Diving and IBS

[plec]

I'm hoping to train to dive in the UK next summer. However, I have IBS (D:sigh_2 It's pretty well controlled, but I was wondering if

A. It's safe to dive whilst taking Immodium?
B. If not, what do you do about needing to go whilst wearing a drysuit?

Anything else that could be a problem with diving?

 

[divingjd]

I can't anwer the question about Immodium, but I can tell you that I know people who use adult diapers (normally for people with incontinence) doing long technical dives in drysuits.

 

[Berdman]

I'm hoping to train to dive in the UK next summer. However, I have IBS (D:sigh_2 It's pretty well controlled, but I was wondering if

A. It's safe to dive whilst taking Immodium?
B. If not, what do you do about needing to go whilst wearing a drysuit?

Anything else that could be a problem with diving?

I have chrons/colitus (IBD) it’s similar to IBS and I have not noticed a problem with it when diving (I am new to diving only a couple of dives so far so maybe I have just been lucky!!). Also my gastroenterologist told me I would not have a problem with it.

You should go see a specialist on the matter. Look on DAN they have a good FAQ about the subject. Im not a doctor but I would think the worst that could happen is going it your suit?


I think I did take an Imodium on one dive, didn’t notice anything bad. I did notice that if you’re not active just kinda floating around in the water it might seem like you have to go.


Im not a doctor comments are just from my experience.

 

[Tamas]

I never had any problems when diving and taking Imodium, but everybody's reaction and bodies are different. But ideally the role of Imodium is to "plug" you up, so the only way to test is under water I am afraid......as already mentioned you can always try adult undergarments or do a dive in a wet suit -- just in case, you can practice the Warhammer manoeuvre

 

[DocVikingo]

Hi Berdman,

What you have is not "chrons/colitus (IBD)", but rather "Crohn's/colitis (IBD)."

Regards,

DocVikingo

 

[spectrum]

I'm hoping to train to dive in the UK next summer. However, I have IBS (D:sigh_2 It's pretty well controlled, but I was wondering if

A. It's safe to dive whilst taking Immodium?
B. If not, what do you do about needing to go whilst wearing a drysuit?

Anything else that could be a problem with diving?

Hi plec,

First of all IBS or not all divers need to consider the timing of their dives and it really needs to be a part of your dive planning. For my cycle it means getting up early on a dive day to get the ball rolling so to speak. It also means watching what I eat so that things are not processed prematurely, like avoiding a big greasy breakfast. I suspect you are into managing that stuff already.

Immodium? I have done so without incident.

In a drysuit you have the option of wearing an incontinence garment. It's not uncommon for divers that go down for significant duration. Everyone's adaptation for diving is unique so just do what will work for you.

Pete (Just a diver, not a doctor)

 

[DocVikingo]

Hi Plec,

Here is what DAN has to say:

Inflammatory bowel disease
http://www.diversalertnetwork.org/medical/faq/faq.asp?faqid=151

A more detailed discussion can be found at Scubadoc:

Inflammatory bowel disease
http://scuba-doc.com/crohn.html

A number of the side effects reported by users of Imodium (loperamide) are common symptoms of the underlying diarrheal syndrome (e.g., abdominal discomfort, nausea, vomiting, dry mouth, drowsiness, dizziness), which sometimes makes matters a bit difficult to sort out. However, they generally are minor and self-limiting in nature. Since some of these obviously have implications for safe scuba, the diver will want to give the drug an adequate topside trial to assess for adverse reactions.

If you feel the need to get a more detailed answer, or to receive medical clearance to dive, here is a list of UKSDMC Medical Referees http://www.uksdmc.co.uk/main/Medical referees.htm

Helpful?

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.

Regards,

DocVikingo

 

[pescador775]

First, Immodium Advanced has recently been approved by the FDA. This is a non prescription drug. Second, consensus is closer that IBS is caused by bacterial overgrowth in the small intestine (SIBO). As a result, some medicos are questioning "what exactly is IBS?" (about time, lol). Third, a so-called "probiotic" diet has been found to be effective in controlling IBS. Third, Chrohn's is at most vaguely similar to IBS as to causality. However, since Xifaxan has been found to be helpful in Chrohn's perhaps you or your physician should research this antibiotic IRT IBS. I have a "gut" feeling that it might be effective.
Pesky

 

[DocVikingo]

First, Immodium Advanced has recently been approved by the FDA. This is a non prescription drug. Second, consensus is closer that IBS is caused by bacterial overgrowth in the small intestine (SIBO). As a result, some medicos are questioning "what exactly is IBS?" (about time, lol). Third, a so-called "probiotic" diet has been found to be effective in controlling IBS. Third, Chrohn's is at most vaguely similar to IBS as to causality. However, since Xifaxan has been found to be helpful in Chrohn's perhaps you or your physician should research this antibiotic IRT IBS. I have a "gut" feeling that it might be effective.
Pesky

First, that would be Imodium (not "Immodium") Advanced. Second, that would be Crohn's (not "Chrohn's") disease. Had you the courtesy and intellectual curiosity to read the prior posts, specifically # 5 & 7, you would found the correct spellings.

Imodium Advanced contains the same dosage of loperamide (i.e., 2 mg) as regular Imodium, but has an added anti-gas ingredient, simethicone.

Moving on, there is no "consensus is closer that IBS is caused by bacterial overgrowth in the small intestine (SIBO)." The fact is researchers do not yet know what causes inflammatory bowel disease. Genetic, infectious, immunologic, and psychological factors have all been implicated in influencing it's development.

As regards a probiotic diet, there is some suggestion that it may help alleviate certain symptoms of IBS, but such authoritative sources as the Mayo Clinic ( http://72.14.209.104/search?q=cache...biotic+diet&hl=en&gl=us&ct=clnk&cd=1&ie=UTF-8 ) have said that, "Although probiotics are generally considered safe, more research is needed to determine what role, if any, probiotics may play in the treatment of IBS. Before starting a probiotic therapy to treat a specific disease or condition, talk to your doctor."

Regards,

DocVikingo

 

[asaara]

First, that would be Imodium (not "Immodium") Advanced.

Actually, the spelling of that, as with many brand names of drugs, would depend on what country you're buying it in.