A few queries for those who are willing to brain storm with me
 

Hi everyone,

I have a few slightly strange queries for those who are willing to brain storm (pun intended!) with me;

1. Damaged myelin sheath and 'tingling' in head

QUESTION - Does anyone get the 'tingling' sensation in their head? Especially during physical and cognitive exertion? What do you think it is?

My guess is that it is damaged myelin sheath which causes slowed transmission of signals along these nerve fibers. This would explain the slowed information processing speed and speech difficulties that many of us seem to suffer from.

2. My experience with the Buffalo Protocol

My neurologist recommended I use a physical rehabilitation program similar to the Buffalo Protocol.

I have tried regularly exercising sub-threshold for several months now and am able to exercise at low levels without causing symptoms.

Beyond exercise, going to the bathroom or sex still aggravates symptoms which will persist for approx. 24 hours before subsiding. The next time I go to the bathroom or physically exert myself the symptoms recur.

I suppose it is the dramatic spike in blood pressure and intra-cranial pressure when I go to the bathroom which damages the myelin sheath which is constantly trying to repair itself. This damage causes the 'tingling' and slowed processing.

I do not see how can I expect to recover if my symptoms are aggravated every day by going to the bathroom.

QUESTION - Does anyone think it is worthwhile that I continue my exercise regimen or am I wasting my time?

3. Rest

I am considering quitting my job to get pure rest for as long as it takes. This would also involve a liquid diet to remove the bathroom issue and abstinence from sex.

I know this may be an unconventional and dramatic approach but I cannot see any other way to avoid aggravating my symptoms and let my brain heal.

QUESTION - Am I going too far?

Many thanks

Halfnelson

liquid diet?
 

Hello there

One thing I would be really careful about is a liquid diet. Can you add some foods like prunes or raisins to help if you have a really hard stool? Grapes are good too.

Our injured brains need protein and good fruits and vegetables to heal. I don't know what kind of diet you have in mind, but I would really be against those cleansing diets.

As for your job, can you take a leave of absence? I had to leave mine but can and will return in the fall. See what you might work out with your employeer before you quit outright.

I did need to leave my job though to get better and so you will have to gauge for yourself what you need to do in order to heal.

Take care,

pm

although I am not sure of the answer to your questions I think they are GREAT questions. Its been years for me and I still get the same symptoms, head neck and spine feel inflamed, tingling in head. etc, does this mean the sheaths are not healing, have they healed wrongly? don't know. but markfromidaho has some answer :)

A couple of things to consider
 

1. The bathroom issue can be easily remedied. Drink a lot of water, eat high fibre and prunes are my personal favourite (5 every night); you could also tried some Metamucil or other remedies including stool softners.

I went to a seminar on pelvic floor health and got some useful bathroom techniques. Elimination of both unrine and stools is suppose to be accomplished by the relaxing of the pelvic floor. Also if you get a stool and put it under your feet you will be in a better position to make the elimination of waist easier.

I can't believe I am writing this but I can tell you the above has worked for me.

2. Rest - I have not worked for 18 months and feel that recovery is a full time job. I have no idea how much worse I would be if I had to work. I also find limiting stress and alternating rest and activity really important. If you can I would make getting better a full time job.

Good Luck, I know it is not easy.

Thanks for the reply Poetrymom.

It is not a cleansing diet per se but more a way to avoid going to the bathroom too frequently. This should reduce all the blood pressure spikes which my brain seems to really hate.

I can drink whey for a good source of protein with plenty of BCAAs.

This will certainly not be a permanent solution but perhaps something that will allow my brain a few days or weeks without having to endure any rises in blood pressure.

I can take 4 weeks leave from work but probably no more as they would eventually need to replace me.

If I notice that I am improving during my 4 weeks of leave but feel I am not ready to return to work then I may need to quit for the time being. I would be willing to make that sacrifice if it promotes my recovery.

Hi Markneil,

I would guess the tingling indicates that either the myelin sheaths have not completely healed or have not correctly healed.

Either way, the myelin sheaths are not able to withstand increases in blood pressure which may be why exercise and stress exacerbates symptoms.

Do you find the tingling is worse when you physically exert yourself or concentrate?

When do you find the tingling is reduced? Mine tends to subside when I am at complete rest but is very easily triggered again.

Halfnelson

Thanks NormaW.

It is an awkward topic I know and for which I apologise!

I may look down the remedy path if this is healthier.

I will not be able to rest more than 4 weeks or so unless I quit my job which will be a last resort - and it may be the case. I certainly do not want to not work at all though.

The tingling in head I had that.I believe it is the swelling going down.
I think for blood pressure and eating you should look into intermittent Fasting or Alternative Day Fasting. I will post something for whole group at a later time about these fasting and benefits.I got to get to acupuncture and then school work.:grouphug:

Halfnelson,

Good morning. Wow interesting questions.

Bowel movements: I don't even have a mtbi (Mom of mtbi) and this is what I use. I have tried many, many things, e.g. more water,diet, and prunes, but my system just doesn't do well in this regard. I have 2 suggestions.
1. Intestinal Movement Formula by HeathForce Detox is awesome (I actually take 6 tablets/day).
2. Use the book the with the above or by itself...It Starts With Food 30 day challenge. I did this first so I know that my system reacts to food. This book has been out so your local library might have it.

Myelin sheath: Is there any research anywhere that this is what gets injured?

Thanks and good luck

Hello, great questions.

I get tingling and severe head pressure and headaches even if I go for a short walk, seems if I'm on the computer too long, talking too much....it all starts up and takes 2 days sometimes for symptoms to subside.

Bathroom situation? I put ground flaxseed on my oatmeal every morning and never have a problem, apart from being so good for you, flaxseed does have a laxative effect so if you try it just try one Tablespoon first to see how you do, sometimes I use 2 Tablespoons, I used to have a terrible problem going to the bathroom, tried everything under the sun and the flaxseed does it.
Also, drink lot's of water. I eat raisins too.

I drink whey protein drinks with the BCAAs. EAS is a good brand and tastes yummy too.

Rest: My therapist says if my headaches are so severe they last all day or longer, I've done too much but...just talking will do it so it's so tough.
I've always been so active but right now walking up hill makes my head explode.

If you can take those 4 weeks off work I'd do it, good luck, hang in there. :grouphug: