Medicine and diving

[adventurelarry]

During my OW course, online, I remember that there was a point about not diving and taking allergy medicine (decongestants). I take seasonal allergy medicine and also use benadryl as a nighttime sleeping aid.

What is the point about not taking these types of medicines and diving?

Thanks,
Larry

 

[Straegen]

From DAN:

Q: Should I be concerned about using over-the-counter antihistamines and decongestants when diving?

A: No drug is completely safe. Drugs are chemicals and, by design, alter body functions through their therapeutic action. Moreover, they may have undesirable effects that vary by individual or environment. Most drugs have never been specifically tested in a diving or hyperbaric environment, but by understanding their usual actions and side effects it may be possible to predict what might happen when divers use them. So, research your medications. Learn their active ingredients. Warnings and directions provided by the manufacturer may alert you to the potential for a problem.Antihistamines are most often used to provide symptomatic relief of allergies, colds and motion sickness. They may have side effects including dryness of the mouth, nose and throat, and blurred vision. A side effect of many antihistamines is drowsiness, which could exacerbate nitrogen narcosis and impair a diver's ability to think clearly and react appropriately as needed. If an antihistamine is used by a diver, it should ideally be one of the less sedating type.

Decongestants cause narrowing of the blood vessels, which can relieve congestion by reducing swelling of the nasal mucosa. Decongestants may cause mild CNS stimulation and may have side effects such as nervousness, excitability, restlessness, dizziness, weakness, and a forceful or rapid heartbeat. These drugs can cause blood pressure to increase, particularly in people with hypertension. Medications known to stimulate the CNS may have a significant or undesirable effect on a diver. Package precautions or warnings may advise against use by individuals suffering from diabetes, asthma or cardiovascular disease.

Ask DAN | Scuba Diving Magazine

 

[CamG]

Greetings Larry and I to suffer form seasonal allergies and have a treatment plan with my ENT. I also am very careful to check with DAN on the drug interactions.
One key issue to many allergy / sinus medications is that they tend to dehydrate you thus increasing your chance of DCS. The key is just dive safe and research your medications and know how they affect you.

I choose to be very careful and have had awesome dives as a result of working with my ENT. I visit about every 3-4 months or sooner if I have any issues. So far only once in three years H1N1 really kicked my butt. I lost a month and a half to sever head cold and congestion issues.

Good luck and always dive safe! Call DAN anytime and look into a ENT if you do not already have one.
CamG Keep diving....Keep training....Keep learning!

 

[pinks]

I am a new diver and just went to see an allergist who specializes in dive medicine in preparation for an upcoming trip. He told me that the concern is that OTC decongestants and allergy medicine could wear off mid-dive (and in the case of benadryl, make you sleepy). So you might be able to clear your ears at the beginning of the dive, but then the meds wear off and you start having problems.

In my case, the doctor prescribed a nose spray to use 30 minutes before diving that contains whatever drug is in afrin combined with flonaise (he has it compounded in house). He told me that it was okay to keep taking my allegra, singulair, and other meds.

Do you have a dive doctor that you can consult with?

 

[rsldonk]

What are you alergic to? One thing I find with my allergies (mine are generally mild and seasonal, and so for a couple of weeks I just deal with it without taking meds) is that since the dive gas is filtered, all the pollen that I'm allergic to gets filtered out and I feel much better diving that than I do breathing regular air.

 

[lavachickie]

I am not a doctor, I am not dispensing any sort of advice, aside from telling you to find an ENT who is familiar with diving medicine. Work with them to find a medically workable solution to your specific personal issue.

My experience, as someone who has seasonal allergies of some sort in almost every season, has been very good. I went to my PCP who happens to dive as well, and we discussed my options. I have mild to moderate symptoms (congestion, runny nose) almost all the time. My plan before diving was Flonase daily along with Claratin. I admit it didn't work all that well for me so I didn't take it religiously. His plan for me was simple: 12 hour Sudafed (rx strength) taken an hour before diving. So far this has served me very well. Just to be safe I take again in six hours if we are planning a night dive.

Works for me. Many divers with mild to moderate issues find a very reliable and workable solution for them. But, I'm always cautious and careful, knowing it's an issue I must be careful of.

 

[adventurelarry]

Thanks for all the advice. I am continuing to do research and have made an appointment with my PCP.

 

[lavachickie]

Thanks for all the advice. I am continuing to do research and have made an appointment with my PCP.

Just make sure your PCP knows what s/he is talking about when it comes to diving. They either need to be a diver, and/or specialist in diving medicine. An ENT w/ that focus is best, if you can find one in your area.

I have heard of PCPs who, for lack of knowledge, will tell a patient who has to take any meds for any reason that they should never, ever scuba dive. It's just an attempt to CYA without having any real ability to properly evaluate the situation critically.

 

[Hotpuppy]

The primary emphasis here is to talk to your doctor, ask DAN if in doubt, and be conservative. Don't use the allergy meds to go diving. However, if you are taking them on a regular basis, then talk to your doctor to make sure they are compatible with diving. You might be able to switch to something that lasts longer, has fewer side effects, and is compatible with diving.