On our little journey to try out different complimentary therapies we decided next to give hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) a try. 🙂 This is one I had wanted to try for a while but the four week intensive course meant me and Dizzy had to wait till the Summer holidays.
What is HBOT:
HBOT is a treatment that involves breathing in 100% oxygen while being in a chamber where the atmospheric pressure is increased.
How does HBOT work?
Oxygen is needed by the body for healing and HBOT works by enhancing this natural healing process! By breathing in oxygen in higher air pressure the lungs are able to gather more oxygen. This then means you have higher oxygen levels in your blood which is then transported around your body.
How can HBOT help MS?
As the body normally heals itself through oxygen from the air, this extra oxygen can help extend the body’s ability to heal! This means it can promote greater healing and help to limit some of the damage caused by MS.
What happens:
- You start with an intensive course of 20 sessions over 4 weeks.
- After these 4 weeks you have 1 ‘top up’ session per week to help keep your oxygen levels increased.
- Each session takes place in a special chamber and lasts roughly 80 minutes. 10 minutes to reach the required pressures, then pop the mask on for hour of breathing and then 10 minutes to return the pressure to normal. The whole time you are in a sealed chamber but there’s seats and pillows and you can take most things in with you (including phones). Me and Dizzy did sudukos and listened to podcasts. 🙂 – I was anxious about the being sealed in part but they will let you out at any point.
- You start of at 16ft and then if no difference in your symptoms is noticed after the first week this can be increased to 24ft or 33ft!
Dizzy’s HBOT diary:
Week 1:
Session 1: This one Dizzy will tell you I got into abit of a state about. The idea of being sealed in was making me anxious. We survived though! And apart from ears popping a lot with the pressure changes not much really happened. 🙂 Did feel very sleepy that night though and abit more dizzy than normal.
Session 2 and 3: We also survived these ones! 🙂 As we had quite far to travel we did these two sessions on the same day. I was getting abit worried again but me and Dizzy met a really lovely couple who were doing the same sessions as us so that really helped! 🙂 The fatigue really started to hit after the first one though and by the time we got to bed we were dizzy dizzy.
Session 4 and 5: Still dizzy from the day before but I was determined to complete the first week as planned! (Dizzy was being sensible and advising me against this but I didn’t listen…)First session was ok but I was starting to feel abit sick. By the second one Dizzy was telling me I was looking abit odd, and I was definitely feeling abit odd…
But we got to the end of the first week and I was feeling rather pleased with myself on the drive home. 🙂
By the evening though the odd feeling was increasing, by Saturday we couldn’t actually get out of bed and the following week was spent wobbling around. At this point we realised (Dizzy reminding me that she had already realised) that maybe this just wasn’t for us.
Overall I actually think oxygen therapy is great, as it’s naturally enhancing what our bodies already do which I think is amazing! I would recommend it to anyone considering it but just to also take note of how your body’s feeling. Loads of people feel a benefit from HBOT but really I should have listened to Dizzy and stopped after the 3rd session. This just isn’t one for me and Dizzy. We’re very happy to be back to our hot stone massages this week. 🙂
Do you have a favourite complimentary therapy? And have you also tried one that just hasn’t been right for you? xxx
This is really interesting, thanks for sharing your experience 🙂 I’ve never tried oxygen therapy but I would if it were available nearer to where I live. I like your idea of trying out different therapies. Have you ever had a Thai yoga massage? I’ve got one booked for the end of the month, can’t wait as last time I had one it helped lots with various aches and pains! x
I haven’t tried Thai yoga massage. What is it? I love yoga and massages but never heard of the two together! xxx
This is the person I go to for it, the website will probably explain better than me! http://devonthaimassage.com xx
Have never come across that before. It does look good though! xxx
I have heard of other MSers really benefiting from this ,but I gave never tried it myself. A friend gave me a free course of laughter yoga when I was first diagnosed with MS and mad though it was, it really helped!!
I have aswell, heard so many positive experiences with it from other people. I’ve heard of laughter yoga. It sounds mad but I imagine you feel great after it. 🙂 xxx
This is fascinating! I’m glad to read your honest opinion. What’s next for you to try?
I’m glad you found it interesting. 🙂 At the moment we’re just continuing with our massages and MS hydro classes. Next new one to try will be acupuncture. 🙂 xxx
Your article really interested me. My dad went through HBOT after a round of radiation on skin cancer left his skin unable to heal. It did not work for him. My alternative therapies include lavender oil before I sleep to reduce spasms and cramping, tumerick through a teaspoon of mustard each night for the same, compression socks to help eleviate pain in my lower legs. I also rely heavily on physical therapy. I’ve been fortunate to have some wonderful physical and occupational therapists.
I’m sorry it didn’t work for him either. Your ones are all really good. I use lavender oil and tumeric and also go to a hydro class run by a physio therapist which really help. 🙂 It’s just finding the ones that work for you. 🙂 xxx
Yes, and those that you will stick with!
Sorry to hearit didnt work out, definitely worth trying these things though. Always listen to Dizzy! I used to enjoy Reiki, however my favourite has always been reflexology. I’ve not had it for a while now bit ot used to be good for helping me with my anxiety and general mental state. Probably because I found it so relaxing.
It is, otherwise I would have just always wondered if it was for me. I’ll listen to Dizzy straight away next time though! I’ve never tried Reiki but really like reflexology. It is so relaxing and definitely helps me with my anxiety when I have it! xxx
I hadnt heard of that kinda therapy before! It sounds very very interesting! xx
It is interesting and if it works for you can be used for so many things! xxx
Interesting! Two of my cousins tried HBOT with success!
Sorry it isn’t for you, but proud of you for trying! <3
All I had to hear was the "chamber" part and know it would never happen for claustrophobic me! 😀
I’m really happy it worked for them. I think it does for most people from what I’ve heard.
But no, being claustrophobic would not be good. Even though it does feel abit bigger when you’re in there. 🙂 xxx
I hadn’t heard of HBOT before so I was interested to read about it and your experience. Sorry it couldn’t be of help to you, but it looks like other commentators have given you some new ideas. Remember to listen to Dizzy.
I need to remember to always listen to Dizzy! But I’m glad I tried it, otherwise I would have wondered if it would have helped. We have lots of new ideas to try now. 🙂 xxx
This is really interesting treatment. Thank you for sharing. I have asthma and had thought of just doing pure oxygen to see if it would help me.
Just doing pure oxygen sounds like it should help. Let us know how you get on if you do try it. 🙂 xxx
Thanks for sharing! My favourite complimentary therapy at this time is online shopping!!!
Lol, online shopping sounds a perfect one! 🙂 xxx
HBOT! I heard about it but never knew it helped MS! Thanks for sharing and I hope you and Dizzy does well. 100% oxygen is hard. I remember having a hard time breathing and was given oxygen tubes. Too cold!! 😐
Yeah, it’s used for loads of conditions now. Where I had it at the MS Centre people with all sorts of health issues use it.
Too cold doesn’t sound great either. :/ xxx
This is really interesting, great to hear your personal experience. I know that our local (well, 45 mins drive for me) offers Oxygen Therapy but I have never been. I’m not too sure how I would be with the chamber either! Xxx
I did worry all the week before about it! But luckily the other people cancelled so it was just me, Dizzy and my bf who was my diving partner for the first session which helped. You can also ask to just sit in there without the door closed before doing a session. 🙂 xxx
You gave it a go and that counts for something. Best to try things out and see. In my life I have found that deeps tissue massage is great for various aches, pains and pulled or strained soft tissue but chiropractic has never worked for me although many other horse riders swear by it. I guess we are all individual and different things work for different people. Thanks for this post as this is the first I have read about this therapy.
It’s true and you never know what will work for you unless you try it. 🙂 It was something I really wanted to give a try too. I think for now I’ll be sticking to the massages. I find them really good too. 🙂 Only had normal ones but they are just so relaxing. xxx
Thank you for sharing this experience. It was very interesting. I honestly never knew about so it gave me something to think about but might try a massage instead. Not sure how I would tolerate it. I appreciate your information! Take care ♡
The massages are great. I had one this morning and always feel so much more relaxed after them. 🙂 xxx
Very interesting. I learned something today!. I hope that it helps!!!! xoxoxoxo. and Take care!
Glad you have from our little post. 🙂 It doesn’t seem to be that well know. Hope you have a great weekend. 🙂 xxx
You have a fabulous weekend too =) xoxoxoxo
I’ve tried acupuncture for ankle pain but it kind of irritated me but try it. It might work for you and Dizzy. 😀
We’ll give it a try and some point. 🙂 In what way do you mean irritated? Like where the needles are? xxx
I wasn’t going to say but one needle was placed on my scalp and I think another one was placed between my thumb and index finger and this was for my ankle! She did a little twisty thing when placing them. They weren’t the only needles. I just didn’t care for it but everyone is different.
Thanks for the explanation. I had been at a clinic where this one was one the alternative therapies and it seemed to help those who were doing it with the MS symptoms. This was years ago, however, and I’m sure things have changed.
Dizzy wanted me to remind you that donkeys always know best!
Donkeys definitely do! I will make sure to remember this in the future. 🙂 xxx
Oh my goodness! I’m so sorry the oxygen treatment didn’t work out! I still need to catch up with you in an email but have been awful at that while on vacation then I started classes and returned to teaching last week so am still playing catch up! I knew you said the first treatment made you dizzy…ugh, I hate that feeling! I’m so glad you enjoy a hot stone massage and they seem to help you! ❤❤❤
It wasn’t for me and has ended up setting off a whole relapse. :/ That’s ok, it’s always so hectic returning to work. I’m still off till the 1st September and classes then go back the week after. 🙂 Hope you’re ok. 🙂 xxx
I’m so sorry it set off a relapse. 😔 I hope you are finding some relief with sleep, heat, etc. I’m still having bad flare days and have reinjured my rotator cuff and bicep in my right arm, which I was told I needed surgery for a yr ago but didn’t want to go through the rehab. So that’s made writing hard. And doubled my pain. I’ve got heat on my back and hip most of the day just so I can move around and either ice or heat on my neck and shoulder, lol.
It is hectic and at the college level I have 180 students this semester 🤤 I’m working from home though since all the classes are online so am hoping that helps with my fibro. And I started back to school too; this will be my last 2 semesters before I get my doctorate degree in May so I’m going to be swamped with work on top of teaching. I’ve got a 300 pg thesis to write by April! I’m hoping all this doesn’t keep my fibro flared…
Anyway, good luck with back to work! I hope it goes well and you feel much better by then! ❤❤
I hope your bad flare days start to settle down! How do you do classes online? Is that through the college? I’ve been trying to look into it as I think working from home would be much better overall and wouldn’t have to worry so much when dizzy patches hit like now. :/
Woah that’s a lot but amazing you’re doing it all. Having a doctorate degree will be so exciting! 🙂 What are you doing it on?xxx
Thank you! I hope so too!
Yes, the college I teach at offers seated and online classes..they are called Distance Education classes, so my students are DE students. Some take all online classes and some take a mixture of online and seated. It’s fantastic for working people or fulltime mom’s, etc.
The university I go to is the same way (Not the college I teach at). It’s actually in Arizona and I live in North Carolina. They offer seated classes too or online. That’s perfect for me since I can’t go to Arizona lol. And they were one of the very few universities to offer an online PhD degree in my field, which is English Literature with a concentration in Literary and Cultural Studies and Linguistics and Literature. My thesis is on gothic literature from the 18th century to know and how it’s evolved. It is exciting! Tiring!! If it wasn’t online, I couldn’t do it. And I couldn’t teach this year if they weren’t online classes. I get to teach in my pjs since I only have to have my lessons up online. I communicate with my students via email, Skype and phone. I do go into my office 2 days a wk, but only 2 hours!! You should definitely look into online classes 😊🤗
Distant education classes sound perfect! Thank you, I’ll have a look into it. I love Goth Literature, so that will be amazing! 🙂 I took the Gothic modules during my English degree.
I hope you have a good day today. 🙂 xxx
You’re welcome! I think you’d enjoy them! I love gothic literature too but am not looking forward to writing the 300 page thesis lol. It’s a book 😯 Maybe you can take more gothic lit classes! I love teaching them every semester!! I hope you’ve had a great day too!! Mine’s been busy. Tired too but par for the course 😔 Take care, chat soon 🤗❤
300 pages is a book! Not even a short one but I know you’ll be able to do it. 🙂
Hope you have a great day. 🙂 xxx
Thanks for the vote of confidence!! 🙂 I’ll need it come next spring when I really get to writing it, lol.
Very interesting Heather I have heard that it is helpful for a number of health issues including anaemia and loss of hearing or sight.. I know that research is still being carried out on a number of other health issues including MS..It sounds like you are exploring all avenues.. Personally, I am a fan of acupuncture.. I had a bad knee injury twenty years ago and I had weekly acupuncture for about three months which speeded up the healing process.
I have too and even though it wasn’t right for me I know a lot of people who are having great results with it. 🙂 I still need to try acupuncture, a lot of people speak highly of it. Really glad it worked so well for you too. 🙂 xxx
Thanks Heather and look forward to updates. x
Thank you so much for including our post. 🙂 xxx
It wasn’t for me either but great post
Thank you. I’m sorry it wasn’t for you either. xx
You win some you lose some is my motto these days xx
It’s a good one to have! Oxygen therapy just obviously wasn’t for us. xxx