#2 Hyperbaric Oxygen - In The Series: A Long COVID Patient Tries ...

2. Hyperbaric Oxygen

The patient's experience: "I've tried both hard & soft chamber hyperbaric oxygen (HBOT). The hard chamber HBOT helped me at my worst neuro inflammatory point, where I would say I was delirious at times & having trouble controlling my limbs. HBOT helped me a lot through that period.

I did about 30-40 sessions. It's definitely an expensive treatment, but those 105 minute sessions at 100% oxygen (most of the time) usually between 2-2.2 ATA (pressure) mattered a lot with what I was going through. It also helped with inflammation overall.

It took some time getting adjusted. Had bad ear pain in the beginning & had to take a few days off. They needed to go very slowly with me when increasing the pressure.

The soft chamber HBOT was also helpful, but not to the same extent as the hard chamber. The soft chamber I've used only goes to 1.3 ATA & does not feature 100% oxygen (use oxygen concentrator), but that does allow you to wear & bring in what you want to pass the time. It was helpful for brain fog, inflammation, pain, circulation, & headaches. Usually go in for 90 minutes."

Our insights: Oxygen/Ozone therapies do seem to offer some benefit to those with Long COVID.

HBOT likely promotes neuroplasticity, angiogenesis, improved mitochondrial function, & reduces neuroinflammation.

The below 2 studies touch on the benefits of HBOT to Long Haulers.

1. 'Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy for Long COVID: 3-Month Follow up Results from a Prospective Registry of 232 patients' "65% of long term-ill patients had a clinically relevant increase in quality of life. However, 15% of the patients experienced deterioration in quality of life. Symptoms that showed most improvement were predominantly in the cognitive domain." https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2024.09.02.24312948v1

2. 'Hyperbaric oxygen therapy improves neurocognitive functions and symptoms of post-COVID condition: randomized controlled trial' "Following HBOT, there was a significant group-by-time interaction in global cognitive function, attention & executive function. Significant improvement was also demonstrated in the energy domain, sleep, psychiatric symptoms, & pain interference." "Clinical outcomes were associated with significant improvement in brain MRI perfusion and microstructural changes in the supramarginal gyrus, left supplementary motor area, right insula, left frontal precentral gyrus, right middle frontal gyrus, and superior corona radiate." "HBOT’s beneficial effect may be attributed to increased brain perfusion & neuroplasticity in regions associated with cognitive & emotional roles." https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-022-15565-0

   
   

HBOT Issues

- Cost (pricey when you factor in they typically want you to do at least 20, usually in a row day after day)

- Not easy to get RX

- Accessibility (limited facilities)

- Not directly treating root cause

- Contraindications

- Reputable clinic & operator important

*** LCF is not endorsing the use of anything discussed in this thread or the series. We are presenting a Long Hauler's experience with various things they have tried. Everyone is different, so always consult a doctor before trying something for Long COVID or anything health related.