|
Member
|
|
Join Date: Apr 2014
Posts: 214
|
|
|
Member
Join Date: Apr 2014
Posts: 214
|
Question about Niacin (vitamin B3)
I started taking niacin (500mg) maybe a month and a half ago, as I saw it was something on the vitamin sticky I've neglected. The first time I took it I didn't know what a niacin flush was and thought I was having an allergic reaction or something, but soon discovered it's a common effect. I thought it might diminish as I continued taking it, but I still get a pretty significant flush that lasts 45-60 minutes. It's not really that big of a deal, but I have sort of reddish skin to begin with, and look like an oompa loompa with the flush, so much so that I've startled some co-workers, haha.
I'm wondering what the benefit of niacin is for PCS folks, and whether taking a "no-flush" version, or taking it every few days, would be as beneficial? Thanks.
__________________
26 year-old PhD student in evolutionary biology, slipped on ice in Feb 2014 while clipping my fingernails and walking to save time (dumbest reason for PCS ever?). Initially just had headaches and didn't feel quite right, but a minor head bump 5 days later started a downward spiral of anxiety, depression, insomnia and fatigue. Had trouble concentrating on reading/looking at screens
April 2014 - did exertion test, passed, started exercising and doing more, but didn't feel much better.
May 2014 - Went on backpacking trip OK'd by doctor, trip itself went fine, but felt worse a few days after getting back, more difficulty concentrating, worse headaches.
June 2014 - Bumped head on ceiling walking slowly down stairs, no immediate symptoms, but caused worsening headahces, more difficulty concentrating and looking at screens. Have not felt as good as I did before this since this bump.
December 2014 - after feeling relatively better I went xc skiing and fell but didn't hit my head (something my psychologist who specializes in brain injuries told me he hoped would happen so I saw it was OK), felt worse
Feb 2015 - back in grad school, light teaching load and some research, nowhere close to operating at my full capacity. Still have constant headaches, difficulty reading/looking at screens, mild anxiety and depression, and just not feeling like my normal sharp self.
Trying, but struggling, to believe that I'll get back to my old self, or at least get close.
|