Barbara, I'm a Neurologist, not a psychiatrist, but I think I can address some of the questions. MAOI's are very touchy medications. As you point out, they are generally only used now as a last resort. That said, they are very effective for many people, allowing them to get back to a normal life. The best rule for persons taking those medications is to not take anything without clearing it with their psychiatrist. I agree that herbal/natural remedies definitely fall into this category. They are especially dangerous because how they work and what side effects they have are generally not well worked out. They are usually harmless in terms of side effects, but when you're dealing with MAOI's its hazardous to not know exactly what you're dealing with. Now, back to what people are actually interested in... getting wet and deep. Hypertensive crisis does sometimes cause seizures, however, if you follow the simple rule of don't dive if you feel lousy, its very unlikely that you're going to get in the water with severe hypertension. This is not the sort of insidious high blood pressure that is only found at your yearly diving physical. It is a sudden severe event, usually accompanied by headache, confusion, difficulty thinking clearly, and just feeling bad. Dr. Brian is right, but MAOI's are just too dangerous to take for the purpose of diving with a high O2. Wendell Grogan MD, etc. Sorry for using up all the bandwidth -- "There are two kinds of people, those who do the work and those who take the credit. Try to be in the first group; there is less competition there." (Indira Gandhi)
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