Hi! I got some messages that directed me to this thread. This is such a great group of supportive people here. They really are here to help.
I'll try to share some information with you. There really is too much for a single post, so if it appears short it is because I am trying to get as much in as possible. First I have had CRPS, for 20 years in July, full body. After much research I wen to Canada for my first 40 dives in a multiplace Hyperbaric Oxygen Chamber. I received great results that lasted almost eight months. Then I went to Texas a year after Canada and did 40 dives at 2.4 ata in a monoplace chamber. Again with great results. A year later, I returned to Texas for another 40 dives at 2.4ata. After this series I decided to purchase a chamber for myself. HBO reduces inflamation, and swelling therefore reduces pain. The oxygen under pressure creates the growth of new micovascular systems and distributes oxygen to our much needed extremities. HBO also increases stem cell production 8 times, promoting healing.
There are many benefits to HBOT. Too many to list. Prices for treatment will vary based on your location. RSD/CRPS is not a approved disorder for HBOT and most insurances will not cover this. Some people have stated they were cured in 40 dives(generally the protocol). I know of some one personally who has treated rsd patients with HBOT and has seen cures. For me it has not been a cure, but a life saver. It has improved the quality of my life enormously.
During the years of diving, before my home chamber I wanted to know everything about HBOT, oxygen and diving. So I got my 22 year old son...to take the classes with me, lugg my tank and equiptment around and share in the certification. I loved it!!!! We both got our open water, advanced, and Rescue diver certification. I also got my Nitrox(enriched oxygen) and equipment specialty. I am working on my masters now. I have a right frozen shoulder with extremely limited range of motion. So I either have someone on the boat lift on my equiptment while I sit and then I roll in...(No giant stride, my shoulder couldnt take the weight) or I jump in and put my BC and tank on in the water. My body feels so much better under the water.
Thats 101 and I'll share more if you like. I have a picture of my chamber on my profile, but I think I have it set for just friends to see. If you PM me I'll be glad to share more if you are interested.
ALASKAMIKE are you in alaska? I lived in Anchorage for 5 years?
Aintsobad if you have anymore questions please feel free to ask or pm. I'll give you both my number if you would like to talk further. Maybe I can open my pics on my profile for a couple of days or send a friend request if you want to see the pics. Mike and Pete let me know if I can answer any more questions. Look forward to meeting you. Di

Hi I am thinking of doing this and have researched this in many states and the pricing difference is big. The chamber in many are all the same and that I have read is the key to better results. I know the gentleman in Tampa who I was going to see one of his patients did find it helpful and he has his own website talking about it. I have not read though many others who have found it life changing but also not that many people do it cause most insurance won't cover though you may get lucky with that cause I have heard a few got them to or WC. If I do it I will post my results.

I have a question about the chamber. Do you find relief the first time in the chamber or is it several times before relief is felt? Also, can anyone give a comparison using the chamber versus ketamine infusions? What I gather from reading this thread is the duration of RSD pain relief the chamber gives is approximately the same as what ketamine infusions give to most RSD sufferers. Also, the chamber may give relief to those who've had RSD for several years where as ketamine may not?

Good questions! Some members of this forum have stated they were cured after 40 dives. 40 dives is the current protocol. I have also spoken with others that have been cured on one series. I usually feel much better after a few dives. But most people say, one dive and they can tell. But, I must say after my first 40 dives, I had amazing results. You really need the forty dives for changes to take place physcially. Ketamine Vs HBOT, I can't answer that, maybe someone else can. I am still getting relief...when I take the time to do the dives, appropriately.

Thanks for the wonderful info here and yes i will have to pm you or call you because my crps in my arms and hands makes it so difficult to type these days.

althoughi am in alaska now, i am looking forward to moving south to warmer weather. the pain centers up here dont like to treat long term care people.

Since you lived in anchorage you might remember the small city of whittier an hour south. this is where i taught scuba most of the time. i wonder if my body could tolerate cold water diving again....

i was told that i would need to do 40 dives straight in one month(hbot). and might need as many as 200 dives. up here they do not have the single chmbers that look sort of like an enclosed tanning bed, just the big walk in chambers to hold several people. and they charge between 2500 to 3500 per dive so obviosly i cannot afford 200 dives at that price. i had heard in california, florida and new york have the single chmber rides as low as 200 to $300 perdive.

there is so many people up here that want to try hbot up here but itstoo spendy!!!

Besure to get your Masters cert Di. I remember after getting mine i thought what now. so i switched over to the divemaster and instuctor program cuz i couldnt get enough scuba. later on i got into tecnical diving like cave and deep wreck diving so teaching slowed way down. i do know a little about being at the chamber because i was asked to be a volunteer to work the chamber when divers came in, but i never received the chamber certification cuz my back problems stated again and i had to quit diving all together. i had to quit diving in1999 or 2000, so its been almost a decade now..

thanks again Di.

i will wend you a pm now.

mike