Hi All

I have interviewed with Dr. Harch in New Orleans for his HBOT study on persistent PCS and have passed all the tests to get in to the study. I am trying to decide whether to do it or not. The treatment would be free, but I would have to pay for lodging, food, etc... Has anyone else here done HBOT before? Have any suggestions?

This is the way I see it so far....
Pros:
- Could possibly help my PCS symptoms get better of course
- Could help other PCS sufferers including Veterans
- Could help determine an effective PCS treatment that would be covered by insurance
- I will have the satisfaction of knowing that I tried all options to help get better

Cons:
- Traveling long distance and being away from my family for 2 months and alone in a new place
- The treatment could be ineffective
- Cost of lodging
- Maybe I should just stop looking for treatments and let time do its work?
- side effect risks? - Dr. Harch said some patients experience an increase in anxiety

Thank you.

I will let other veterans and experts weigh in. But as much as I asked around (neurologists and rehab people) they all told me that studies are inconclusive on this, and most likely not worth the effort.

I even suggested an oxygen tank, because my symptoms were brought by flights, they dismissed this as futile...

Dr. Harch claims that the reason the military's study came out inconclusive is because they did not follow the right protocol for the proper treatment regimen and so the results were skewed. Dr. Harch says that the military did not want the results to be positive because they did not want to have to pay for HBOT as a treatment for all the veterans.

Congress appropriated funds for Dr. Harch's current study to get a clear understanding of the effectiveness of HBOT.

He has written a lengthy article refuting the military's study, all of which I do not understand because of all the scientific jargon. He says the results are not inconclusive if the treatment is done right and that 90% of those he has treated with PCS showed significant improvement.

Just wanted to let you know the other side of the story.

We've had a few on NT do extensive HBOT with questionable results. It appears to be a hit or miss therapy. It helps some but does nothing for others. I think it depends on the many variables of concussions. Those with the right matrix of those variables improve. Those outside that right matrix do not benefit.

I did 40 sessions of HBOT, 5 days a week, an hour a day, while on leave from grad school living at home. The clinic was less than 10 minutes from my house. While I may have felt somewhat better after, I attribute that more to becoming involved in coaching a high school cross country team which lifted my spirits. While it seems to work for some, i don't think it did for me, and was probably the biggest waste of money I've had in this whole ordeal. Don't know unless you try though, so I don't really regret trying.

Hi
My daughter did the study and loved Dr Hatch. He is super knowledgeable. Please pm me and I can give you her number and she can answer some of your questions.

We went through Airbnb and I believe she stayed in midtown. She rode public transportation to his office and became great friends with the woman-who took my daughter under her wing and was so good to her.

My best,