nickierose

bad experience with NCR

Posted on 10/23/09, 03:04 pm

Hi all,

My son had NCR done the other day and it was traumatizing to say the least. We had done it for 3 series previously with a Dr. who does two treatments in two days. I was told by Dr. Howell's office that that was not good for kids, so we turned to someone who does it over 4 days. My son had had a cold two weeks prior, which left him with a persistant cough, I didn't think much of it since I had the same thing.

Long story short, my son who is 6 freaked out! New place, new doctor and it had been 4 mos since his last treatment, where we always did the other treatments 2 mos apart. The balloon went in fine, but the doctor had a hard time getting it out. In fact I think my son probably has a sinus infection and when the Dr. went to pull the balloon out it would not come out. He had to stretch it out far and then it popped inside his nose and came out. My son was very upset and when he was crying I could see a bunch of mucus at the back of his throat. He vomited twice, very small amts as well. Afterwards he told me it was awful and that he felt the balloon in his throat. I'm wondering if anyone else has ever felt the balloon there. Is NCR this uncomfortable for anyone else. I feel so deflated. I don't know if my son will ever do NCR again. The Dr felt that my son's sinuses are probably inflamed and clamped down on the balloon. I have seen little improvement in my son's head since starting NCR. He is 6 and I realize that it might take some time, but this was my last thing to try to help reshape my son's misshapen head.

Any advice?

Nickie

• Reply #1 10/26/09  2:04pm
  
  hmyers512
  I'm sorry to hear this Nickie. I'm a bit frustrated for my results were so great and the few folks i know that had it also were greatly improved. I'm a bit concerned that Dr Howell and those that certify this should make sure it's appropriate for their patients. I'm sure it can't fix everything, but somehow the doctors that practice it should make distinctions and like you said, the doctor felt your son's sinuses were inflamed - well he should have some way to determine if that's gonna be a problem a head of time. My son has terrible sinus troubles and I want him to have NCR. He's 13 so could probably handle it better, and like in Chad's story above, sometimes its good for young ones.
  
  I will ask Dr Lieurance to also comment on your post here. I want to continue to inform people about NCR, but it should be used with caution if there are known potential problems like this.
  
  I started this group to give people good information, good or bad wherever possible. Please keep us updated on his condition and know that I care. I hope that we can follow up with useful information for you.
• Reply #2 10/27/09  9:49am
  
  DrLieurance
  First of all Nickie thanks for posting this as it brings up a great discussion. First of all I would like to say that yes the balloon can often go into the throat. It can cause some mild irritation for an hour or even longer. The reason the balloon was stuck in your childs nose was that it still had a bit of air in it and the balloon got a twist. This made it difficult to pull out back from the throat out through the sinus cavity. An experienced doctor doing this should have a good plan to handle these events to avoid any discomfort or even blockage of airways.
  
  The next interesting perspective is that I see the general public much more accepting of allopathic or medical procedures that often lead to no correction or even treatment (diagnostics) which are incredibly intrusive. Example is colonoscopy, urethral swab, etc... then look at common dental procedures (wisdom tooth removal, root canal) . These in my opinion are much more traumatic than NCR. My experience has been that most people tolerate NCR very well. Some have a harder time with it for a variety of reasons. The upside potential for a good response with NCR far out ways the brief discomfort. Good health is worth it!
  
  I would also say there are many that enjoy the sensation of receiving NCR. I'm lucky to have several staff members that feel this way.
  
  I hope now you can look at NCR differently. I'm not sure whats wrong with your son but maybe you need to have more than just NCR to compliment his care or more sequences are needed?
• Reply #3 10/27/09  7:51pm
  
  nickierose
  Thank you Dr. Lieurance, I greatly appreciate your response. I have a much better understanding of this situation now.
  
  I am having my son go through NCR because he has a tall, narrow head from being born premature and also plagiocephaly on the right back side from being in the NICU so long. His face has some asymmetry from the plagio as well. I'm concerned that all this will affect my son's self-esteem when he is older and also of the problems he may have as an adult with a misshapen skull (tmj, headaches, etc).
  
  We only have one Dr. near us that practices NCR, he is 3 hours away. I wish we had more. I'm not sure how I will get my son to do NCR in the near future, he was quite traumatized. He is currently 6 1/2 and I was hoping NCR would help with his head, so far, after 3 complete series, we have seen some very small change. My plan was to go back to CST for a while and maybe trying NCR again a year from now, when hopefully my son's last experience will be far from his mind. I'm wondering if you think waiting would be ok? Would I see the same results a year from now, or would I be missing valuable time in changing his plagio because of his age?
  
  Thank you again,
  
  Nickie
• Reply #4 10/28/09  10:15am
  
  luvtosew
  I also had three espisodes now with ncr, and the first time I felt better , but the last two times not so, maybe worst,.
  
  Now the doctor I've seen, has gone up the same nostril with every balloon, I did not have pain or anything, but I don't feel my head is loose or balanced, and I have no one to compare it too.
  
  So my question is for Dr. Lieurance, do you actually feel the head before you do it, and for some people do you do the same side with the balloon every time, every visit, so far I've had 12 balloons in my r. nostril and none in my left.
  
  I also was just hopeing this was my answer, as osteocranial didn't do much.
• Reply #5 10/28/09  10:29am
  
  luvtosew
  I also wondered what is the difference between the single and double weight balloons, the single seem to pack more of a punch and the double are easier to tolerate?? Last time he did single weights and most times he had me push my breath all the way out and hold it. I just don't know if he is doing it right as I have nothing to compare too ya know.
• Reply #6 11/05/09  9:54am
  
  DrLieurance
  Nickie,
  
  I should admit I have no experience with your son's type of condition. Your son's condition might be best treated with a team of specialist that would include an NCR doctor. I know Dr. Lou in Miami has treated at least one case similar. Is his palate, roof of his mouth, narrow?
• Reply #7 11/05/09  10:00am
  
  DrLieurance
  Luvtosew,
  
  I usually have my patients take a deep breath and hold it during the inflation. Also although one some occasions I'll do 2 maybe 3 on one side in a row I am usually alternating around more than what your describing. I've also seen Dr. Howell move around more than this as well. There must be something blocking this one area from releasing.
• Reply #8 11/12/09  5:06pm
  
  luvtosew
  Dr. Lieurance, I should email you my photos, I have he befores and afters of my 3 visits.
  
  Great to have you here.

NeuroCranial Restructuring can reset body structure and restore natural symmetry. This can do wonders throughout the whole body. We are interested in all information and stories about NCR, positive and negative. Welcome.