Poll -- diseases and diving

[barb]

I use to get the odd migraine but take a medication that has greatly reduced their occurance.
What are the risks in scuba if you get migraine?
If you get one maybe twice per year are you still considered to be a migraine sufferer?
I usually get a visual distortion - halo or limited vision before the headache. If I take aspirin and apply a cold compress to my head and close my eyes I'm usually good again in 1/2 to 1 hour. Is this a problem for scuba?

 

[Ranz]

*sigh of relief*
Glad to say, I am healthy!

 

[DivingDoc]

Originally posted by tracydr
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

Check out:

http://www.diversalertnetwork.org/medical/faq/faq.asp?faqid=37

 

[seaangel]

I am on maintainance medications for a thyroid goiter, Synthroid and Lipitor for cholesterol control. Have had problems that are linked to genetic inherited cholesterol problems. Is well controlled with Lipitor. I also have had lifelong allergy problems and I am seeing an allergist now to try to relieve the sinus allergy problems. It is seasonal and I have no problems diving. Mostly it is after diving that I have fluid build up in ears and sinus which clears up within a week after dives. I use a nasal spray Rhinocort daily and only after with no diving use a decongestant, Entex LA.
I never dive while taking the Entex LA.

 

[Jersey]

I have controlled high blood pressure. Probably borderline when I started diving. Take Avilide. Been medically cleared to dive.

My husband has ADHD/IT (attention deficit hyeractivity disorder - inattentive type) and dysthymia (mild, chronic depression). He is on Adderall (multiple amphetimine salts) and Prozac. Was not diagnosed when he started diving. He has also been medically cleared to dive.

What scares me is that he was not diagnosed when we started diving. I feel he was more of a danger, pre-meds, in his 'inattentiveness'. In fact one night early on, I got myself a little worked up at bottom of pool, little anxiety attack and he couldn't realize it. (Doing a mask off swim, I stopped breathing through reg. Literally wanted to breathe through nose.) Husband looking right at me. A DM on the surface noticed my flailing and was ready to pull me out, if necessary.

 

[lake_diver]

Have to vote 'other' due to lupus.

 

[BurBunny]

Coming late to this thread, but voting "other" as well here due to Lupus and Fibromyalgia.

My rheumo encourages me to dive, and I have to say, I feel better in the water than out of it sometimes. It keeps me motivated to do what I need to to be healthy enough to dive. I'm fortunate his son is a PADI instructor, so he keeps a good, watchful eye on me and signs off on my releases.

 

[tracydr]

When I was certifying, the instructor's wife, who helped with our class, had rheumatoid arthritis. She was an avid diver. Any type of low impact exercise is important with arthritis and diving is probably perfect.

 

[DivingDoc]

BurBunny once bubbled...
Coming late to this thread, but voting "other" as well here due to Lupus and Fibromyalgia.

My rheumo encourages me to dive, and I have to say, I feel better in the water than out of it sometimes. It keeps me motivated to do what I need to to be healthy enough to dive. I'm fortunate his son is a PADI instructor, so he keeps a good, watchful eye on me and signs off on my releases.

I think a lot of people with fibromyalgia feel better after diving -- probably because being weightless in the water is so relaxing, it lets the muscles stretch out a bit.

 

[DocVikingo]

Hi DivingDoc,

.... I'd add that perhaps being weightless in the water, free of most of the non-vacation day's routine stresses & under a smidgen of narcosis is so relaxing it lets the psyche stretch out a bit.

Best regards.

DocVikingo