Only doing one session a week as the MS centre is in Swindon which a) is a long way from us and b) is without doubt the worst place in the UK to drive and my husband has to take me. It’s a shame as my local centre is 5 minutes away but they have a waiting list.
I went this morning, still at a relatively low depth of 16 feet but for a full hour. As everyone I had been speaking to said that they would have hated being ‘shut in’, I was more uncomfortable than the first time. I should just ignore people and do my own thing. I breathed through the nervousness and again it was fine. Completely different results though, I was absolutely knackered after the treatment finished, but about an hour later you get a burst of energy. Whereas the first time I came out of the session, the energy kicked in straightaway. Going to start the 34 feet sessions next week so will update then.
My local MS therapy centre in Kent has these facilities too. I saw a physio there many years ago, when it first opened, but at the time it was very much MS centred. I have just looked at their website and they welcome people with other problems. I think I might give it a go. I’ve filled out the enquiry form and will go for a consultation. I’m also interested in acupuncture, which they do there, as well as hyperbaric treatment and hydrotherapy.
The centres are now known as neuro wellbeing centres rather than MS as they were originally known so I’m told. I think that most of the people there were stroke survivors, with one lady who had a badly broken arm that was proving difficult to heal. She did say that it was really a godsend to her. I guess it would also be helpful for cancer survivors as well as the standard treatment for that can be pretty brutal.
I tried acupuncture but was put off a bit when the therapist left one of the needles in my head. You would think they would count them back in again before you left but she was a bit of a chatterbox and I think she was distracted. I got a bit of a shock when I brushed my hair when I got home, the things we do for stroke recovery
It’s good to know we are being recognised at last. The last time I was there I felt a bit like I was there on sufferance and it was all to do with MS treatment. That was a bit galling because there was nothing of the equivalent for us stroke sufferers. The lady receptionist I spoke to on the phone yesterday was very helpful, so things are (hopefully) looking up at last (and if I have any acupuncture I’ll make sure they count their needles!).
I’m back to report on my 3rd session. Went down to 34 feet today, again for an hour. I had the submarine to myself so I played an audiobook which kept me very calm. There’s nothing like listening to an alternative history where the Nazis’ won the war to make you feel a bit smug that they didn’t. Again, afterwards I had heaps of energy, rode, managed a conversation with 8 other people over coffee and paid various online bills when I got home.
I liken the therapy to having your brain cleaned, yes it’s temporary but whilst the purer oxygen is in your system, you regain your faculties. I’m pushing my local centre for an approximate date that I can swap over, 2 or 3 treatments a week would make a huge difference I think, I could easily manage a 10 minute drive so it would give me the independence I’m desperately seeking.
Hope this helps anyone who is thinking of taking the plunge !! (see what I did there)
I saw what you did Glad it is all going well for you. Hopefully at some point the temporary improvement will become permanent or at least last much longer.
I finally managed to get an appointment at my local MS therapy centre yesterday and I’m booked in for Oxygen therapy and acupuncture on Monday afternoon. Interestingly, the admin lady I spoke with, says there is a big drive on at the moment, to publicise the availability of their services for for non-MS sufferers. She estimates that the amount of MS sufferers currently attending is only about 50%. The others have various other neurological problems mostly, with a few others being there for other pain-related conditions. It makes me wonder if, perhaps a change of title for these centres might be needed?
I was going to get my mother to do this after her brain bleed stroke, but she would have refused because of her terrible emotional state (claustrophobic, apathy, etc.). She ended up dying almost two years later, but I wonder how much it may have helped her in the end.
I think that’s a very difficult question to answer. Having had 20 Hyperbaric sessions, I know that there were people who wouldn’t use the chamber for various reasons and actually sat outside the chamber with the oxygen mask on. The treatment also doesn’t work for some (me included) but others find it really helps.
Thank you for telling how you really feel about it. Some things work fantastically for some, while for others, they get no benefit (sometimes negative effects, even!)
I am waiting to get an appointment aftrr having filled in all the forms. Local centre is now called neurological as opposed to MS.
DO please letbus know how it goes.
Blessings
Val
Hi folks
Had first session of oxygen therapy yesterday. i am a bit claustrophobic and was pretty anxious at first. After a while i got used to it and as with a lot of things, e.g. flying, the health and safety talk invoked more stress. I was uncomfortable, would need cushions and a nose pad. Will ask for that next time. Has anyone had several sessions and noticed improvement|? The centre is over an .hour away and in all we were out for 5 hours yesterday so the challenge is getting there. I may try the train.
Healing blessings to all
Valerie
I look forward to hearing how it goes for you, good luck 