My son is going to try neurofeedback

[lindinig]

I'm new to this board. I have to credit this board for opening my eyes to neurofeedback. I was doing research on the web about a week ago, to find some non-medical way to shorten the span of my son's post-ictal confusion he experiences after an absense seizure. This state typically lasts 5 days, where his quality of life diminishes significantly. He can't have friends over, he can't go to school, he sleeps 15 hours a day as his brain recovers.

I came across a couple of posts touting neurofeedback as a viable alternative either in conjunction with or in place of medicine. He doesn't tolerate medicine well. He's on depakote now, and he seems to be tolerating this medicine, but he still has the occasional breakthrough seizure, with 5-days post-ictal.

I began researching neurofeedback, read success stories, tried to look for any reason "not" to try it, and I couldn't find any. I met with 2 practicioners in my area. One wanted to meet twice a week for an hour, the other, which is about 1/2 hour closer, wants to meet once a week for 1/2 hr. I chose the closer one. For now, it fits more in our schedule. I'm not sure if once a week is enough, but time will tell. I have to get the school reports ready to send to her so she can begin to plan out the treatment. My son is really looking forward to this. He has been taking medicine for his adhd since he was 6, and now, takes the depakote. He has told me numerous times that he wishes he was like everyone else, who doesn't have to take medicine. He's the only one in our household who takes daily medicine.

[Nakamova]

I hope neurofeedback does the trick for you and your son lindinig. You may find that it helps both his ADHD and his seizures. Please keep posted on your experience with it.

Best,
Nakamova

[lindinig]

Thanks! When I started doing research, I was excited to learn that many studies were done on patients with ADHD. This is why I need his 504 plan, and all of the testing results the school has done for him, so she can see where he falls intellectually. I'm hoping I can kill 2 birds with one stone with neurofeedback.

[Bernard]

Hi lindinig, welcome to the forum.

That's awesome that you found someone close by to give it a try. I hope you will give us some updates as time goes on to let us know how he does with it.

Neurofeedback is similar to exercise for a muscle. It is possible to do too much and too little for optimal results. When my wife used it, her practitioner recommended 3x weekly sessions to start off and then 2x sessions once results started "sticking" and then tapering down to 1x weekly sessions, 1x bi-weekly sessions, etc. However, younger people respond to neurofeedback faster than older folk (old dogs can learn new tricks - it just takes them longer!).