I draw your attention to this document on HBOT for CRPS

http://www.rsds.org/3/research/hbot_mcadamshtm.htm

Personally I had 20 sessions in the summer of 2003 through The UBC hospital, they included me in a long term study. It helped somewhat but was not a cure. Perhaps it needs to be done regularly as Diana does by owning her own chamber.

MsL

I thought I'd jump in here and add a few comments. There are some that have had HBOT and stated that they were total pain free. Cured, in fact. That has not been the case for me. After the protocal of 40 dives at 2.4ata, I was virtually painfree for almost 8 months! Now, to me that is amazing! With my home chamber I sometimes only do a duers of oxygen. That is about 18 dives at a time and the results are not the same. Great, but just not the same. That will not hold me for 8 months. I will have to do maintenance dives. The chamber reduces the inflammation and the swelling. The color of my limbs and the lack of swelling is so apparent to all that know me. The immune system is strenghtened. The stem cell production is increased 8 times. Collagen production is increased. Oxygen staturation promotes new microvascular growth. It has made major improvement in my life, but not a cure. There is currently more research being conducted on the antiaging effects of HBOT as well as other studies. I really don't know about the insurance aspect of treatment. I think some may have gotten their private insurance to pay for it. I unfortunately have to absorb all of the cost personally. The fact that I get such great benefit from the treatments, makes the cost just a fact of life. I hope we can get things to change with insurance companies, but I feel that may be a little ways off yet. I can only say here, that HBOT works for me as an ongoing treatment. All the best to you all. Di

After everything that I have read here I think I want to try HBOT next.

I was scheduled to travel to Boston to start Lidocaine last Wed. But WC denied the treatment, I don't know if my regular insurance will cover it, I am buried at work, etc.

I am encouraged by everything I have read here on this board.

Sandy

I am pretty sure this HBOT treatment is my next step. Not sure where though but possibly the doctor in Tampa who does it Dr Speigel and I was wondering if anyone has seen him. I know big hospitals don't do it for people with rsd only local smaller clinics. There is a gentleman who runs an rsd website who did this treatment and found a lot of relief. He saw Dr Speigel for this.

Hi Daniella,

Where are you from? There are several good free-standing hyperbaric clinics around the country, with the cost varying significantly among these facilities. I would definitely want to go to a center that has a doctor present at all times even though we have never seen anyone develop difficulties during treatment.

I would agree with Diana's post above, in that HBOT does not appear to be a cure. Still, although my daughter still has periodic complications of her RSD, it has been a remarkable treatment for her.

I would very much encourage you to give it a try.

Jeanne

I am from MI but am in FL for at least the winter. I have been researching this and there are many free standing some though a doctor is not on hand. I am about to call Dr speigel office to get more info cause he deals with rsd a lot supposively. I am not sure where I will be but would will fly and stay anywhere to find the best relief and treatment. I am not expecting a cure but any relief I would be thankful. Thanks

Hi Diana ,

Perhaps you have posted this before but I couldn't find any info in the past postings on your oxygen chamber. Could you tell us more about your chamber, what brand is it, where you bought it and how much it cost you? I'm also interested to know what if any type of maintenance you need to do and costs associated with operating your own unit at home.

Many thanks

MsL

Hi, How are you? I hope you are doing well today.

My chamber is a Reneau. They built 20 chamber I have the number 15. My chamber came form a burn unit at a hospital. It is able to go to 6 ata. My hyperbaric treatments usually start at 1.8 ata and end up between 2.00 ata-2.4 ata. If I do a 40 treatment dive, at 2.4 ata (atmospheres absolute), I get my best results. If I only dive a Duers of oxygen about $250.00 (cost), I need to do some more maintenence dives between treatment. When you buy a duers of oxygen, it will burp into the atmosphere at about 1% per day. So to be cost effective you would do at least the 18 dives, to complete the tank. The amount of dives that you get out of a duers, also depends on the depth but 18 is about average. I bought mine from a manufacturer who also remanufactures or updates chambers. The windows and door on these chambers have to be certified and must be replace after so many dives and they are expensive to replace. I have been asked about the cost of my chamber before on the forum. I do feel uncomfortable about sharing that information with just anyone, although I really would share it with anyone that was really interested in purchasing one, or who had CRPS. So, I'll pm that information to you, or anyone who would like to know. Also, where I got my chamber.
Here is a picture of my chamber. My home has a chamber room, that is specifically designed, no carpet, ventilated, exhaust system, and alternate lighting source in case of power failure. This chamber can also be operated manually.
I hope this helps. I'll pm. If you or anyone has any more questions please feel free to ask or pm. Hugs Di


http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/al...pictureid=3445