Q&A 63: Should I use hyperbaric oxygen therapy?

I am a big supporter of the need for more research in this area. I would not be surprised if HBOT helped relapses and several MS symptoms related to intermittent conduction block. But ...

Case study

I am a 50-year-old female and was diagnosed in 2003. However, I suspect my first symptom was in 1992. I was initially treated with interferon-beta-1a (Avonex) and then natalizumab (Tysabri) but switched to alemtuzumab (Lemtrada) in 2014. I had additional infusions in January 2017, January 2020 and April 2024. I am still able to walk without aid but suffer many cognitive impairments and have extremely poor memory storage ability/cognitive recall, among other symptoms. I read about the use of hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) for possible stem cell stimulation and know someone in the UK who has regular HBOT for her MS. However, I cannot find positive studies on the treatment. Is there any utility for hyperbaric oxygen in MS repair?

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Prof G’s answer

In this newsletter, I will address Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) as a treatment for relapses, MS-related symptoms, remyelination & repair and a stem cell stimulator.

What is HBOT?