Diving Deep for a Cure: Part 1
The Use of Hyperbaric Oxygen in Lyme Disease
by Laura Zeller
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBO) is an approved medical therapy that is commonly used to treat
conditions such as decompression sickness, diabetic or non-healing wounds, and carbon monoxide
poisoning. It is also used experimentally for traumatic brain injury, stroke, cerebral palsy, burns,
Autism, Multiple Sclerosis and Lyme disease. SCUBA divers frequently use hyperbaric chambers for
decompression sickness commonly know as the bends, associated with deep-sea exploration.
Hyperbaric chambers and hyperbaric oxygen therapy have been in use for centuries, dating back to
as early as 1662. However, hyperbaric oxygen therapy has been used clinically since the mid
1800's. HBO was tested and developed by the U.S. Military after World War I. HBO is the delivery
of a drug “oxygen” under pressure, and is currently considered one of the safest medical
therapies in health care.
The use of HBO as a treatment for Lyme disease is relatively new, yet seems to be showing
promise. I would like to provide a brief introduction to the various types of HBO treatments
available, followed by my personal experience with HBO. Since increasing numbers of patients appear
to be seeking out alternatives to antibiotics, my intention is to provide Lyme patients with another
viable option in their treatment plan.
Although HBO is labeled as “experimental” by much of the medical community for the
treatment of Lyme disease, it is becoming increasingly popular. William Fife, Ph. D., a Hyperbaric
Medicine specialist at Texas A&M University, helped establish the Lyme disease protocols for
HBO. The basic principle is that by exposing the entire body to 100% pure oxygen, under pressure,
the Lyme disease bacteria (borrelia burgdorferi) will be destroyed. HBO offers a strong alternative
to traditional antibiotic therapy, as well as a powerful adjunctive therapy.
Normally, the earth’s atmosphere exerts approximately 15 pounds per square inch of pressure
(psi) at sea level. In hyperbaric medicine, the pressure at the earth’s surface is defined as
1 atmosphere absolute (1ATA). Human beings breathe about 80% nitrogen, and 20% oxygen. During HBO,
the atmospheric pressure doubles to 2 atmospheres absolute (2ATA), while breathing 100% pure oxygen.
The increase in oxygen, combined with the increase in atmospheric pressure allows significant
physiological changes to take place in the body.
As the oxygen penetrates deep into the blood plasma and tissues, it stimulates the formation of
new blood vessels, increases circulation to existing blood vessels, and helps those with decreased
circulation heal. Most importantly for Lyme disease treatment is the potential for HBO to increase
the effectiveness of antibiotics.
As documented by Dr Glen Burkland in a “ Retrospective Review of Lyme Patients who received
Hyperbaric Oxygen,” Borrelia burgdorferi cannot survive in an oxygen-rich environment, because
it is a facultative anaerobe. HBO therapy increases the amount of oxygen in the body, which in turn
causes spirochetes to die. When combined with HBO, the effectiveness of antibiotics to kill the Lyme
organism is increased as the medication is pushed deep into the body, attacking the spirochetes.
When a patient is pressurized in a hyperbaric chamber, the forces acting on the body are quite
similar to diving under the ocean. Patients who are undergoing HBO experience “diving”
much the same way as SCUBA divers do. The beginning of an HBO treatment starts with pressurization,
or going down. Once the chamber is pressurized to the desired depth, the patient remains “at
pressure” for 60-90 minutes. It is common to take a five minute “air break” to
avoid oxygen toxicity and breathing compressed air through a special mask inside the chamber. The
final phase of an HBO treatment is depressurization, or coming up.
There are three basic types of HBO chambers, all which I have experience with. The first is a
single person, or monoplace chamber. A monoplace chamber looks like a large capsule, with a control
panel on the outside for the hyperbaric technician. Monoplace chambers are capable of
“diving” to pressures of 3.0 ATA. A single patient lies on a moving stretcher as the
entire body is exposed to 100% pure oxygen. Monoplace chambers appear to be the best chambers for
chronic Lyme disease patients because 100% pure oxygen is pushed in through the skin, where
spirochetes like to hide out.
The second type of hyperbaric chamber is called a multiplace (multiple person) chamber.
Multiplace chambers are common in hospitals and clinics because they can accommodate up to 12
people, depending on chamber size. Treatment in a multiplace chamber requires that you wear a
plastic hood over your head and breathe oxygen through vents in the hood. Multiplace chambers are a
good choice for parents and children, or for those patients who need a nurse to accompany them in
the chamber.
The third type of chamber is called the mild hyperbaric chamber. Mild chambers are basically
inflatable heavy plastic cocoons. Mild chambers require no supervision from medical professionals,
and can be done at any time in your own home. Mild chambers cost about $15,000 for a used chamber,
and are only capable of “diving” to the equivalent of about 10 feet below the ocean
surface while breathing compressed room air. Although mild chambers may help boost the immune
system, they do not have the ability to dive to the pressure necessary to treat Lyme disease.
Your Lyme literate medical doctor will help you determine which chamber is best for your personal
needs, and a prescription is required to begin HBO treatment. There is a whole list of precautions
and preparation, which I will be explaining in part 2 of “Deep Diving for a Cure.”
I began HBO as an adjunctive therapy to my antibiotic protocol. My treatment began with a series
of 60 treatments in a monoplace hyperbaric oxygen chamber. My prescribed HBO protocol consisted of a
series of two treatments daily, at 2.4 atmospheres, (ATA) the pressure and depth shown in studies by
Dr. William Fife, to kill borrelia burgdorferi. A pressure of 2.4 atm is the equivalent to an ocean
depth of 49 FSW (feet of sea water). My first dive took some getting used to, but I did well thanks
to what my nurse called my "divers ears." The chamber was comfortable with a mattress,
pillow and blanket if I needed it. I could watch TV, movies, and listen to music thanks to special
speakers. I had a hyperbaric technician, a registered nurse, and a doctor all with me to monitor my
treatments, so I was not afraid.
It took about 10 minutes to dive to pressure depth (compression), during that time I had to
equalize my ears. The chamber atmosphere pressurization was gradual, allowing me time to adjust
slowly to ear pressure changes. As the air pressure increased, I popped my ears by holding my nose
and attempting to blow air out my nose. I found equalizing my ears very simple using the procedure
the technicians taught me.
I did learn that HBO could increase blood pressure, which was wonderful for me since I suffer
from neurally mediated hypotension (NMH). HBO can also lower blood sugar, so I always ate a protein
rich snack before my treatments. To prevent oxygen toxicity, I was instructed to take 400 IU of
Vitamin E daily, and a high quality multivitamin.
Beginning with my first HBO treatment, the impact on my body was dramatic. I began having
herxheimer reactions immediately. The worst of my neurological symptoms came out during HBO. I had
panic attacks, hallucinations, nerve pains, muscle spasms, encephalitis, fevers, facial flushing,
joint swelling, edema, and total exhaustion. I grew so debilitated from the herxing that my Mom had
to stay with me all the time, feed me and help administer my IV's. The flushing in my face was
so bad it felt like I had a severe sunburn 24/7, and I was so dizzy because all my blood was in my
skin. To manage the Lyme anxiety brought out from all the herxing, my LLMD prescribed Zoloft and
Xanax to help me control my symptoms.
After the initial six weeks of HBO, I went home to lie in bed while the herx cleared. I could not
handle lights being on, cars driving by the house, any noises or sounds. Even people talking had me
shrieking in pain from my brain inflammation. All I did besides sleep was stare at my lava lamp for
hours in the darkness. Monoplace chambers made me herx so hard; I had visible shakes, muscle
twitching, rashes and nerve pain during my dives.
I continued with the treatments in the monoplace chamber for over a year. I started with 60
dives, and then did 10-15 treatments every 4-6 weeks as maintenance. I infused my IV an hour before
each treatment to maximize the effect. I also did hot bath treatments before and after each dive.
According to my LLMD, Hyperthermia treatments with hot baths would make the antibiotics 16 times
more effective. I figured with the hot bath, and infusing my IV right before my HBO treatment, I was
getting the most aggressive Lyme disease treatment available.
Right in the middle of my treatment, I decided to try a different type of oxygen chamber, the
multiplace (multi-person) chamber. It was less expensive than the monoplace, and closer to home. My
experience in the multiplace chamber was not positive. I found the lack of individual attention
frustrating, as well as very uncomfortable. I had to sit up and wear a mask over my head. The mask
kept leaking air out of the neck gasket and deflating on my face trying to suffocate me.
My treatments were interrupted countless times, and the other patients diving with me were being
treated for different medical conditions than I was, and they did not want to go as deep as 2.4 ATA.
I was very frustrated at the lack of quality treatment. Unlike the monoplace chamber, where I could
fall asleep for 90 minutes, I could not rest in the multiplace chamber. I was forced to sit upright,
which made me weak and dizzy. I did not experience any herxing from the multiplace chamber, which to
me meant that is was not powerful enough. After 2 weeks in the multiplace chamber, I knew it was not
working for me, and went back to the monoplace chamber.
I found out later from my LLMD that in the multiplace chamber, I did not absorb the pressurized
oxygen through my skin, which is where spirochetes like to hide. The hood had a design flaw, and it
lost its potential effectiveness through air leaks. I was also told that seated in the multiplace
chamber I was only experiencing approximately 1.7-2.0 ATA, despite what the pressure gauge read.
Even when the hood was changed to a mask, and I was taken to 2.4 ATA, the treatment still felt
“wimpy”, and I was frustrated at the amount of time and money I wasted.
On a break from my monoplace hyperbaric treatments, just for kicks, I tried out a portable, mild
hyperbaric chamber that a friend of mine bought. The idea made sense, a portable chamber in your own
house. After a week of daily mild HBO treatments, the laugh was on me, and my experiment over. I got
no benefit, or the slightest hint of a herx from that little capsule. As far as Lyme disease
treatment goes, I would not recommend a mild chamber because of its inability to dive to 2.4-3.0
ATA.
As soon as I went back into the monoplace chamber, the herxing began. I experienced muscle
twitching, neuropathy, and even rashes coming back again on my skin from my original tick bites,
amazing things! My herxing was so strong back in the monoplace chamber that I needed medical
intervention to calm it down, and a break from the antibiotics. All the bacteria die-off and herxing
caused a build up of toxins in my body. I did everything possible to detox, including FIR sauna, hot
Epsom salt baths, acupuncture, colon cleansing, Questran, and a large variety of supplements.
After a month’s rest, I continued my dives, all the while taking multiple antibiotics, both
IV, and oral. My energy and stamina increased steadily after my HBO treatments ended. Each day I
felt better and better. My brain fog disappeared, my skin rashes were gone for good, and my muscles
and joints were no longer painful and swollen. Antibiotics took me to a certain stable level of
functioning, and HBO raised me up to an even higher level of functioning.
Based on my experience with HBO, I strongly recommend it as an adjunctive treatment for Lyme
disease patients. In my opinion, HBO is the most powerful when combined with aggressive doses of
multiple antibiotics. After completing over 200 HBO treatments, all combined with aggressive
antibiotics, my health improved dramatically. After my first 90 dives, I began to function at a much
higher level, and finally became independent. After 200 dives, I was back to climbing mountains,
traveling, and enjoying life once again. Five years after completing my 200 dives, my health has
remained strong, and I have never relapsed to my pre-HBO state.
There is anecdotal evidence that indicates that the Lyme disease organism can be killed by oxygen
free radicals. HBO increases the production of free radicals, and it appears that the deeper the
depth of treatment, the greater the number of free radicals are produced. Combined with antibiotics,
there is little doubt at what a powerful combination treatment HBO offers.
According to the Lombard/Birkland study, the simultaneous use of antibiotics with HBO is strongly
recommended. HBO therapy can enhance the function of the body's immune system. HBO may help Lyme
patients because of the seemingly endless fight to eradicate invading organisms our immune systems
must endure. Although HBO can be expensive and time consuming, I believe Lyme disease treatment is
like climbing a mountain, with new treatment possibilities popping up around every corner. It was
well worth the time and money to get my health back, and thanks to a brilliant LLMD, and HBO, I have
made tremendous progress.
If you are interested in more information on HBO, or in doing HBO treatment yourself please refer
to the links provided below. Many thanks to Julia Sudylo, Registered Nurse and Certified Hyperbaric
Technician, of Julia’s Hyperbaric, for all of her insight and assistance in the writing of
this article.
http://www.juliashbot.com/
http://hbot4u.com/lyme.html
http://www.personalconsult.com/articles/hyperbaricoxygenefficacy.html
