Another noob Asthma question :)

[85 gt kid]

Hi guys i've been reading a bit on this and have found out that no matter what I will need to find a dive doctor to clear me and I willdef do that when the time comes but I just wanted to run this by you guys before I possibly waste money on the tests. So here it is when I was 11 I was diagnosed with an adult form of Leukemia. Been cancer free for almost 11 years now (22 YO now) and for the most part i'm ok (compared to alot of other people). One problem I have though is I mild-moderate case of Asthma. Most of it is allergy related and even then I'm usually fine I don't even carry my inhaler with me but some of it can be from HARD exertion (though with my legs being borderline junk I don't get to test that that much). But I guess the last time I went to Duke for a check up I had a PFT and I believe I was doing good but thats also been awhile. Now when I was 14 I went to the Bahamas with my family and we dove and it was great! I think our max depth was 45 ft and I had no problems whatsoever though I will say my asthma has gotten a little worse since then. I do take Advair every day and I need to get my prescription filled for Singulair which should help alot (I was bad about not taking it when I was younger ) plus I have a personal nebulizer which I could maybe/possibly take the morning before i dive (which I use for when I get pneumonia which has been a few years thankfully). I REALLY want to go wreck diving mostly on military ships so I was wondering if I even have a shot at this or should I just give up? I talked to my dr but she wasn't quite sure and right now I dont have the money to go to see a specialist and I doubt i'll be diving this years ayways so I figured i'd ask your advice .

Thanks

John

 

[Nick A]

You can dive with asthma but you definitely need to be cleared by a doc that is familiar with dive medicine, and I believe it depends on the frequency, severity and what triggers it. Call DAN they can answer your questions and you don't even have to be a member. There's a member here Duke Dive Medicine that will also probably be of great help.