As the result of a minor scare recently where my eyesight went strange for a while in one eye I found myself referred to a neuro consultant as it was believed I had possibly suffered a mini stroke. The neuro guy is confident that I have not had a stroke. However whilst further tests are carried out (Echo CG etc) he has prescribed Clopidogrel which is a blood thinner. Initially as a precaution but possibly long term in case I have had a clot/thrombosis. Anybody have experience of this or any other blood thinning medications and advice as to whether diving is ok on these med's? I always dive, where possible, on nitrox. Failing first hand experience any advice on where/who to contact for this information would be invaluable. I would appreciate it if this can be kept 'on topic' as far as is possible as I am rather concerned about this issue. I completely forgot to ask the question of the consultant but in hindsight he probably wouldn't necessarily know the answer.
As above, they're really helpful guys at the LDC. I wouldn't take any medical advice from an Internet forum on such a serious matter. Whilst everyone likes to think they're being helpful there aren't many experts in these parts so do yourself a favour and ask someone who knows what's they're talking about.
I fully intend to do just that once info' re who to contact is in. The LDC is a good one. Was just wondering if anyone had personal experience first.
The best advice is to contact LDC for specilist advice I was on Clopidogrel after my PFO closure and wasn't specifically told not to dive, one thing I would say though was that I bruised VERY easily so you need to avoid bumps/bangs - given the bruises I was getting from a day in the office I dread to think what state I would have been after a day lugging heavy kit and getting bounced around on a dive boat! I was only on Clopidogrel for a month but continued to take low dose Asprin for 6 months and my doctor was happy for me to diving (without restrictions) whilst taking that.
'Phoned the LDC and have been asked to make the enquiry via email. Email sent and await a reply. Will post their verdict here when I get it.
Email enquiry by me to the LDC:- As the result of a minor scare recently where my eyesight went strange for a while in one eye I found myself referred, by an ophthalmologist, to a neuro consultant as it was believed I had possibly suffered a mini stroke. On examination the neuro guy is confident that I have not had a stroke. However whilst further tests are being arranged and carried out (Echo CG etc) he has prescribed Clopidogrel which is a blood thinner. Initially as a precaution in case I have had a clot/thrombosis but possibly long term. I don’t know the answer to that one yet. When diving I use nitrox as far as possible subject to availability My question is where do I stand in relation to diving whilst taking Clopidogrel or other such blood thinning medication. Can I dive or not basically? Any advice will be gratefully received. Thank you in advance and with nervous anticipation! Reply from the LDC:- Thanks for the email. When considering these types of questions, the reason for taking a drug is equally as (if not more) important as the drug itself. So the risk factors for a further episode of neurological disturbance need to be assessed (hence the investigations you are awaiting). I don’t expect they will show anything abnormal as they rarely do, but clearly the results cannot be prejudged. Bleeding from any source will be exacerbated if the blood is thinner than normal. Possible bleeding sources include coral cuts, nosebleeds, ruptured blood vessels in the ear (due to forceful or unsuccessful equalising), bruising around the soft tissues of the eyes (as a consequence of mask squeeze), and, in the case of spinal decompression sickness, spinal cord blood vessels. However I know plenty of divers who have dived perfectly happily on blood thinners (eg. warfarin), and aside from the bleeding hazard there don’t seem to be any other issues to worry about. So provided you are cautious, careful to avoid over-exertion and forceful equalising, and keep depths and times conservative, then I don’t think you need worry unduly. Kind regards Dr Oliver Firth MB BS BSc MRCGP Hyperbaric Physician Medical Director London Diving Chamber Hospital of St John & St Elizabeth 60 Grove End Road St John's Wood London NW8 9NH Tel: +44 207 806 4028 Fax: +44 207 806 4029 www.londondivingchamber.co.uk So it would appear that I should be ok to dive. Which is excellent news given that, a week or so before this all happened, my wife and I had booked a two week trip (1 week liveaboard followed by 1 week on an island) to the Maldives at the end of April ! Phew! Hopefully if all goes well I will be off the blood thinning med's by then. Thanks' for the input guys. Very much appreciated.
Glad to hear it, I've never had to use LDC for anything personally but have heard many great things said about them
Glad it's good news! If you aren't off the meds, probably worth declaring your meds to your insurance.
Good point. Thank you. If I do this though (and declare it on the PADI self cert form at the liveaboard will I need a doctors letter to avoid the guides nerves who may try to stop me diving? Touch wood haven't faced this issue before.
Not sure how I will play my PFO/bend on the PADI form next time I go abroad. The tour company certainly know about my medical history (I was on holiday with them when I got bent!) but I can do without getting grief off the dive guide because I answer "yes" to a couple of the PADI questions. What does matter to me though is that I have the all clear to dive on the medication (LDC advice sounds positive, but possibly worth getting diving medical done in the UK as well) and my insurers are happy to cover me. As the email from LDC says there is the possibility that you could have complications when diving due to the medical condition/medication so you need to be confident that you are fully insured if the worst happens.
Clopidogrel is not a contraindication to diving. It works a bit like aspirin and so is an antiplatelet agent and NOT an anticoagulant.
As one who has several yes's on a PADI medical form, I'd recommend getting a diving medical in the UK from a diving medic with a nice impressive practice stamp, ideally mentioning diving. Take all the paperwork with you. Dive centre will want a copy of everything to pad their backside if something goes wrong, but otherwise you should have no problems. Not sure where about you are based, I use Dr Tim Fitzsimons http://divingmedicals.com/ in Liverpool. His charge is very reasonable, and the medical very very thorough, especially on your first visit Harry
£25. Takes him about an hour, and on my first visit included the only ECG that I've ever had in my life. (actually £25 year 1, £20 year 2 as I had no change, and £30 this year as I paid him back what I owed..) It's actually on his website if you can translate ?25 as £25. His website could use a little polishing there He's a fellow diver, and not in it for the money, I'm pretty certain. Harry
I live near to Slough/Windsor so a bit far for me. Will have to research for one a bit closer. Thanks' steppy, appreciated. As is all the input appreciated. Thanks' guys.
LDC do dive medicals and if that is too far to travel will be able to put you in contact with dive referees in your area. There is no point in doing a dive medical with a "standard" doctor if you have answered "yes" as you will need refereing to a diving sopecialist anyway.
I use Dr Mark Downs for by DM medical, he is in Worcester Park Surrey http://www.scuba4fun.org.uk/about_Us.htm or try the london diving chamber http://londondivingchamber.co.uk/index.php
