OT - Hyperbaric Oxygen (HBO) therapy
Harley 1956
Just started today the 1st of what looks like at least 40 treatments. I have
already had several surgeries for an infection and my latest MRI scan now
shows some osteomyelitis (big fucking word for bone infection) in a lower
back and 2 places in pelvic bone, if I ain't mistaken. Kind of a shame that
you have to get worse before you can qualify for their oxygen treatments.
Anyways, this kind of treatment involves placing a person(s) in a room or
chamber of pure oxygen at 2-3 times normal atmospheric pressure for a
certain or up to maximum length of time considered safe which I believe is 2
hours. I think they have me set at 2X atmosphere though it could be 2.5X.
Have to ask him again next time.
What the treatments can do, quote "100% Oxygen delivered at increased
pressure produces an increase in the amount of oxygen being carried by
blood. This results in more oxygen being delivered to the organs and tissues
in the body. This improves the benefits of certain antibiotics, activates
white blood cells to fight infection, and promotes the healing process in
chronic wounds" that among other benefits.
My actual treatment time in the machine is 1 1/2 hours, plus an extra 10
minutes for the initial pressurization and at the end another 10 minutes for
depressurizing.
The type of machines my hospital use are of the single chamber type which
look similar to this one here though unfortunately aren't as roomy:
http://www.sechristind.com/chambers/prod_3200.htm
Before going into the chamber you must remove all of your clothes and put on
this fire-proof outfit which has separate pants and one of those stupid
hospital style shirts in which I put it on backwards so the ties are in
front. This helps me stay cooler in the chamber! And that's basically all
that you are allowed to go into the chamber with other than any wound
bandages that you have.
Then they take your vital signs. Well actually the 1st thing I get to do is
my option of taking a Xanax pill. For this first treatment the HBO
technician gave me a measly .25 dose but fortunately my doctor told him to
give me the .5 for the next times. Thanks doc!!!
Now you get to lay down on this narrow bed and they roll you up to the
machine and slide the top part of the bed in. At first I thought that any
claustrophobic feelings wouldn't be that bad. But that was from looking at
the machine from the OUTSIDE!
Once inside you feel like you are in a test tube and then they close the
pressure head on you and you are locked in!!! What makes the claustrophobia
worse is that it starts out warm and with no air flow. And there really
ain't much room to move around in. Then they turn on the oxygen and there
are obviously some kind of pumps or something running as it makes a fair
amount of noise.
The oxygen pressurizing part is spread out over 10 minutes. Your ears are
constantly popping so you have to go through the swallowing or yawning
motions to equalize the pressure. During this time it starts getting cooler
and more comfortable as far as temperature goes but I can't say the increase
in pressure feels any good though it isn't really painful.
After this point you have the pleasure of being this way for the next 1 1/2
hours at the treatment pressure. You can watch TV through the clear tube and
they even have a VCR and some movies and you can bring your own tapes, too,
which can help pass the time. Inside the chamber you have a "panic button"
for getting the tech's attention and communications are via a
speaker/microphone setup. And the volume of the TV (speaker on inside of
pressure head) can only be controlled by the tech from the outside of the
chamber.
I hate this fucking machine! And I am being honest in saying that I would
prefer having surgery rather than being in it!!! I don't know if it was the
Xanax kicking in and/or that I was getting used to the oxygen and pressure
but after about 45 minutes my near panic attack greatly diminished. The
second most relieving thing was when the machine went into the 10 minute
depressurizing mode (automatic) then finally getting slid out to freedom.
In conclusion (whew) it wasn't a good trip but at least it should get better
with experience and stronger doses of Xanax. As planned I'm supposed to get
39 more treatments, Monday-Friday at 12:00 noon. I'm trying to make my
sleeping time such that I go in there tired, light breakfast and no coffee,
and with the Xanax hopefully I can sleep through the treatments but that
didn't work this first time.
Harley
Katra
"Harley 1956" <show...@NOSPAMhotmail.com> wrote:
I have a touch of claustrophobia as well so I can empathize... <shiver>
Can they give you the Xanax 30 minutes before? Put it under your tongue
and let it dissolve there, It'll kick in faster.
I've heard nothing but good about these treatments so hang in there. :-)
<hugs>
K.
--
Sprout the MungBean to reply
"One man's god is another man's devil (and vice versa) as far as
I'm concerned." --Delta Nine
Mystical Dream
will find it much cheaper and more efficient than the oxygen treatment you
are taking. Not to mention you will also be eating better on the whole.
Oxygen is a poison if too much is ingested. Oxidizers destroy tissue.
Fight them naturally by upping your anti-oxidant ingestion.
Listen to your body. It knows what it needs. If you crave something
uncontrollably (within reason of course) eat it. Your body obviously needs
something it contains very badly.
-me
--
YOU ARE GOD!
"Katra" <Katram...@centurytel.net> wrote in message
news:Katramungbean-A56...@corp.supernews.com...
Katra
"Mystical Dream" <nrl...@hotmail.faker.com> wrote:
> You may just want to switch to a very high anti-oxidant based diet. You
> will find it much cheaper and more efficient than the oxygen treatment you
> are taking. Not to mention you will also be eating better on the whole.
>
> Oxygen is a poison if too much is ingested. Oxidizers destroy tissue.
> Fight them naturally by upping your anti-oxidant ingestion.
>
> Listen to your body. It knows what it needs. If you crave something
> uncontrollably (within reason of course) eat it. Your body obviously needs
> something it contains very badly.
>
> -me
>
> --
> YOU ARE GOD!
>
>
But... the concept behind Hyperbaric therapy is to kill the bacteria in
vivo! That is hard to do with an antioxidant diet no matter how hard you
try. Granted, that type of diet can boost your immune system, 'specially
if followed after a colon cleansing program to "purify" the body.
Most Bacteria cannot survive a high oxygen atmosphere. By flooding the
body with pure oxygen under pressure, you can kill bacteria lodged deep
in the tissues and bones. It works better than antibiotics sometimes,
especially for a chronic problem like he has.
Allopathy DOES have it's uses sometimes! :-)
Anhangan Dingflingy
Katra <Katram...@centurytel.net> wrote:
<irony alert>
Aside from that, only a fool would take medical advice from some anonymous
Usenet poster ;).
</irony>
Katra
Anhangan Dingflingy <now...@nothing.net> wrote:
<giggles> he is NOT taking advise from ME! The Hyperbaric oxygen therapy
is being recommended by his DOCTOR!!!
And, since I've seen patients who get this therapy and seen it work, I
can only go along with the MD's that are prescribing the treatment. ;-)
Anhangan Dingflingy
Katra <Katram...@centurytel.net> wrote:
My post was not aimed at you, and the <irony> flags were aimed at me ;).
> And, since I've seen patients who get this therapy and seen it work, I
> can only go along with the MD's that are prescribing the treatment. ;-)
It sounds to me as though Harley is in good hands.
Harley, I wish you well and much laughter. You might consider getting a copy of
the Firesign Theatre movie-for-your-mind CD "I Think We're All Bozos On This
Bus" for entertainment during treatment, since it contains the line "for people
who like to sleep in tubes and push buttons - adventurers like YOU!" :-)
Katra
Anhangan Dingflingy <now...@nothing.net> wrote:
Oops! My bad! :-o
>
> > And, since I've seen patients who get this therapy and seen it work, I
> > can only go along with the MD's that are prescribing the treatment. ;-)
>
> It sounds to me as though Harley is in good hands.
Indeed....
>
> Harley, I wish you well and much laughter. You might consider getting a copy
> of
> the Firesign Theatre movie-for-your-mind CD "I Think We're All Bozos On This
> Bus" for entertainment during treatment, since it contains the line "for
> people
> who like to sleep in tubes and push buttons - adventurers like YOU!" :-)
K.
Harley 1956
Thanks to everybody and that may be great for preventative maintenance but
is pretty much useless for my problems. And I always taken my regimen of
vitamins, etc. and hadn't so much as caught a cold in years, or flu. Of
course I get flu shots when available. I have tried colloidal silver, too.
But even the best of antibiotics including taking them IV can't do it all if
there isn't enough blood circulating to get to the infection in certain
areas.
>> > > > But... the concept behind Hyperbaric therapy is to kill the
>> > > > bacteria in
>> > > > vivo! That is hard to do with an antioxidant diet no matter how
>> > > > hard
>> > > > you
>> > > > try. Granted, that type of diet can boost your immune system,
>> > > > 'specially
>> > > > if followed after a colon cleansing program to "purify" the body.
>> > > >
>> > > > Most Bacteria cannot survive a high oxygen atmosphere. By flooding
>> > > > the
>> > > > body with pure oxygen under pressure, you can kill bacteria lodged
>> > > > deep
>> > > > in the tissues and bones. It works better than antibiotics
>> > > > sometimes,
>> > > > especially for a chronic problem like he has.
>> > > >
>> > > > Allopathy DOES have it's uses sometimes! :-)
Right on! I was hoping for your support and knowledge of the subject and you
filled in many of the beneficial aspects of HBO that I left out of the post.
Plus it is my understanding that as the therapy continues more and more
oxygen (and the antibiotics that I am taking) will be getting into the
tiniest of capillaries and it is even possible to sprout new capillaries and
with the added bonus of bacterial-related gasses and other toxins being
eliminated from the body, too.
Thanks for the advise on taken the Xanax earlier before going in the HBO
machine though the problem was that the technician wanted me to take THEIR
Xanax while I was THERE in the hospital. But at that hospital their
scheduled times are often not too precise. So I fixed it. Now I take MY
Xanax at MY time before even going to the hospital. I'm honest and tell them
when and how much I take. That Xanax must be the greatest thing for
claustrophobia and being locked inside an HBO machine is no place for a
panic attack! Today I had no problems at all in the machine. Also the
technician was kind enough to put me in another machine that runs slightly
cooler since he knows I like it cold as I can always cover up if I get
chilled. With a few more trips in the machine I'm certain that I will be
able to lower the Xanax dose if not get off it altogether. But not yet! Hell
no.
So far I haven't been able to sleep in the machine though I have been tired
enough. Problem is too much noise and light that keeps me conscious enough
to put me in a transistional state, that is approaching a lucid dream or
what I always considered self-hypnosis. But I sure as hell don't want to be
tripping in there! So I always snap myself out of it. The good thing is that
those semi-naps really do help speed up the time of being inside.
Do you have HBO machines where you work or have worked? Any idea of the cost
of treatments?? It will be a while before I see the 1st bill but I wouldn't
be surprised if it cost about $1000 (or more) per treatment. I've had more
or less routine trips to the hospital that cost more that $1000 just for a
short visit and, BTW, my health insurance has done paid out over $160, 000
in case you're wondering. I've had three past surgeries for the bigger parts
of the costs.
>> > >
>> > > <irony alert>
>> > > Aside from that, only a fool would take medical advice from some
>> > > anonymous
>> > > Usenet poster ;).
>> > > </irony>
You got that right. I was mainly discussing it to help relieve my
claustrophobic, near panic attacks. And I think most people are
claustrophobic but don't realize it because they have never been locked
inside anything the likes of a test tube. As for real medical advise I've
received plenty. Seen many doctors and been to two hospitals in addition to
my general physician who got the whole thing started in the first place. The
worst advise I get are from those family members who were once nurses. I
think that they enjoy inflicting pain!!!
>> > <giggles> he is NOT taking advise from ME! The Hyperbaric oxygen
>> > therapy
>> > is being recommended by his DOCTOR!!!
>>
>> My post was not aimed at you, and the <irony> flags were aimed at me ;).
>
> Oops! My bad! :-o
Why Hell I knew that. LOL
>> > And, since I've seen patients who get this therapy and seen it work, I
>> > can only go along with the MD's that are prescribing the treatment. ;-)
>>
>> It sounds to me as though Harley is in good hands.
>
> Indeed....
A female diabetic patient with a problem leg wound was just recently cured
of that wound (and that's a big word CURED) from having 60 HBO treatments at
the same Wound/HBO Center that I am at. HBO therapy often works where all
other treatment methods have failed. It can save limbs and lives.
>> Harley, I wish you well and much laughter. You might consider getting a
>> copy
>> of
>> the Firesign Theatre movie-for-your-mind CD "I Think We're All Bozos On
>> This
>> Bus" for entertainment during treatment, since it contains the line "for
>> people
>> who like to sleep in tubes and push buttons - adventurers like YOU!" :-)
Hahahahaha...I'm thinking about bringing in some music videos and maybe some
old Star Trek episodes for the HBO time.
> K.
> --
> Sprout the MungBean to reply
>
> "One man's god is another man's devil (and vice versa) as far as
> I'm concerned." --Delta Nine
Harley
Katra
"Harley 1956" <show...@NOSPAMhotmail.com> wrote:
Hugs!!!!!
>
> Thanks for the advise on taken the Xanax earlier before going in the HBO
> machine though the problem was that the technician wanted me to take THEIR
> Xanax while I was THERE in the hospital. But at that hospital their
> scheduled times are often not too precise. So I fixed it. Now I take MY
> Xanax at MY time before even going to the hospital. I'm honest and tell them
> when and how much I take. That Xanax must be the greatest thing for
> claustrophobia and being locked inside an HBO machine is no place for a
> panic attack! Today I had no problems at all in the machine. Also the
> technician was kind enough to put me in another machine that runs slightly
> cooler since he knows I like it cold as I can always cover up if I get
> chilled. With a few more trips in the machine I'm certain that I will be
> able to lower the Xanax dose if not get off it altogether. But not yet! Hell
> no.
I found out I was claustro' when I worked for Inner Space Caverns as a
tour guide. ;-)
I think I'd have a panic attack in one of those things too! Why don't
they make them a bit roomier??? Eek!
I'd need to be able to lay on my stomach to sleep and have extra pillows.
How long does each treatment last?
>
> So far I haven't been able to sleep in the machine though I have been tired
> enough. Problem is too much noise and light that keeps me conscious enough
> to put me in a transistional state, that is approaching a lucid dream or
> what I always considered self-hypnosis. But I sure as hell don't want to be
> tripping in there! So I always snap myself out of it. The good thing is that
> those semi-naps really do help speed up the time of being inside.
Dramamine works for me, but I'd not combine that with Xanax! I cannot
even drive if I've taken Dramamine, and it knocks me out like a light,
even if there is noise. I've used it to sleep when camping at retreats
where some folks drum all night long. ;-)
>
> Do you have HBO machines where you work or have worked?
Yes, they had them at Scott and White in Temple Texas when I did my
clinicals there as a Senior in Collegs. I saw them save limbs and work
miracles! IMHO it should ALWAYS be tried before then consider fucking
amputations! :-(
> Any idea of the cost
> of treatments??
Sorry, no, I was never directly involved with them and it was over 17
years ago. I just saw the patients that it helped. :-)
I wish they had one where we work! I might suggest it to our
administrator. We have a lot of diabetic amputations.
I just HATE seeing amputated limbs! <shiver> That is one specimen I just
cannot handle and my co-workers laugh at me for it. Ass holes! <lol>
> It will be a while before I see the 1st bill but I wouldn't
> be surprised if it cost about $1000 (or more) per treatment. I've had more
> or less routine trips to the hospital that cost more that $1000 just for a
> short visit and, BTW, my health insurance has done paid out over $160, 000
> in case you're wondering. I've had three past surgeries for the bigger parts
> of the costs.
Will insurance cover any of it?
>
> >> > >
> >> > > <irony alert>
> >> > > Aside from that, only a fool would take medical advice from some
> >> > > anonymous
> >> > > Usenet poster ;).
> >> > > </irony>
>
> You got that right. I was mainly discussing it to help relieve my
> claustrophobic, near panic attacks. And I think most people are
> claustrophobic but don't realize it because they have never been locked
> inside anything the likes of a test tube. As for real medical advise I've
> received plenty. Seen many doctors and been to two hospitals in addition to
> my general physician who got the whole thing started in the first place. The
> worst advise I get are from those family members who were once nurses. I
> think that they enjoy inflicting pain!!!
Mental pain.... I wonder if they have any clue at all? :-P
>
>
> >> > And, since I've seen patients who get this therapy and seen it work, I
> >> > can only go along with the MD's that are prescribing the treatment. ;-)
> >>
> >> It sounds to me as though Harley is in good hands.
> >
> > Indeed....
>
> A female diabetic patient with a problem leg wound was just recently cured
> of that wound (and that's a big word CURED) from having 60 HBO treatments at
> the same Wound/HBO Center that I am at. HBO therapy often works where all
> other treatment methods have failed. It can save limbs and lives.
YES!!!
>
>
> >> Harley, I wish you well and much laughter. You might consider getting a
> >> copy
> >> of
> >> the Firesign Theatre movie-for-your-mind CD "I Think We're All Bozos On
> >> This
> >> Bus" for entertainment during treatment, since it contains the line "for
> >> people
> >> who like to sleep in tubes and push buttons - adventurers like YOU!" :-)
>
> Hahahahaha...I'm thinking about bringing in some music videos and maybe some
> old Star Trek episodes for the HBO time.
Sounds perfect. :-)
Or even some of the new Star Trek movies...
>
> Harley
Hugs and keep us posted!!!
Harley 1956
> In article <415b5...@127.0.0.1>,
{Major snippage}
> I found out I was claustro' when I worked for Inner Space Caverns as a
> tour guide. ;-)
> I think I'd have a panic attack in one of those things too! Why don't
> they make them a bit roomier??? Eek!
Don't know...seems that they should make them just a little bigger, anyway!
> I'd need to be able to lay on my stomach to sleep and have extra pillows.
They do have two pillows in their machines. The other one is at your feet
and is actually a help being there but I gave up on trying my first time of
flipping the one my head was on as it was a bit too tight on space. The
blanket can help comfort by having it at your back or between your knees,
etc. Never tried laying on my stomach yet as it's hard enough just to roll
over on your side!
> How long does each treatment last?
After being slid into the machine and locking the sealed door they start the
oxygen pressurization which takes 10 minutes. Then at the full pressure the
treatment last for 1 1/2 hours. I forgot to ask again but the oxygen
pressure is at least 2 times normal atmospheric pressure but I may be set at
2.5 times. After the 1 1/2 hours treatment pressure the machine
automatically goes into the depressurizing mode which also last 10 minutes.
So the total time in the machine is 1 hour and 50 minutes. The
depressurizing mode is easy to recognize because the machine gets way
quieter and your ears start popping on the way down. A welcomed relief! It
also helps to know you have "neighbors" in any of the other machines. They
have 3 of the HBO machines at this hospital.
{Another major snippage}
>> Any idea of the cost
>> of treatments??
>
> Sorry, no, I was never directly involved with them and it was over 17
> years ago. I just saw the patients that it helped. :-)
> I wish they had one where we work! I might suggest it to our
> administrator. We have a lot of diabetic amputations.
>
> I just HATE seeing amputated limbs! <shiver> That is one specimen I just
> cannot handle and my co-workers laugh at me for it. Ass holes! <lol>
>
>
>> It will be a while before I see the 1st bill but I wouldn't
>> be surprised if it cost about $1000 (or more) per treatment. I've had
>> more
>> or less routine trips to the hospital that cost more that $1000 just for
>> a
>> short visit and, BTW, my health insurance has done paid out over $160,
>> 000
>> in case you're wondering. I've had three past surgeries for the bigger
>> parts
>> of the costs.
>
> Will insurance cover any of it?
Yes, most of everything anyway and I may be able to get Wednesday off as a
treatment day to help settle my nerves.
>> >> > > <irony alert>
>> >> > > Aside from that, only a fool would take medical advice from some
>> >> > > anonymous
>> >> > > Usenet poster ;).
>> >> > > </irony>
>>
>> You got that right. I was mainly discussing it to help relieve my
>> claustrophobic, near panic attacks. And I think most people are
>> claustrophobic but don't realize it because they have never been locked
>> inside anything the likes of a test tube. As for real medical advise I've
>> received plenty. Seen many doctors and been to two hospitals in addition
>> to
>> my general physician who got the whole thing started in the first place.
>> The
>> worst advise I get are from those family members who were once nurses. I
>> think that they enjoy inflicting pain!!!
>
> Mental pain.... I wonder if they have any clue at all? :-P
Yea that's what I meant. I wouldn't want to be a patient of their's anyway
if they were still working!!! Hahahaha
Definately something. The hospital has a few cable channels though. All the
ones I never watch!
> Hugs and keep us posted!!!
> K.
Hugs and a Thank You!!! And I will.
Harley