Diving after childhood epilepsy

[msm]

I have never dived before but have always wanted to. The problem is, as a child I was diagnosed with absence seizures. The seizures were well controlled with medication, and I have been off medication for over 11 years now without any occurrence. I consider myself fit and active, and I am routinely involved in strenuous recreational activities.

I understand there is a lot of information on this forum about epilepsy and diving, but what I saw seemed focused on people who were still having seizures or on mediation. I'm obviously not trying to receive a medical diagnosis via a forum post, but I am trying to figure out whether the possibility of diving is still in my future or if it is time to shelve my dream of diving for good.

I assume that in order to dive I'd need a qualified doctor to sign off on my condition. Even after such a release, I assume that based on my history I'd be considered to have a higher risk of death than a normal diver, but is this a significant risk or pretty negligible? I guess the root of my question is does an 11 year med-free, seizure-free history give me a "Good to go" status or is it still shaky territory?

Any advice or opinions you have on the following would be greatly appreciated.

 

[tomfcrist]

I am no doctor. I do however have significant experience with epilepsy and would be concerned about any epileptic person diving. The main problem is that seizure free and no meds does not equate to no longer being an epileptic. I know people who were seizure free for decades and suddenly began having seizures again. There is very little breath holding risk I would imagine since you have a history of absence seizures (frozen in time) but seizures can manifest differently between adolescence and adulthood. If you were to start having episodes again there is a very real possibility that they may not be absence but instead tonic/clonics....It does happen.

That being said, I'm not sure anyone here can give you a solid answer without knowing the full history of your condition, and even in that case they would probably not give you a solid answer over the internet anyway. The best advise is to see a neurologist, and get an EEG. Talk to the neurologist about your plans for diving and get some professional feedback so that you can make an educated decision....then find a Dive Medicine doc and supply him with all of the information you got from the neurologist and have a candid conversation with him/her about the level of risk you will not only be taking for yourself, but also for whoever you are diving with in the case you suffer a seizure underwater. Also talk about ways you can mitigate the risk of serious injury in the event of a seizure underwater such as wearing a full face positive pressure mask, ensuring you give a detailed brief to your buddy concerning the possibility of an event...etc. I don't personally think that the juice is worth the squeeze, but you should at least sit down with some specialists and get some GOOD information before you decide to take the plunge.

Even if you get a doc to sign off on you, do not be surprised if you get turned away by a dive instructor. Some like myself want no part of the liability if something were to happen to you...and rightfully so. There are some instructors that will teach you and take on that liability as long as you have a doc sign off on your medical waiver.

 

[knotical]

This article: DAN | Medical Frequently Asked Questions from Divers Alert Network says in part:

… Those with childhood epilepsy, who have outgrown the condition and have been off medication for five years, still face a slightly increased risk of a seizure. To make an informed decision about diving, these individuals should discuss this with their personal physicians, families and diving companions. …

risk vs benefit

 

[BRT]

Don't ask, don't tell. All of us old guys accept the greater risk of heart attacks under water.

 

[Duke Dive Medicine]

Knotical's post summed it up well. If you provide your location I can direct you to a nearby dive physician.

Best regards,
DDM

 

[msm]

So, if I can summarize the responses, it seems like even though I have not had a seizure for a long time, I'm still at an increased risk. In order to get a better idea of how much that risk is I need to sit down with a dive-certified physician. And even if I do get medical clearance there may be some dive instructors that are unwilling to certify me based on this increased risk.

DDM, I noticed you are in Durham. I am actually in Cary. Is DDM just a research-oriented group, or do you see patients as well? Are there other dive physicians nearby?

Also, my latest EEG results would be from 11+ years ago when I went off medication. Would I need new EEG results? If so, are there dive-certified neurologist recommendations as well?

Thanks again.

 

[reghunnicutt]

I've been seizure free for 38 years. I still take a minimum dose of a seizure drug daily and dive. My seizures were sleep induced. The seizures have been fully controlled during the 38 years and the drug has no side effects.

At 59 I worry more about heart disease and diving. I've had no cardiac events but take a cocktail of drugs to control blood pressure and cholesterol.

My doctor signed off on me diving.

Reggie in Midland, NC

 

[tursiops]

Don't ask, don't tell. .

Remind me not to take you underwater for a class.

 

[msm]

Remind me not to take you underwater for a class.

tursiops, I certainly don't plan on the "Don't ask, don't tell" course of action, but if a student came to you with a dive-certified physician's release would you let them participate? Or do you agree with tomfcrist that it just isn't worth it?

 

[Duke Dive Medicine]

DDM, I noticed you are in Durham. I am actually in Cary. Is DDM just a research-oriented group, or do you see patients as well? Are there other dive physicians nearby?

Well shoot. Call us, (919) 684-6726, ask for Tonya and schedule a consult. If you're followed by a neurologist we'd like those records; if not, we might ask you to see one here.

Best regards,
DDM