Deco dives while on meds

[LakerPride]

I injured my back while in the Military, I am prescribed Motrin 800 and Tramadol. I take 100mg Tramadol twice a day, I have also received injections in my spine. I want to return to diving and want to make a dive to 150-165 ffw. I know Tramadol is an analgesic but is not Narcotic, are their any issues with continuing to take the meds on my dive day? Also could there be any issue with breathing trimix or nitrox while on those meds.

Thanks

 

[ianr33]

I can't answer your medical questions, but I would like to ask if your profile is up to date?

 

[LakerPride]

No I haven't updated it in a while

 

[DocVikingo]

I know Tramadol is an analgesic but is not Narcotic, are their any issues with continuing to take the meds on my dive day? Also could there be any issue with breathing trimix or nitrox while on those meds.Thanks

Hi LakerPride,

Don't be mislead about tramadol (e.g., Ultram). It is a narcotic-like analgesic of the opioid class and does have abuse and addiction potential, although less than that associated with bigger gun narcotics like Oxycontin and Percocet (oxycodone) or Vicodin (hydrocodone). Potential side effects of concern to the diver would include dizziness & drowsiness. Also, potential GI issues could prove uncomfortable & inconvenient (e.g., constipation, diarrhea). There is a tiny increase in risk for seizures that increases with dose (100mg b.i.d. is well within the recommended dosage range) and length of treatment, but this is very largely limited to those with other seizure risk factors such as alcohol abuse, head injury, concomitant use of antidepressant medication, etc.

As for the Motrin (ibuprofen), it can be hard on the stomach/GI tract and in combination with the tramadol could be bothersome in this regard. It is important to follow directions for use, take with food or milk, and limit the intake of food & drink known to be hard on the stomach, e.g., spicy/fatty foods, alcoholic/carbonated/acidic drinks.

Provided that the diver has no worrisome risk factors and has not experienced problematic side effects following an adequate topside trail on these drugs, and has been medically cleared to dive, deco profiles and the use of trimix or nitrox (although be aware the increased ppO2s inherent in diving & more so in diving O2 enriched gas mixes may lower seizure threshold) would not be expected to pose significant additional risks to SCUBA. Nevertheless, when in doubt conservatism is prudent.

Regards,

DocVikingo

This is educational only and does not constitute or imply a doctor-patient relationship. It is not medical advice to you or any other individual, and should not be construed as such.

 

[azjohnnyo]

While it sure sounds like DocVikingo knows what he's talking about....I would call DAN.



JohnnyO
------------
"What if the Hokey Pokey IS what it's all about?"

 

[Doppler]

What the two guys above have said, PLUS... dive conservatively and TAKE NOTES. Listen to what your body tells you and write down how you feel before, during and AFTER your dives. A lot of the stuff we do and take as normal these days is actually outside the boundaries of what's on the books. As long as you are willing to act as a sort of lab rat/guinea pig, please remember to take notes and share!

Dive safe and thanks for your service.

 

[DocVikingo]

While it sure sounds like DocVikingo knows what he's talking about....I would call DAN.JohnnyO

LakerPride. If you do contact DAN*, please post its response in this thread.

Thanks,

DocVikingo

*(919) 684-2948 (Monday through Friday, 9am to 5pm EST). Or, submit your question via e-mail directly to a DAN Medic at https://www.diversalertnetwork.org/myaccount/mscc/emailmedic.asp

 

[Duke Dive Medicine]

There is a tiny increase in risk for seizures that increases with dose (100mg b.i.d. is well within the recommended dosage range) and length of treatment, but this is very largely limited to those with other seizure risk factors such as alcohol abuse, head injury, concomitant use of antidepressant medication, etc.

Doc,
I'd submit that using hyperoxic mixes also falls into the category of seizure risk factors, as you point out below.

Provided that the diver has no worrisome risk factors and has not experienced problematic side effects following an adequate topside trail on these drugs, and has been medically cleared to dive, deco profiles and the use of trimix or nitrox (although be aware the increased ppO2s inherent in diving & more so in diving O2 enriched gas mixes may lower seizure threshold) would not be expected to pose significant additional risks to SCUBA.

Respectfully disagree. I think the motrin's ok with the caveats that you mentioned, but I think that the tramadol should be avoided while diving, especially with hyperoxic mixes like nitrox/deco mixes. @LakerPride, another consideration is whether carrying heavy diving gear around will aggravate your original injury.

Best regards,
DDM

 

[VooDooGasMan]

Lakerpride, although have nothing on meds for advice, Yet I suspect your wanting to go dive the Osborn.

DDM It is mostly boat diving In the UP region, very few shore dives. There fore not much weight very long.

Lakepride, Start a few shallower dives, the Eureka, Sagamore. If you feel they are to easy maybe dive the Indiana first then mosey over to the Osborn.


WARNING, please let the divers know and captain (who ever your diving with) that your on meds I have seen and herd of after the fact of not knowing of heart meds, and it is just a good way to be aware since your seeking advice on line to proceed with your diving.

Also consider learning sidemount diving lakerpride.

 

[LakerPride]

Thanks everyone for the responses, I will call DAN and post a reply.
@ VooDoo, I am working up to the Mather. I have already dove the Sagamore, the Beechcraft, the banks, the Sadie Thompson, and the Niagra at 110 ffw. I am just concerned because I am about to schedule a dive to the Vienna at 150 ffw then the Osborn before the Mather at 180 ffw. Taking the first leap back into deco after two years and medical changes was a little intimidating.

BUT with the last several dives, I feel like I am at home again. I started off on air again, then made a Nitrox dive on the Niagra and now that the season is about to get going I am gonna dive the Niagra again and then move to the Vienna. I have had no adverse signs thus far. I will be using a friends boat, and diving with him. He knows all about my issues. Thanks again guys and I will post DAN's reply