It’s Monday, and I’m sitting here feeling a profound reminder of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy’s (HBOT) cumulative power – or rather, the impact when that consistency is missed. After not having a session for a full week, I genuinely feel like I need it today. I’m battling a profound tiredness, to the point I could just put my head down and sleep at my desk. There’s a slight bit of clear phlegm, and mentally, my brain feels decidedly murky – cloudy. All in all, I’m not my best, especially for a Monday.

This experience really highlights what I’ve learned through research and study: that closer, more frequent sessions are often better in the initial stages of HBOT. With hindsight, those first five sessions in a space of a week gave me phenomenal results. However, now on weekly sessions, it feels like the benefits can start to reverse by the time I need another session. It’s such a strange treatment in that way – you don’t truly appreciate how much it’s helping until you feel the need for more.

Speaking of needing more, even though I’m fully capable of operating the chamber from within, my conviction remains that it is imperative to have a trained individual on the outside, actively monitoring the session and ready for any eventuality. While HBOT is an incredibly safe therapy, this is only true when it is administered by someone with suitable training, in-depth knowledge, and a comprehensive understanding of the equipment.

Anyone who works with machinery knows that breakdowns can happen at any given time. Yes, regular maintenance helps mitigate risks, but it doesn’t provide 100% proof against unforeseen issues. This isn’t meant to cause alarm, but simply to encourage careful consideration: when seeking HBOT, please be mindful of who is administering your treatment and assess their level of knowledge and understanding. It’s a powerful therapy that deserves equally powerful oversight for your safety.

On the news regarding my cough: I’m delighted to report that I’d been virtually cough-free for over two weeks now! This is truly remarkable. The only blip occurred on Sunday, when I felt that familiar pain return in my chest, along with the sensation of needing to clear my throat. Thankfully, this only produced clear phlegm, but it certainly worried me after almost a week without a session. This quickly prompted arranging today’s session – and oh my goodness, I’m already looking forward to that feeling of relief.

I used to just jump in for shorter sessions, finding the full sessions somewhat lengthy. However, now that I’m actively using HBOT to heal myself and have consciously made an effort to slow down, I find myself enjoying these sessions more and more. It’s become a time for genuine relaxation and healing, not just a quick fix.

Finally, on the broader topic of healthcare, I’m still navigating the best contact points to raise my concerns regarding the health service issues I’ve experienced and observed. If anyone in my network has insights into who would be best to speak with regarding these matters, particularly concerning signposting to holistic support, please let me know.

I’ll continue to keep you updated on my journey, both with the physical healing and the deeper insights it continues to bring, even as I navigate the daily challenge of fitting in the self-care that I know works wonders!