Haley
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 22008
posted
I have done a search on this and I know that people have posted on HBOT.
I'd like to see if there is any new information.
I am considering trying this.
I have spoken to about 4 people that say the results were amazing. I have spoken to people that say it didn't work and I have also spoken to 2 people that were permanently damaged by the procedure.
Is anyone currently doing HBOT?
Any comments or suggestions appreciated.
Posts: 2232 | From USA | Registered: Aug 2009
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WildCondor
Unregistered
posted
HBOT worked great for me. Who was permanently damaged and how? I'd like to see how many treatments (and at what pressure) those who say they failed HBOT used. I'd also like to see what medications they were on during it, what kind of chamber it was, and how many treatments were done.
Haley
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 22008
posted
I don't have all of that information. I do know that these specific chambers are recommended by Dr. H on the West coast and they are good chambers.
One of the people I spoke to had damage to their ears and their eyes (blind in one eye). That's all I know.
The other person had damage to their lungs. That person I believe was on IV meds at the time. Probably Rocephin.
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CD57
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 11749
posted
I did a search for this recently and was not able to turn up much that was new.
Posts: 3528 | From US | Registered: Apr 2007
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WildCondor
Unregistered
posted
First of all, multiplace chambers are NOT good for Lyme.
Second, ear damage should be assessed before and after each dive. If the doctor administering the HBOT does not check your ears before and after, then RUN away and dont go back there!
Eye problems can happen but at the very first sign treatment should be stopped.
Over 200 treatments, no problems whatsoever. Glad I had a competent staff watching over me! Some of these clinic stories are scary.
CD57
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 11749
posted
WC what are they supposed to look for in your ears?
Posts: 3528 | From US | Registered: Apr 2007
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sammy
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 13952
posted
I recently started HBO therapy. I've done 20dives so far. Will continue with 2 per day for the next 2wks.
My treatments are in a monoplace chamber, 2.7 ATA, 60min per dive.
I am also on a combo of antibiotics and supplements prescribed by my LLMD.
Wish I could say that I'm noticing improvements or even herxes but I'm not yet. The HBOT techs keep telling me to be patient, that the herxes will come.
The hyperbaric center that I am using has only had a couple Lyme patients. Only one used antibiotics with HBOT. They tell me that she did not notice improvements until a about a month after her 40 treatments. They say that "everyone" will notice some improvements.
When I am in the chamber with 100% oxygen I feel more awake, more clear headed. When I go back to room air I'm tired and forgetful again.
Hopefully I will start to notice some improvements soon. I'm starting to feel a little disappointed. And a little worried. I want this to work so badly.
Thank you for bringing this topic up Haley. I would love to hear about others responses to HBOT too.
Posts: 5237 | From here | Registered: Nov 2007
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WildCondor
Unregistered
posted
quote:Originally posted by CD57: WC what are they supposed to look for in your ears?
Any swelling or fluid whatsoever means you cannot dive that day. Some patients need tubes in their ears to do HBOT.
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Rumigirl
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 15091
posted
WC,
I ALWAYS have ear problems with barometric pressure changes, ie when traveling to different altitudes, and always flying. And the one time I did HBOT, I got horrible ear pain that lasted 3 days. So I presume that I'd have to either do Sudafed or some such decongestant ahead of time, or ear tubes (ugh!) in order to do HBOT again.
Another problem though, I don't know how to solve: I get migraines from barometric pressure changes, and got a doozy from the one HBOT session I had. Any suggestions??
Posts: 3771 | From around | Registered: Mar 2008
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sammy
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 13952
posted
By the way, my doctor does not look into my ears every day either.
Rumigirl, does sudafed help prevent or relieve the barometric pressure changes? Have you ever tried it before flying?
Also, I wonder if it would be better for you to start out slow. Like 1.5 ATA then gradually work up to the recommended 2.4 over a couple days. That way your ears will learn to accommodate to the changing pressures more easily.
My HBOT tech also said that I could bring a bottle of water into the chamber if I needed. Maybe it would be easier for you to pop your ears by swallowing water.
It might be worthwhile to call and speak with a hyperbaric doctor. They would be more knowledgeable in handling your concerns.
Posts: 5237 | From here | Registered: Nov 2007
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posted
Just started, hate everything about it, but am going to stick with for awhile to see if it helps. The water trick has been extremely helpful during the dive part. I've only done 10 dives so far and haven't noticed anything. I don't feel any differently (except happier that I'm done for the day!) after a dive.
A friend who did 70+ dives developed cataracts and had to have surgery to remove them. My eyes are little different.....my contact lenses do not fit properly after a dive, but my vision is okay.
I do a moonchamber at 2.4, I think. No one checks my ears before or after.
-------------------- IV graduate. As of 1/10, oral Omnicef, Minocyline, Mycobutin, Levaquin, and Flagyl. Lyrica and a bunch of supplements. Posts: 123 | From Atlanta | Registered: Mar 2009
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Haley
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 22008
posted
Thank you all for the information. It's very helpful.
Sammy are you on IV meds or oral meds?
The reason I have always wondered if this might be effective is because I notice such a difference when I swim and do very heavy breathing. It really does seem that it's the oxygen that makes a difference. I can go from feeling completely crappy to feeling well. Maybe that's crazy.
My recent LLMD has suggested it because I have a lot of brain issues. I guess he has had good success with his patients.
The one big concerns is money. It's a lot of money for something that may or may not work.
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feelfit
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 12770
posted
I say BS that HBOT cannot bring out Babesia, or Babesia like symptoms.....With my 1st hyperbaric dive I lost the ability to swallow several times while being brought up from the dive.
When I posted about it here, the naysayers were saying that it was a herx reaction etc.
Before HBOT i NEVER had a swallowing problem, NEVER.
The ability to initiate a swallow happened with every meal for 3 months...i lost all kinds of weight and was on a soft diet. Had to have swallowing tests etc.
While it is not as bad now, I still cannot initiate a swallow quite regularly.....this is a YEAR later, so i doubt it was a 'herx'.
I know that this has nothing to do with you question, or very little, just want others and yourself to know that HBOT is a very powerful treatment.
It has helped many, but like anything else weigh the pro's vs con's....oh yeah, i never had air hunger before HBOT either....so, i really question the validity of your doc's statement about the 'myth'.
Just my experience, feelfit
ps: posted this originally undewr CD-57's thread on treatment resistent depression
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sammy
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 13952
posted
Haley, I'm on oral and IV meds.
Feelfit, I also asked about the possibility of making Babesia symptoms worse. The clinic doctor said it would not. But he did tell me that HBOT changes the body's "terrain." So, I don't know what to think about that.
I do know that it can promote yeast overgrowth. I'm experiencing that first hand. Unfortunately I developed a rash under my PICC dressing again. It is getting better but very itchy and annoying.
Are cataracts a common problem with HBOT? Is there any way to prevent this? Any precautions we should be taking to protect the lungs and ears too? It is unsettling to hear that people have permanent damage from HBOT dives.
Posts: 5237 | From here | Registered: Nov 2007
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posted
sammy, interesting that you mention yeast....I never have problems with that, but recently developed a lovely case of thrush.
when I come out of the chamber, my skin is all splotchy for awhile, too.
i had problems with swallowing (going up and down)for the first few dives, but chalked it up to anxiety.....it did not linger afterward.
-------------------- IV graduate. As of 1/10, oral Omnicef, Minocyline, Mycobutin, Levaquin, and Flagyl. Lyrica and a bunch of supplements. Posts: 123 | From Atlanta | Registered: Mar 2009
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Rumigirl
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 15091
posted
When I fly, because of the problem of the barometric pressure changes on my ears, I always have to use "Ear Planes" to equalize the pressure, and usually need an Afrin-type decongestant spray ahead of time, to avoid horrific pain and pressure.
So, short of ear tubes, I'd need to do the same thing with HBOT. Swallowing doesn't begin to do it for me.
But I also get bad migraines from the barometric pressure changes in flying or HBOT---don't know of any fix for that.
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