Hi has anyone tried this treatment? Ive seen all the stuff in the news about the benefits Ben Parkinson has seen in the short time he has been giving it a go and Ive found a local centre that offers the treatment for quite a small charge as they are a charity. Im going to talk to Nikis consultant but he is quite down on "alternative" treatments so wondered if anyone had personal experience?
Kath
No, no personal experience but thinking of looking into it myself.
I have found that reflexology has helped me immensely and if I don't have a treatment I really miss it, I have one a month. It almost feels like it's put me back in touch with my body and helped balance things out.
I still have issues that are not going to go away, when areas of your brain are damaged they don't regrow but I'm trying my best to help the undamaged bits take over and help in the fight back, perhaps Hyperbaric Oxygen therapy can help, im open to try, and if it helps a little then all well and good, going to discuss it with my doctor soon, but think I'll get in touch with our centre soon, it's attached to the MS society I think.
I've come so far, a little further would be fantastic.
Good luck if you decide to give it a try, keep us posted, there was someone else on here going to give it a try but I don't remember hearing any more.
Love Janet xxxx
Hi Janet and Cat3 thanks for the replies. I discussed it with Niki yesterday and like you she is all for giving it a go as desperate for anything that will help her physically and cognitively. The research ive read is all very positive and although seems to be used more for MS there seems to be the feeling that may also help with BI. Ive got an appointment to see her consultant this afternoon and as long as he cant give ma any reasons for not trying it Im going to book some sessions. The centre is the local one Ben Parkinson is now using after his initial treatment in Scotland and the response from them was very positive when I initially enquired about it although they obviously cant give any guarantees on benefits but I will try anything if there is a chance it gives Niki a better quality of life in any small way even. They do lots of other therapies like the reflexology so might have a look at those as well - in for a penny.
Wonderful news is care package agreed so now in process of talks with various people looking to get her home in next couple of weeks so Ill keep you posted.
K
Hi Kath. Like Janet, I've seen it mentioned on here but can't remember from where or whom. (memory being big problem for most of us after bi).
If you've been offered H.O.T. at an affordable price I would suggest you look into any possible side effects of the treatment, although I can't imagine what they could be, and proceed from there. If it were me, or my loved one, I think I'd try anything, providing it's safe, to improve their chance of a better quality of life.
If it IS a safe treatment, I can't imagine why Niki's consultant is against it, but as her mother, the person who has her best interests at heart and cares for her, I think your decision is equally valid to that of the medical professionals.
If it were me, and my daughter, I would go for it ...................... providing it were 100% safe. Incidentally, I wonder whether H.O.T actually comes under the heading of 'Alternative'.
Best wishes, Cat x
MY NEURO HAS SAID THAT IN STUDIES IT IS SOMETIMES PROVING SUCESSFUL IN TREATING CHRONIC HEAD PAIN.
HE ALSO SAID THAT USING AN OXYGEN MASK ATTACHED TOANOXYGEN BOTTLE IS SOMETHING THAT IS PROVING EFFECTIVE FOR HEAD PAIN AS WELL WHEN YOU'VE TRIED EVERYTHING ELSE(WHICH I HAVE)
I HAVEN'T TRIED IT THOUGH.
WHAT IS THE CONDITION YOU ARE TREATING?
IF YOU DO IT I'D LIKE TO KNOW ABOUTHOW IT DOES.
Niki sustained TBI with diffuse axonal injury and subarachnoid haemorrhage which has left her with physical difficulties mainly affecting her right side, and also problems with her memory and eyesight. She also describes feelings of vertigo but this does seem to be improving a little along with her other issues, albeit it very slowly. She is unable to speak at the moment but can produce odd words but it takes a massive effort. She communicates with her friends well using text and facebook and a letter chart with us but has just got funding for a smartbox which apparently is a tablet that puts a voice to the typed words (might have to blank out the F one) and she will be able to control all infra red devices like TV etc plus can skype etc. She hasnt complained of head pain but gets a lot from her neck and shoulder which is dislocated and cant be reset as it would just come out again as the ligaments etc have all stretched.
As I said her consultant - fondly known as Dr D***head is not very proactive in looking at things that might help - I had to really make a fuss about trying botox on saliva glands as she was so upset that she drooled. Its helped and now trying some patches which seem to be doing the trick .
Ill let you know what he says about HBOT tomorrow
Well as suspected Dr D was true to form - completely pooh poohed the idea. He did say there was no adverse medical effects - would only affect my bank balance - only possible problems with ear/nose due to pressure but these seem to resolve once stopped treatment - bit like when you go in a plane with the pressure change. Apparently you can be poisoned by oxygen but I cant find any research that shows someone was. It just seems odd that he wont even recognise that this treatment is being used more and more for sports injuries as it seems to aid speeding up healing. I have only spoken to Dr D 3 times since Niki went to the rehab centre last May and each time he has had me in tears with his negative prognosis on her recovery. To date he has been wrong on all accounts so Im going to agree to disagree with him on this and get her booked in for some sessions as soon as she is discharged which hopefully should be in the next 2-3 weeks.
Cardiac Arrest and lack of oxygen
Occupational Therapy 
Vision therapy research participants and clinic.
Progress slow speech therapy 
