Started Hyperbaric Oxygen treatment

Husband started HBO treaments this week... I have asked question after question... and all the Drs.. say there are NO bad side effects. By now... as many of you will understand... I'm not sure we can do any treatments without there being some negative side effects. My concern with this treatment is that as it is making blood cells grow... I could also be making cancer cells grow.
This treatment is neccesary for denal reasons... which would seem somewhat trivial... but not after you have been through the works.


oh yeah... and they changed our insurance and now he hospital we have been going to is NO longer In Nework!... oh joy... ALL NEW PEOPLE!
Wife

Comments

  • Skiffin16
    Skiffin16 Member Posts: 8,305 Member
    Positives
    I feel in this instance, there is actually more positives than negatives.

    We are all exposed to bad things, hopefully we are healthy enough to keep fighting them off.

    Just having the radiation treatments, CT, and Pet scans expose you to potentially bad things.

    Unfortuneately, that's one of the prices of treatment to pay.

    Best,
    John
  • Hondo
    Hondo Member Posts: 6,636 Member
    Hi Wife

    I can guaranty you that there are no bad side affects to HBOT. I work for one of the larger Diving companies in the World and we have divers in chambers for up to 4 weeks at a time and as deep as 1000feet. They are goofy when they come out but after 4 weeks in a little space like that it is normal.

    Take care
    Hondo
  • Skiffin16
    Skiffin16 Member Posts: 8,305 Member
    Hondo said:

    Hi Wife

    I can guaranty you that there are no bad side affects to HBOT. I work for one of the larger Diving companies in the World and we have divers in chambers for up to 4 weeks at a time and as deep as 1000feet. They are goofy when they come out but after 4 weeks in a little space like that it is normal.

    Take care
    Hondo

    Goofy
    Gee, I haven't even been in a HBC and I tend to have some of those side effects at times....

    JG
  • Hondo
    Hondo Member Posts: 6,636 Member
    Skiffin16 said:

    Goofy
    Gee, I haven't even been in a HBC and I tend to have some of those side effects at times....

    JG

    Hi John

    You ant seen nothing yet let me blow you down to a 1000ft and goofy takes on a new meaning….

    A lot of times they are breathing mix gas and really sound funny when they are talking, I think some of the gas stay with them when they come out of the can.

    Take care
    Hondo
  • Skiffin16
    Skiffin16 Member Posts: 8,305 Member
    Hondo said:

    Hi John

    You ant seen nothing yet let me blow you down to a 1000ft and goofy takes on a new meaning….

    A lot of times they are breathing mix gas and really sound funny when they are talking, I think some of the gas stay with them when they come out of the can.

    Take care
    Hondo

    BTW
    Read my reply to you concerning you not fishing on the other post....

    JG
  • abbimom
    abbimom Member Posts: 87 Member
    been there done that
    Finished Oxygen treatments in the summer. The only side effect I had was that I was very tired after a treatment, but they told me some people get energy after the treatment so everyone is different. So sorry about your insurance this treatment is so expensive. If you haven't already try to talk to someone high up in the hospital to see if they could lower the costs. My hospital waived my copayments for my insurance which saved me a couple of thousand. It never hurts to ask. Good luck with everything. I had my treatments because I had to get my wisdom teeth removed, crazy the things we have to do after radiation treatments destroy our mouths. Good luck and best wishes.
    Linda
  • dennis318
    dennis318 Member Posts: 349 Member
    abbimom said:

    been there done that
    Finished Oxygen treatments in the summer. The only side effect I had was that I was very tired after a treatment, but they told me some people get energy after the treatment so everyone is different. So sorry about your insurance this treatment is so expensive. If you haven't already try to talk to someone high up in the hospital to see if they could lower the costs. My hospital waived my copayments for my insurance which saved me a couple of thousand. It never hurts to ask. Good luck with everything. I had my treatments because I had to get my wisdom teeth removed, crazy the things we have to do after radiation treatments destroy our mouths. Good luck and best wishes.
    Linda

    Been There Done That!!!
    Iwas suggested to do the Hyperberic Chamber, I had to go to another one of the large Hospitals in Nashville, Not all do this service, My throat was overradiates, and no ggod cells to start anykind of healing, I was smelling from rotting inside, sounds gross, but I did smell, I drove everyday round trip50 miles, 2-1/2 hours in the tank, 2 technichians, saw the Dr Twice, I didn;t have on side effect at all, my ears going in would get stuffy, then open open when i got out. The cells did start to regenriate, I feel it also saved alot of my teeth. Now The down side I received the unpaid portion of this and couldn't find out who these charges where from, I never met this Doctor. Come to fine out, I was charged for a doctor in a office watching us on cameras, yes hospitals charge for this, I hope Dr. Allen enjoys his money, which I am still paying for, then hopistals are automatically have this procedure down to be authorized by BLUE CROSS AND BLUE SHIELD. I heard them being told from the doctor to please do this, the hospital assured me this is authorized..well started recieving bills for $64,000 for immediate payment, yeah read it, i would get on the phone and assured everytime i called this would be taken care of, make sure you get names, dates, and times, everyone I talked to either pass the buck or let it lay and went on 2 week vacation, every month i did this. I finall last week got my medical records from my cancer hospital and took it to the other hospital down the road, dropped it off, I was told by my docotr I shouldn't be doing this....Well Slap me in the face!!!Duh...For now, it faces an appeal, the my case was closed in November, all the running I did was worthless,it sat on a desk in Tennessee, which should have been in Michigan for 2 months.. so i basically have office calls i am paying now, it's enough, Hope this was help, and I hope you get your paid for as well.....We go threw enough, and especially when I can't speak.....Thanks.Dennis
  • Hondo
    Hondo Member Posts: 6,636 Member
    dennis318 said:

    Been There Done That!!!
    Iwas suggested to do the Hyperberic Chamber, I had to go to another one of the large Hospitals in Nashville, Not all do this service, My throat was overradiates, and no ggod cells to start anykind of healing, I was smelling from rotting inside, sounds gross, but I did smell, I drove everyday round trip50 miles, 2-1/2 hours in the tank, 2 technichians, saw the Dr Twice, I didn;t have on side effect at all, my ears going in would get stuffy, then open open when i got out. The cells did start to regenriate, I feel it also saved alot of my teeth. Now The down side I received the unpaid portion of this and couldn't find out who these charges where from, I never met this Doctor. Come to fine out, I was charged for a doctor in a office watching us on cameras, yes hospitals charge for this, I hope Dr. Allen enjoys his money, which I am still paying for, then hopistals are automatically have this procedure down to be authorized by BLUE CROSS AND BLUE SHIELD. I heard them being told from the doctor to please do this, the hospital assured me this is authorized..well started recieving bills for $64,000 for immediate payment, yeah read it, i would get on the phone and assured everytime i called this would be taken care of, make sure you get names, dates, and times, everyone I talked to either pass the buck or let it lay and went on 2 week vacation, every month i did this. I finall last week got my medical records from my cancer hospital and took it to the other hospital down the road, dropped it off, I was told by my docotr I shouldn't be doing this....Well Slap me in the face!!!Duh...For now, it faces an appeal, the my case was closed in November, all the running I did was worthless,it sat on a desk in Tennessee, which should have been in Michigan for 2 months.. so i basically have office calls i am paying now, it's enough, Hope this was help, and I hope you get your paid for as well.....We go threw enough, and especially when I can't speak.....Thanks.Dennis

    Hi dennis
    Hi dennis

    Thanks for the tip, I am looking into doing some HBOT treatment but did not know the cost was that much, I think I will see if my company will do it in the shop for me right at work. $64,000just hard to believe sometimes.

    I find that a lot of people think that when you have Cancer you also have a lot of money. As you know I have problems with my Jaw not opening, well the doctor wants to use a dyanasplint and there is only one company that you can get them from. It rents for $219.00 a month and I need it for 10 months, like I told the lady sorry but I don’t have an extra $2,190.00 dollars in my pocket, can I have the cheaper version….

    Parking at the Hospital another thing, $15.oo dollars a day, sometimes it is all about MONEY…..

    Ops Sorry did not mesn to Vent. lol
    Hondo
  • fisrpotpe
    fisrpotpe Member Posts: 1,349 Member
    One odd one
    I must be the odd one here. I do not post this to be negative but honest.

    I am now an official 15 year survivor. I went 12 1/2 years with no problems with recurrence of cancer. At that point they found necrosis on the pharynx. Treatments were IV anti biotic 24-7 for 10 weeks, almost complete with anti biotic I started 40 HBO treatments. Treatments are fairly easy, ear pressure like going up in a jet where the ears pop and when ending the treatment same feeling of popping of the ears. I had some days where I felt tired and some not. So the daily side effects are very little if any.

    4 months after HBO treatments the doctors found a spot on tongue that was cancerous. Surgery that left a divot in tongue is all it took to deal with.

    I was told 15 years ago HBO was not an option, then reminded several times when ever talked about it. When the Cancer showed on tongue I brought up the risk, they did agree it is risk. But they also said it is about risk reward. Either the infection and dead skin will heal on the pharynx and if it does not there is not many options that include quality of life. The key hear is the reward was worth it, the necrosis healed. The risk was the oxygen most likely stimulated the cancer on tongue. Keep in mind my cancer 15 years ago was in the neck but the did not find the primary that very easily been in my mouth tongue or throat.

    Not what you wanted to hear but the end results was the reward.

    Praying all goes well for you.

    John
  • sweetblood22
    sweetblood22 Member Posts: 3,228
    Hondo said:

    Hi dennis
    Hi dennis

    Thanks for the tip, I am looking into doing some HBOT treatment but did not know the cost was that much, I think I will see if my company will do it in the shop for me right at work. $64,000just hard to believe sometimes.

    I find that a lot of people think that when you have Cancer you also have a lot of money. As you know I have problems with my Jaw not opening, well the doctor wants to use a dyanasplint and there is only one company that you can get them from. It rents for $219.00 a month and I need it for 10 months, like I told the lady sorry but I don’t have an extra $2,190.00 dollars in my pocket, can I have the cheaper version….

    Parking at the Hospital another thing, $15.oo dollars a day, sometimes it is all about MONEY…..

    Ops Sorry did not mesn to Vent. lol
    Hondo

    Hondo
    Wait? The hospital charges you $15.00 to park there? Really?
  • dennis318
    dennis318 Member Posts: 349 Member

    Hondo
    Wait? The hospital charges you $15.00 to park there? Really?

    They Charged Parking!!!
    I would went into the poor house even more, I've never heard of a hospital charging, did they alot validation at all for appointments...What a rip..Hey Guys Have Great Weekend. Dennis
  • ratface
    ratface Member Posts: 1,337 Member
    Skiffin16 said:

    Positives
    I feel in this instance, there is actually more positives than negatives.

    We are all exposed to bad things, hopefully we are healthy enough to keep fighting them off.

    Just having the radiation treatments, CT, and Pet scans expose you to potentially bad things.

    Unfortuneately, that's one of the prices of treatment to pay.

    Best,
    John

    I recently did some research on the subject as I'm headed in that direction. The link below is a faboulous source of information on hyperbaric use on head and neck cancer patients and it's efficacy in dental procedures. Please read abstract 69-006, Mcdonald, MD "Effect of hyperbaric oxygenation on existing oral Mucosal Carcinoma"

    In a nut shell, previous studies done on lab animals were flawed because their cancer had been induced and they did not undergo radiation treatment. Both of these variables in humans actually produce a property of hyperbaric treatment that is actually protective in nature and lessons your chance of recurrence. In essence it protects against recurrence. So go forward with confidence!





    Hyperbaric article
  • wifeforlife
    wifeforlife Member Posts: 189
    fisrpotpe said:

    One odd one
    I must be the odd one here. I do not post this to be negative but honest.

    I am now an official 15 year survivor. I went 12 1/2 years with no problems with recurrence of cancer. At that point they found necrosis on the pharynx. Treatments were IV anti biotic 24-7 for 10 weeks, almost complete with anti biotic I started 40 HBO treatments. Treatments are fairly easy, ear pressure like going up in a jet where the ears pop and when ending the treatment same feeling of popping of the ears. I had some days where I felt tired and some not. So the daily side effects are very little if any.

    4 months after HBO treatments the doctors found a spot on tongue that was cancerous. Surgery that left a divot in tongue is all it took to deal with.

    I was told 15 years ago HBO was not an option, then reminded several times when ever talked about it. When the Cancer showed on tongue I brought up the risk, they did agree it is risk. But they also said it is about risk reward. Either the infection and dead skin will heal on the pharynx and if it does not there is not many options that include quality of life. The key hear is the reward was worth it, the necrosis healed. The risk was the oxygen most likely stimulated the cancer on tongue. Keep in mind my cancer 15 years ago was in the neck but the did not find the primary that very easily been in my mouth tongue or throat.

    Not what you wanted to hear but the end results was the reward.

    Praying all goes well for you.

    John

    thanks
    Well his treatments are underway.. and so far heis doing fine with it. they check his lungs, heart, ears and eyes everytime... he is in for two hours a day and they give him "air" breaks every thirty minutes...the only thing that bothers him is knowing he can't get out ot he cylinder.... he never had any problem at all with this kind o fstuff until "the Mask" in radiation...
    Side note. I have a questionable lump on the right side of my throat,with a swolen lymphnode ... since early Dec.. Headed to specialist next week.... this can't happen to both of us can it????? my husband is freaked out.
    Wife
  • wifeforlife
    wifeforlife Member Posts: 189

    thanks
    Well his treatments are underway.. and so far heis doing fine with it. they check his lungs, heart, ears and eyes everytime... he is in for two hours a day and they give him "air" breaks every thirty minutes...the only thing that bothers him is knowing he can't get out ot he cylinder.... he never had any problem at all with this kind o fstuff until "the Mask" in radiation...
    Side note. I have a questionable lump on the right side of my throat,with a swolen lymphnode ... since early Dec.. Headed to specialist next week.... this can't happen to both of us can it????? my husband is freaked out.
    Wife

    cost
    sorry .. I forgot to comment on the cost... The Hyperbaric treatments will cost $68,000.00
  • sweetblood22
    sweetblood22 Member Posts: 3,228

    cost
    sorry .. I forgot to comment on the cost... The Hyperbaric treatments will cost $68,000.00

    Wifeforlife
    Please tell me that you went to a doctor before this, like your GP? Were you put on antibiotics? If so did they help? Is your husband's HNC HPV derived? Sorry I cannot remember, so many people to keep track of. Hope everything is okay and it's just an infection or virus or something.
  • wifeforlife
    wifeforlife Member Posts: 189

    Wifeforlife
    Please tell me that you went to a doctor before this, like your GP? Were you put on antibiotics? If so did they help? Is your husband's HNC HPV derived? Sorry I cannot remember, so many people to keep track of. Hope everything is okay and it's just an infection or virus or something.

    been on antibiotics.. didn't
    been on antibiotics.. didn't help. GP is sending me to HNT doc.
  • sweetblood22
    sweetblood22 Member Posts: 3,228

    been on antibiotics.. didn't
    been on antibiotics.. didn't help. GP is sending me to HNT doc.

    Wife
    Well, let's just hope that its something else and your ENT is thorough.
  • DrTom
    DrTom Member Posts: 1
    Hondo said:

    Hi Wife

    I can guaranty you that there are no bad side affects to HBOT. I work for one of the larger Diving companies in the World and we have divers in chambers for up to 4 weeks at a time and as deep as 1000feet. They are goofy when they come out but after 4 weeks in a little space like that it is normal.

    Take care
    Hondo

    Some negative effects...
    As a result of osteoradionecrosis of the jaw, I underwent 20 dives prior to jaw resection and 20 dives after.

    One potential negative effect is oxygen toxicity. This is usually related to blood sugar, but not always. This can be as minor as a tingling sensation in the extremeties or, a full-blown seizure.

    I, alas, experienced a seizure on dive 16 pre-surgery. After that point, they reduced the pressure from 2.4 to 2.0 and I had no problems since.

    Another effect I experienced is blurred vision. I'm told that this typically reverses a few weeks after HBO is finished, but I'm still waiting for my eyesight to return from very bad to just poor.

    There's a ton of liturature debating how HBO may affect cancer growth, so the jury's still out on that front. The best bet is to follow the progress of health very closely with your oncologist.

    Tom
  • longtermsurvivor
    longtermsurvivor Member Posts: 1,842 Member
    DrTom said:

    Some negative effects...
    As a result of osteoradionecrosis of the jaw, I underwent 20 dives prior to jaw resection and 20 dives after.

    One potential negative effect is oxygen toxicity. This is usually related to blood sugar, but not always. This can be as minor as a tingling sensation in the extremeties or, a full-blown seizure.

    I, alas, experienced a seizure on dive 16 pre-surgery. After that point, they reduced the pressure from 2.4 to 2.0 and I had no problems since.

    Another effect I experienced is blurred vision. I'm told that this typically reverses a few weeks after HBO is finished, but I'm still waiting for my eyesight to return from very bad to just poor.

    There's a ton of liturature debating how HBO may affect cancer growth, so the jury's still out on that front. The best bet is to follow the progress of health very closely with your oncologist.

    Tom

    Your vision
    Hey DrTom,

    How's the ORN? Hope you got a good result. They didn't warn me either of the potential for acuity changes, so I had this new pair of glasses, from right before my HBO began. Within a couple of weeks, my vision was horrible. Both near and far accomodation were radically changed. My old glasses worked better than the new. Optometrist muttered something about missing my refraction and reissued. Then, of course, being a little slow, but not completely stupid, I guessed the connection and started reading. Oh, yeah.....

    My accomodation reverted to the new RX within a month or two of completion of HBo. ENT oncologist says beyond about age 40, that's almost a guarantee.

    Welcome to the board. The debate on HBO, as you indicate, has gone on longer than any of us have likely been alive:)


    Pat
  • Mikemetz
    Mikemetz Member Posts: 465 Member
    DrTom said:

    Some negative effects...
    As a result of osteoradionecrosis of the jaw, I underwent 20 dives prior to jaw resection and 20 dives after.

    One potential negative effect is oxygen toxicity. This is usually related to blood sugar, but not always. This can be as minor as a tingling sensation in the extremeties or, a full-blown seizure.

    I, alas, experienced a seizure on dive 16 pre-surgery. After that point, they reduced the pressure from 2.4 to 2.0 and I had no problems since.

    Another effect I experienced is blurred vision. I'm told that this typically reverses a few weeks after HBO is finished, but I'm still waiting for my eyesight to return from very bad to just poor.

    There's a ton of liturature debating how HBO may affect cancer growth, so the jury's still out on that front. The best bet is to follow the progress of health very closely with your oncologist.

    Tom

    HBO side effects
    I did 30 dives before a tooth extraction and 10 after. I noticed some softening of tissue and relaxing of muscles in that area, but the treatments failed to stop the ORN and I'm looking at a debridement on my left mandible in about a month. I had some severe fatigue at the end of each week of HBO, and slept extra on the weekends to catch up some. I never did get caught up all the way, until well after the treatments stopped. I had some very bad swelling and constant pain in my eyes that stayed around for a month after the treatments stopped. As for the effects on my vision, it is still way off--more than four months later. I'm actually using my distance glasses to read! I don't know at what point it will stabilize to where I can get new glasses without wasting the money for them. I am now being told that I'll need 10 more dives after the debridement--just enough to feel more fatigue and have more blurred vision--and then have to wait even more time to get new glasses.

    As decisive (and right) all of my docs were about my meds, rads and chemo dosages and schedule, they all seem more than a bit uncertain about the effectiveness of HBO and I sense that they prescribe it on some HOPE that it MIGHT work. Well, after 100 hours in the tube, another 50 or so hours of missed work, somewhere around $80,000 paid by my insurance company, and no real benefits to show for it, I would have liked them to be more hesitant to call for it "just in case it might work." This is one of the areas of treatment that I would recommend everyone get a second or even a third opinion beforehand.