Medications while diving

[FreeRestriction]

ok i have 2 different medication questions. the first one is testosterone. i take it via alcohol based liquid applied to my armpit to get my testosterone to a normal level. i do this every morning. now my question is, will this affect performance in any negative ways? i ask because i feel since being out of the scene for a couple years i have a noticable loss in breath hold abilitys. this medication is something ive only started taking the last 6 months.

Next question is im slightly concerned with my right nostrel feeling semi clogged regularly and was considering taking an advil nearing my dive time to help reduce swelling and unclog it. its not really much of a mucus thing more just a swollen nostrel thing it seems.

i guess a secondary question to that one is, is a mildy clogged nose on one side an issue really? how clogged is too clogged?

Thanks for any info!

 

[FreeRestriction]

Ok well one update i think i took care of my clogged nose by kicking dairy for just a couple meals. Im quite clear now. If it continues then its problem solved.

No info regaurding my first question?

 

[cdavis]

I'm no doctor, only a humble biologist by training, but I can't see why raising testosterone levels to "normal" would have any significant impact on breath hold. Even excessive levels shouldn't have enough impact to overcome all the other technique related factors.

Laying off for several years can have a substantial negative impact on breath hold (personal experience), but it comes back fast.

Connor

 

[Rik]

Breath-hold diving requires training to be able to maintain the technique and performance. Thus any absence of training will cause an decline in performances.

When discussing medication and their effect on freediving, the reason that medication is needed, might also affect the ability to dive.

 

[FreeRestriction]

Ok guys thanks for your replies. I think ill just skip using my meds on my dive days because i know i can dive well that way.

 

[Dr.Freedive]

I would advise not to take an NSAID (advil) and to clean the nose in an other way, like using a Neti pot daily. As I don't know about your condition and am thus not able to form my professional opinion. The question is as rik said always what makes you take the medication and wether that impedes your ability to dive well. Also an therapy for any medical condition should be the priority and never the diving it is not advisable to favor diving over therapy. And even top athletes need some time to get back in shape.
By the way testerone level that is normal will help your post dive recovery as testosterone is an anabolic that will make recovery faster.
Thus having high testosterone will improve hypercompensation which is what you want.

 

[FreeRestriction]

Well as far as the stuffy nose goes very quicly into my dive the sea water cleared me up not suprisingly so ill consider that a non issue.
The dive itself went pretty good and i was near my old down times already. I think with the knowledge i have of diving this time around i will be able to increase my times pretty good.