robint
Contributor
I am looking for guidance and information to give to my rheumatologist, who knows nothing about diving and relations to my lupus treatments.
I am otherwise pretty healthy, 60 yr old female, active physically with hiking (6-10 miles a week at altitude) and gym treadmill several times a week. Excellent heart (I had mitral valve repaired 4 yrs ago and now have a stellar cardio report from my doctor). Healthy weight and eating habits, no alcohol.
I am currently on Benlysta monthly infusions to control my lupus, which has stayed active the past several years and was worsening. The Benlysta has brought all my numbers down to normal or near normal range, and we are happy with this as my treatment My only real medical problems over the past 2 years has been bronchitis, three times in conjunction with a head cold or allergies combo, which was resolved with a week of antibiotics.
As a formerly active diver, 500+ dives, cold and warm water, shallow and deep.... I am wondering now about fitness to dive. I have no done any dives in past 2 years. At that time I only did 2 dives while on a cruise. Prior to that was a normal dive trip for me, with 15-20 dives per week average. I did this a few times a year for 14+ years, in addition to short weekend cold water dive trips. Never had DCS.
So here is my question..... is it too risky for me to dive now? I am very concerned about the lung thing, with the bronchitis issue. My husband thinks I am overreacting, and I am healthy to dive. I see my rheumatologist soon, for my 3 month visit, in addtion to my month infusions of Benlysta. I want to discuss this issue with her, but I know she isn't familiar with diving and lupus.
If you could give me a few of your thoughts, and what I might relay to her on my visit, it would be appreciated.
thanks
robin
I am otherwise pretty healthy, 60 yr old female, active physically with hiking (6-10 miles a week at altitude) and gym treadmill several times a week. Excellent heart (I had mitral valve repaired 4 yrs ago and now have a stellar cardio report from my doctor). Healthy weight and eating habits, no alcohol.
I am currently on Benlysta monthly infusions to control my lupus, which has stayed active the past several years and was worsening. The Benlysta has brought all my numbers down to normal or near normal range, and we are happy with this as my treatment My only real medical problems over the past 2 years has been bronchitis, three times in conjunction with a head cold or allergies combo, which was resolved with a week of antibiotics.
As a formerly active diver, 500+ dives, cold and warm water, shallow and deep.... I am wondering now about fitness to dive. I have no done any dives in past 2 years. At that time I only did 2 dives while on a cruise. Prior to that was a normal dive trip for me, with 15-20 dives per week average. I did this a few times a year for 14+ years, in addition to short weekend cold water dive trips. Never had DCS.
So here is my question..... is it too risky for me to dive now? I am very concerned about the lung thing, with the bronchitis issue. My husband thinks I am overreacting, and I am healthy to dive. I see my rheumatologist soon, for my 3 month visit, in addtion to my month infusions of Benlysta. I want to discuss this issue with her, but I know she isn't familiar with diving and lupus.
If you could give me a few of your thoughts, and what I might relay to her on my visit, it would be appreciated.
thanks
robin