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Vicc · 02-11-2007, 02:32 PM

Hi Roz,

I suppose I should look up the relationship between depth in feet and atmospheric pressure, but I can be a rigid old coot; 15 feet is not a scientific way to measure air pressure. It is a throwback to the days when HBO was used almost exclusively to treat divers who suffered the "bends" after rising to the sea surface too fast. I guess they understood depth, but couldn't get their minds around air pressure. I don't know what 15 feet means.

You don't seem to be having much luck in finding doctors: one tells you that he "guesses" the bruises were the result of a pulmonary embolism (was he guessing the embolism was acute or long-healed?). Either way, I think you should have been hospitalized for this severe reaction.

Another doc sees that your O2 level is "way below norm" and refers you to a pulmonary specialist, who tells you your O2 is 77%. In my not so humble opinion, the only explanation for the way you were maltreated is that you don't have medical insurance, or your insurance sucks.

I would have thought that widespread bruising would be enough to see you admitted to the hospital for testing, but there may be relatively benign explanations for that.

77% oxygen is an emergency. Hard to breathe? Hell, as I understand it, O2 that low makes it hard to live. My memory isn't as reliable as it used to be, but I remember when my daughter couldn't take in enough air.

I followed the ambulance to KU Med Center and by the time I got into the ER it seemed like everyone there was gathered around her bed. She was already on oxygen and I heard the words "hyperbaric oxygen" from someone in that group.

I think her O2 was in the high 70 to low 80 percent, and it was clear to me that they weren't sure she was going to live. When they took her to a room, I wondered if I would see her again. I don't know how people can get through stuff like that without God. (I could be wrong about the numbers, it's been many years and lots of oxycodone ago).

Since you're still alive, I won't bother to Google it, but as I recall, below 95% oxygen is not good. Perhaps one of the nurses here could help on that one.

You will be horrified to learn that in most states a person can be making french-fries one day and an HBO "technician" the next. Maybe LisaShea will add her experiences to your horror story.

Anyone contemplating HBO can only be assured of competent staff by making sure the chamber is certified by the Undersea and Hyperbaric Medicine Society.

The manufacture, sales and even advertising of hyperbaric chambers is closely monitored by the FDA. which (like much of the medical profession) suspects HBO is some sort of voodoo medicine. They don't seem to care about what happens to patient's, however, and I suspect that they don't mind a few dying each year; it reassures them that they're right: there is something amiss about HBO.

There are people in the business who are only in it for the money, so buyer beware...Vic