Diuretics (?) and deep diving

[R A Diver]

Should I discontinue my diuretic the day of diving!

Here at age 57 (58 tomorrow), I have been certified only six months. Am going to be certified in two weeks by SDI for Boat, Deep, Wreck and Nitrox.

Having had a history of edema of the legs and hypertension have been on a diuretics for over 15 years. Through sheer effort have gotten my bp down to 110/74. This has been through heavy aerobic exercise and weight lifting, 5 X's a week.

The team I am going with knows my complete medical history and my Doctor has signed me off on an SDI medical form. However, this question never came up in the discussions I've had with the instructors or Doctors. I talked with a DAN Doc last fall before beginning certification (I joined before taking the certification class!) but probably need to call back.

Any other thoughts or suggestions.
Thanks,
Robert, A Diver

[ScubaDocER]

If you are stable medically with the medication you are currently taking then I would not stop taking them. If you do, you run the risk of having the edema worsen as well as exacerbating your hypertension. The body attempts to reach an equilibrium state with the medications you take. Stopping the meds may disrupt this process. If you are otherwise healthy and your doctor sees no reason to prevent you from diving medically, then I would continue your current regimen.

Diuretics work by inducing a state of dehydration within your body. The hope is that the fluid that is collecting in your legs will get absorbed into the blood stream to replace the fluid lost by the diuretic. This can be an imperfect system and can take time to complete. Stopping your medication can disrupt this process and actually worsen your hypertension. As always, consult your physician before making ANY changes to your medication regimen. Hope this helps.