lbpc,

Welcome to NeuroTalk. As long as you use an anonymous screen name, your medical information should be OK. Just don't use the same screen name in other online forums and such where it can be tied to your real name.

It is unfortunate you feel so averse to the vitamin regimen. It is not a drug regimen. Most are things that are in a good diet but may be hard to get in adequate amounts. One does not need 10 vitamins/supplements to see improvements. There are some basics, B-12, a B-50 Complex, D-3, and fish oil are a good start.

Think of the regimen as a form of nutritional exercise conditioning. We exercise because we don't usually have enough physical activity in our daily life. The vitamin regimen is because we do not have adequate nutrition in our diets.

The injured brain has physiological struggles that increase the need for these supplements. A common brain injury due to concussion is Diffuse Axonal Injury. The basic regimen helps the brain rebuild the myelin sheath that insulates the axons so they work properly.

Getting sleep without sleep meds is important. Sleep meds can disrupt the sleep stages. A Magnesium supplement can help in place of drugs. Proper sleep stages are very important. The Slow wave sleep stage is when the brain flushes toxins. REM stage is when the brain consolidates memories.

Caffeine can make sleep a struggle so coffee after 12 noon should be avoided. Caffeine is an exicto-toxin. It causes toxic stress on brain cells.

Sleep, especially proper sleep with proper breathing is key to combating brain fog. Upper neck injuries can cause inflammation at the brain stem that can disrupt blood flow and proper breathing function, especially during sleep.

I found the most important part of neck healing is good posture during sleep and resting.

Regarding deconditioning. It can be helpful to engage in short periods of the avoided activity then remove yourself from the stimulus. These short challenges can slowly be increased in time. Understanding what part of each activity cause stress can be helpful. Sounds, light, voices, etc are common triggers of fatigue.

My best to you.