Diving and Prednisone (steroids)

[becca31]

Any problems with diving while on a temporary dose of Prednisone? I'm taking it for poison ivy and am headed down for some diving tomorrow for a week. Thanks.

 

[HBO MD]

Presumably you're on a small dose, so it should be fine. However, if you're on a dose causing any side effects such as frequent urination, this could imply that the drug is impacting upon your blood sugar control and this could lead to volume depletion and blood biochemistry changes. If that is the case, then you should review the dose with your local doc.


( medical disclaimer inserted here because everyone is litigious in the US, so this isn't really medical advice )

 

[TSandM]

As HBO MD says, the small dose used for treating rashes shouldn't cause much trouble. Large doses of steroids can cause mood changes, euphoria, or even hallucinations, and chronic steroid use is a whole different animal. Even short term use can cause some water retention and edema, but that shouldn't cause problems for a diver.

As with any medication, you want to have taken it for several days before diving, just to know if you have any personal idiosyncratic issues with it.

Have fun on your trip, and stay out of that nasty itchy stuff!

 

[becca31]

Thanks for the input! Yes, small dose for 2 weeks.