What a whirlwind the last few days have been – a busy weekend culminating in a 500-mile round trip in just 24 hours! Yet, amidst the activity, I’ve been consistently amazed by the subtle yet powerful impact of these Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) sessions.

While I’m certainly not claiming to be completely rid of whatever unwelcome guest has taken up residence in my chest for the past eleven weeks, I am genuinely (and perhaps surprisingly, given my existing belief in HBOT) blown away by the incredible, gradual, but cumulatively impressive benefits. My energy levels have been fantastic, my sleep has been blissfully uninterrupted, and my post-exercise recovery has been astounding. I truly believe HBOT is actively helping my body combat whatever this is – albeit at a different pace than antibiotics might if it were bacterial. Something is definitely shifting.

Following that initial “phlegm explosion” after my second full session, where I briefly thought things were worsening, the trend has been one of slow but steady improvement. I even reached a point where I felt almost back to my usual self – or as close as I get! However, Sunday served as a gentle reminder that I might have overdone it, and Monday brought a slight dip, my body clearly signalling that it’s still on the mend.

The cough is still present, and I continue to allow it to run its course, knowing it eventually brings up phlegm. The remarkable change is in the colour and consistency. I haven’t seen any of that sticky, dark green phlegm since last Wednesday, which is incredible after eight long weeks of it being a daily occurrence. My voice, too, is so much clearer. I’d say I have my normal vocal range back about 80% of the time now.

I feel a strong need to continue with the HBOT sessions. I genuinely believe they are providing my body with the resilience it needs to fight this off. However, I also remain determined to push my GP for further investigations. An eleven-week productive cough simply isn’t normal and will undoubtedly have caused some level of inflammation or irritation in my chest.

I find myself increasingly perplexed by the experience with our healthcare system. As someone who is generally fit, healthy, and on the younger side of 50, the difficulty I’ve encountered in gaining support, guidance, and help with a concerning health issue is deeply troubling. It makes me worry greatly about those who might not present with such obvious physical symptoms. How are they being treated? How many people end up seriously ill because their concerns are dismissed, perhaps because they don’t fit neatly into a perceived “sick box”?

Is the underlying issue always financial constraints? Is the default solution always medication? I presented with green/dark coloured phlegm and pain when breathing, yet because my lungs sounded clear, I had no fever, and apparently, my gel nail polish prevented accurate oxygen saturation readings, I was essentially deemed well. As someone who rarely visits the doctor (maybe five times in the last decade), I know that when I do seek medical attention, it’s for a genuine reason, and I suspect many others feel the same.

I will continue to explore these questions and seek answers, and I’ll be sure to update you on my progress in this area. Unfortunately, my next HBOT session won’t be until possibly the weekend due to my schedule, so I’ll be back at the start of next week with a health update by then.