Awakenings: Return To Life

Some Minimally Conscious People Are Actually Re-Awakening Thanks To Drug Therapies

(CBS)  This segment was originally broadcast on Nov. 25, 2007. It was updated on Aug. 28, 2008.

Three years ago, Terri Schiavo sparked a nationwide debate when she was removed from a feeding tube. Schiavo was in a permanent vegetative state with no chance of recovery. But there are as many as 300,000 other Americans who have survived brain injuries, only to be trapped in what's called a "minimally conscious state." They can't talk, walk, or eat, but they retain more mental awareness than vegetative patients.

For decades now, minimally conscious people have been all but written off by the medical establishment, warehoused in nursing homes, with little hope of recovery. But as CNN's Anderson Cooper first reported last fall, incredible new discoveries are changing the way doctors view these people.

It turns out some may have been misdiagnosed and may be more aware than previously thought. What's even more surprising is that after receiving the popular sleeping pill Ambien, some minimally conscious people are actually waking up.

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Don Herbert was a firefighter in Buffalo, N.Y. On Dec. 29, 1995, he was battling a house fire when the building's roof collapsed. Don was trapped under a pile of debris and nearly suffocated. A local news camera captured firefighters pulling Don from an attic window. By the time his wife Linda and four sons reached the hospital, Don was already in a coma.

"I remember pleading and begging with him in the hospital when he was unresponsive just, 'Don't leave me, don't leave the kids, you know. We need you, you know. We need you,'" Linda Herbert recalls.

"You'd try to get him to squeeze your hand or move a toe, or something like that it’s just, we were looking for just about anything," Don and Linda's son, Don Jr. remembers.

Don Herbert did regain consciousness, but a few months later slipped into a minimally conscious state. He could respond to some stimuli but was unable to communicate. Moved to a nursing home, he was kept alive by a feeding tube.

"I took him to one neurologist. And I was basically begging him, you know, to tell me, 'Is he gonna get better, or isn’t he?'" Linda remembers. "And he just sort of said, 'Well, look at him. What do you see? You see what I see, there’s nothing there.' And I was just devastated."

While Don languished in the nursing home, years passed and his four boys grew into men. Determined to keep their father in their lives, Linda brought Don to birthdays and holidays, but says he sat slumped in his wheelchair, unaware of his surroundings.

What was it like for the sons to see their father in this state?

"You'd think after ten years of seeing him hooked up to feeding tubes and different machines that you’d sort of get used to it or something. But here, I really never did," Don Jr. explains.

"Yeah. It made me sick to my stomach to go every, you know. I didn’t go that often 'cause I just couldn’t stand seeing him like that," Tom says.

Then one day, two years ago, the nursing home called with shocking news: Don had woken up and was asking for his family.

One of the nurses lent the Herberts a video camera to record Don's incredible awakening. His first words were a struggle -- he hadn’t spoken in nearly a decade.

Family members and buddies from the firehouse rushed to Don's room. Blinded in the accident, Don recognized everyone by their voice -- everyone that is, except his youngest son Nick, who was just four when his dad was injured.

"Did he understand who you were?" Cooper asks Nick.

"He still thought that I was real young. And he went to -- like, put his hand out over me and to see, like, how tall I was," Nick says. "We just kept telling him to raise his hand higher, 'cause he was trying to feel for me down low."

"When he learns that he has been gone for ten years, he seems heartsick about it," Cooper remarks. "The sadness is palpable."

"He felt so bad," Linda says. "He thought, like, he abandoned us. He felt so bad that he wasn't there for the boys."

Don Herbert's reunion with his family was brief. While trying to get out of bed, he fell and suffered another brain injury. He later contracted pneumonia, and less than a year after he woke up, Don Herbert died.

[mommaj8]

to mom4790 please contact me at [e-mail] we have the same thing going on my husbands accident was march 03 and i think we have been through almost the same of everything.

[mommaj8]

to mom4790 please contact me at [e-mail] we have the same thing going on my husbands accident was march 03 and i think we have been through almost the same of everything.

[ronald184]

I have a little brother,that was a fire fighter and a emt.He was called to a fire just outside of Miami oklahoma.A diesal truck front tire had caught fire and the truck driver pulled right up to the side of a bridge.My brother fell 30 some feet off the side of the bridge trying to put the fire out.He landed on his feet and then the tank on his back hit the back of his head and then from the force of the fall he fell face first and the resperator that he was wearing damage his skull in front.It has been scence Nov 13 2006.He was intensive care for month or more.
The doctors never gave us any hope.We had to take it day by day.I know that there has been times that he has responed but it is not consistant.We sent him to are rehab place in Texas. He wasn''t consistant enough for him to stay for therpy.Worker''s comp fixed his house so that we could bring him home.He has 24 hour nurse''s care.He is well takin care of.He has not made a step backwards but the healing process is so slow.I was wondering what parkinsons drug that they used on Doug Herbert, The Fire fighter from Buffalo?My prayers is for everybody that has been touched by TBI,one way or another,That God will give strength to all.

[soccer_momma05]

Thanks so much for showing this piece. It actually got our ICU Hospital social worker attention. However, she could not help with giving me any participating Neurologist, trials, ect. If anyone out there could recommend a good Neurologist in the Central Ohio area,(as well a a high skilled facility that has 24 hour Respiratory Care, & Dialysis) who is open to this as a treatment option, please email me @ [e-mail]

My brother, whom is 54, dropped after arriving at the hospital for treatment of a MRSA Dialysis Port Infection 4 weeks ago (he was actually at the hospital less then 20 minutes and dropped) and has not woke up. They say he is in a coma, do to lack of oxygen to his brain. They said he is not brain dead, but they are doubtful he will wake up. Any info would greatly be appreciated
Thanks,

[prissyjk]

For those of you saying we are playing with meds...and that we shouldn''t keep our loved ones ALIVE! SHAME ON YOU! SHAME ON YOU that work in the medical field - you''re in the wrong profession!! Don''t say one word unless you have walked in OUR SHOES!! YOU don''t understand and you never will unless it happens to your loved one (god forbid) Who are you to take a life? You''re not GOD!! God spared these people for a reason and the families are out researching for a cure - it''s just that the medical field needs to start taking it serious! A neurosurgeon once told me that every year they go to TBI/head injury convention. They cannot tell families whether their loved one will ever come out of their coma - BECAUSE THEY DON''T KNOW!! But they STILL attend the annual meetings and come back again and again and they still have to tell the families I DON''T KNOW! Because they don''t! They don''t like to give the families false hope but would rather give them the worst scenario. They aren''t always right - because THEY DON''T KNOW!!

[mom4790]

I am a Wife who''s Husband suffered a tramatic brain injury 6yrs ago this October. I like other families was told my Husband would never get any better. He can''t talk or eat. He is totally depentant on me for everything. He does understand commands, he will move his leg if I ask him to. He will blink his eyes for yes and no questions. But because he is not consistant I can''t get him any help. I take him everywhere with myelf and family. He is very aware on our outings. But I can''t get a doctor to help him which I feel is because we are not rich. I only take him to the Doctors if I absolutly have to. They make me feel like I am wasting their time. His primary Doctor when I changed insurance and I took him to see him for the first time said what do you want me to do for him. needless to say I was a little shocked. Where do you find a Doctor that cares and really wants to help. How to you get into some of these studies going on. Iam my Husband Wife and full time 24 hrs around the clock nurse. I guess I need tobecome his doctor to

[valgal117]

My daughter was assulted by her estranged husband and hit in the head with a 10 lb dumb bell in Feburary 2007. She went into a coma and after weeks and weeks the doctors said that she had traumatic brain injury. She was also 2 weeks pregnant at the time. She had a 5.13 lb baby girl born 1 month premature due to my daughters'' health. The baby is healthy and thriving. The She is currently in a Nursing Facility on a Trach and being fed intravenously. The doctors said that she will not come out of this condition. Seeing this program has given me and my family more hope since the birth of my daughter''s miracle baby girl. We will certainly look into this development in hopes that God willing it can help my beloved daughter.

[bpeten]

I HAVE A 19 YEAR OLD SON THAT WAS IN A CAR ACCIDENT ON MARCH 21st 2005 HE WAS IN A COMA FOR A WEEK AND THEN HE CAME AROUND. HE STAYED IN THE HOSPITAL FOR ABOUT 5 MONTHS THEN HE WENT TO A REHABITATION HOSPITAL AND STAYED A YEAR. THEN HE CAME HOME IN 2007 AND EVERY SINCE HE BEEN HOME HE HAS MADE A LOT OF IMPROVEMENT. HE SMILES AT US AND WHEN WE ASK HIM A QUESTION HE RESPONDS BY SMILING. AND WHEN YOU CALL HIS NAME HE RESPONDS BY SAYING HUh. SO IF THIS DRUG CALLED AMBIEN CAN IMPROVE MY SON PROGRESS I WILL CONTACTING HIS DOCTOR TO GIVE IT A TRY. I AM SO THANKFUL FOR THAT 60 MINUTE VIDEO ABOUT AWAKENING. AND I WOULD LIKE MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THIS SO IF YOU EMAIL ME AT [e-mail] I WOULD GLADLY APPRECIATE. GOD BLESS BPETEN AND FAMILY

[blackyowe]

This story is just so moving. I hope that in time we can get a few of these poor people back from limbo! I remember the fire fighter from Buffalo well as I live close by.

[beingcc]

I respect 60 minutes & watch every week during the non-rerun season, which is why I question why 60 minutes aired the rerun of this segment on "minimally conscious states". I would like to know what advertiser paid for this segment & do they have anything to do with pharmaceuticals that makes & sells Ambien? Why did you decide to RErun this particular segment?
Has 60 Minutes ever done a episode on how much the pharmaceutical companies spend lobbying our governmental agencies,entertaining doctors & pharmacists,& pushing to advertise during news shows that will cover dis-eases & situations where they can push their drugs. How about a little research segment on de-regulation of drug advertising & the effect it has on the American public & their drug addiction, as well as the creation of many dis-eases & sicknesses that did not exist before a campaign was vigorously promoted!

[beingcc]

I respect 60 minutes & watch every week during the non-rerun season, which is why I question why 60 minutes aired the rerun of this segment on "minimally conscious states". I would like to know what advertiser paid for this segment & do they have anything to do with pharmaceuticals that makes & sells Ambien? Why did you decide to RErun this particular segment?
Has 60 Minutes ever done a episode on how much the pharmaceutical companies spend lobbying our governmental agencies,entertaining doctors & pharmacists,& pushing to advertise during news shows that will cover dis-eases & situations where they can push their drugs. How about a little research segment on de-regulation of drug advertising & the effect it has on the American public & their drug addiction, as well as the creation of many dis-eases & sicknesses that did not exist before a campaign was vigorously promoted!

[imissmom1]

My mom has an anoxic brain injury caused 7 years ago by a sudden ventricular arrhythmia. As a family taking care of her at home, we can relate to everyone''s comments and take comfort knowing we are not alone in this.
I wanted to throw out some technical thoughts...
My mom had an upper endoscopy 2 years after her brain injury. They gave her IV Fentanyl and Versed. When she woke up, she was talkative, answering questions with no delay, and asked me "what? why are you looking at me like that?" I was stunned. These effects lasted about 20 minutes and then she returned to her usual sleepy self, with droopy head and slumped posture.
So here''s my theory. Versed (midazolam) is a benzodiazepine, an addictive drug that has anxiolytic, amnestic, and sedative effects. It very generally works by enhancing GABA (neurotransmitter) to bind to its receptors. This is turn "slows down" the central nervous system.
Ambien is a non-benzodiazepine, non-addictive, fast-acting and has short half life. It also has sedative, anxiolytic, and amnestic properties (which is why healthy people take it for flying, covers all the bases). Ambien also works by enhancing GABA to bind to its receptors. I see a connection here...
My mom''s neurologist is interested in giving it a try next week, since previous dopamine-acting meds such as amantadine (Symmetrel) and pramipexole (Mirapex) have produced bad side effects with my mom. Please write if you can relate or wish to discuss more.

[e-mail]

[kristenj743]

New Years Eve my daughter fell on ice and fractured her skull and went to sleep. She was in a coma for two months. After almost a year, she can''t walk, talk or eat. She can communicate with a letter board (Thank God for Spaulding in Boston)and with her eyes. Although Ambien may not work for her, it is still worth a try for anyone that has been affected by TBI. I''ve read all of the comments and feel everyones hope for Ambien and frustrations of what the Dr.''s don''t know. It is very difficult to find help for TBI. Unless you have a neverending supply of money, you have to fight every step of the way to get even a smidge of decent care. We have tried so many TBI rehabilitation centers only to get denied because either she is too much care or the funding is not available. It is so sad to see a family already suffering through this tragedy and then have to deal with funding issues or rejection of care. Hope is hope and for everyone TBI affects, this is just a light at the end of the tunnel. If it can help one family then it is well worth the story being published.

[muzit-2009]

Thank you for this report%u2026.my sister in-law had a stroke at 32years old. In your report you mentioned that study of people with brain injury was quite difficult because they are scattered all over. My question is how I can get her involved in such studies? Thanks

[DawnaG]

I need to add on my comment they said withing 6 to 10 min or so not a min. they gave him 5 miligrams tommorow they are going to try 10 milligrams.

[DawnaG]

Thank God! they aired this on 60 min. We have been praying for a miracle and I believe this show was it. My brother 41 years old aspirated. They told us he was in a vegatative coma and has been for 5 months.I got a call from my family to come my brother was not excpetced to make it thru the weekend.The nurses & dr. came to my mother and told her to gear herself that he would not be here much longer... So Monday morning my mother and I sat in the room talking and helping each other to get thru this horriable thing we were fixing to face, when his Dr. walked in the room and said " I seen a special on 60 min. last night and I am just going to try one last thing for your loved one... he said there is no reason why not to try it, so we said go ahead.. they gave my brother the Ambein at 11:30 and they told us it would probly show within minute of taking it if it was going to work... so 2 hours went by, all of a sudden my brother moved his arm fro his bed to his chest three times! his eyes "came open" I mean they had been open but I mean like he was there really there! he moved his tongue like he was trying to talk and resisted with his arms when they tried to pull against him also his precious body was so contorted (sp?) but his arms and hands that were drawn were limp and the nurse moved what was seconds before stiff legs up and down! we had not seen any of this since my brother has been in this state! NONE! We thank God for our miracle.

[shebikr]

My brother was involved in motorcycle accident on Oct 13th. He was in a coma for 4 and a half weeks and is just now coming around. He is moving a little bit in the last week. My younger brother saw this story and told us about it. I just watched the video and plan on mentioning it to his doctor. We have been told his situation was permanent, but I dont believe it. He can respond by nodding his head. I dont know if this will help him, but it is worth a try. We have been told by one doctor that his brain has slow brain function and should be drained. He has clots on the brain and fluid as well. We have tried time and time again to get a second opinion without any luck. I am not one that gives up, so I will mention this to his neurologists and see what her comments are. Right now, they arent doing a thing to try to help him and I cant just let him lay there. So maybe ambien will help him, because he hasnt spoken a word in almost 7 weeks. Thanks for the great story and it was very timely for my family.

[cjduke31]

My husband Jason was in a motor vehicle crash August 2, 2007. He had subdural Hematoma with a result of traumatic brain injury. My family was told that he would never wake up, he would be a vegetable the rest of his life, if he woke up he wouldn''t remeber our life together let alone our children. I have hope that my husband will wake up. God saved him for a reason. I have read the comments people have made and I don''t agree with several of them. For a nurse to say that you should think about your loved one. To hear the negative time and again from people who are supposed to be there to help save lives, not take them. Most people do think, my first thought was if God wanted my husband then he would have taken him at the accident, he would not have let him go through everything he has for a reason. I also thought about what my husband would have wanted and that would be to have the chance to live and to be there for us and our children. (They are ages 7 & 2). My husband is following commands, moving and opening his eyes, so that maybe he will be able to do more. I would like more information on this and I plan to talk to my husbands doctor about this also. My email is [e-mail]

Thank you
CJ

[stillcarynon]

Best news I''ve heard in decades! Thank you 60 min and Anderson C! I am the sole caregiver for my husband who suffered a severe brain-injury over 18 yrs ago.
My hubby also began talking a couple of times when given Demerol. No Dr. would prescribe a narcotic for him nor could I get anyone to do research. With Ambien already on the market, not a narcotic and a drug company not minding if more uses are found for their drug, now finally some good research can be done in the final frontier, the brain.

[lacylu44]

Two years ago, at the age of 44, my husband had a massive heart attack. He suffered an anoxic brain injury and was in a coma for 4 weeks. I was told by 5 different doctors that there was no hope for him. When he came out of his comma he was not responsive . I was told this was as good as it gets. They tried to talk me into putting him in a long-term care facility and I took him home against the docs advise. He has come a long way in 2 years. He has been on ambien for close to a year. His doctor said it wouldn''t hurt to try when I first heard about the responses in brain injuries. He isn''t non-responsive, but he doesn''t talk, just mumbles, when he is not on ambien. When he takes it, he can focus on things, like conversations, and tv, and can make appropriate comments. He can follow directions, very slowly, to to several commands. His balance was severly impaired, but with my help balancing, he can walk a little ways with a walker, and a few weeks ago he took 3 steps all by himself! His doctors don''t understand why it helps, but they prescribe him 2-3 ambien daily, 10mg, and we give him 1 first thing in the morning and then 1/2 about every 4 hours til evening. Most of the time, it makes a big difference in his alertness and if a dose is missed, we can definately tell. If anyone has a loved one with a brain injury, please talk to your doctor, because ambien can do miricles in some patients, even if they aren''t totaly nonresponsive.