HBO TREATMENTS

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ditto1
ditto1 Member Posts: 660
in Head and Neck Cancer #1

Well here I am again with questions I thought I would never have to ask, much the same way when I was DX with BOT in 2012.  I went to the dentist and looks like I will need some teeth pulled and likely 20 and then 10 HBO treatments.  Thus my questions.  I posted years ago and have since responded to many about the fear of the mask, well as we usually do I survived the mask, however that was for about 20 minutes and done for 33 days.  Now I wonder if anyone can share how they dealt with HBO single chamber which I understand to be about 2 hours daily for 20 days.  I like many have clausterphobia (or just a natural desire not to be locked in a tube)and it kind of makes me wonder how others dealt with the chamber.  I see it is a clear tube and understand you are monitored and can see the world around you, but 2 hours or a total of 40 hours WOW. Either way just thought I would make a shout out, this site got me thru my cancer treatment so hopefully we can get me thru the HBO.  PS I realize every situation and all of us handle things differently, but for us who have been on the site we also know it can be comforting to get other folks feedback.  Thanks Doug

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  • debbiejeanne
    debbiejeanne Member Posts: 3,102 Member
    #2
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    doug, i sure hope it all

    doug, i sure hope it all works out for you.  I never had chemo but my teeth are falling apart from rads.  i've had one pulled already and have a couple more that will probably need pulled in time.  hbo tx were nevered mentioned to me so they pulled my tooth w/o them.  i'm just wondering if they are really necessary or is it a money thing.  i honestly don't know as I said because i've never had them.  several here have though, so hopefully they will be able to answer your questions.  good luck, doug.

    God bless you,

    dj

  • ditto1
    ditto1 Member Posts: 660
    #3
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    debbiejeanne said:

    doug, i sure hope it all

    doug, i sure hope it all works out for you.  I never had chemo but my teeth are falling apart from rads.  i've had one pulled already and have a couple more that will probably need pulled in time.  hbo tx were nevered mentioned to me so they pulled my tooth w/o them.  i'm just wondering if they are really necessary or is it a money thing.  i honestly don't know as I said because i've never had them.  several here have though, so hopefully they will be able to answer your questions.  good luck, doug.

    God bless you,

    dj

    HBO

    Thanks dj for your reply, I think from what I have researched on the CSN superthread seems to indicate it is the healing process that can be compromised causing jaw damage.  Seems most with radiation had to deal with the HBO before having teeth removed post treatment, however I read some where it looked as if only antibiotics were used but not sure about that.  Have you had any problems with the healing after extraction?

  • debbiejeanne
    debbiejeanne Member Posts: 3,102 Member
    #4
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    ditto1 said:

    HBO

    Thanks dj for your reply, I think from what I have researched on the CSN superthread seems to indicate it is the healing process that can be compromised causing jaw damage.  Seems most with radiation had to deal with the HBO before having teeth removed post treatment, however I read some where it looked as if only antibiotics were used but not sure about that.  Have you had any problems with the healing after extraction?

    doug, i did not have any

    doug, i did not have any problems.  i do have problems with losing enamel.  my front tooth actually broke from lack of enamel.  so, i'm having problems with my teeth but the problems aren't requiring the hbo.  i had 35 rad tx.  let us know how it works out for you.

    God bless you,

    dj

  • hwt
    hwt Member Posts: 2,328 Member
    #5
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    debbiejeanne said:

    doug, i did not have any

    doug, i did not have any problems.  i do have problems with losing enamel.  my front tooth actually broke from lack of enamel.  so, i'm having problems with my teeth but the problems aren't requiring the hbo.  i had 35 rad tx.  let us know how it works out for you.

    God bless you,

    dj

    Doug

    Been there, done that...twice. Not a thing like radiation. Tube is clear, in fact, glass is so clean it is as if it weren't even there. There is always someone there with you and there are huge mirrors outside the chamber so you can see what is going on in the room. You simply change into scrubs and watch tv or a movie. Time passes quickly. No pain and no negative side effects, heck, they even have oxygen bars that people pay to go to for kicks. The tube is large enough that you can roll over or have your head propped up to almost a full sitting position. You can speak to the person outside the tube if you want and if needed, they will take you out. I never saw anyone need to come out. My hospital had one tube smaller than the others and I told them to never put me in there and they didn't. It's actually relaxing and you can always sleep. Only downside is how time consuming it is. Drive time, dressing time, tube time and then getting dressed again. I was fortunate to have one 5-10 minutes from my house. It's a commitment that puts a damper on plans for 6-8 weeks. Make certain you have preauthorization from your insurance because it is extremely expensive. You might want to take a xanax or ativan at first but you will be comfortable in no time. I had a morning spot so they let me bring scrubs home to wear in the following day. That way, I wasn't getting dressed and undressed so many times each day.  A cake walk next to chemo or rads. You can do this!

      

  • Hondo
    Hondo Member Posts: 6,636 Member
    #6
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    Hi Doug

     

     

    It’s not that bad, I too am claustrophobia and the idea of being in a chamber for 2 hours was not something I was looking for to doing. But the chambers they used at Our Lady of Lourdes here in Lafayette is a big glass chamber so that you can see what is going on all the time, they even have a TV hooked up on the outside so you can watch a movie or whatever you want. Before you know it your two hours are up and they are pulling you out. I did a total of 50 dives, my first treatment was 40 dives and when I had a tooth pulled I had to do another 10 dives. Ask to see their chambers before you committee to treatment if they don’t have the glass chamber find somewhere that does.

     

    Tim

  • ratface
    ratface Member Posts: 1,337 Member
    #7
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    multiple chambers

    A woman in our group goes to one where there are numerous people inside at the same time, there must be individual chambers and community chambers. Perhaps you can find a location with a bigger chamber and get a good poker game up?

  • ditto1
    ditto1 Member Posts: 660
    #8
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    ratface said:

    multiple chambers

    A woman in our group goes to one where there are numerous people inside at the same time, there must be individual chambers and community chambers. Perhaps you can find a location with a bigger chamber and get a good poker game up?

    How sweet it is

    that we have been blessed with this website, thankyou all for your replies.  Just as 3 years ago, fears are arrested by the fact people have been there can offer their perspective.   I feel better already.  Thanks for offering peace of mind. 

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