[Womyn]

Hi. I am new here. I got in a car wreck about a month ago where I flipped my husband's car end over end a couple of times.

Since then, I've been having tired spells where I will suddenly feel so tired that I feel like I could fall asleep right then and there. Of course, I have two kids at home, so I can't.

I've also been having cognitive problems, for example, I am a writer, and I am missing keystrokes at times and I feel like I've lost a lot of my vocabulary skills, which saddens me to no end.

On the flipside, I seem to be more calm and laid back then I was before the accident (after I stopped taking the St. John's Wort, which seemed to make me have more of a hair-trigger temper than ever).

Is there an acronym for before the accident? Such as BTA?

Anyway, not being able to write stinks! I feel like I was having some of the cognitive issues before the accident, as I have 5 mercury fillings that I would love to have removed, but of course my insurance doesn't cover that...

I'd love to hear some stories of how people have helped themselves heal from this type of injury.

Thank you,

Womyn

[Mark in Idaho]

Womyn,

Welcome to NeuroTalk. Wow, another survivor of endo'ing a car. Glad to see you made it out alive.

The sudden fatigue is not uncommon. You are likely exerting too much effort or being over-stimulated. I can get this effect when at my computer. It is more often a morning event, usually within a few hours of waking up.

My only solution is to take a short nap. If that is not practical, you should try to identify the triggers that cause the fatigue.

If you have not already been told this, you need to be cautious about effort and stimulation. You need to rest your brain and avoid things like caffeine, MSG, artificial sweeteners, and too much artificial preservatives.

Most of us follow a vitamin and supplement regimen that includes B-12 (500 to 1000 mcgs), a B-50 complex, Omega 3's, magnesium and calcium. These will help your brain detoxify and repair.

Don't try to push through the cognitive struggles. It will be counter-productive. We all suffer these same struggles to some extent.

There are two axioms you need to know.

First, If you've seen one head injury, you've seen ONE head injury. No two will be the same in symptoms or recovery.

Second, the most common thing needed to heal is Time, Time and more Time. That time will be most productive when it includes lots of rest and quiet.

I would suggest not worrying about your amalgam fillings. The greatest risk has passed. A blood test for heavy metals will show if you have any toxicity. There are other toxins you can control like MSG, caffeine, aspartame, sucralose, alcohol, etc.

There are lots of great people here. Feel free to tell us about your struggles. We are here to help.

My best to you.

[Margarite]

I would just say keep at it.
Most importantly do NOT get a second concussion!!!!!!! I cannot say this enough! I am the worst example, but I mean it, it is miserable!

I found that slowly my mind has come back to me and then it disappears again when I hit my head again, each time it takes longer and it has a worse result, but with time and the patience of others I slowly get it back.

Good luck. Sleep is important, but so is pushing yourself. At least for me, if I don't push myself every day then I feel much more depressed and selfish and I can get stuck in the selfishness and forget those around me. So, my rule is to push myself a little each day, and each day that means something different. Some days it is just going to classes and other days it means working out at the gym, but always pushing for those around me.

God Bless

[Lightrail11]

Originally Posted by Womyn

Is there an acronym for before the accident? Such as BTA?

Hi and welcome. Regarding the "before the accident", clinical psychologists refer to this as "premorbid" of all things...

Assuming the medical basics were covered right after the accident, if you haven’t done so you may wish to be evaluated by a clinical neuropsychologist; they can help isolate where your cognitive deficits are and possibly recommend occupational and/or speech therapy.

Best to you as you recover.

[Margarite]

There is lots of important info on this thread for those who are new to PCS
Things you wish you'd known when you first got post-concussion syndrome.
Good Luck!

[Colorrado Mike]

Wymon,

There is a good chance that you can heal your brain. I'm in the process of putting together a list of therapies that have worked for me and many others and I'll post it on here shortly. Look for that and see if any of those interest you.

In addition to Mark in Idaho's excellent nutrition suggestions, I'd like to add in Coconut Oil and Curcumin and N-Acytal Cystein. The coconut oil possesses only the fatty acids that your brain likes so you get those in a highly concentrated solution. Curcumin with N-Acytal Cystein has been shown to dramatically reduce brain inflammation, which is an important thing to do for healing.

M