mania:
For me and strictly for me the fact that it may (emphasis added) cause nausea is enough reason not to dive while taking doxycycline.
And of course that's fine- strictly for you. But being on a boat may cause nausea too- do you never boat dive? Shore diving thru
any appreciable surf may cause nausea- do you never shore dive except in flat calm conditions? A wetsuit or drysuit collar may cause nausea when diving- do you never wear a wetsuit or drysuit? Wearing a hood when diving may cause nausea in some people- do you never wear a hood?
Some believe that it is dangerous to dive if you are prepubertal. Some believe that menstruation can increase the risk of decompression sickness- and for an unknown period of time around menses. Some believe that previous surgery (such as a hysterectomy for example) increases the risk of decompression sickness. Some maintain that being older- say like being post-menopausal- increases the risk of diving. So would you say that the only women who should
ever dive are those who have passed the age of puberty but have never menstruated, haven't had a hysterectomy, and aren't over a certain age (say 40)? Of course not. That would be "taking the argument a bit too far", wouldn't it?
If you choose not to dive on doxycyline or any other medicine, that's certainly your business. But when advising others on doxycyline wouldn't you say that it would be better to mention the risks and let them decide for themselves- since for most divers diving on doxycyline is generally considered acceptable by the diving medicine community? For example, wouldn't it be more appropriate to say, "
If you happen to be one of the people who get nauseated when taking doxycyline, it could affect your diving" (especially if your advice otherwise contradicts DAN and other reliable sources) rather than speak in absolutes? In many divers the benefit of taking doxycyline is greater than the risk. It's fine to discuss the potential risks- that's why ArcticDiver asked- but is it necessary to say never?
Just my 2¢,
Bill