Sudafed & Diving

[hebails]

Originally Posted by dry suit diver

thats how most people I dive with interpret it . i can't take sudafed anyway as it sends me heart into all sorts of funny rhythms.

Same as when you are next to Sixy & Vonny ?

[susanmac]

Thanks for the replies!

That DAN article is very interesting, seems that all the divers who had problems with the pseudoephedrine also had some other contributing factor.

So after reading this I'm going to set my PO2 to 1.3 which gives me a maximum depth of 34.9m on 28% nitrox. More than sufficient on my first boat dives of the year . Might even see one or two of the scallops that Woz missed!

Chas49, thanks, I'm not ignoring reverse block but it could equally happen if I don't take decongestants and fluid moves about during the dive.

Thanks again,
Susan.

[dry suit diver]

Originally Posted by hebails

Same as when you are next to Sixy & Vonny ?

nah the same as when Venus Vonny and Sixy are all near me

[AMW]

Already much covered, the site search function is a good one as a first option

Decongestants - Pseudoephedrine Hydrochloride


But to recap

Because a drug works in the same way does not mean it will have the same side affects, But you make your own choices in a free (ish) world. Also drugs are tested on the surface and not while the test subject is breathing funny gas at pressure. I use Vicks sinex

Andrew.


Vicks Sinex contains 0.05% w/v oxymetazoline hydrochloride.

It also contains sodium citrate dihydrate, tyloxapol, citric acid anhydrous, chlorhexidine digluconate, menthol, benzalkonium chloride, camphor, disodium edetate, eucalyptol, sodium, hydroxide and purified water.

Also contains oxymetazoline hydrochloride

Possible Side-Effects
Most people have no side-effects with Vicks Sinex



************************************************** ***********************************
Sudafed 12 Hour Relief

The product contains the active ingredient: Pseudoephedrine hydrochloride 120 mg per tablet.

It also contains: Hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (E464), magnesium stearate, microcrystalline cellulose (E460), povidone, titanium dioxide (E171), polyethylene glycol, candellila wax and purified water.

Possible Side-Effects
Side-effects are not common with Non-drowsy Sudafed 12 Hour Relief tablets and when they occur they are usually mild and temporary.

Some people feel restless or have trouble getting to sleep. A few people have bad dreams or hallucinations .

Occasionally people get skin rashes that are sometimes itchy. A few men, especially men with prostate problems may have more trouble passing water.

Sudafed Congestion Relief
Each capsule contains: Phenylephrine hydrochloride 12 mg

Other ingredients: Lactose, maize starch, pregelatinised maize starch, magnesium stearate.

Gelatin capsule includes: E104 quinoline yellow, E171 titanium dioxide. Printing ink: E172 black iron oxide, shellac, soya lecithin, silicone.


Avoid alcohol

If symptoms do not go away talk to your doctor

This medicine may cause fast heart rate, changes in heart rhythm, palpitations, high blood pressure, nausea, vomiting, headache and occasionally urine retention in males.

Decongestant Nasal Spray

Contains Xylometazoline hydrochloride

Non-Drowsy Sudafed Decongestant Nasal Spray
The product contains the active ingredient: Xylometazoline hydrochloride 0.1% w/v.

It also contains: Benzalkonium chloride, disodium edetate, sodium dihydrogen phosphate, sodium monohydrogen phosphate, sodium chloride, sorbitol solution, purified water.

Possible side effects
Side effects are not common with this product and when they occur they are usually mild and temporary. Occasionally Xylometazoline hydrochloride may cause local burning, soreness, dryness, irritation, stinging, itching or sneezing. Nausea and headache may rarely occur. Prolonged continuous use may occasionally cause rebound congestion.


Non-Drowsy Sudafed Decongestant Elixir
This product contains the active ingredient: Pseudoephedrine hydrochloride 30mg per 5ml.

It also contains: Citric acid monohydrate, sucrose, glycerol, methyl hydroxybenzoate (E218), sodium benzoate (E211), Ponceau 4R (E124), raspberry flavour and water.


Possible side-effects
Side-effects are not common with this product and when they do occur they are usually mild and temporary.

Some people feel restless or have trouble getting to sleep. A few people have bad dreams or hallucinations but this is rare.

Occasionally people get skin rashes that are sometimes itchy. A few men, especially men with prostate problems may have more trouble passing water.

[uwila]

Originally Posted by chas49

Isn't the general advice about using decongestants before diving: "Don't. Because if it doesn't work or wears off during the dive, you might end up with a nasty reverse block". ?

If you use sudafed approximately 30 minutes before the first dive of the day, you'll know if it's working before you drop in. Also, you're strongly recomended to use it on the surface on a number of seperate occaisions in advance so that you can determine if you suffer any side-effects.

As it works for 7 hours or more, the chance of it wearling out during the dive day can be ignored (imho)

Cheers, Chris

[uwila]

Originally Posted by hebails

so we are safe(ish) if we stick to 1.4 ppO2 or at least not in elevated danger by taking sudafed is how I understand this article.
Maybe I've missed it but that's how I interpret it. Am I wrong?
Paul

DAN as suggesting that there might be a connection between pseudoephedrine and some incidents, but there is no hard evidence. As nobody has established a causal relationship, it is probably safe to use it whilst diving with a ppO2 of 1.4 bar or less. Lots of people have done so, myself included, but please make sure you don't suffer any side effects at the surface first.

Cheers, Chris

[Sheff diver]

Used Sudafed before a dive once. Totally lost the plot at ~6m (may have been 10m - AMW, can you remember?). Couldn't concentrate or focus. Decided to head home, but it cleared as I got shallower. Will not try again.

Marcus

[Sleepy]

A few years ago I got a reverse block . Caused a nose bleed and headache, luckily it resolved during a long stop but back on the boat I looked like I'd got in the ring with Mike Tyson, bruised above and below the eyes. I did'nt have a cold or even know I was bunged up. Now if I think there's a chance of blocked sinus's I take Sudafed each morning a few days before the dive but not on the day of the dive, it keeps me cleaned out just in case, but won't have any chance of wearing off while I'm down.

[Aquatic Mammal]

In addition to all of the valuable advice above, buy yourself a Neti Pot from your friendly local yoga shop, follow the instructions an use it twice a day.

You will (in equal parts) be amazed and horrified at the volume of infectious green gunk that comes out of your sinuses!! I called mine "Snotctopus" as it resembled an octopus squeezing out of a crack in the rocks

Once you've seen the results you'll never want to be carrying all that gunk around with you again!!



PM me for a link if you need to mail order.

Get well soon!