HBOT Complication Has Anyone Ever Experienced This?

wbcgaruss
wbcgaruss Member Posts: 2,482 Member
edited November 2020 in Head and Neck Cancer #1

I have been taking HBOT (Hyperbaric Oxygen Treatment) in preparation for having a tooth pulled to avoid complications and the possibility of osteoradionecrosis (ORN) since I had 2 previous radiations in the H & N area. HBOT treatment started on Sept. 14 and I was to receive 30 treatments and then have the tooth extracted, which was done on Oct.28 and seems to be going well, and then I was to have 10 follow-up HBOT treatments. I am having continuing treatments and have 5 to go.

One thing they say can be affected by HBOT is your vision. I am having that effect in my right eye as it is a bit unfocused and blurry now. If I close the right eye I still see clearly out of the left eye. My guess is the HBOT is affecting my vision a bit as it is known to do either by causing nearsightedness or just blurring or is affecting my cataract in that one eye. They tell you that your vision should go back to normal after HBOT and not to get examined for a glasses prescription for at least 8 weeks after finishing. If it accelerated a cataract that is a different story.

My big problem started yesterday.

I have been driving mostly myself except for a few days my vision was blurred too much to sometimes slightly double vision. I drove Monday with no problems. Tuesday, yesterday I drove and on the way, home made a couple of stops and was not far from home when my eyelids started doing some major drooping and I had to fight to keep my eyes open enough to finish the drive home. I sat in the chair for about 15 minutes and it seemed to let up pretty well. Today my wife drove me to be safe and I asked the HBOT doctor and nurses about this and they said they never heard of it as a side effect of this treatment. Today after treatment the same thing only I think it is hanging on longer my eyelids feel so heavy I can barely keep my eyes open and even sat down and took a nap for a while thinking I just needed rest. For awhile today I could barely open my eyes making it quite annoying. Seems like I'm exhausted but yet don't physically feel quite like that. Searched HBOT side effects on the net and nothing is mentioned in regards to my experience.

To any HBOT people out there or anyone you know that has ever had it have you ever heard of or had this problem or symptom? If so what is it and what can be done? I have 5 to go and just want to finish. Thanks for any help-Take Care-God Bless-Russ

Comments

  • wbcgaruss
    wbcgaruss Member Posts: 2,482 Member
    edited November 2020 #2
    After Some Research

    And private messaging a fellow CSN guy who went through HBOT he noted he also was tired throughout the treatments but felt that is what is going on. And as far as my drooping eyelids I think it is just that I must be so tired but yet not feeling that tired overall but it is definitely there. The fella I talked to said he was tired during treatment but felt my case is extreme. Tiredness is a factor in HBOT but it looks like no one is the same we all react differently. HBOT has definitely has risks and anyone on here please be aware of them so you can monitor your physical and mental condition. I went to the doctors yesterday and they wanted to see me after talking to me. Checked me out and ordered blood tests to make sure my blood count in the many categories was ok or not. Blood tests came back with most reading in the normal range but a few were low but not enough to create the effects I am having. So I think it is a matter of extreme exhaustion.  I have 4 treatments yet but will probably cancel them as I am worn down now as it is. HBOT risks listed below---

    Potential risks include:

    • Middle ear injuries, including leaking fluid and eardrum rupture, due to changes in air pressure
    • Temporary nearsightedness (myopia) caused by temporary eye lens changes
    • Lung collapse caused by air pressure changes (barotrauma)
    • Seizures as a result of too much oxygen (oxygen toxicity) in your central nervous system
    • Lowered blood sugar in people who have diabetes treated with insulin
    • In certain circumstances, fire — due to the oxygen-rich environment of the treatment chamber

    Take care everybody, God Bless

  • johnsonbl
    johnsonbl Member Posts: 266 Member
    edited November 2020 #3
    I looked around after reading your initial post...

    And didn't find much specific to drooping eyelids...  But did see some stuff regarding fatigue just like you found.  I know that the high oxygen doses can cause eye issues if you get too much or go too long...  But for the most part it looked like most of it was temporary like you said.  Bummer you are having the issues.  Hope the extractions are "uneventful".

  • wbcgaruss
    wbcgaruss Member Posts: 2,482 Member
    edited November 2020 #4
    johnsonbl said:

    I looked around after reading your initial post...

    And didn't find much specific to drooping eyelids...  But did see some stuff regarding fatigue just like you found.  I know that the high oxygen doses can cause eye issues if you get too much or go too long...  But for the most part it looked like most of it was temporary like you said.  Bummer you are having the issues.  Hope the extractions are "uneventful".

    Thanks for Your Input

    johnsonbl my extraction went well and the swelling afterward went down quickly and any soreness did not last long and as best I can tell has healed well. I go back to the oral surgeon for a follow up on the 25th of November. I don't know if they then just visually look at it or take an Xray also. I am having issues with vision and Thursday will be one week since I had my last HBOT treatment and they are saying 6 to 8 weeks to straighten out and get back to the baseline vision I started with. Can't come soon enough. I am taking motion sickness pills to help not being sick in the stomach as it seems the vision is giving me a motion sickness type effect. I can see close up on the PC pretty well but when I have my regular glasses on walking around I have double vision and it creates balance issues. I have begun wearing a patch over one eye which seems to help a good bit-Take Care-God Bless-Russ

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