Folic acid made my brain fog worse
 

Hey I just thought I would contribute a bit to this forum. So I think my illness (fatigue, inability to workout without getting a racing heart beat for days, depression) is more along the lines of chronic fatigue syndrome.

I went to a good doctor and he prescribed me a lot of things, but one of them was high dosage folic acid. My brain fog got extremely bad on the folic acid. I am part of a chronic fatigue syndrome forum and it has recently been agreed upon that folic acid definitely is bad for people with compromised immunity, which is definitely abundant in those with head injuries. It is agreed upon that methylfolate is a vital supplement for gut and brain health.

Ever since I switched to methylfolate my brain fog symptoms improved a lot. I take solgar metafolin 200mcg-400mcg a night. I really suggest anyone with pcs or fatigue etc to do the same, and avoid folic acid like the plague. This means not eating cereals with folic acid etc.

I know MarkinIdaho, you advised folic acid, and you are a big contributor on the forum. I am particularly interested in seeing if you were to switch to methylfolate, you would see a slight difference?

Folic acid is not needed in large doses. I do not take a large dose of it. In fact, I do not take an individual supplement of folic acid. I take the amount normally included in a B-100 complex and a multi-vitamin. I just checked. The total is 1200 mcgs. My blood test shows my folate levels to be optimum, basically, at the high end of the recommended blood level.

You posted <I am part of a chronic fatigue syndrome forum and it has recently been agreed upon that folic acid definitely is bad for people with compromised immunity, which is definitely abundant in those with head injuries. >

PCS subjects do not necessarily have compromised immune systems. Where did you get that information?

What do you mean by brain fog and what dose of folic acid did your doctor suggest?

That is interesting - Commercial bakers are now by law having to include Folic acid in bread in New Zealand.

very interesting, thanks for sharing. i think my brain fog also got worse when i added wheat germ to my breakfast in february. i ran out a couple weeks ago and actually have been starting to remember things a little better

The suggestion that pcs subjects have compromised immune systems is more of a general statement that concussions can cause brain/gut axis infections. It is likely that head injuries cause inflammation which trigger viral or bacterial infections to replicate. This is not agreed upon yet, but logically makes sense and probably will be common knowledge in 100 years or so when doctors finally understand post head injury problems a lot more.

By brain fog, I mean slow thinking, inability to see clearly at long distances, inability to focus, inability to hold conversations with people due to trouble maintaining focus.

My doctor suggested 4000mcg of folic acid per day. Folic acid may be important for preventing birth defects or other physical problems, but for pure brain health I think methylfolate is far superior. People with PCS may have inflammatory conditions in their body that mess up the conversion process of folic acid to methylfolate.

Folic acid is not a natural chemical for humans. Folic acid is not present in a single food naturally. We eat food with folinic acid, which is then converted into its usable form methylfolate. So yeah, folic acid is not "natural" in any way.

I really just wanted to put it out there that there is no reason to take folic acid at all over folinic acid or methylfolate in my opinion.

Yeah, avoiding gluten has helped me slightly as well. Next up: Dairy. But dang I love my milk and yogurt! I probably won't ever give up dairy no matter what lol.

my memory seems to be better now, weird that the wheat germ had that effect

Don't play football,

You posted <The suggestion that pcs subjects have compromised immune systems is more of a general statement that concussions can cause brain/gut axis infections. It is likely that head injuries cause inflammation which trigger viral or bacterial infections to replicate. This is not agreed upon yet, but logically makes sense and probably will be common knowledge in 100 years or so when doctors finally understand post head injury problems a lot more.>

Can you provide any references to this claim? It does not make sense to me. Compromised immune systems could come from spinal injuries near the spleen, I think it is T6 or so.

Your intake of 4000 mcg of folic acid sounds dangerous.

If you are concerned about dairy, you might look for some non-homogenized milk. Homogenizing milk breaks up the fat molecules into smaller bits that can cross through the abdominal wall undigested. By consuming un-homogenized milk, the small intestine has to digest the fat molecules before the nutrition can be absorbed.

I am lactose intolerant of homogenized milk. I can drink un-homogenized milk all day long. I have not tried raw milk yet. My raw milk source only sells it in plastic. I buy un-homogenized milk in glass bottles.

You might also look into A1 and A2 milk. The beta casein chain in A2 milk will not pass through the intestinal wall until it is digested. The mutated beta casein chain in A1 milk breaks in the gut. The smaller pieces pass through the intestinal wall undigested. Some studies suggest A1 milk for a number of immune disorders and neurological/psychiatric maladies.

I just googled "brain/gut axis infections." What a subject ripe for unscientific claims. I don't doubt that there are brain/gut axis infections or complications. I know that the birth control pill industry tries to deny the hormonal causes of IBS so as to not hurt their hormone birth control pill sales.

One immune issue to consider is very simple. The immune system needs adequate B vitamins. Many people are deficient and when a concussion adds stress to the brain, the deficiency gets worse. This B deficiency can increase the symptoms of immune system dysfunctions. My air borne and food allergies are improved greatly when my B's are correct.

On the other end of the spectrum, immune system compromises stress the brain to cause an increase in PCS symptoms.

btw, My understanding of wheat germ is that it should be consumed in balance with the rest of the grain. To consume it separately denies the food balance of the whole grain. Wheat germ is another of those products promoted to get people to buy a grain product that is otherwise sold as cheap fodder for cattle. Leave it with the rest of the grain like God intended.

All I know is I had a very mild IBS (no medication) and after my TBI it got worse. Now if my stomach gets upset then all my PCS symptoms gets multiplied by 10 times. The reason I take Elavil is more to keep the stomach calm than anything else. Recent study shows there is a direct connection between brain /gut. Some times even I think my anxiety is coming from stomach.

I had no problem with wheat now I avoid wheat whenever I can and sure my stomach behaves. I am even thinking of gluten free. I take low dosage folic acid (400 mcg) and it comes with B-12, B-6 and Biotin. Hope it is not causing my brain fog.

Have you ever had a serious work-up for TOS (Thoracic Outlet Syndrome) or other C-4 to T-4 spine injuries/inflammations? I had serious IBS as a result of my injury. When I was properly treated for the spinal and related radiculopathies, my IBS cleared up. It returns from time to time but will clear up with the same physical therapy techniques.

When mine acts up, I get bloated and have other IBS symptoms.

pcslife, You don't indicate whether you are male or female. Females have a propensity to IBS due to the hormone cycles they go through monthly. These same hormone cycles can exacerbate PCS.

A work-up for TOS would include X-rays to determine if you have false ribs on your cervical vertebra. The false ribs can cause nerve inflammation and dysfunction to the gut. As one ages with these false ribs, they become more problematic due to the slow compression of the vertebral disks bringing them closer together.

After my first PT session, I had a huge BM as my large intestine started to function better. The PT also was able to release a spasming ileocecal valve (the valve between the small and large intestine) I needed to take a spasmotic and softening laxative for a year to get the intestinal muscles working stronger. They had become very weak after 18 months of minimal function. The main symptom of this was continual BM's like a deer. Small turds, no normal size BM's.

Sorry for the gross subject but the treatment did not take place until a proper diagnosis was made. The TOS or TOS like injury is common in whiplash injuries.

Mark, thanks for the suggestion. I am a male. I didn't have any serious work up for TOS. As for as spine concerned I have done MRIs and X-Rays after my injury and according to docs there is nothing needs to be fixed. No one ever mentioned TOS and ofcourse specialists don't like if I suggest something and well they are tired of me as I am tired of them. I mention it to my PCP who is a great listener and seriously wants to help me.

I had mild IBS -D and not constipation and when I lived in Canada I used to take DICETEL and worked great. Even after I moved to U.S. I still was getting it from Canada which is expensive and some plans do cover part of the cost. Not sure why it is still not available in U.S. when it is available all around the world now. It is not a supplement and a prescription medicine. Anyways I quit taking them few years before my TBI and able to easily control with exercise, diet, avoid lactose, some supplements and at some point didn't even notice I have that issue. Everything was good.

Now after my TBI it gave me huge problem (besides other numerous issues) and Elavil sure helps with that and many doctors prescribe Elavil for IBS. Having IBS alone people can go on disability. Seems like there are lot of studies with IBS and Brain and sure having IBS with TBI makes things worse and I am a living example.

The MRI's and X-rays need to be looking for the false ribs. MRI's of the spine have no direct relation to spine injuries except in the extreme cases. Studies have shown that a great number of patients with spine complaints can have negative MRI's and patients with no spine complaints can have positive MRI's.

Many doctors discount TOS. I was diagnosed by a physiatrist (Physical and Rehab Medicine specialist) Generic PT's will struggle to help. You need to find a gifted PT who understands TOS.

Mark,
Finding a good PT/Doctors seems to be the biggest challenge for me now. thanks for pointing that out. They put my dizziness, facial pain as anxiety and write me off and I know it is not since Trigger Point Massage therapy/myofascial pain release helped to relieve my symptoms though it is temporary. Dizziness (non_vertigo) is something Neurologists don't know what to do with.

Right now I am seeing a Physical Rehab Director in a good hospital. He is very knowledgeable about TBI/PCS. He did some shots in my trapezius muscle to release muscle tension. It helped some what for my hand which was getting numb when I lie down. Besides that it didn't address any of the main symptoms. He strongly believes my main symptoms coming from my vision and wants me to go vision therapist.

I went for Vision Therapy/Light Therapy before I saw him (spent a thousand dollars - no insurance coverage) but he said I didn't go to the right one. I guess again back to Vision Therapy and spend may be few thousand dollars? I can mention TOS to him only after I do the Vision Therapy for few months. Seems like this is going to a very long journey unless some miracle happens.

I spent about $18,000 trying to get help and understanding. The PT who did excellent myo-facial release of my upper back, shoulder and neck did wonders. She was well worth the money I spent ($8000 over 2 years) She was not in my health plan coverage.

Be careful with Light Therapy. It can be problematic for an injured brain. Look for a PT who has good myo-facial release skills. Those momentary stabs of pain as she coerces the muscles to behave are well worth it.

What position of laying down causes your hand to go numb?

I have accepted the fact that I cannot sleep on either side or the weight on my shoulders will cause hand numbness. I have been sleeping on my back for over 20 years. The neuro wanted to do emergency carpal tunnel surgery because my hands got so numb. Sleeping on my back has relieved all chronic CTS numbness. The PT has resolved the residual numbness that would sometimes start at my elbow.

If you are the one writing the checks for care, you should be able to get some TOS targeted diagnostics and treatment. My TOS X-rays only cost $140. The therapy was standard PT rates.

You did spent some money. I already spent around $20,000 and seems like there is no end to it. Insurance doesn't cover most of these therapies.

I did the Vision therapy for 2 months (morning and evening - 30 mins) and I am not going to do again. Didn't get any benefit out of it.

My hand was going numb when I sleep on my back and more than that my right leg gets very painful when I am in that position. Pain happens only when I stretch my legs and not when I sit or stand. Some nights I woke with excruciating pain in buttock and right weighs like ton. I have to use my hand to lift the leg since I cannot move voluntarily because of excruciating pain. Been going on for 1 year now and I ignore it since I have bigger issues than that .

Dizziness, Facial Pain, Fatigue etc., is the one I have to fix it now. I wish I can get the prism lenses from the vision specialist in Birmingham. She is confident she can fix lots of issues and has treated many TBI patients with PCS symptoms. I did speak to her once. One pre-requiste is no Xanax before or during the process. If I have to take a flight and go to new city I have to take Xanax because of the dizziness etc., So it is a cache 22 situation.

Sorry I guess this topic went some where. Coming back to the topic wheat is something I learnt recently I have to avoid and my stomach becomes calm. May be folic acid too?

Have you looked into Upper Cervical chiropractic? NUCCA is one version and Atlas Orthagonal is another. Both protocols have web site you will find from googling NUCCA and Atlas Orthagonal.

Yes I did Mark. Upper cervical chiropractor said it wont be much help but still tried around 10 sessions. He sure is very experienced. Gentle chiropractic for about another 10 sessions and also good. Nothing changed. Only thing helped temporarily so far is Myo-facial pain release and trigger point therapy. That is the reason rehab director think it comes from vision rather than neck.