Vitamin B6

[FrankF]

I was recently diagnosed with carpal tunnel syndrome (at age 26--go figure), and the Dr. told me that taking vitamin B6 would be beneficial. I just wanted to make sure that it was completely safe as far as O2 and nitrogen absorbsion were concerned.

Should I have any concerns?

Frank

 

[DocVikingo]

Supplementation with vit B6 at the recommended daily allowance should not significantly impact on the absorption or elimination of 02 or N2. However, I am going to seek Dr. Deco's input on this matter in case I am missing something.

It is prudent not to overdo this vitamin, however, as excessive amounts can result in areas of numbness, loss of sensation in the legs & imbalance, features that can easily be mistaken for DCI.

This is educational only and does not constitute or imply a doctor-patient relationship. It is not medical advice to you or any other individual, and should not be construed as such.

Best regards.

DocVikingo

 

[Dr Deco]

Hello Frank:

I am not aware of any studies that specifically examined vitamins and decompression sickness.

I can not think of a possible mechanism where moderate use of these vitamins could modify directly the uptake of elimination of inert gas.

Dr Deco :doctor:

 

[miketsp]

Just a reminder that B6 is often used by itself or in Dramamine B6 as sea sickness remedy and I know a lot of divers that use max recommended doses.
Never heard of any problems associated.

 

[DocVikingo]

As regards compounds containing Dramamine & B6, all of those of which I am aware contain Dramamine of the dimenhydrinate variety.

The following study published in Pharmacotherapy 20(9):1051-1054, 2000 should be of interest to divers considering using dimenhydrinate :

"The Psychometric and Cardiac Effects of Dimenhydrinate in the Hyperbaric Environment

David McD. Taylor, M.D., Kevin S. O'Toole, M.D., Thomas E. Auble, Ph.D., Christopher M. Ryan, Ph.D., and David R. Sherman, R.N.

Abstract

Study Objectives. To examine the psychometric and cardiac effects of dimenhydrinate at 1 and 3 atmospheres (atm) of pressure (0 and 66 feet of sea water, respectively), and to make recommendations about the drug's safety in the diving environment.

Design. Double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover study.
Setting. Monoplace hyperbaric chamber of a university hospital.

Subjects. Thirty active divers (mean age 38 yrs).
Interventions. A bank of seven tests was used to assess cognitive function during four different dive combinations: placebo-1 atm, placebo-3 atm, dimenhydrinate-1 atm, and dimenhydrinate-3 atm.

Measurements and Main Results. Heart rate and cardiac rhythm were recorded during all dives. Repeated-measures multivariate analysis of variance was used to analyze the effects of dimenhydrinate, depth, and drug-depth interaction. Dimenhydrinate resulted in a significant decrease in scores of mental flexibility (trail-making, part B, p<0.05) but had no effect on scores in the six other psychometric tests (p>0.05). It had no effect on mean heart rate (p>0.05), although frequent unifocal ventricular ectopic beats occurred in two subjects after ingestion of the drug. Depth resulted in a significant decrease in verbal memory test scores (p=0.001) and mean heart rate (p<0.001).

Conclusion. Dimenhydrinate adversely affects mental flexibility. This effect, when added to the adverse effect of depth on memory, may contribute to the dangers of diving."


Best regards.

DocVikingo

 

[miketsp]

Hi Doc,
that's the sort of post I like to read - based on facts.
Good reason to keep dosages to minimum necessary...
B.Regards

 

[DocVikingo]

(nt)