Testimonial ~ Fistula Recovery

Then, disaster struck. A sudden, catastrophic brain bleed left Rachel fighting for her life, rushed to the emergency room for urgent surgery. It was only during that critical procedure that doctors discovered the culprit: an arteriovenous fistula—a rare, abnormal connection between an artery and a vein in her brain—that had been silently wreaking havoc for years. The surgery saved her life, but it brought a new set of challenges: overnight, Rachel developed extreme noise sensitivity, a side effect that turned even the quietest moments into torture.​

Restaurants, once a place to share meals with friends, became overwhelming with the clatter of plates and buzz of conversation. Church services, which had always brought her comfort, left her dizzy and disoriented from the sound of hymns and prayers. Even small family get-togethers—birthday parties, holiday dinners—were off-limits; the laughter of loved ones, the hum of a television, or the rustle of wrapping paper would overstimulate her brain, triggering intense migraines and a sense of suffocation. She felt isolated, trapped in a world where the simplest sounds felt like a physical assault.​

Desperate for a solution, Rachel turned to hyperbaric oxygen therapy—a treatment that involves breathing pure oxygen in a pressurized chamber. At first, she was skeptical, but she decided to try anything to reclaim her life. To her amazement, the results were gradual but profound. After just a few sessions, she noticed that the noise didn’t bother her as much; she could sit in a quiet café without feeling overwhelmed. As the weeks went on, she ventured back to restaurants, attended a church service, and even joined a family barbecue—all without the crippling sensitivity she’d grown accustomed to.​

Today, Rachel is grateful beyond words. She no longer lives in fear of loud sounds; instead, she relishes the chance to connect with people, to laugh with friends, and to enjoy the little moments that once felt impossible. She describes each hyperbaric session as a “reset button” for her brain—leaving her feeling calm, clear, and energized long after the treatment ends. “I wish I could do it every day,” she says with a smile. For Rachel, hyperbaric therapy isn’t just a medical treatment—it’s a lifeline that gave her back the freedom to live fully.​