No Gallblader and Advanced Open Water Deep Dive

[Scuba_88]

I have been diving for many years but took a break about 3-4 years ago. I am currently getting back into diving by getting Nitrox and Advanved Open Water certifications.
However, about about 2 years ago I had my gallbladder removed. The problem is that after gallbladder surgery the bile is now flowing into my digestive system constantly. This causes problems with my stomach and stuff but my GI doctor put me on cholestyramine about a year ago and it works pretty well. I usually have to go right after I take it or wake up and once I take it I'm usually fine for the rest of the day.
Last night I read the medical consent form for the Advanced Open Water and got very concerned. I'm worried about doing the deep checkout dive to 90 ft and having trapped gas on assent. I read some other posts from 2004 on the site but didn't see a mention about deep dives. I was just wondering if any other divers are taking this medication and if there have been any problems on deep dives.

 

[lowflyer]

For PADI the deep dive can be from 60-100 ft. Is your instructor requiring 90 ft.?

Your concern, I think, is that cholestyramine can cause flatulence and that ascending from a dive can cause air in the gut to expand. You must be concerned that you will be adding air during the dive from the drug effect. Any air you descended with shouldn't be a problem. Whether this is a problem for you personally I think is something you need to figure out yourself. Presumably you have been diving to some depth. What? 20, 30, 40 ft.? Any problems with that? No? Get your instructor to take you gradually deeper. You may be fine.

I'm not a gastroenterologist.

 

[Scuba_88]

The instructor wants to go to 90 ft. I may be able to talk him into a shallower dive.

Yes, I am concerned about the gas in my gut expanding. Most days I don't have a problem with flatulence I'm just afraid of running into issues. I seem to be able to pass the gas if it builds up but my fear is that I don't know if there is additional gas that I can't clear. I think I am fearful after reading the consent form.

I have been to about 20 ft on some dives but that isn't really deep enough to test. I'm going to talk to my GI Doc but I don't think he knows anything about scuba diving.

 

[lowflyer]

As I see it, the only issue is whether the drug will be causing an increase in the air in your gut during the time of the dive. Air already in your gut when you descend shouldn't be a problem.
I don't see anything on the medical form that you should be afraid of. If you answer truthfully, you will have to say you take cholestyramine, which is not a disqualifier. I don't see anywhere that flatulence is mentioned or considered an issue.
So again, I think doing some diving is the way to see if you have a problem or not.
For sure talk to your doctor
Good luck!

 

[Scuba_88]

Thanks. I don't thinks it's going to be a problem I'm just kind of nervous. Is there a list of disqualifying medications posted somewhere?

 

[lowflyer]

Thanks. I don't thinks it's going to be a problem I'm just kind of nervous. Is there a list of disqualifying medications posted somewhere?

Not that I know of, but some drugs would be obvious and not passed by the doctor signing the form.

 

[Geobound]

I would check with your LDS and see if they have a dive doctor that they can recommend, as I know my DS told me that they had one.

Good luck.

 

[Scuba_88]

Thanks.

 

[uncfnp]

Hey Scuba_88. There are a few medications that are not recommended for scuba but usually the concern is the underlying problem that requires the medications.

Having had your gallbladder removed is not an issue with scuba diving. As for intestional gas, well we all have that. As long as you don’t have intestinal issues that pose a risk of obstruction its a nonissue. (Unless drysuit diving ).

As for the cholestyramine, it can cause some excess bloating/gas and I have seen simethIcone (gas x) recommended for this. If concerned, just ask you GI doc if your are at risk for traped gas. He/she should know the condition of your intestines better than anyone else.

 

[Scuba_88]

Thanks for the advice. That's a good idea.

The more I think about it I feel like there are probably hundreds of people that eat large breakfasts with beans before diving. They would probably have more gas (maybe even trapped gas) than me and never have issues.