Moodiejeff
Contributor
DandyDon:
I know this has been overdone on the boards but haven't been able to come up with anything in the searches.
What is safe to take if you are diving Nitrox?
Decongestants???
- Thread starter JPG
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I know this has been overdone on the boards but haven't been able to come up with anything in the searches.
What is safe to take if you are diving Nitrox?
BillP
Senior Member
Moodiejeff:
DAN disagrees with DandyDon so long as you use proper precautions, and if pseudoephedrine doesn't bother you like it does JPG.
Their "bottom line":
See http://www.diversalertnetwork.org/medical/articles/article.asp?articleid=51 for the full article.
CRDiver
Contributor
I've been using prescription Allegra-D (anti-allergy w/decongestant) consistantly while diving for a good three years. All I dive is sub-55 degree water and without it, I congest up within minutes. It's getting a little pricey, but I swear by it.
I swear by Allegra-D also (Rx). Use it regularly before diving. Usually do Afirin before first dive of day, too. Had congestion problems doing my OW dives and got fluid trapped in my middle ear because blew too hard trying to clear. Asked my doc what to do so never happened again. Hasn't happened since 
Believe that there are Ox-Tox issues with Allegra-D and Nitrox also, because of the pseudoephedrine in Allegra-D. Right?
Believe that there are Ox-Tox issues with Allegra-D and Nitrox also, because of the pseudoephedrine in Allegra-D. Right?
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I got my caustions from DAN and haven't seen this? More recent, perhaps. I'll have to revisit the question; thanks!
TropicalDiver:
I am not a pharmacist, and I don't play one on TV. Suggest you'd be safer to learn what is in it, and study the precaustions...
Did study up on it when I started using it - here's what its made of: Fexofenadine HCl; Pseudoephedrine HCl So, there IS an Ox-Tox issue with Allegra-D.....
Just didn't want to make a blanket statement without refreshing my memory first.
Just didn't want to make a blanket statement without refreshing my memory first.
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Okay, finally got some time to look at the DAN article - the same one i've read before. Nothing has changed there. This is the same warning:
This is why DAN and other agencies suggest not using the drug at all when diving Nitrox, as the soft bottom may be hit. It is chemically similar to Speed.
This is why DAN and other agencies suggest not using the drug at all when diving Nitrox, as the soft bottom may be hit. It is chemically similar to Speed.
BillP
Senior Member
I tried to save you a little time and gave you that exact quote in my message- even highlighted part of it for you. Read the DAN article a couple more times and let it sink in.
Correct me if I'm wrong but you seem to be saying that no diver should ever take pseudoephedrine (e.g. Sudafed) when diving nitrox. If you wish to make that the decree from the Dandy Don International Centers for Diving Medicine, then that's your business. But if you're trying to claim that this DAN article agrees with you, then I have a bone to pick with you. To my read the author of the DAN article goes to great lengths to disagree with you and carefully explains why he disagrees with "the recommendation by diving organizations that pseudoephedrine be avoided with EAN". In fact, politely refuting the "do not (ever) take it (pseudoephedrine) when diving Nitrox" warnings seems to be the whole point of the article!
The quote from the article in your post does not say "never take pseudoephedrine when diving nitrox", the DAN article simply gives some reasonable guidelines for taking pseudoephedrine when diving (with or without nitrox). To say otherwise would be a misrepresentation of the facts.
Just my 2¢,
Bill
Correct me if I'm wrong but you seem to be saying that no diver should ever take pseudoephedrine (e.g. Sudafed) when diving nitrox. If you wish to make that the decree from the Dandy Don International Centers for Diving Medicine, then that's your business. But if you're trying to claim that this DAN article agrees with you, then I have a bone to pick with you. To my read the author of the DAN article goes to great lengths to disagree with you and carefully explains why he disagrees with "the recommendation by diving organizations that pseudoephedrine be avoided with EAN". In fact, politely refuting the "do not (ever) take it (pseudoephedrine) when diving Nitrox" warnings seems to be the whole point of the article!
The quote from the article in your post does not say "never take pseudoephedrine when diving nitrox", the DAN article simply gives some reasonable guidelines for taking pseudoephedrine when diving (with or without nitrox). To say otherwise would be a misrepresentation of the facts.
Just my 2¢,
Bill
I've taken Allegra - D and dove with EAN before and will likely continue to do so. I am aware of the Ox-Tox issues. Know's there's always a first time for everything, but (knock on wood) I've haven't had any issues with its use.
David B
Guest
I too have had congestion problems. Went to Sharm el Sheikh in October last year for 2 weeks and only did 4 dives - you can imagine how I felt? When I came back to the UK I saw an ENT specialist who also happens to be a diver. He suggested that I start taking Sudafed about 4 days before I am going to dive and then use Vick Sinex about 20 minutes before I dive. I went to Sipadan in February for 2 weeks, followed his advice, and had no problems. Going back to the Red Sea in July so here's hoping everything will still be OK.
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