Real Experiences, Real Support
Hear from individuals who have explored hyperbaric oxygen therapy as part of their recovery, wellness, and performance journeys at Hyperbaric Centers of Idaho.
U.S Army Veteran
24 year U.S Army Veteran, 2 x 12 month Combat Deployments (Iraq)
Medically Discharged April 2014; diagnosed mTBI, PTSD (70%), Intermittent Thoracic Strain Syndrome (10%), Tinnitus, Degenerative Disc Disease of the Lumbar Spine, Dishydrosis
History: In 2103 patient was admitted to voluntary inpatient military sponsored psychiatric hospital due to PTSD. Patient remained in the hospital for 2.5 months. Post admittance patient was medically discharged from active duty due to MEB findings for mTBI, PTSD, and ITSS. Patient engaged in counseling and various VA recommended therapies with little or no improvement (treatment resistant PTSD).
Medications: Celexa, Prasosin, Xanax, Ropinirole, Crestor
Patient completed 40 treatments in 40 days.
Treatment began 18 months post separation from the U.S. Army.
Symptoms: (Pre HBOT) (Scale 1-10) Post 40 Treatments
| Symptoms: (Pre HBOT) | (Scale 1 – 10) | Post 40 Treatments | Results |
| Intrusive Thoughts | 9 | 1 | Remaining thoughts are manageable |
| Day/Night Terrors | 8 | 0 | Completely gone, normal dreams |
| Nightmares | 7 | 0 | None |
| Anxiety or Panic | 9 | 1 | Very little – described as normal |
| Hyper Vigilance | 10 | 2 | Residual from training – not intrusive |
| Anger | 7 | 1 | Manageable / controllable (healthy) |
| Rage | 6 | 0 | None |
| Memory Loss | 8 | 1 | Some short term memory lapse |
| Insomnia | 10 | 0 | Gone – normal sleep cycle restored |
| Poor Concentration | 8 | 1 | Gone – easy to focus and maintain |
| Isolation | 10 | 0 | Desire for friends/ family interaction restored |
| Aggression | 9 | 1 | Little / none – fight response reduced |
| Suppression | 8 | 0 | No effort required to suppress |
| Depression | 9 | 1 | Gone – feel healthy / optimistic all day |
| Numbness | 7 | 0 | Gone, feel reconnected |
| Disassociation | 7 | 0 | Gone, not compelled to disconnect |
| Withdrawal | 9 | 0 | Gone, feel desire to maintain contact |
| Back Pain | 9 | 3 | Still some pain but reduced |
| Tinnitus | 6 | 0 | None since completing treatment |
| Brain Fog | 9 | 0 | Gone, fully aware and engaged |
| Poor Short Term Memory | 9 | 1 | Some residual short term lapses |
| Low Energy | 10 | 0 | Energy levels skyrocketed |
| Headaches | 9 | 1 | Some residual, local |
| Dizziness | 5 | 0 | None since completing treatment |
Substantial improvement in all areas. Primary complaints of PTSD reduces to a report “1” or zero in all primary diagnosis areas. Patient reported that after treatment #15 sleep patterns changed from 3-4 hours of interrupted sleep over an 8-year period to normal pre-deployment levels to 6-8 hours without interruption. Patient (under medical supervision) was able to completely eliminate use of all prescribed medications without adverse affect. Patient noted substantial improvement in energy levels, cognitive ability, motivation, and memory.
32 yr. old Male Sergeant
32 yr. old Male
Sergeant, Discharged 2005
Diagnosed: TBI, PTSD
History: Patient was involved in 6 separate explosions resulting in 2 concussions; other
minor injuries
Start of Treatment 9 years post injury
Symptome: Pre HBOT
- Black outs
- Insomnia
- Severe Migraines
- Loose Joints
- Joint Pain
- Uses Hydrocodone
- Lack of Focus
- Frequent Irritability
- Low energy levels
Post 16 Treatments
- Gone
- Sleeps through the night
- Gone
- Slight improvement
- Drastically reduced 1 out of 10
- No pain meds
- Significantly improved
- Now lasts about 30 minutes
- High during treatment period
Comments: Patient reduced his smoking from multiple packs per day down to a partial and then E-cigarette. Patient later completed a full course of 40 treatments. Patient was very optimistic and energetic and had made life-changing decisions, taking on full responsibility to care for others.
40 yr. old Navy Seal
40 yr. old Male
20 year Navy Seal
Discharged 2014
Diagnosed: PTSD, TBI
History: Patient fell from roof in Kandahar, fracturing left side of skull. Caved in Orbital left eye, subdural hematoma, fracturing C-5, C-6 and T-1. Six months later broke back while parachuting, fracturing T-11, T-12, L-1. Hospitalized at Walter Reed, 3 weeks ICU, 2 weeks VA Hospital. Two years later Walter Reed diagnosed PTSD.
Patient states he has been involved in many blasts over his career as a Navy Seal, never being treated. Patient shows signs of Mild TBI.
Medications prescribed to patient:
Methylphenidate, Cymbalta, Maxalt, Promethacine.
Patient states he took himself off of meds because it made him feel like a Zombi.
Patient has received 19 treatments to date.
Start of Treatment (TX) 2 years post injury
Symptoms: Pre HBOT
- Ringing in ears
- Sensitive to overstimulation
- Varying sleep patterns
- Short term memory issues
- Mini TIAs (mini-strokes)
- SIADH
- Mood issue
- Lack of energy
- Mental Clarity
- Pain
- Thought processing
Post 19 Treatments (Scale 1-5)
- No change
- Improved
- Improved (2 to 4)
- Improved
- Gone
- Gone
- Improved (1 to 4)
- Improved (2 to 5)
- Improved (2 to 4)
- Improved (3 to 4)
- Improved (1 to 4)
Patient had to postpone treatment due to scheduling issues.
Post-treatment patient was able to work in a noisy, physically demanding job with moderate to high stress levels.
19 yr. old Female
19 yr. old Female
3 yrs. Post Motor Vehicle Accident
Diagnosed: Post-concussion Syndrome
Symptoms:
Pre HBOT
- Headaches Intermittent Migraines
- Loss of peripheral vision
- Low energy
- Brain fog
- Problem w/ memory skills
- Balance problems
- Poor sleep patterns
- Mildly slurred speech
- Vision out of sync between R & L eye
- Mood issues
- Dizziness
- Problems reading
- Nausea
Post 40 Treatments
- No migraines, minor headaches
- Slight improvement
- High energy
- Brain fog gone
- Good, not to normal level
- Gone
- Sleeps through the night
- Only when extremely fatigued
- Nearly gone
- Emotions good / stable
- 95% better
- 85% of reading problem gone
- 50% better
Comments from a Ph.D. at Spokane Psychology & Neuropsychology P.S.
1. Patient is a delightful, bright 19-year- old high school graduate who has had some ongoing cognitive challenges stemming from an MVA about 3 years ago. Results of repeat neuropsychological assessment show she has made gains in several areas of functioning including delayed memory recall, processing complex verbal language, and word-finding latency. She has made progress to a lesser degree for sustained attention,
processing speed, and working memory span, these areas still need treatment and are likely to have an impact on her college success.
2. Patient is in hyperbaric treatments. I am pleased with her progress and would like to see this therapy continue until she has reached maximum benefit.