Diary of a HBO user
(continued)

I know what I need. I know what I want... I want a better life. I want to be able to walk to the local shop, which takes Hubby just 5 mins to walk to. For me it takes 20 mins to walk the 150 yards if it is that far. It is only 9 houses up from us. How can you carry a shopping bag with just a paper, tin of cat food and a loaf of bread, when you use the same hand for the walking stick? (because the pain and because there is no strength to carry it in the other hand). I don’t want to have to worry about any little bladder accidents along the way. Or will I collapse? will my legs give way? Can I make it without looking like a drunk? or will it take me longer? and I will black out? Can I cross the road quick enough before another car comes? I know I have a time limit before I start to get that noise in my ears; my head goes light; I start to sway; my vision goes all blurred.

I know enough to realise why this is happening to me. I spend hours looking for information, trying experiments, reading research papers. I also know common sense. Why people get cramp/spasms, why people get pins and needles, and numbness, why hands and feet get cold. Oxygen has to be the key ingredient!

I know my body has to be lacking in oxygen to get some of these key symptoms of RSD. I tell people try HBO, there are so many people who have tried it and improved so much. Some are back at work, people who haven’t walk for years are now walking.

I have met so many people who are far worse then me. In the last two weeks I have heard of members who have died, this is not unusual. This time of year (winter) you hear of people having complications from the RSD that riddles our body, lowering our immune system, making us vulnerable. The ages vary from children to adults.

I have a very dear friend who has spent the last couple of months in and out of hospital. They don’t think she is going to make it. I pray so hard that she does, but I know only a miracle will save Wonder Woman!

I know last winter I was so ill. I am scared that I will be just as bad this year. Don’t even know how I will survive the normal day-to-day living. The Cold gets so bad. I feel myself freezing up. The doubled-over double quilt and the electric blanket, along with several jumpers, heating and fire on doesn’t warm me up. I leave painful marks on people if I touch them. My freezing body burns them.

I must do something to try and make my life better. Do what I want,

TAKE CONTROL...

So today I decided I am going to try HBO. I have nothing to lose and perhaps everything to gain. I went to my local MS Centre. I was made so welcome by Judy, the Centre Manager, and Paul the Chairman. They were great. We talked in depth, and we decided that after I get permission from my G.P. I could start on Monday. I would do a crash course, diving once a day for 3 weeks. The first week I will go to the depth of 16 ½ ft, the second week I would go down to 24ft, and my third and finally week I would go to 33 ft. Once I had completed my course. I could go back once a week for a top up, or have extra dives if I wanted them.