Diving with MS

[Gary D.]

Do you or do you know anyone who dives with MS?

Gary D.

 

[DocVikingo]

Yes, a regular dive buddy of mine has MS.

Would you like me to put you in contact with him?

Best regards.

DocVikingo

 

[Gary D.]

Yes, a regular dive buddy of mine has MS.

Would you like me to put you in contact with him?

Best regards.

DocVikingo

Sure would. My wife has it and didn't start diving until after she was DX. Has worked wonders for her.

Have you seen her site? www.mswobbles.com

Thanks doc.

Gary D.

 

[Saturation]

I know one diver who has MS and she too found remission of all symptoms. She posts publicly and in detail at e-divers@yahoogroups.com

 

[DocVikingo]

Watch your e-mail.

As a matter of fact, I have been aware of that website for some time now.

Best regards.

DocVikingo

 

[beche de mer]

Sure would. My wife has it and didn't start diving until after she was DX. Has worked wonders for her.

.

That's interesting. Hyperbaric oxygen has been used for some time as a treatment for MS. AFAIK, its efficacy has not been borne out by the few properly conducted clinical trials which are available.

From the Cochrane Review: (Cochrane - an unbiased and disinterested foundation which critically appraises clinical trials for the purpose of underpinning evidence-based medicine.)

"We found no consistent evidence to confirm a beneficial effect of hyperbaric oxygen therapy for the treatment of multiple sclerosis and do not believe routine use is justified. The small number of analyses suggestive of benefit are isolated, difficult to ascribe with biological plausibility and would need to be confirmed in future well-designed trials. Such trials are not, in our view, justified by this review."

But that's not to suggest that scuba diving should not be undertaken by those who have MS. Apart from being a healthy (and possibly beneficial activity) it's lotsa fun and has much to recommend it.

However, due consideration should be given to any associated disability and possible effects of medication, and it should be done under the supervision of a neurologist with an understanding of the physiological demands of diving.

 

[Saturation]

But that's not to suggest that scuba diving should not be undertaken by those who have MS. Apart from being a healthy (and possibly beneficial activity) it's lotsa fun and has much to recommend it.

However, due consideration should be given to any associated disability and possible effects of medication, and it should be done under the supervision of a neurologist with an understanding of the physiological demands of diving.

I agree fully Beche, and one issue in studies reviewed by Cochrane is than MS can't be treated as a homogenous disease, as the severity, while proportionate to years since diagnosis, can wax and wane for no reason. Whether the divers or patients who claim benefit with hyperbaric 02 is just coincidental with a remissive period, is hard to prove. But tied in with the out door 'health' benefits of diving, while the symptoms are stable, can be beneficial organically, through some cardiovascular exercise, if not psychologically.

I find intriguing is hearing the details of their histories, both my diver acquaintance and from stories by chamber docs coincidentally treating MS for a wound related issue describe gross or subtle abnormalities that MS patients are more aware off [and less visible physically] that dissappear after a hyperbaric exposure. That the symptoms remain in remission for sometime and then coincidentally remit again after hyperbaric 02 makes for a ton of head scratching.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/...ve&db=pubmed&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=12067146


Then, there are those with no effect at all.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/...ve&db=pubmed&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=12602452

 

[DiveRoper]

Do you or do you know anyone who dives with MS?

Gary D.

Gary, I have MS. Started diving last year, really a novice with only 27 dives. Not only is diving a lot of fun for me but the life style it commands, having to be more fit both mentally and physically, is great. I have been takeing daily medication for 8 years and so far have not had it affect the diving. Another good side affect is the cooler water which seems to help people with MS. All in all it is one activity people with MS can really, really enjoy......

 

[Gary D.]

Gary, I have MS. Started diving last year, really a novice with only 27 dives. Not only is diving a lot of fun for me but the life style it commands, having to be more fit both mentally and physically, is great. I have been takeing daily medication for 8 years and so far have not had it affect the diving. Another good side affect is the cooler water which seems to help people with MS. All in all it is one activity people with MS can really, really enjoy......

Daily medication? You on Copaxone? Good stuff.

Some of the things we have done with Wobbles diving are a little out of the ordinary. Her Neuro is on top of it and her GP is a diver that keeps watch on her.

Anything near 100' and maxing the tables on 21% gets her walking without a cane for a week of better. The higher the 02 the shallower the depth for the same results.

We had to carry her up to the training tower one day she was so weak. We suited her up and she was to weak to lean forward to fall in so two of us picked her up and dropped her. At 30', 30 minutes later and on 60% 02 she walked up the ladder with her gear on, went down stairs and ran all over the yard. It lasted a couple of weeks but boy she had some sore muscles.

Some people show dramatic results while others show nothing. We are lucky because she shows great results from it. To bad it didn't work on everyone.

If nothing else it gives one a better outlook on life and a sport they can enjoy with the family.

Gary D.