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Problem: Brain Injury-Anoxia

Regina- Mother of client, Paul

When Paul came to live with me he was confused, depressed, uncoordinated, and both mentally and physically unhealthy. We went to therapy services and Carle Clinic in Champaign for six months. Although he made some improvement, the seemed to have the attitude that he would never be better. Then we met Brad and Andy at Midwest Neurofitness. They started him on a program and he has steadily regained his health, both mentally and physically. He now takes care of his own finances, balances his checkbook, jogs two miles to the physical fitness center, works out for an hour and walks two miles home. He attends social events and mixes well with people. It is a gratifying and joyous feeling to know that he will be able to enter the work force again and be a productive citizen.

Donna- Sister of client Paul

My brother, Paul, was a victim of an attempted robbery in December 1999. After three months in a comatose state in an intensive care trauma unit, and countless life threatening setbacks, he regained consciousness. This in itself was a miracle. He spent the next six weeks at the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago struggling to regain use of his arms and legs in order to stand and to be able to feed himself. As a result of being on a respirator for three months he also had to learn to swallow again. He was then transferred to a satellite facility of RIC in Carbondale, IL to continue therapy. With each phase of rehab the therapists took Paul as far as their ability and knowledge would allow and then they told us that he "would not get any better!" I have witnessed a hard working, self-motivated, optimistic man become defeated and depressed after each "professional" tells him he will not get any better.

The neurofeedback program at Midwest Neurofitness is the most recent phase of therapy that Paul has been involved with. After almost a year of "not getting any better" I have seen a marked improvement in my brother, both in his ability and in his attitude, as a result of this program. He is proud to show me how he has learned to write his name, a newly acquired skill since starting neurofeedback. (Currently Paul is composing and writing paragraphs, Andy). He has begun to use a computer, a skill that could help him become a productive member of society once more. Driving a car might a possibility for Paul in the future. He looks forward to going to therapy sessions because someone believes he can get better. Family and close acquaintances that knew Paul before the injury have witnessed the improvement. And, most importantly, Paul believes he can once more take steps toward an independent life.

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Problem: Brain injury- Motorcycle Accident

Sam- Girlfriend of client, Hugh

My friend Hugh was involved in a near fatal motorcycle accident of September 1, 2000. He suffered and traumatic brain injury. We were told almost one year after the accident that if he hadn’t gotten "it" back by then he wasn’t going to. "It" was the ability to function of a day to day basis. Any brain damage not healed at this point was permanent. I was living with Hugh before and after the accident so I was able to observe his progress daily. By July 2001 Hugh was able to stay by himself without 24-hour supervision but there was still major concerns about his simple decision making skills, problem solving, memory, and his ability to reason. The biggest problem was motivation. He would sleep 16-18 hours per day unless he had an appointment then he would only stay awake long enough to get to the appointment and back home. I would have to force to him to get ready asking him, did you take a shower, shave, and brush your teeth? When awake he would sit lifeless in front of the TV. This went on for months. Hugh is the custodial parent of an eight-year-old boy. I tried everything to encourage him to become involved again in his son’s life. Despite my efforts he was unable to participate even in helping him get ready for school.

In November of 2001 I told Hugh that our relationship as boyfriend-girlfriend was not working. My role was more like a mother now and I wanted to date other men. He said, "OK if that’s what you want to do." When I would leave for the evening and tell him I was going with my boyfriend and he would say, "Have a good time. I’m going to bed." He didn’t seem to be able to process the change in our relationship. There were numerous instances where he appeared unable to respond to simple situations and I was resigned to him being dependent upon me for the foreseeable future.

It had been a little over a month after he started neurofeedback that things began to "click" for Hugh. He began to stay up more during the day and expressed a determination to continue this trend. He became more aware of what was occurring around him. In particular he began to grasp the change in our relationship and showed the first signs of jealousy. I stayed in the home but not as boyfriend/girlfriend. It was an uncomfortable time for us but ultimately beneficial. I started to see more determination to return to life as an independent adult. He started making doctor’s appointments on his own, grocery shopping, and taking care of the house and lawn without me directing him. He eventually asked me to move out due to his confidence that he could again manage his own household. His brother, a truck driver, was able to move in to help out on the weekends when he was home. I continued to monitor the situation and observed that Hugh did a remarkable job assuming the responsibilities of parenting and household demands. Hugh was able to get his driver’s license reinstated in June 2002 despite the fact the doctor had stated he would not consider reevaluating him until October 2002.

The progress my friend has made since January 2002 has been just short of a miracle. And it has been contrary to everything the doctors had been telling us. I know had it not been for the efforts of Dr. Andy Hogan and Brad Goben with the neurofeedback and counseling, Hugh would not have come as far as he has. Thank you Andy and Brad. You have been a godsend to my friend.

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Diagnosis: Migraine

Betty Age 69

When I was about ten years old I began having severe headaches experiencing nausea and throbbing pain. These headaches occurred several times a month, but with aspirin and sleep I would recover overnight. This pattern continued through high school and college, seldom interfering with my busy lifestyle. As I grew older and I sought the advise of first one physician and then another, the headaches were diagnosed as migraine. About nine years ago my headaches were coming more frequently and were lasting longer, sometimes four and five days.

A CAT scan and MRI revealed nothing significant which would cause the headaches. I tried eliminating different foods from my diet to see if one of those could be the culprit. Nothing seemed to have an effect. Thus, working with my primary physician and a neurologist, I began to deal with this ever-increasing problem by using traditional methods that work for some people. At different times I tried beta-blockers, calcium blockers, tranquilizers, anti-depressants, anti-seizure and anti-psychotic medications. These did not stop the headaches, and I suffered side effects from the drugs; dizziness, heart palpitations, lethargy, lightheadedness, etc. I tried many different kinds of pain medications. Some helped and some did not. They all had side effects. And since I had to take medication so often, I was getting a rebound effect.

Over a four-year period I tried therapeutic massage, yoga, meditation, chiropractic adjustments and acupuncture. The acupuncture would eliminate nausea, and with sleep the pain would usually be gone in three to four hours. This procedure did not keep me from getting more headaches, however. About a year ago I realized that the headaches were ruling my life. My husband and I are both retired and had planned to do a lot of traveling. We had to be very selective regarding where and how we traveled and what we could do if I got a headache. We cannot count the number of times we had to cancel plans for social engagements with our friends and families during the last few years.

Last January we drove to Venice, Florida to spend nine weeks in the sunshine. The first week there we read an article in a local publication about a psychologist who use EEG neurofeedback to treat a variety of psychological problems in children and adults. One of the problems mentioned was migraine headaches! After talking with this doctor on the phone and getting more information about the procedure and what to expect, I made my first appointment. I had read quite a bit about traditional biofeedback, but until now I had not had an opportunity to try it. I went into this experience with a very positive feeling and really thought that I would have results within a short time. After 21 sessions of neurofeedback I was still experiencing several headaches a week but there were two differences. The headaches did not last as long and the pain medication was more effective.

When we returned home in April, we were surprised to read on the internet that a local psychologist right here in Charleston also uses neurofeedback. I made an appointment right away and contracted for 20 sessions. At this point I am nearing the end of the planned treatment and I am happy with the progress I have made. In the two months that I have been back from Florida I have taken prescription pain medication three times and each time just one pill. As I write this I have been pain free for eleven days. I have finally found help.

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Anger Management

Shelley about her son

To anyone considering Midwest Neurofitness

Our son is a perfect example that these treatments can help change a person so they may lead a healthier and happier life. When our son was 19 years old he started having with problems with anger. He would become very angry over small things. He could not seem to handle any type of stress. It was hard to have a conversation with him because he always acted mad when I would I would ask him questions. He seemed to have a low self-esteem and we as parents felt that we could not talk to him anymore.

A friend of mine told me about Midwest Neurofitness and how they helped her son so I gave them a call. My son agreed to go because he knew he needed help. After a few treatments noticed a positive improvement. Our son is now turning 20 and is doing great. He is a calm, happy, health young man. He feels good about life and himself. He now controls his emotions and can handle tough situations. His father and I enjoy having conversations with him. He has noticed a change for the better within himself.

If you or someone you know needs to make a positive change in their life, call Midwest Neurofitness. The treatments really helped my son.

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Problem: ADHD, Migraine

Scott

All of my life I have had problems reading.  Reading never was comfortable to do.  I would watch others really enjoy reading and I just could not understand how they could find enjoyment in it.  I also had problems focusing on the pages in classrooms as a child and on into High School.  I did not get good grades in High School but I knew that I could accomplish much more.

In the military I was second in the first school I went through for Occupational Specialty and I was First in each subsequent class.  Most of these classes were easy for me as they were in my primary interest fields.  Even though I was doing better I still had problems concentrating and reading.

After leaving the service I found that I was easily distracted at work and often felt bad for not getting as much done as I felt I should have.

A counselor I was seeing suggested that I speak to Andy Hogan of Midwest Neurofitness.  In my interview with Andy something was suggested to me that I never had thought of before.  I had the symptoms of ADHD.  Through finding out more about ADHD I felt a great relief.  The problems I had been dealing with all of my life were explainable.  My desire was to be able to focus on the tasks at hand better and so I started sessions of Neurofeedback.  I have had about 20 sessions and it has done wonders for me.  I can focus as long as I desire now and that is an excellent feeling.  I have expanded my horizons greatly from the benefits of the treatment received from Andy and Brad.  I recommend them to anyone seeking to overcome the effects of ADHD in their life.

One other situation I have dealt with for 30 plus years is classic migraines.  When I was 10 years old a neurologist I knew told me that I was suffering from Classic Migraines caused by stress.  Over the years I have tried all types of medications from many different doctors, none of which really did anything to relieve the 4 hours of severe pain each time I would have a migraine.  Strangely enough the only thing that even really helped was Coke-a-Cola Syrup (high in caffine) which a Chiropractor suggested.  During the onset of one of these headaches I called Andy and told him I was in the beginning stage of a migraine,  he told me to come in.  I left his office with no headache (20 minute session).  I was astounded.  That had NEVER before happened in the 30 years of suffering these headaches.  I was relieved of the headache - I still could tell (through lingering effects that I had had a migraine but there was no pain!  If you suffer from these types of headaches give this a try.  This is not a miracle cure.  The treatment makes sense in why works.  Check it out for yourself!