experience with biofeedback/neurotherapy?
 

Hello,

My pc dr wants me to try a neurotherapy clinic that specializes in treating brain disorders with biofeedback, neurotherapy type stuff. (seizes, autism, add, adhd, movement disorders, fibromyalgia, anxiety, depression, pain disorders etc). Similar to the brain clinic in new York.
Has anybody tried anything like this? Was it helpful? It is mostly covered by medical but I will have to pay a bit out of pocket.

Hi canagirl
Me again - I don't want to put you off Neurotherapy but getting other's opinions is a good idea before you start and maybe waste yet more money.

I do believe that this type of therapy can be useful for SOME people, but equally I believe that for some people (and some conditions) it just will not work. eg: my father successfully stopped smoking with a hypnosis program.

My own experience however has been different. I did 4 sessions of Neural Linguistic Programming in 2009 to treat specifically TMD, but also general increased joint pain. I suspected after the first session that I wasn't responding in the way that the therapist expected but I was desperate for relief so kept going back. By the 4th session I realized, as her manner got got more exasperated with me, that she knew it wasn't working but would keep trying to treat me anyway - probably for the money I was paying.

The symptoms I was trying to treat actually turned out to be part of a physical condition which was finally diagnosed 6 mths later.

Given your current pain levels it's probably worth giving it a try. It shouldn't harm you further and may bring a measure of relief. I'd be interested to hear how you get on if you try it. All the best.

Its good for stress relief from symptoms. but if you have an actual physical problem , it may not help. I generally stay away from things that "magically cure" your symptoms.

udpate
 

I don't know how or why but I have had some improvements this week. First and foremost I have gotten the most sleep this week than I have in a year. Last night I slept from 930pm to 1pm (awake for 0.5 hour) then slept from 130-530!!!!! Every night this week my sleep has been longer, less wake ups, less pain, less dreams. My pain levels have decreased and the compression feeling has decreased too. All symptoms remain (twitching, jerking, tingling, buzzing, compression, band-like feeling in limbs, burning, aching, stinging etc) but the PAIN is better. Even my mood has gotten better. I have only cried once this week!!!

Here is what I have been doing.

1. I dropped to 30mg of nortriptyline. I was prepping to add Gabapentin, so I wanted to get down to 20mg of nortriptyline. However, since I have had improvements this week I was afraid to drop to 20 in case improvement is due to nortriptyline. I haven't started the Gabapentin.

2. I loosened up on my diet and have eaten pretty much anything I wanted this week.

3. Over the last two weeks I have had 5 neurotherapy/biofeedback sessions.
The DR was very honest in saying they may not be able to help me. But they do treat a lot of patients with chronic pain (ex. fibro patients). The whole thing seemed hokey to me but as I have tried ALMOST EVERY OTHER TREATMENT (herbs, supplements, psychologists, psychiatrists, naturopath, acupuncture, exercise, yoga, medication etc.) I decided since it's not invasive there is nothing to lose except money. It is not cheap. Each session is $120-170. Insurance will pay for some but I have to pay up front and get reimbursed later.

My PC dr recommended I try it. He has spent countless hours (along with his wife) at home pondering and researching treatments, medications, similar cases etc in order to try and help me. He originally wanted me to go to the Amen clinic in the US but then found the swingle clinic here. My doc called and conferred with the clinic founder for over an hour. Explaining my case and asking questions about what they do and how they may be able to do for me. My doctor never stops learning, he is always reading, researching and attending conferences in order to increase his knowledge. I trust him and respect his decisions.

I think the improvements are due to the neurotherapy and biofeedback. I am really surprised to think this, since I went into it with zero expectations of it doing ANYTHING. Too soon to tell. This really could just be a coincidence. However, this is the best I have felt in a long time. I just thought I would post and let people know I am doing a bit better this week.

I appreciate all your help and support. It helps a lot

I hope it's not a coincidence! really, really, really, really hope.

Hi Canagirl
Can tell from your other posts that something is finally helping you. Your post above explains it well and I'm really pleased for you that you're getting the help to manage your condition.

Are you keeping a journal of what symptoms, tests, treatments etc you've had? I know it would have been difficult to do while your symptoms were extreme but now may be the time to catch up on noting it all down so that if it flares up again you have a record to look back on to quickly see what works.

All the best - keep in touch with progress.

Just want to be clear in case anybody else is considering trying this...

THEY DO NOT "RID" YOU OF YOUR PAIN. They are not miracle healers and do not claim to be. They help you learn to quiet certain parts of your brain that may be causing increased pain ( anxiety/depression etc.). They also teach you how to detach (distract) yourself from the pain so it doesn't consume you and you are better able to cope. Apparently, whether a chronic pain patient believes they are anxious/depressed or not, your brain is operating at a more stressed level (increasing all of our horrible symptoms). You have to try to train your brain to stop operating that way.
It takes a lot of work and conscious thinking but apparently after a period of time it starts to become more unconscious.

My neurologist recommended biofeedback for my neuropathy pain but I couldn't find anyone in my area to do it. They said there was no evidence that it helped. I bought a biofeedback program off of Amazon.com and did it myself. I found it somewhat helpful, mostly a sort of distraction. Most helpful for sex

Tiny improvement was short lived :(.
Mental breakdowns galore yesterday. My symptoms were out full force yesterday (slightly less than before med). Tonight (it's only 430 am ) had been rough. On my feet ALL DAY yesterday, guess that was a big mistake. Agggh. Everybody keeps telling me this is no way to live and I can't keep going like this... I know! I can't figure out what to do. I'm so tired if people asking me what my plan is for today. What r u going to try for releif? The suggestions are aNnoying. Let's go for a walk, why don't u take a bath? Put ur cream in etc.
Some things may help a TINY bit. What's the point? The releif is tiny and only lasts while said activity.

I'm convinced I have punched nerves in elbow and or shoulder but only carpal tunnel showed up. Sooouch tingling and burning in arms and hands. I can't have elbows bent . Things just bad

Are you planning to have carpal tunnel surgery. Sounds like that is a big part of your problem with arms and hands. Thank you.