Poll -- diseases and diving

[Bobble]

Thanks for the info... I'll defintatly study it some more.

I guess im in a better position than most because my Asthma has been completly under control for a LONG time now. I also hold a class 2 pilots medical certificate and to get that they put me through nearly $1500 worth of tests and specialist visits (chest x rays + spirometry + others) All at the end for them to say... yep your Asthma is undercontrol.

But anyway... if you can think of anything else that might be if interest please let me know.

 

[H2o Man]

nope.....nada , zilch , nothing , i'm fit-as-a-fiddle.

Geeez.........hope i don't jinx myself!!!!!!

 

[thumpr]

Originally posted by DivingDoc
I'm interested in the fact that so far over 10% of those answering this poll have asthma. If any of you who have asthma would like to answer the following questions, I'd be even more interested:

1) How active is your asthma -- how many times in an average week do you have wheezing or chest tightness? How many nights in an average month do you wake up in the middle of the night due to wheezing, chest tightness or cough?

2) What medications/inhalers do you currently take for your asthma?

3) Have you ever been hospitalized or had to go to the emergency room for your asthma?

4) Have you ever gone diving at a time when your asthma was symptomatic? Did any adverse event occur?

5) Do you take any special measures, either in the way you dive (e.g. rate of ascent/descent or other measures) or in the equipment you use because of your asthma?

Thanks ahead of time for your answers.

1) rarely, I get wheezy maybe once or twice a month.

2) I currently take flixotide as a preventative daily and ventolin if required (I havent used this in a long time)

3) I have been placed on a nebuliser a couple of times but not in the last couple of years.

4) I would never dive with asthma symptoms

5) I dont take any special measures other than to make sure I keep taking my preventative.

thumpr

 

[DivingDoc]

Originally posted by thumpr


1) rarely, I get wheezy maybe once or twice a month.

2) I currently take flixotide as a preventative daily and ventolin if required (I havent used this in a long time)

3) I have been placed on a nebuliser a couple of times but not in the last couple of years.

4) I would never dive with asthma symptoms

5) I dont take any special measures other than to make sure I keep taking my preventative.

thumpr

Thanks for your info. How often do you dive?

 

[thumpr]

I only started diving in april. I have 18 logged dives. I am trying to get out 1-2 weekends a month.

 

[DivingDoc]

I'd really be interested to know if any of the 10-11% of you who have asthma have ever had any problems diving due to your asthma.

I'd be especially interested to know if anyone with asthma has ever suffered air embolism or a pneumothorax or gotten bent while diving.

If you are squemish about posting about this publically, PM me on it.

Thanks alot.

 

[tracydr]

I have asthma and have made over 50 dives, some in difficult conditions. I have only had trouble once and that was on the long swim out to the dive site. It was a cold day in WA and I was probably a few weeks out from a URI. Plus my rental wetsuit was tighter than the marked size, making me feel claustrophobic. I did complete one dive which was actually very pleasant but I did wheeze the rest of the day despite repeated uses of my inhaler.
I now take flovent and serevent daily as this spring I began having more frequent chest tightening and cough. Usually only have problems following URIs though.
I have never been hospitalized or to the ER for it although being a doctor I have treated myself a few times when others probably would have gone to the ER.
I don't do anything different diving, in fact I'm always the last one back in the boat if I can get one of the divemasters to stay down long enough with me. On one dive in Hawaii I started with the first group and than ended with the divemaster from the last group after everyone else had surfaced. I was down at 50 feet longer than anyone else on the boat. So I would say that the asthma doesn't affect my diving at all. If anything, it has made me more aware of my breathing and able to relax better.
Now for another question no one seems to be able to answer. How long after a cervical fracture/spinal fusion with good outcome do I need to wait before diving? I fractured C-7 Dec 26 and I am dying to get back into diving. I know I have lifting limitations but have been snorkeling comfortably with no problems. My neurosurgeon knows nothing about diving. My biggest concern is DCS in that fusion or in the fracture area. Is there anything in the literature about this? I am trying to talk my physical therapist into a check out dive in the local lake but he said I need to wait until August or when my trunk is stronger.
Thanks! Tracy

 

[divern]

I do have asthma and dive. It so far has not been a problem except when I was trying to do the first open water class where we were doing mask removal and replace. We were in 40 degree water in early May in Vermont. took the mask off and immediately gasped and needless to say choked on the water. After about 30 - 40 minutes of trying I gave up for the day. I did have a need for the inhaler after that, but as I have said I have had no further problems. Hope others have had as good luck as I.

 

[Scuba Barbie]

I got a physical before my OW certs and take preventative measures to mitigate my risks.

 

[Spray25]

Migrane headaches. None while diving so far.