I am now into my third week of 4 of oxygen therapy. I do see some small changes. I have been told that I can continue longer than 4 weeks and feel this will be necessary.
I feel that I have terrible anxiety/depression and battle with feelings of grief- everyday is such a battle. I will keep you posted as to the oxygen therapy.
SORRY I CAN'T REMEMBER WHY YOU'RE HAVING THE OXYGEN THERAPY, IS IT FOR HEAD PAIN?? THAT'S WHY MY NEURO MENTIONED IT TO ME.
YES ZEBLET ITS FOR HEAD PAIN AND VERY LOW MOOD IT HAS BEEN PROVEN TO WORK.
I AM NOT COPING WELL AT THE MOMENT WITH THE CHANGES IN MY LIFE - SORRY!
ME NEITHER TODAY. WE NEED TO TAKECAREOFOURSELVES.HOPEYOU FEEL BETTER SOON.
THANK YOU ZEBLET TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF TOO
Sorry to hear the depression is bringing you down Lorraine and I know you mightn't feel very communicative, but please try to post as often as you can to keep the isolation at bay. It won't help if you've been anticipating a change in mood from the HOT and it hasn't delivered the level of improvement you'd hoped for as yet.
I hope the therapy does kick in soon ; there are very good reports on its effectiveness.
Cat xx
Hi Cat, thank you for your reply and your encouragement. The depression really does bring me down. I had another oxygen session today and started to dose off - they say this is a good sign - as I have been very tense in the chamber - this is a sign that it is starting to work. I have been anticipating a change in mood and I do feel down that this has not arrived quicker but I know that perseverance is the only way forward.
They say that the treatment it is good a helping repair blood vessels and helping stimulate sleeping neurons and other healing properties not only for the brain but for general wellbeing.
And as you say the treatment has very good reports so I am trying to stay optimistic. I really must try and keep posting Cat as I really appreciate the encouragement and do suffer terribly from isolation.
Thanks again Lorraine xxxxx
Yes, please do. Even if you don't feel you've anything much to say, it can be uplifting just 'being' here. 
So will you be continuing with the therapy Loraine ?
Hi Cat thanks for the reply. Just not sure how to deal with the anxiety/depression side at all and the change in circumstances and personality. I find it just so difficult as I was quite a sociable outgoing person.
I will continue with the therapy Cat and have been told I can continue as long as I like so I hope there will be some improvement.
Thanks again Cat - speak soon Lorraine xxxxx
Sorry to keep on at you Lorraine but I've just read through your previous posts and discovered you've stopped smoking recently. This alone is usually an enormous issue to deal with, especially after 35 years.
I gave up after a lifetime of 20 a day and it is so, so hard, but what keeps me going is knowing how much my damaged brain will be appreciating the freedom and also how I immediately have money for luxuries that I simply couldn't afford previously.
Can I ask you whether or not you take any medication for your depression ? xxx
Hi Cat thank you for taking the time and interest in me. Yes I stopped smoking it has been hard but I am hoping my brain will benefit from this.
I don't take any medication as I am reluctant as is was an antidepressant that lowered my sodium levels that caused the come. I had only just started them as I was busy at work, it was winter and felt like I needed a boost. Little did I know what this would result in.
I just feel so flat all the time and I am not dealing with the loss side of things well (relationships, job, family, etc.) How jolly am I?????? It is hard though. Lorraine xxxxxx
You seem to have some complex difficulties in your life and I'm wondering whether you've ever tried contacting the Headway helpline for further support.
I've seen people's lives 'turned around' after getting help from their experts and professionals
Forgive me if you already know this..........their tel. no is 0808 800 224 (9am-5pm Mon-Fri).
Love, Cat xx
congratulations on stopping smoking that's a great achievement. Sorry life is a battle for you and your mood is so low. Very glad you have the oxygene therapy and you are seeing changes. Have you had any talking therapy for depression and have you tried any supplements?
Hi thank you for your reply. Yes life has been a battle for a long time. I have some talking therapy it does help a bit. Don't take supplements but have though about trying them (can you recommend any).
I do see small changes with the oxygen therapy and I should be grateful that I have access to it.
I will try and stay positive. Thank you again
Well my story is that I went through a traumatic period, if you've ever soon "Cowboy Builders" type programme I had an experience like that - ended up losing my home, a lot of money, and my mental health, when I was unlucky enough to be duped by conmen and cowboys and then done over by solicitors who pretended to help but only wanted to feather their own nests. So I had antidepressants and talking therapy and had just clawed my way back and was being weaned off the last low dose of antidepressants when I took my tumble whacked my head and had whiplash back shoulder and found myself metophorically at the bottom again and having to claw my way back (though of course this way out is different from last time as I have the head injury stuff to get to grips with and deal with - so grateful for this group and all the support and wisdom given the general ignorance amongs medical professionals and the general public, family and friends).
I took the approach with my depression, because frankly the NHS was hopeless only offering drugs and a sick note for work, that I would try anything and everything to help myself. So, I take Vitamin D - although my vitamin D level was just "normal" that simply means I won't get deficiencies like ricketts - and there is a lot of alternative evidence to support high levels of Vitamin D helping with depression so I take a large dose of that, and I take Vitamin B (good for nerves) and Vitamin E for menopause stuff. At night I take calcium and magnesium as I often get night cramps and most people are magnesium deficient nowadays cause of how food is produced. Oh, and I take fish oil for omega 3. I am thinking about adding coconut oil as a friend who has depression and is hot on complementary therapies and nutritional stuff recommended it to me as she found it helpful.
If you are not taking antidepressants you could try alternatives to antidepressants St John's Wort or 5HTP which you can't take if taking SSRI antidepressants. If you want to try 5HTP I could send you some as I was sent them free with a supplement order and I can't use them.
The other thing is I try to focus on the present and look for things to appreciate - a gratitude list or journal was something my counsellor recommended. Looking for anything that is good - a flower, birdsong, the fact you can breathe, have running water and a loo that flushes, and write it down or draw it (some people find that helps). Because what you focus on grows, which is the horrible trap of depression you get stuck in a vicious circle and it can take you down. I often put on happy music and dance a bit (in a careful way given my balance problems!) which helps to shift the glums.
Cardiac Arrest and lack of oxygen
Occupational Therapy 
Nature is the best therapy...
Progress slow speech therapy 
Art as therapy, drawing again, etc. Good news!!
