jumpjunkie2004 0 #1 May 6, 2005 Are there any rules about jumping and taking prescription drugs? Antibiotics Expectorants / Decongestants BCPsJump, Land, Pack, Repeat... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jumpjunkie2004 0 #3 May 6, 2005 I did ask her today. She would not recommend that I jump while taking an antibiotic. With regard to the other prescriptions, she said she saw no reason why I couldn't jump as long as the medicine didn't make me dizzy, sleepy or disoriented. She is not a skydiver and quiet frankly she is not the best doctor on the planet. Hence, my posting here.Jump, Land, Pack, Repeat... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ron 10 #4 May 6, 2005 QuoteShe is not a skydiver and quiet frankly she is not the best doctor on the planet. Hence, my posting here. No offense...But a Dr. vs some skydivers.... I'd side with the Doc."No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
craichead 0 #5 May 6, 2005 QuoteShe would not recommend that I jump while taking an antibiotic. Did she give you any reasoning behind this recommendation? _Pm__ "Scared of love, love and aeroplanes...falling out, I said takes no brains." -- Andy Partridge (XTC) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jumpjunkie2004 0 #6 May 6, 2005 The antibiotic comes with the standard warning: May cause drowsiness, etc. I completely agree with her regarding this recommendation.Jump, Land, Pack, Repeat... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jumpjunkie2004 0 #7 May 6, 2005 No offense taken. Are there any "skydiving doctors" in the house?Jump, Land, Pack, Repeat... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TomAiello 26 #8 May 6, 2005 I just asked my doctor (she's also my wife). Decongestants can sometimes make you dizzy. Be sure to check your reaction to the particular decongestant on the ground (same as the antibiotics). Also, if the underlying problem you are taking a decongestant for (i.e. stuffed up head) could be a problem going to altitude, be sure it won't flare up, or you'll be in for a very painful ride (that's from my experience, not hers). Hope this helps.-- Tom Aiello Tom@SnakeRiverBASE.com SnakeRiverBASE.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jumpjunkie2004 0 #9 May 6, 2005 Well...I'm stuck on the ground until I'm finished the antibiotic. Hopefully, it will clear up my head problem and I'll be back in the air next weekend. Thanks for asking your wife Tom!Jump, Land, Pack, Repeat... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Frenchy68 0 #10 May 6, 2005 QuoteI did ask her today. She would not recommend that I jump while taking an antibiotic Glad you would ask for second opinion on this forum. QuoteShe is not a skydiver and quiet frankly she is not the best doctor on the planet. If so, go see another doctor. Quote Hence, my posting here. I'm sorry if I come across as an ass, but ! "For once you have tasted Absinthe you will walk the earth with your eyes turned towards the gutter, for there you have been and there you will long to return." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kelpdiver 2 #11 May 6, 2005 QuoteQuoteShe is not a skydiver and quiet frankly she is not the best doctor on the planet. Hence, my posting here. No offense...But a Dr. vs some skydivers.... I'd side with the Doc. a single MD's opinion isn't all that credible. If I had gotten that advice, I'd be looking elsewhere, because I know how fucked up I get taken pseudeoephedrine. Nothing else is as bad, nor lasts as long for me. On the other side, it's not enough just to see how the antibiotic affects one on the ground - altitude can magnify the effects of hypoxia. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mockingbird 0 #12 May 6, 2005 I didn't know that antibiotics can cause drowsiness... I never noticed that, but then we all react differently. I take suphedrine the morning of every skydive--- I have superbad sinuses; always stuffy, and I don't want a sinus headache from the pressure changes, so I try to keep everything open and clear. I've never noticed any side effects from it. But we're all different. I'd NEVER take an antihistamine before jumping; that'll for sure put me in lala land! On the morning of my very first tandem jump, I was really stuffed up, so I used Afrin nasal spray---- man, I'll NEVER do that again!!!Blue skies & happy jitters ~Mockingbird "Why is there something rather than nothing?" Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Avion 0 #13 May 6, 2005 My guess is, if your taking Haldol or Dilantin you probalby ought to hold off for a while Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jumpjunkie2004 0 #14 May 6, 2005 QuoteGlad you would ask for second opinion on this forum. I wasn't looking for a "second" medical opinion. My original question was if there were any "rules" about jumping and taking prescription drugs. I wanted to know if there was some USPA rule or FAR (is that what it's called) that stated, "No jumping on the following prescription drugs, etc." QuoteIf so, go see another doctor. Unfortunately, it's not that easy with my health insurance.Jump, Land, Pack, Repeat... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Lindsey 0 #15 May 6, 2005 QuoteWell...I'm stuck on the ground until I'm finished the antibiotic. Hopefully, it will clear up my head problem and I'll be back in the air next weekend. Thanks for asking your wife Tom! I'd imagine that one reason not to jump until you have completed this course of antibiotics is because you have a stuffy head? Jumping with sinus congestion could cause you serious problems due to rapid changes in pressure...i.e. busted eardrum. linz Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jumpjunkie2004 0 #16 May 6, 2005 Quotea single MD's opinion isn't all that credible. My doctor is nice, but she's made some mistakes with me. QuoteOn the other side, it's not enough just to see how the antibiotic affects one on the ground - altitude can magnify the effects of hypoxia. Being new to the sport, it didn't occur to me that a drug reaction at altitude might be different than the reaction on the ground. Thanks for mentioning that. I am certain this did not cross my doctor's mind either.Jump, Land, Pack, Repeat... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jumpjunkie2004 0 #17 May 6, 2005 I've got fluid behind one ear and a clear sinus problem (which may be a result of allergies). I have no fever, but my doctor still gave me an antibiotic (she gives them out like candy - this is one of my issues with her). In any event, I will definitely get those issues resolved before I jump. With regard to the other prescription drugs and for future reference, I was curious if there were specific "rules". If this doesn't work, I am sure she will recommend something like Zyrtec. I did a search for "Prescription Drugs & Skydiving" and also one for "Prescription Drugs". I didn't find this question and thought it might be ok to ask here.Jump, Land, Pack, Repeat... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tigra 0 #18 May 6, 2005 Towards the end of August, early September, if it wasn't for perscription allergy meds, I couldn't function, let alone skydive! Honestly, it really depends on what you are taking and how it affects you. I know plenty of jumpers that pop a couple of Sudafeds with their morning juice or coffee- helps keep the ears clear. The real issue is- you shouldn't jump with active sinus symptoms or ear problems. Stay on the ground until your ear infection is better! Zyrtec (IIRC) is a non-drowsy antihistamine. You're generally better off with the prescription antihistamines than the OTC stuff, at least that's been my experience. Never tried Zyrtec though. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dayle 0 #19 May 6, 2005 Sometimes doctors will err on the side of caution, I injured my back a couple of years ago (compressed vertabrae) and one of my doctors said I shouldn't jump again. So much for his opinion!! Take what wuffo doctors say with a grain of salt, however look at it this way, if the meds say don't operate machinery, I wouldn't be skydiving. If they effect your judgement or co-ordination, don't skydive. If your feel that the drugs have no effect on you on the ground and you want to try a skydive, do a hop-and pop first, see if the altitude change bothers you. I had a head cold for a couple of weeks so i just did hop & pops from 3.5K. Dayle Needless to say, I Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tombuch 0 #20 May 6, 2005 Quote My original question was if there were any "rules" about jumping and taking prescription drugs. I wanted to know if there was some USPA rule or FAR (is that what it's called) that stated, "No jumping on the following prescription drugs, etc." The only FAA rule for skydivers that I know of is 105.7 as follows: Quote105.7 Use of alcohol and drugs. No person may conduct a parachute operation, and no pilot in command of an aircraft may allow a person to conduct a parachute operation from that aircraft, if that person is or appears to be under the influence of -- (a) Alcohol, or (b) Any drug that affects that person's faculties in any way contrary to safety. The rule about passengers that applies to pilots is 91.17 as follows: Quote...B. Except in an emergency, no pilot of a civil aircraft may allow a person who appears to be intoxicated or who demonstrates by manner or physical indications that the individual is under the influence of drugs (except a medical patient under proper care) to be carried in that aircraft. For a quick review of FAA regulations see: http://www.diverdriver.com/Regulations/regulations.htm .Tom Buchanan Instructor Emeritus Comm Pilot MSEL,G Author: JUMP! Skydiving Made Fun and Easy Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jumpjunkie2004 0 #21 May 6, 2005 Thanks for the 411 Tom. I added the link to my bookmarks.Jump, Land, Pack, Repeat... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
craichead 0 #22 May 6, 2005 Do you have the Skydiver's Information Manual bookmarked, too? HTML Version PDF Version _Pm__ "Scared of love, love and aeroplanes...falling out, I said takes no brains." -- Andy Partridge (XTC) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
chutem 0 #23 May 6, 2005 Always remember and don't ever forget, 50% of all Doctors and Lawyers graduated in the last half of their class. Even the best are only "practicing", so when in doubt get a qualified second opinion. As seen in these forums who could be more qualified than skydivers. James Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
billvon 3,120 #24 May 6, 2005 >Are there any "skydiving doctors" in the house? My wife is a doctor as well, but she's stopped giving advice to most skydivers. She's an orthopedic surgeon, and so has some pretty good insights into what people should or shouldn't do with broken bones, but 90% of the time her advice gets ignored. Skydivers often will keep asking people until they get the answer they want, so it's generally futile to give advice. Which is a good general note. Doctors, especially skydiving doctors, tend to know a lot about medical treatments, especially the more common ones. They can be good sources of information - but don't ask unless you actually want their advice. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Praetorian 1 #25 May 6, 2005 QuoteQuoteAlways remember and don't ever forget, 50% of all Doctors and Lawyers graduated in the last half of their class. I hope you are trying to be funney, to pratice in the U.S. they have to pass the final Bord exams reguardless of their position in the class .. also remember even the DEAD last place student was still good enough to get into medical school not that easy of a task Good Judgment comes from experience...a lot of experience comes from bad judgment. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Prev 1 2 Next Page 1 of 2 Join the conversation You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account. Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible. Reply to this topic... × Pasted as rich text. Paste as plain text instead Only 75 emoji are allowed. × Your link has been automatically embedded. Display as a link instead × Your previous content has been restored. Clear editor × You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL. Insert image from URL × Desktop Tablet Phone Submit Reply 0
