A new treatment in Hoffman Estates for our returning troops

Members of the military returning from battle and others with post traumatic stress syndrome will have a place to go in Hoffman Estates for help.

Dr. Eugene Lipov launched the Comprehensive PTSD Care Institute of Chicago at 2260 W. Higgins Road, Suite 101, in Hoffman Estates after noticing an anesthetic injection in the neck used to treat pain also had a positive effect in reducing the symptoms of PTSD. He then formed the institute with the goal of providing a location that can diagnose and treat PTSD symptoms.

A fast-growing population of PTSD sufferers are veterans who have served combat duty in Iraq and Afghanistan. The doctor estimates between 400,000 and 900,000 American troops will need PTSD treatment of some variety in the coming years. The institute would be geared toward military personnel, Lipov said.

Lipov said the injection essentially rewires nerves that connect to a part of the brain that is affected by PTSD. Lipov said brain scans can identify those suffering from PTSD, which is caused by any number of traumatic events.

“It's very hard to believe the solution can be this simple,” Lipov admitted. “Hopefully after today, we're going to be able to change that.”

Special Forces soldier Jason, who suffered traumatic brain injury in Iraq, received the treatment not knowing if it would help or not. Jason, whose last name was not given to protect his privacy, was patrolling in Iraq when he came across a grim discovery: a 10-year-old child laced with explosives. Jason had to shoot the child in order to protect his fellow soldiers. The child exploded in front of his eyes.

When Jason returned to the United States, he said in a recorded video played Thursday that he was full of anxiety, was hypervigilant, suspicious of garbage bags on the side of the road, had trouble trusting people, and would see things out of the corner of his eyes.

Jason was on several medications and in therapy, but nothing seemed to help. Jason said he finally decided to try the treatment at the insistence of his wife whom he tried to kill three times in his sleep. Jason said he would wake up and find himself choking or otherwise assaulting her.

Jason got Lipov's treatment and was markedly better just 30 minutes later, the video showed. Jason felt great for about three months until he saw fireworks, which forced him to come back again for another treatment.

It's been three years since that treatment. Jason is now a chemist, his memory is improving, and he's still married to his wife.

Several people crowded the office waiting room for the event, including many soldiers and veterans, Rep. Joe Walsh and Dr. Haim-Moshe Adahan, who just came off a 27-hour trip from Tel Aviv to study Lipov's findings.

Adahan, originally from Canada, decided to develop a pain rehabilitation concept in Israel. He then met Lipov, who offered to let him observe the treatment and collaborate with Adahan's overseas efforts.

“I support the work here. I am a very strong supporter of any program that supports our wounded warriors,” said veteran Stephen Arango of Glen Ellyn.

Lipov said he has had a difficult time getting federal funding thanks to bureaucracy in Washington, D.C., despite the fact that the treatment is already used to treat pain and, therefore, certified by the FDA. Lipov is looking for patients veteran or active military members suffering from PTSD to be a part of his study, which he's underwriting himself while waiting for funding.

Anyone who would like to support the institute, learn more, or see a video of Jason's story is asked to visit www.stopptsdnow.com.