[GillianGillian]

My treating physician said there have been some studies done on medication for people with alzheimer's that have been effective in patients with PCS. He suggested that I ask my neurologist when I go to my next visit.

I am curious if anyone on this forum is familiar with this? Are there other medications that can help with memory and focus?

I am two months out from my concussion. I am having a lot more problems with my short-term memory than I had realized. I also have a lot of problems with language (reading, writing, speaking, in both first and second language).

[Mark in Idaho]

GG,

Have you started a strong supplement regimen yet?

I do not know specifically what your doctor is referring to but most of the benefits of the various meds and other therapies for AD patients are short lived. They may delay the steep decline but do not change the end date.

Your doctor was remiss by not specifying what he was talking about. My idea is that if it is worth mentioning, it is worth mentioning the whole story.

The overlaps between PCS and AD is in some of the proteins that collect in the brain. Getting the nutritional component stronger should do just a well as any med for remedying this situation. The PCS brain needs to get clean and healthy. The AD brain is on a downward spiral with only hopes for slowing some of the downward speed.

GG, Have you been able to lower your daily stress levels by much?

I would rather teach/enable my brain how to get healthy systemically than give it an artificial crutch. The option is 'give it a fish and it is fed for a day' vs 'teach it to fish and it is fed for a lifetime'

[GillianGillian]

I am taking a multi-vitamin, a calcium supplement (as I am on prednizone - 5mg), and a B-complex (100) with C-500 that is time released. On that, I'm a little concerned about the B's being such a high percentage of daily requirements.

My challenge with nutrition is that I can't cook. I can't follow the steps to prepare a meal and if I walk away from the kitchen, I'll forget that I have something cooking. I now only use the microwave. I am having some food delivered from a diet program that makes fresh meals. I can't afford more than one prepared meal a day. I eat cereal, fruit, yogurt to make up the rest of my diet.

As far as stress goes, I can't drive, I'm off work completely as the job I have is dangerous and very physical. I live alone and have very few responsibilities at this time. At the same time, being a very active person, I am quite stressed out over this situation.

I have been going to a pool once or twice a week when I can get a ride. I am working on getting into a program that helps with transportation for people with disabilities so I can go to the pool more regularly.

The treating physician was suggesting that I ask the neurologist about these studies. I'm not convinced that he knew the whole story, which is why he suggested I ask the neurologist.

I see what you are saying about slowing the decline in AD patients, and that in PCS patients the brain is expected to improve, but I don't know anything about how some of the newer meds function and if they have multiple applications.

[mrsD]

A quick way to get Omega-3's and a quick high protein meal is to use Salmon from canned (there are quality ones in stores),
or the pouches from Chicken of the Sea salmon.

A little tartar sauce or light mayo and you have a good meal.
Add some baby spinach leaves or swiss chard to a sandwich and you have veggies with it. No cooking needed.

There are pouched chicken products now too. You can rinse some of the salt out if too salty for you. Add to a quality soup like Progresso (they have no MSG varieties), add some frozen peas/carrots to make more veggies and nuke in the microwave for 2 minutes. (I typically nuke the frozen veggies first in 1/2 of of the soup, then add the rest + the meat and nuke a minute or two longer.). The microwave turns itself off and beeps so you will hear that.

These are two fast quality meals, that you can make easily.
I do it here for us sometimes just because I am lazy.

[Mark in Idaho]

GG,

Don't worry about the B's being such a high percentage of RDA. Your brain is trying to heal. It needs the extra nutrition.

Your B100 Complex is getting you 100 mcgs of B-12. You will benefit from much more than that. A 500mcg or even 1000 mcg will be good. If you can get a blood test for your B-12, it will help you understand if your body is absorbing B-12 properly. Most do not. You want to have a level of about 1000 pcgm/mL. The 'normal' range 200 to 800 but the injured brain needs 1000mcgs.

You need some D3, 1000 IU's. You need magnesium to help the calcium work. Mag citrate is good. Your C500 is low. You could do with C500 twice a day. You can tell when your Vitamin C is up to a good dose. You urine will be a bright yellow. That means that your body is getting a bit more than it needs. I take 2000 mgs each day. Your body will tell you if you are taking to much. It will get the runs. But that usually takes 5000 mgs or more per day. 400 IU's of E will be good too.

Pork is a good source of BCAA's. A cheap pork roast can be slow cooked in a crock pot. Pour your favorite barbeque sauce over it, about 1/2 cup. Cook on medium for 6 hours. Then, pull it apart with a fork. You'll have pulled pork and gravy for a week of alternating meals.

A George Forman personal grill is also a good appliance for easy cooking. It will cook a hamburger patty quickly so there is not much time to forget. If you need, turn on a oven timers for 3 minutes. You can pre-cook hamburger patties to microwave later.

The animal protein is good for your brain.

Get any other tasks or distractions finished so you can just stay in the kitchen. Then, try to cook some meals in advance. Having pre-cooked meals means you have some to 'notice' in the refrigerator. Helps with the 'what should I eat' dilemma.