Hyperbaric Therapy

I have not tried it post chemo, though I kicked the idea about.  (I have experience working with chambers for some training I have done. My wife is certified to run chambers.  We are both big fans of HBOT)

All that being said, there seems to be a debate about what the value of hyperbarics are for various ailments.  Medicaid/Medicare have limited approved uses for billing. And also some rather ridiculous rules about how bad things need to be before hyperbarics are approved.  For instance, treatment of diabetic wounds.  They have to progress to a point where the efficacy of hyperbarics are reduced.  If they start a stage earlier, higher success rate and better healing.  (Treatments seem to run 40-60 sessions for many things)

There is some discussion as to whether cancer cells get destroyed due to them being anerobic in nature and there are stories about people being cured.  I will ask around again to see if there is any recent studies.  I know some people who worked with it in the context of Lyme's Disease, though I do not think it was a full study.  Lyme, being anerobic, seemed to be knocked out more when HBOT was used - perhaps helped the antibiotics more?

EX U.S. it seems to be used more, very often pre surgery to help with healing.

Make sure you find a good place where the people are properly trained.  HBOT can be dangerous in terms of potential fire.  There are Ma & Pa type shops that get set up where there is little regard to safety and people are nt really trained in running chambers.  There is also still a lot of "voodoo" around HBOT in the medical field.  Very often I need to educate docs a bit on it.  And there are those who steadfastly dig there heels in and say "No."  

Basically, IMO, HBOT needs to be studied more and more uses found and approved.  It is generally safe, with the biggest practical issue of being able to clear your ears.  (Think being in a plane or scuba diving. )  I ask my wife often about studies or pending studies.  It is still up in the air as far as I know for use in cancer patients for neuorpathy or destroying cancer.  It is used for radiation damage as noted.  If you have any questions about HBOT, what to expect and the rest, let me know.  

BTW, how did the test go for you?  

NewHere said:

Hey Man

I have not tried it post chemo, though I kicked the idea about.  (I have experience working with chambers for some training I have done. My wife is certified to run chambers.  We are both big fans of HBOT)

All that being said, there seems to be a debate about what the value of hyperbarics are for various ailments.  Medicaid/Medicare have limited approved uses for billing. And also some rather ridiculous rules about how bad things need to be before hyperbarics are approved.  For instance, treatment of diabetic wounds.  They have to progress to a point where the efficacy of hyperbarics are reduced.  If they start a stage earlier, higher success rate and better healing.  (Treatments seem to run 40-60 sessions for many things)

There is some discussion as to whether cancer cells get destroyed due to them being anerobic in nature and there are stories about people being cured.  I will ask around again to see if there is any recent studies.  I know some people who worked with it in the context of Lyme's Disease, though I do not think it was a full study.  Lyme, being anerobic, seemed to be knocked out more when HBOT was used - perhaps helped the antibiotics more?

EX U.S. it seems to be used more, very often pre surgery to help with healing.

Make sure you find a good place where the people are properly trained.  HBOT can be dangerous in terms of potential fire.  There are Ma & Pa type shops that get set up where there is little regard to safety and people are nt really trained in running chambers.  There is also still a lot of "voodoo" around HBOT in the medical field.  Very often I need to educate docs a bit on it.  And there are those who steadfastly dig there heels in and say "No."  

Basically, IMO, HBOT needs to be studied more and more uses found and approved.  It is generally safe, with the biggest practical issue of being able to clear your ears.  (Think being in a plane or scuba diving. )  I ask my wife often about studies or pending studies.  It is still up in the air as far as I know for use in cancer patients for neuorpathy or destroying cancer.  It is used for radiation damage as noted.  If you have any questions about HBOT, what to expect and the rest, let me know.  

BTW, how did the test go for you?  

You're are right. It's not a nasal cannula but the face mask type oxygen mask (I swear my chemo brain is permanent. )  But as a patient who has used HBOT I can say it did help the neuropathy, as far as destroying cancer for me no. I was NED when I began HBOT in November 2014 than a scan in December showed a 3cm mass in my left lung not even a nodule but a MASS!!:(. I can't say if HBOT influenced the growth but from my understanding HBOT repairs damaged tissue because of the high levels of oxygen which regrow small blood vessels. Cancer like all cells needs oxygen to strive and a good blood supply. I'm suppose to do more HBOT for the radiation cystitis but because I'm again NED I'm very hesitate to try it again and also because it didn't complete eradicate the problem the first time around.JMHO

lilpep1972 said:

Watt up brutha

Watt up bro.. Hope all is well.. How was your turkey day?? Funny you say that about mom an pop places.

i kinda got that feeling with this guy, he's way out in Long Island over a hr drive for me. Was trying to ask him questions on it an the response I got " I take cash an check but I prefer cash" .. So that right there had me double take a min. I made the apt for next Wed so I'm trying to gather as much info as poss to make sure it's worth it.. He told me $140 for a 90 min session..  I'm at my wits end with the neurothopy in my feet.. I dunno bout others but I have I really bad.. Basically numb to touch an now my legs are cramping bad an bad pains all up an dwn my legs.. Feel like I will try anything .. I was going todo cryogenics but my cuz whose a nurse talked me out of it sayin it can make feet worse.. Soooo now I found this.. But jus up in air on IF it will wrk #1 and this crazy "DR" I spoke to on phone.. Uggggg this post chemo thing suxxx...  Never again doin chemo IF it comes back.. No wayyy...  Anywhooo  tests so far look ok. Thy removed sum polyps yesterday an I will see my ONC next Tues on results for all tests...  How you feeling?? Side effects??

That the neourpathy is so bad for you. Mine is here still 3 months after my last treatment, and 4 months after the last session with the Ox.  Each time I think it is getting better, I think it is me hoping more than actual.   My hands and feet are numb and need to wear socks all the time.  If not really feel it more and often walking a bit off.  Though I am able to walk and try to do so.  Some days are better than others.  Some of the fine tune stuff with my hands is off.  Trying to put keys back on a keychain, turning pages.  Was going to to try to change a hard drive in my computer, but small screwdrivers ain't happening.  The neouropathy is the big one.  

Make sure this guy answers questions and does not duck them on you. Follow your instinct on the guy.   $140 for 90 Minutes is a low cost compared to what hospitals charge.  Of course hospitals can really jack prices, like the $15 tylenol, but you really need people watching everything all the time.  There are mono chambers (sort of like a tube where you are slid in) and that are somewhat automated at this point where computers monitor it.  There are also multiplace chambers - which hold more than one patient.  Some can be fairly large.  In those cases you have someone outside running the chamber and also someone inside the chamber to take care of the patients.  

Glad to hear that the tests sound good so far and they got rid of polyps. Fingers crossed for next Tuesday for you.  It is amazing that chemo is done.  I shake my head and think of the hook-up in the chest and all the rest and often think none of this was real.  Being in it at the time was almost less than looking back and thinking "WTH?"  When I was done I had one of the 6-8 week heperin thing to keep port clear and I was off on breathing in and out for placement of the needle.  And was really not liking the though of the needle going in again.  Need to do that again in about a month and my next round of scans in February.  And the thought of ever having to do the chemo thing again.....urgh.

Thanksgiving was good, went to D.C. to see family.  One of the days walked on the mall.  Actually made it 4 miles, but did lag behind at points.  Told people I would catch up, no big deal.  But sometimes it does feel like I am dragging my right leg more than walking.  

peterz54 said:

Check out Dr. D'Agostino - Assistant Professor at USF

 

You might want to check out this short video presentation which includes, in the second half, discussion of hyerbaric therapy as applied to cancer.  

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3fM9o72ykww

Much longer, more detailed presentation here, with cancer discussion starting at about 30 min.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yWRnma8Tet0

 

Dr. D'Agostino is an Assistant Professor at the University of South Florida College Of Medicine, Molecular Pharmacology & Physiology where he develops and tests metabolic therapies,   He tends to discuss the Ketogenic diet more often the hyperbaric therapy.   The ketogenic diet is an alternative to a very low calorie or fasting diet, which for some types of cancer patients shows promiss for slowing tumor  growth when used along with conventional therapy, the added beneift in some cases is to diminish side effects fo chemo.

 

lilpep1972 said:

UGGG that heperin

that heperin towards the last 6 chemo sessions would make me throw up everytime.. My girl would do the clean out for my port ova the sink every time. When I went back to Sloan for some testing last week thy started a IV an the nurse wanted to clean out the line with that and I told her to get away frm me with that stuff..Lol... I knw bro it seems crazy to thnk that we went thru that so real but at same time just a dream.. Thanks appreciate it , I was sooo happy the polyps came back negative but the only thing I was concerned about was my cuz who is a Dr said she was a little worried because of the time it took the polyps to grow. Less then a year and the polyps had grown already. She said she didn't like that and that might be a issue later on. I can't foresee the future unfortunely  so I will just keep a positive head on and do me. Sorry that your neurothopy is bad as well thnk that's the worst thing. my left leg/foot is worse and it seems to drag to..hopefully it will go away soon..  I dunno bro I don't think I could/will do chemo again IF it ever came back. I hated it that much. I would hate to think of that decision but I just wouldn't wana go thru it again an again.. I would try a holistic approach next time and if it dnot work well then I put it in the B it guys hands above.. Not think like that but we shall see.. Anywhoooo it's off to wrk for me.. I wish you and your family a wundaful safe and happy/healthy holiday.. Be well brutha, talk to ya soon

 Chris

I know your post was in answer to NewHere but I do have to say something. After I had finished Chemo (and before I headed into Radiation and more Chemo) I swore I would NEVER do Chemo again. My list of side effects (which I just re-posted in another thread) was extensive. It was not a joy ride. BUT (and I have a big one) when they discovered that the Cancer had spread to my liver, and my Oncologsit talked treatment, I found that my desire to live outweighed my dislike of the Chemo. I was willing to go through it all over again. 

Just saying!

I hope, I pray that you don't have to face that choice.

Sue - Trubrit

lilpep1972 said:

Hey Sue

I recently had a good friends aunt who passed away God rest her soul and she decided she had had enough. After going thru chemo twice and the cancer returning a third time she said she just wanted to be at peace. I'm sure it's a VERY VERY tough decision, and I would have to say its selfish as well. I had the fight it me the first time I just don't knw after feeling and living thru the nightmare of chemo if I can cross that bridge again.. I pray every day Sue I never ever have to make that chioce. My ONC seems very optimistic on my long term outlook now I dunno if that's what he is suppose todo or that what he really thinks. I actually have a apt at 5pm to see him. He will go over the final results of all my blood work and tests for my 1 yr mark. Actually have a question for ya.. The Dr that did my colonoscopy said I do not need to get another test done for 2-3yrs but I thought I remember someone sayin it's every yr for a few yrs then every 3.. Guess I will find out tonight..  I will definitely post back on what Doc says tonight.. And I really really appreciate every msg you write as I have always looked up to you and considered you like a "mom" on this site.. I hope you no offended by that.. But your just so knowledgeable and comforting to everyone it just reminds me of a awsum mom..  

thanks for everything

 Chris- 

i wish you and your family a very happy safe and healthy holiday season  

I don't need or want a colonoscopy for three years. I wish it were 10. How I hate them!

I will look forward to you posting your good results later. I can say 'I know they will be good', but truth is, we don't know and thats what is so hard about this. Always another test on the horizon, always not knowing if they are going to be good or not. 

Sue - Trubrit