G'day DocVikingo,
I actually read that article way back in July / Aug 07 when I was concerned from side effects affecting my ability to dive.
Its quite a good article and covers the aspects of SNRI's that I was questioning, but as you noted in the article, lots of questions with no definitive answers.
I actually experienced two NLOC with tunnel vision and loss of sight (greying over, before greying out), but fought it and came through, also had disassociation from my environment. First at 30m (EAN30%), then 3 weeks later at 14m (air). No panic, but very much a sense of urgency each time to manage the situation.
I'm a beached diver at the moment while I undergo further tests (so far a full neuro exam, checks for CO2 retention, hypoglycemia), also have had all tanks analysed independently and passed. I'm lucky that I'm close to Sydneys hyperbaric facility to be under their care during the investigation.
More bloods are being ordered up for thyroid and some other checks as well (organic: grey matter growths and such; and chemical - can't remember specifically at the moment for what).
PO2 hit on the 30m dive was suspected but then ruled out when I advised my doc of the 2nd incident on air at 14m. Must note here though, that signs and symptoms started to clear pretty quickly above 12m and even more so at 10m. I had slight nausea and a head ache (frontal/temple area) but all cleared within 20 mins. I had the jitters, but I think that was more from the experience, then a part of the actual problem.
The effexor is just another area to try to rule out or nail as the culprit. I've come off the effexor since the incidents and the discontinuation effects are slowly diminishing w/o any returning mood issues (it was a situational event which led to the need for the script)
These side effects from discontinuation are very similar to the disorientation that I experienced u/w which makes me suspect it may be the cause. I wont know though pending the other test results returning free of any anomalies.
There must be others diving using Venlafaxine or similar AD medications, but here I suspect stigma may just hold some of those peeps coming forward to talk about diving and depression medications.
If you know of any specific documented cases or published papers, I'd be very interested in reading them and passing them onto my hyperbaric dr. I have access to uni databases and have periodically searched through journals looking for articles (see uni does pay off and has its perks
), so any insight on which journals maybe more appropriate and search parametres I'd be very appreciative in knowing about, so I can pass onto my doc's and read up myself.
stay safe
ange
Note:
If there are peeps reading this and are diving on AD meds, feel free to drop me a line to chat about your experience diving while under treatment. I'm more interested in incidents relating back to these types of drugs and how you've managed side effects while diving.
I'm also Skype-able using my SB login.
