Diving on a diuretic?

[bluebanded goby]

Hi all, my ear doctor is trying me on a course of dyazide, a diuretic, to see if it helps at all with chronic tinnitus.

I assume that it wouldn't be a good idea to dive while trying the diuretic, from a hydration/DCS point of view. True? Three ENTs assure me that there is nothing about the underlying ear condition that would disqualify me from diving -- my only concern is about the medication.

 

[cutlass]

Diuretics in general lower your blood volume/pressure and so may affect your tolerance to exertion or sudden changes of position; e.g. fatigue, light-headedness, dizziness, fainting are possible. It would be prudent to check your response to it before diving. Dyazide might increase your sensitivity to the sun.

 

[bluebanded goby]

Thanks. So the fact that diuretics remove water from the body isn't an issue with hydration, DCS, etc?

 

[cutlass]

Dehydration is a DCS risk factor. With diuretics, you will be more susceptible to dehydration and will have to be more mindful to keep up with your fluids. It's usually not a hardship.

 

[DocVikingo]

Hi bluebanded goby,

Here's what diving medicine expert Dr. Fred Bove has to say:


"Diuretics

These drugs are used to eliminate water and excess salt (sodium) from the body. They act by allowing more water to pass through the kidneys to form urine. Reduced water and sodium will lower blood pressure, so these drugs are often part of the treatment for hypertension, and they are often used to prevent swelling due to water retention in the body. Divers will have little effect from the diuretics. In hot environments, where fluid can be lost from sweating, the diuretics can cause excess water loss. If you are exposed to heat and are sweating, the diuretic may not be needed. Diuretics will also cause loss of potassium, an important mineral in the body. Excess loss of potassium will cause muscle weakness, and can affect the heart. It is best to skip your diuretic on a diving day."


I would add that skipping doses when the diuretic is being taken for control of hypertension or heart-related disease potentially could be problematic and shouldn't be done without clearance from the prescribing physician. Skipping doses being taken as part of an attempt to attenuate chronic tinnitus seems a far more minor concern.

Regards,

DocVikingo

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.

 

[farsidefan1]

You may want to read an earlier post by me titled hydration hydration hydration. I had 150 dives with never a hint of a problem. Most of these dives were on dive trips which involved 4 & 5 dives a day for 5 - 7 days in a row. I take a diuretic (metalozone) for hypertension and some swelling from minor kidney disease. On dive trips I always stopped taking the pill. Then last August I went to Coz, forgot to skip the pills, went for a long hot walk that evening. The next day I put in 4 dives (had only done 2 per day the previous 2 days) but did not come close to violating my computer and got an unprovoked DCS hit. 2 visits to the chamber. I also found out I had a PFO which I just had corrected. All these factors seemed to come together and play a part in my experience. I didn't help I'm sure that I'm 58 and overweight (down 12 lbs and still doing weight watchers). I doubt it was any one of the factors but the combination got me pretty good. heck with your doc but mine didn't think skipping the pill for a week or so was any big deal. Good diving