Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT)

[autismfamily]

HBOT data

Someone posted this link about HBOT in an autism group for a member who is considering it. There is a lot of scientific info here, so passing it along:

http://www.autismweb.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=7173

[moomy]

Thanks Bonnie

[fireboyrf]

Hbot Data

Just to answer some question on here:

Any doctor can prescribe hyperbaric oxgyen treatments. You need to have a prescription from a medical physician, just as you would for any prescrition drug. The reason being is the FDA has 100% oxygen as a drug and therefore you need a prescription for it.

Treatments vary in price. A free standing clinic (not affiliated with a hospital) can be priced from $150 to $250, depending on the protocol (ie. 6o minute treatment or 90 minutes). For patient using hyperbarics in a hospital setting (Duke, UCLA, burn centers) they can charge anywhere from $1200 or $2000 per treament. The hospital chambers allow medical personal to be inside with to monitor the patient, where most free standing clinics will monitor on the outside.

I work at a free standing hyperbaric facility in Santa Monica. Here we treat patients with strokes, autism, fybro myalgia, post operative wound healing, some minor burns, lymes disease, general health issues, immune system building and many others. The hospitals treat divers, and critical patients with burns, exceptional blood loss, diabetic non healing woulds, skin grafts, carbon monoxide poisoning, and more.

[Mistica]

This is an old thread, but seeing my question relates to oxygen therapy I thought I would post here.

Some time in the recent past, someone posted about possibly trying the oxygen therapy offered by cosmetic clinics. They were considering it in conjunction with IPL. I can't remember who it was. I am hoping they will see this post and update us as to whether they went ahead with the treatment or not?

My red light therapy doctor keeps suggesting it to me, claiming her other patients benefit, but I am not convinced as she also admits she has never had a patient like me.

I can't see it having an effect even remotely close to that of a Hyperbaric chamber, but still remain curious about treatments people have tried.

[Lookout]

Funny you should bring this up....I have been hearing a local place in my area talking about hyperbaric chamber treatments.....how it helps chronic illness and inflammation and so on....I have been so tempted to call them and try it just one time and see but I am a chickenbutt lately....afraid to make matters worse....I guess if I felt like I was starting to flush while in there I could insist they let me out ASAP! Can't imagine the cost and whether I could get it covered at all by insurance for rosacea is unlikely.

I hope someone has tried this and comes forward with their experience.

[phlika29]

Mistica

Are you referring to those oxygen bars or something else entirely?

[VickyGirl]

HBOT rules!
In the US it is most often used (FDA approved) for the bends and chronic wound healing. There are many research articles that propose the mechanism by which it works. For this reason, HBOT has been utilized in many different conditions such as chronic wounds, bone disease, neurological problems (post-stroke, Anoxic ischemic encephalopathy, traumatic brain injury, cerebral palsy, Autism, MS, Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, etc...) and monoxide poisoning.

Specifically, I've heard of patients with rosacea that have been treated for other conditions (wounds) that found a dramatic reduction of skin problems. In the cosmetic world, movie stars use it for maintaining younger looking skin, as HBOT may also promote collagen production and increased angiogenesis. Also used for pre and post plastic surgical procedures to reduce bruising and recovery time.

Oxygen is classified as a drug, so it needs to be prescribed by a physician as toxicity may occur if not utilized correctly. What is important to watch out for is the quality of the oxygen chambers, the pressures administered and the quality of oxygen given to the patient. There have been quite a few centers that have opened with low quality chambers (basically canvas or vinyl sleeping bags), questionable oxygen supplies and patients are not properly monitored by physicians. These are the places that have given oxygen therapy a bad name besides putting patient safety at risk.

My favorite HBOT site in the U.S. (www.oceanhbo.com)

[phlika29]

Hey Vicky

Its been a long time since we last saw you, I hope you are doing well Are you still posting on the ESFB forum?

[Mistica]

It is odd how a H-chamber would benefit a rosacean when part of the treatment is designed to promote angiogenesis, hence the reason it is used post surgery and in burn victims.
There is an H-chamber in Brisbane, but they state they only treat the conditions listed ( on their site) and they don't consult about anything else.
Patients sit in there for about two hours. If it were warm, just imagine the flush it would induce.

That aside, the oxygen therapy I was refering to is far more 'primitive'. It involves a hand held device which supposedly infuses oxygen into the skin. I can't see how it works technically for anyone, let alone a rosacean. The face looks slightly plumped following treatment. Topical vitamins are also infused into the skin, if desired.
Even though my RLT doctor says she treats rosaceans, I really get the feeling that those patients have very mild cases. She continues to marvel at how bad I am and how serious my flushing is. OK, I am severe, but, she seems to consider my symptoms unusual, where as I consider them the norm for a true rosacean.
Maybe she only treats mild cases of non flushing, pustular rosacea.

Anyway, someone else did post about this treatment and I was curious as to how they got on if they kept the appointment.

VicyGirl, I have seen those canvas bags on web videos. They look like glorified sports bags. Imagine the claustrophobia if one is so enclined! I note they are very 'warm and cosy' too.

[valby]

I found this interesting info comparing "real" HBOT with beauty therapist versions

http://www.yestheyrefake.net/HBOT.htm

[Lookout]

I was just listening yesterday to a local place talk about all the benefits of HBOT treatments the owners got involved in this due to their daughter having suffered from encephalitis (sp?) it worked so well that their daughter is perfecly well now.....after listening to her talk of all the benefits of it I checked out the website and of course rosacea isn't listed....not sure if anyone would even let someone with rosacea try it out!

I would be concerned with 2 things.....bloodvessel growth and ear problems....they say you have to learn to clear the pressure from your ears before you go in and I have inner ear disease (long story) + vertigo attacks....so I wonder if I could even handle it at all? or if it woulld bring on a attack!

I guess one could try it and if you start to have a problem get out of there quickly!!

I can't imagine the cost of doing these though....it isn't gonna be covered by insurance.

[Mistica]

The potential side effects of chambers are horrible. I wouldn't want to risk it unless it were really necessary.

The oxygen therapy I was refering to is infused through the skin with a hand held device. I don't see the science behind it, so I doubt its benefits.
That said, one woman on here had it done and I was curious to hear about her results.
Personally I see it as a pointless facial. I am not a fan of those sorts of things. Not for any reason, let alone rosacea.

[Lookout]

I have seen those hand held ones.....my problem with them is they are trying to push vitamins or peptides or other skin rejuvenating things into the skin.....I can't apply anything to my face let alone those kinds of things w/o going up in flames! So I do not believe those facial things would help someone like myself at all....maybe someone with super mild rosacea who's already able to use lot's of these kinds of creams on their face. JMO

[Mistica]

Yes, I agree with that. My thoughts exactly.

[Brighteyes]

It needs more citations, but it's on topic:

http://www.hbotreatment.com/Case%20Studies-%20FMS-%20CFIDS.pdf