for the info .... I have been fine with diving and have no trouble with my asthma... I put the post in because I thought you were collecting info for your database... that's why I mentioned Millington. His office is pretty KOOL, it has all his dive pictures up on the walls. Although the nurses were NOT very sympathic, they kept asking why I want to engage in a dangerous sport... Guess they only see the bad side working where they do.

Thanks again

Thank you for the info for the database and the doctor's information. I'm sure No Pressure is also sorting information based upon topic as well!!! Thanks again!!

[WreckWench]

My tech diving instructor is an ER doctor. What questions my first doctor can't answer Dr. Walker can at least refer to who in the medical community in the area can answer them.

Hey...did you pm his info to No Pressure? Thanks!

[No Pressure]

Just got the name of a great ENT doc in the Dallas area. He is happy to check out eustacian tubes, sinuses, and anything else above the chin. Anyone else with suggestions, let me know.

[docziggy]

I am a chiropractor and live in Sulphur Springs, TX. I can probably help out a bit on this thread because of the fact that I know quite a few MD's around Dallas. I certainly dont mind giving a little advice on who to go see or finding doctors that can help certain problems that divers get...either internal medicine referrals or even in my scope of practice where I can help you find those that do the job for you in your area.

Jeff

[No Pressure]

Hi Jeff. Thanks for the offer. We will certainly take you up on it. There are lots of divers in the area who could use referrals from time to time. Send me a PM with your number, and others in the area if you want. I went to college with a guy from Sulphur Springs, and know a few docs in your area. We will compare lists.
Welcome to the website. I hope you will jump in often with advice. It's a great group.
Mark

[Laura]

I am a chiropractor and live in Sulphur Springs, TX. I can probably help out a bit on this thread because of the fact that I know quite a few MD's around Dallas. I certainly dont mind giving a little advice on who to go see or finding doctors that can help certain problems that divers get...either internal medicine referrals or even in my scope of practice where I can help you find those that do the job for you in your area.

Jeff

Hi Doc,

After diving with a lot of gear, we might need an adjustment! We could probably use your services, too!
Take care
Laura

[GrierHPharmD]

You know it's going to be a bad day in the ER when...

I see things haven't changed too much in the past fifteen years or so.

NP, if you need any help with the mechanics of the database, just let me know. I'll be glad to donate a little time to such a good cause.

BTW, I think we need to print those "Go Down with a HCP, Get Lucky" shirts, with a nice SingleDivers.com logo on the front. I assisted a class of firefighters in an OW class last fall, and almost got a free "Long Creek FD Dive Rescut team - We go down and stay down till the job is done" for the effort. Unfortunately, the chief blocked the printing at the last minute. (Note to self: next time don't use their logo as a graphic.)

If clinical pharmacists would be welcome in the database just let me know. I'll see if there's any interest among my diving colleagues (hint, hint - Cynthia?)

-Grier

[No Pressure]

Hi Grier. Thanks for the offer. One of the most common medical topics among divers is the unknown issue of the effect/ safety/ interactions of various pharmaceuticals with diving. I am sure that many on the website would be interested and grateful for information on the "are my prescriptions safe to take while diving" topic. How bout you jump in with your thoughts on the subjects as they come up.
And Cynthia... we expect a posting by you before the weekend.