Scuba Diving with High Platelets ( ET)

[Elzbietta]

I am a 57 year old woman with ET. Platelets have been reduced to 650 with the use of Hydroxurea (10 capsules per week) . Lately I have been on a holiday and been scuba diving, Has anyone else been advised not to do this activity with ET or to limit depth of their dives? So far I’ve been to 10 metres. I also take 200 mg aspirin daily. Look forward to many advice.

Elzbietta

[Elzbietta]

Oops 100 mg aspirin

[socrates_8]

Hey Elzbietta...

Nice to make your acquaintance... I am also from the Land of Oz too, Sydney... Where are you based?

I have dived to 20m a little while back now... But I believe that everyone one of us should be properly tested by a licenced Dive Doc' before considering it further etc... Obviously, we are all at different levels of personal fitness etc ...

I was diagnosed c. 4 years ago, Post ET / MF, and my Platelets are still floating up around the 800s-900s. I am Trialling a few things from time to time to manage my higher Platelet regime... However, I have not been taking HU now for at least 3.5 years...

Back in those earlier days, before I changed my diet and exercise regime, I also suffered from very high Blood Pressure (BP). However, within a few months of those aforementioned lifestyle choices / changes, my BP was normalised once more...

I have w/ some success tried a few options, and currently, I have reverted to a stricter 'Plant-Based' diet, and I am now trialling raw beetroot juice before my intense exercise (cycling) sessions. Thus far, my BP during those sessions has already reduced a further 20 pts into the low 140s range... and that is especially new for me...

I will have my next Bloods taken this Monday / Tuesday, and then I might learn whether or not my Platelets are behaving w/ the desired effect...

I will let you know how it goes ...

Actually, not sure f you know this but I have started an Australian MPN Forum called - MATES

Naturally, it's FREE should you wish to sign up:

mpn-mate.com/forum/viewforu...

MPN-MATE RESEARCH FOUNDATION is a fully registered Australian 'Not For Profit' Health Promotion Charity run by a working committee of MPN patients:

mpn-mate.com/

MPNs are even less known about in Australia than they are elsewhere abroad, and we are hoping to change some of the extant 'status quo'

Stay safe & well...

Best wishes

Steve

[Elzbietta in reply to socrates_8]

Hi Steve, Thank you so much for your reply, I am currently at Shark Bay Cape Upstart and plan to do Yongala dive site tomorrow. I fortunately have low blood pressure and platelets not too bad although doc would prefer them lower.

I think I will do it after chatting to doc tomorrow by phone but will take it easy and get checked before I pursue more dives.

So pleased to know we have an Aussie group now. The online support helps so much. I will join up and let you know how I get in tomorrow.

Best wishes,

Liz

[socrates_8 in reply to Elzbietta]

Hey again Liz...

If you do go... just stay safe / not too deep... and be very cautious... Yongala, isn't that a wreck dive? Name seems familiar to me...

I've been to Shark Bay too... Very cool location, full of life...

Best wishes

Steve

[Elzbietta in reply to socrates_8]

Hi Steve, I did the dive safe n sound. I spoke to my GP before and did some research just on line. I am very fortunate to have Low blood pressure but sometimes low blood sugar effects me so I ate a lot to keep up my blood sugar, made sure I was well Hydrated and didn’t take the Hydroxurea or any alcohol in 24 hours before dive.

I am thrilled I did it. Yongala wreck must be one of the best days of my life.

Take a look in line. Simply incredible. Will

Hi to a dive doctor and talk to my haematologist when I return West.

Thanks so much for you help. Liz

[socrates_8 in reply to Elzbietta]

Sounds like you had an awesome time Liz... Naturally, I am most envious of course...

Curious about how you are in WA? Are you residing there or in the east?

If so, one of our Committee members is based in Bunbury, and I am happy to put you guys in touch if you like etc...

Stay & well... lucky girl you...

Best wishes

Steve

[Swede]

Hi,

My husband is a first class diver, advanced instructor and also medicaly trained and his advice is that you contact a special dive doctor and get advice for you. As mentioned we are all different and what is ok for me might be a nono for you. If something happened to you under the surface it is not easy to do something about it. Take care and have fun whatever you decide to do!

[Elzbietta in reply to Swede]

Thank you. I will be very careful today and with very experienced instructor and won’t go too deep. But yes will see specialist dive doctor ASAP. Thank you

[Gabrielle79]

Hi, I was a fervent diver up to my diagnosis .. the chance of a serious complication was not worth the ( amazing) experience of diving...but everybody had to decide for themselves of course!

justanswer.com/medical/56vp...

diversalertnetwork.org/medi...

[Wyebird]

Hi I wanted to dive but when answering the questionnaire I was denied unless my heamo approved. Unfortunately my email didn’t get picked up until days later. The question hasn’t risen since x

[hunter5582]

Please do let us know what else you find out. I have PV and am interested in learning to dive. Has been on my bucket list for a log time.

Thanks

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