exercise intolerance from TBI/concussion
 

Hello all, I was wondering if anyone had any tips on having exercise intolerance from a TBI. I've had a couple of tbi's in the past that took anywhere from 1-3 months to return to exercise tolerance, but this is different. I did the Buffalo protocal for one of those with success. This latest injury, however (even though it was very mild), has taken be away from exercising for the past 5 months. I can't even go on a slow walk for more than like 5 minutes without a numbness feeling in the right side of my head (brain fog). If this is related I also get that same feeling when I overeat or eat certain foods (I think may be related to leaky gut which I am working on fixing). What did others do to cure themselves of this? I just want to get outside and be able to hike and do normal things again.
The only potential treatments I have seen may work are growth hormone therapy, leaky gut therapy, dysautonomia therapy, does anyone have any suggestions or know if these things work?

swampmonster14,

Welcome to NeuroTalk.

Have you tried taking your blood pressure to see if there is a correlation with your headaches?

Have you tried exercise that does not involve stepping? Rowing, swimming, spinning?

Hey Mark, thanks for the response. At this point I cannot even walk down the street for more than like 5 minutes without getting a headache. I take my Heart rate while exercising and it seems that anything above 100 bpm initiates the headache unfortunately. My resting HR is only 60 but right now it does not take much to get to 100. I have to walk basically one step every couple of seconds to be okay which is kind of ridiculous

My question had to do with the stepping issue. There is a mind jarring that can progress up to the head with each foot plant. That mild impact can be problematic for some. A rower or stationary bicycle does not have the impact.

Rowing at 18 to 20 strokes per minute would be a good start. Spinning puts a low stress on blood pressure.

The goal should be to sustain 90 bpm for an extended period.

Regarding foot impacts, If you put in some foam ear plugs, you can hear the impact that travels to your head from each step. Changing to a softer sole shoe or changing your step to land more on your toes could help.

The vast majority of concussions include a subtle neck injury. Aggravating that neck injury can trigger symptoms. The right side issue suggests neck involvement.

Hey Mark, Thank you for the suggestion. I will definitely try this. I had a pretty serious whiplash injury during one of my concussions that is likely playing a role. I will try that and let you know how it goes. Thank you again so much, best advice I have heard/read in awhile.

Mark, you also recommended that I measure my blood pressure and I never asked you why you thought I should do so? Would there be correlation between high blood pressure and headaches?

Yes, some find a connection between BP and headaches. BP can be triggered by anxiety, pain and other issues. learning relaxation skills can reduce BP.

SW 14,

I had problems walking for quite sometime, 1.5 yrs to be exactly thereabouts.
500' was about max.

I was able to start swimming which I had never had any interest in for exercise but it worked.

Running and walking on a treadmill with an incline works for me now also, street still not so good after 4 years.

Bud

Hey, Bud, what type of swimming did you do? Do you think it was the impact from the street which is causing problems? How much did you start at when you first started swimming. I having been working on an exercise bike. I started at about 6 min max before symptoms and now can make it to 19 min before symptoms come in.

It sounds like you are making progress. Progress can be slow. I used to swim breast stroke for 45 minutes to an hour. It did not raise my heart rate much. I cannot swim freestyle due to a tight shoulder.

I moved to the rower when the pool was getting repaired. 18 strokes a minute should be a good start if you try rowing. Rowers with electronic monitors will indicate your strokes per minute.

Keep it up and you should continue to improve.

The brain can take some time to relearn blood flow moderation.

SM14,

Swimming was a bit of an accident for me. I've been running for 40 yrs and enjoy it but after my accident running was virtually impossible for 2.5 years, even walking was an overload. I thought I was ruined and would never be able to move again as I had on the past.

I have a pool at home and decided to give it a try so I began very slowly and shortly and discovered no ill effects so I started working my way up time wise still going easy.

As I added effort I began to notice that sustained times of aerobic activity created symptoms I did not enjoy so I would swim hard a lap then easy a lap, still frustrating but it was progress.

The other trick was to learn what symptoms were from swimming and what was from anxiety, as I began to recognize anxiety induced symptoms I would push through the other side.

I swim freestyle, back and butterfly for 30 minutes and am fine running on a treadmill with elevation now so I alternate which is probably better for the body anyways.

Slow, steady and pay attention to what your body is telling you. Do not judge current abilities against your past, rather use your past abilities as a goal if you decide they are reasonable and attainable.

I am happy with my level of fitness again. My biggest holdover from the accident is my brain seems to be quite aware of the normal aches and stiff muscles of strenuous exercise and have to remind myself its normal.

Enjoy the adventure.

Bud