“I was diagnosed with the uncommon Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS). During my 3-week hospital stay all my parts seemed to deteriorate day by day. GBS is a type of peripheral neuropathy, that was eating the myelin sheaths around my nerves and I was partially paralyzed, I didn’t have any reflexes on the left side of my body, I went from not being able to open my eyes, to having double-vision with strobe lights. I couldn’t form words to answer a question, my memory was gone, and I couldn’t focus or  concentrate. I was told my speech was extremely slow. I couldn’t stand by myself or walk. I was totally helpless!

I was told I should recover; most people do, but not all. I received physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy and was able to walk with assistance by the time I got home but still had issues with memory, vision, hand-to-eye coordination, and balance. I had to relearn how to use stairs, get up/down from a chair or the bed, and work my eyes to focus. Concentrating on anything was more than difficult. I couldn’t even focus for longer than a minute or two. I experienced deeper and deeper depression. It seemed like I would never get back to how I was before. I was doing all the therapy exercises, but some things weren’t improving at all.

My wife had previously spoken about NeurOptimal neurofeedback and I asked her if possibly it could help me. I just wanted to feel better and be able to move around and think like I previously did. She set up an appointment. I was a bit anxious, since she said sensors would be put on my head, but I could just relax during a session. I am so glad I went and am so thankful to Susan Tzankow of Front Range Neurofeedback. My improvements have been amazing!

After my first session I felt overall more relaxed, calmer. I would say that was the first evening I wasn’t preoccupied with what I couldn’t do, but that’s not the best part! I had physical therapy and occupational therapy the next day and BOTH of the therapists commented on my improved condition! Physically I could do the exercises without needing to stop after each one. Ian said it was like my body woke up! I tolerated the gaze stabilization exercises much better. My balance was improved, and this was after one NeurOptimal session! Ian said there was “substantial  mprovement today!”

My occupational therapist “Hollie” noticed I was following her directions better this day. I felt I could understand her more. She (finally) gave me permission to take a shower by myself! That was huge! Up to then either Hollie or my wife had to be in the bathroom with me. Finally, some progress. I told her about my one session of neurofeedback yesterday and she was quite interested in the process. She could notice I was functioning at an improved level. I felt I was functioning at a higher level.

After another NeurOptimal® session I saw my speech therapist, Ale. She complemented me on my improved reading and focusing on the cognitive exercises. She assumed I was working all my waking hours on the exercises and reading aloud. I was  consistently doing those, but I told her about my neurofeedback sessions. She was very impressed with the changes I displayed and was interested in finding out more. I gave everyone brochures because I want to share how much NeurOptimal has helped me. I am able to focus and notice there is clarity when I’m interacting with others. I feel overall better and more energized and able to do all the physical, occupational, and speech exercises.

Then I saw the neurologist, Dr. Reynolds, a little over a month from my discharge from the hospital. He was impressed with my recovery progress. He gave the go-ahead for me to resume many, if not most of my activities and make plans for returning to work and be LEFT ALONE in the house. I believe it was NeurOptimal® neurofeedback that accelerated my healing.

I have had about 20 sessions to date, and I continue to improve. I feel I was practically non-functioning when I came home from the hospital and getting more depressed and glum day by day. The therapies I had were good and each therapist helped me, but by adding NeurOptimal® neurofeedback with Susan was what I needed to break through.

Two months after the neurologist visit, I returned for a Nerve Test. Dr. Reynolds was very, very pleased with the results! I have nerve responses in all my extremities and there is evidence that healing is taking place.

Please reach out to me through Susan if you have any questions about my experience.