diving after an autologous transplant

[trapmonkey]

Dear Scubaboard,

last year 2014 I relapsed with acute myeloid leukemia I was treated with aggressive chemo and then received an autologous stem cell transplant as a genetically suitable bone marrow donor was not available.

i am currently in full remission and am on a prophylactic dose of verinostat as it apparently has pathway blocking properties that they have just found out. I am the only patient in my country ever doing treatment this way, with this drug (read guinea pig/extremely expensive/having no insurance after a relapse sucks!) .

my transplant dose was an extremely low dose of 3 million stem cells (over 5 years old) compared to the normal 8 million viable cells needed.

My current counts are HB 14.1, wbc 7.1 plt 70k as of 7 October 2015. I am one year past my initial date of transplant 10/10/14. i am damn lucky to be here and turned 42 6 oct.

My doctor has said I cannot dive yet as my platelet count is too low. I am just wondering is that so? and also if my plt count is below normal 150k etc, what risks does it pose to me as a diver?

I have been diving regularly since 1992 and have done many dives(500-1000) except for my first bout with AML and this relapse period. The hope of diving again keeps me happy and I would love anyone, doctor or otherwise who can give me a reason why my doc is so cautious on me doing recreational diving with air and nitrox.

Just asking because many on scubaboards have much more dive medicine experience and i really would like to know the mechanics of why i'm benched

Many thanks, guy.

 

[Carl_F]

Guy - I'd recommend calling DAN or checking their website for any information related to your condition and diving.

Having said that, not offering medical advice, but with a low platelet count, you're susceptible to excessive bleeding and the changing pressures could cause internal bleeding (I think) and also the risk of cuts, abrasions, etc which can cause bleeding and therefore excessive bleeding is there. Definitely worth calling DAN to discuss or researching the DAN website for info.

Hope this helps!

Carl

 

[Chimera12413]

Dear Scubaboard,

last year 2014 I relapsed with acute myeloid leukemia I was treated with aggressive chemo and then received an autologous stem cell transplant as a genetically suitable bone marrow donor was not available.

i am currently in full remission and am on a prophylactic dose of verinostat as it apparently has pathway blocking properties that they have just found out. I am the only patient in my country ever doing treatment this way, with this drug (read guinea pig/extremely expensive/having no insurance after a relapse sucks!) .

my transplant dose was an extremely low dose of 3 million stem cells (over 5 years old) compared to the normal 8 million viable cells needed.

My current counts are HB 14.1, wbc 7.1 plt 70k as of 7 October 2015. I am one year past my initial date of transplant 10/10/14. i am damn lucky to be here and turned 42 6 oct.

My doctor has said I cannot dive yet as my platelet count is too low. I am just wondering is that so? and also if my plt count is below normal 150k etc, what risks does it pose to me as a diver?

I have been diving regularly since 1992 and have done many dives(500-1000) except for my first bout with AML and this relapse period. The hope of diving again keeps me happy and I would love anyone, doctor or otherwise who can give me a reason why my doc is so cautious on me doing recreational diving with air and nitrox.

Just asking because many on scubaboards have much more dive medicine experience and i really would like to know the mechanics of why i'm benched

Many thanks, guy.

I'm 2.5 years post transplant for relapsed AML (mini haplo)

My doc only signs off when I'm above 100 and pulls it if I drop.

The answer I got as to WhY?

----Difficulties identifying DCI.

With low platelets it can be difficult to distinguish bleeding and pain in the joints etc caused by DCI vs platelet counts.

Then you have possible issues with sinus/lung/ear and elsewhere bleeds and bruising. With as crazy as they were anytime I had a headache - brain bleeding as a possibly- normally only a worry at lower levels -but that is on land, diving adds another layer. You are normally removed from immediate medical care.


If you can find a dive med hematologist or oncologist in your country they'd be the best to assist in evaluating your return. DAN should have a doc listing for you. You can also ask them about any additional risks.

Post transplant - had to be cleared with Cardio and pulmonary function tests as well as counts.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[agilis]

I admire your spirit and generosity in sharing information. I do not have the serious medical issues you must contend with, but I am also from Earth.

Chimera is one of my favorite words. I was dismayed to discover that large numbers of functional illiterates now think a word so rich with meaning and history is a character in a video game. I'm certain you are not one of them.