No diving this week-end...

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chiara

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Scuba Instructor
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Location
Brussels, Belgium
I went to the doctor's :doctor: last night because of a ache in the shoulder: the sentence says periarthritis ;-0, to be cured with antiinflammatory pills three times a day and a gel twice a day for about a week.

This week-end is out of the question...

How long should I wait before trying to get wet again?
 
Hi Chiara,

Bummer.

The answer to your inquiry is when your doctor indicates you are clear to return to scuba.

You did not specify what medication you are taking, but be aware that many drugs in this class can be hard on the stomach. Be sure to follow recommendations for their use.

Hope that you're feeling better soon.

DocVikingo
 
Thank you Doc!

I didn't mention the names since I know there are differences in each country: anyway the pills are called Ibuprofene 400, the gel is Voltaren; I am well aware that they bring stomach problems and will strictly obey doctor's orders, that is take the pills at meals' time, and no more than three per day.

The problem with my GP is she knows less than nothing about diving, and the specialist I usually go for my annual check is not exactly round the corner.
 
Hi Chiara,

Yes, I know these medications. Over here they are called ibuprofen (e.g., Advil, Motrin) & Voltaren Emugel. Used in customary dosages & as directed, both are usually well tolerated. Provided that the meds cause no adverse effects, there is no apparent reason to suspect they should pose a threat to safe scuba. However, this has not been researched.
Of more concern is the issue of risks to safe scuba based on complaints of serious shoulder pain. If such pain distracts the diver, restricts range of motion, could impede the diagnosis of DCS or imposes other troubling features, then these must be carefully considered.

A week's adherence to this medication regimen without diving, especially when scuba on the intervening weekend is out of the question, doesn't seem an undue hardship. This would be the most conservative path.

Given that a diver's discomfort responded well to the treatment, they should be able to safely return to scuba provided that they are otherwise up to it.

This is educational only and does not constitute or imply a doctor-patient relationship. It is not medical advice to you or any other individual, and should not be construed as such. You should contact your physician after completing the prescribed course of treatment to get her opinion.

Best of luck.

DocVikingo
 
Thanks again Doc!

I'll keep quiet for a while, anyway this week-end was absolutely no-go out of doctor's advice, and the next I'll have my boyfriend who is a non-diver, so I should have a decent idea in about two weeks.

Next I suppose I'll have the chance to go and see my diving doctor and hear what she says.
 
Hi Chiara,

That will give the shoulder a proper rest & the medications time to work.

Your diving doc's take on the situation will be important grist for the decision-making mill.

Best of luck.

DocVikingo
 
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