Mark in Idaho-will you share what you know about brain metabolism
 

Mark in Idaho,

Would you please share your knowledge about brain metabolism?

Thank you,

Jace

And anyone else if you can explain in easy to comprehend terms.

The only thing about basic brain metabolism that concerns me is glucose. My brain needs good sustainable glucose levels to function.

There are various metabolic chains related to specific substance, caffeine is one, where the beginning metabolic process and metabolites are benign but later down the metabolic chain, things turn for the worse.

Is there a specific question I can research ?

Thank you Mark,

I had asked my doctor why everyone else can complete tasks and I can't...my brain hits a brick wall and nothing else is accomplished besides resting my brain in quiet and dark, or sleep.

When I wake up I feel like I can function again.

I was told my brain does not process glucose like someone without a brain injury. I feel like I'm on the edge of understanding the things that are wrong but I've been on that edge for nearly a year. I can describe symptoms but can't grasp the why. ?

Does that help? I feel at a loss to explain. I could play the word game easier.

Jace

Are you really sensitive to stimulation? I've noticed that any type of bright flourescent lighting will immediately shut down the prefrontal cortex of my brain allowing me to have no processing capabilities what so ever.

When you said you have to rest in a quiet dark place, I can certainly relate to having to do so. My head would feel numb, overstimulated, full of water, and I would just need to avoid any type of stimulation that would trigger any response. Eventually usually after a couple of hours it would start to go away and I would be able to half way function once again.

If you do think this bothers you, look into Irlens Syndrome. You could possibly have it.

Just offering some thoughts, maybe you can handle stimulation just fine. It is researched that 55 percent of people that get a concussion are light sensitive and if you have PCS then it is almost certain that you do.

Sorry if your just looking for metabolic answers, but I just went to a specialist to get this corrected with specialized lenses and the change is extremely profound. No headaches, nausea, less fullness in head, less fatigue, and can focus much better on anything that involves light. Reading, watching tv, computer work, etc.

Anything else I can help with, I'd be glad to offer any insight if I have the ability to do so.

Jace,

Have you looked into the Ketogenic diet ? It is high in ketones, a source of brain energy that is saved for the brain as a last source of energy when all glucose is exhausted. Also, look into MCT's, Medium Chain Tryglicerides. The ketogenic diet is high in MCT's. Google MCT supplements. There are a variety of oils available.

Check out this Wiki page. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ketogenic_diet

A modified Atkins Diet shows value, especially with adults. It does not say what the modification is but it could be assumed that MCT's or coconut oil could be added to Atkins successfully.

Mark,

Similar to what my holistic doctor believed. He retired. He thought we should use all natural but more protein than fat.

I'm going to discuss this with my doctor tomorrow. I like it except for my occasional mister misty and popcorn craving.

Thanks,

Jace

I've wondered about the brain/glucose connection, too.

In the immediate aftermath of a brain injury, blood sugar levels can soar. It used to be that ER docs would administer insulin. They don't do that anymore, as they suspect the change is part of the brain's attempt to protect itself.

For the first 4-6 months after the injury I craved sugar badly. I am a rare sugar girl. I love my savory (can't tell u how long I had to wait for that word to come back to me. I used all my word finding already this morning up in the games and chat section with Mark) foods.

I ate foods I don't enjoy. Lots of baked goods- coffee cakes, pastries, pancakes, waffles. Okay I do eat a Belgian waffle if we go to Gatlinburg. So once every 2-3 years.

So when my doctor told me I don't process glucose like everyone without an injury it left me curious.

Does anyone else hit that brick wall? That's just what I call it. No matter how badly my motivation not one more action can be taken. I must rest or sleep.

Jace

Joe,

In vestibular therapy they did use colored sheets with me. They would place them over the bright white paper. It did feel like a softening to me, like when my husband turns off an overhead light...my brain says ahhhhh. Things soften and feel less hard and heavy. ?

I did not have the type of results you mention though. How wonderful it must be for those people it helps!

Thanks,

Jace

Yes, I freeze. If I'm overwhelmed, I can just shutdown.

It was much worse in the beginning. I recall a particularly bad instance at the grocery store. I was already struggling to cope with the bright lights, people, colourful displays and musak, when disaster struck. I needed coffee, but they were sold out of the brand on my list. Confronted with a wall of alternatives, I just couldn't make a choice. I guess I just stood there, staring. My very young (but very smart) daughter realized what was happening and lead me out of the store by the hand and sat with me on a bench, until I snapped out of it.

I am always afraid of these big freezes, so I avoid a lot of situations.

On a daily basis, I'm confronted by moments when I just can't do things. Sometimes weird stuff: for some reason I just can't open a piece of mail or clean sometime bad out of the fridge.

I get up, every morning, thinking, "Today, I'm going to get done everything that needs to get done," - and then, I don't. :confused:

I'd also like to suggest that you avoid glutamate. This neurotransmitter is the culprit that causes brain cell death.

Monosodium glutamate is an artificial synthetic form of it that floods the nervous system in an unnatural way and causes nerve problems. People with peripheral nerve damage often get more pain when eating this in food.

There are natural forms of glutamate in our foods, like Parmesan Cheese, but it is bound to organic compounds and do not flood our blood stream when eaten like synthetic MSG does.

MSG is in alot of things. It is best to avoid soups/stews at restaurants. Chinese food especially contains it and often even when you request no MSG, you will get it. If you feel headache or blurred vision after a restaurant meal, that is a sign there was alot of MSG in it.
Some processed food makers like Lays, have lines of "natural" chips (potato or corn) that do not have MSG added. But most of the flavored types like Doritos etc, are filled with MSG.

Hockey,

Yep. That wall is frightening in public. I can't function.

Plans to complete my list for the day...AND THEN I DONT. I have to give myself a break but I haven't learned how to not over do yet. If I get things done and overdo then I feel bad. If I don't get things done then I feel bad.

It's a work in progress. Does help knowing I'm not alone. Plus I like to hear everyone's survival tips, strategies, and work arounds.

Tahanks to Mark I set a timer in the kitchen now. I'm easily pulled off task. Oh look, the fan is on...burnt food on stove. Ugh. Timer works.

Jace

Hi everyone,

I still experience those "spells", mostly when I am around several people and multiple conversations or activities going on. My Neuropsychologist wants me to follow up at Cleveland Clinic Epilepsy Center, though I have had 3 EEG's which all came back without abnormal electrical activities. I am told I stop and stare, usually with a fixed gaze to the extreme right or left, and when I come around, I cannot say anything but , "well", for the first few minutes. I remember some of these episodes, but not all of them.

Is there a test or way to prove what causes these episodes if not a seizure? I thought I was going crazy, since there seems to be no "reason" for these to keep happening to me, since no seizure activity found on EEGs.

Hockey, I am afraid of the "big freezes" too, since I have been sent from Neuro Rehab twice in a month to the ER on an ambulance for these kind. I haven't had these bed ones in about 2 months, so I'm crossing my fingers they don't happen again.

Are you who are experiencing these episodes finding they happen only in crowded or stressful situations, or even when you are alone? Mine can happen either way, but mostly if I am in a busy, crowded environment.

Thanks for you responses. Take care, M-i-m

Colored sheets over paper will have very minimal results to actually getting prescription lenses put in sunglasses that you would wear all the time. it's not an immediate change, it allows your brain to calm but it takes a couple weeks for it to fully rest and not be over exerted.

Irlen Specialists find the exact color that fits your specific needs. Some colors work for some people, some don't. The testing process will specify the color need that you have.

Vestibular Specialists most likely don't use the process that finds this and also probably don't use prescription lenses. Helen Irlen developed the method, so you have to be trained through her Institution to be able to get the correct lenses.

Just putting different colored paper over white paper would have minimal results, but if it did offer some relief it would be wise to look further into the lenses that would allow for you to not have to deal with any lighting no matter the external circumstance.

Yes, my BIG freezes tend to happen when I'm feeling overwhelmed. I think it's my brain's way of protecting itself from over-stimulating situations. I liken it to the way babies fall asleep in noisy, hectic environments.

I do hit these walls mostly when it comes to writing down my thoughts... I can not properly convey what I want to say in a manner that people can understand..

As for the diet... sorry, I do not understand Mark... are you saying a high- protein diet is better? I have read it 3 times and for some reason I am not comprehending...

MrsD and Sarah,

It's actually mostly fat (but natural, 3 chain I believe), then protein, carbs, sugar. The natural 3 chain fat may provide better brain energy than carbs is what I think I understand. Talking to dr tomorrow about it to see if it will help my brain from hitting the brick wall.

I have to take my time and really think about what I'm doing or I'm very messy. Even my posts here I scour for errors. I think that's the teacher in me.

MSG...we aren't a chip family or snacks family. I like popcorn or a mister misty slushy every now and then. Those are my guilty pleasures. But I am going to really watch for MSG. Did not know it was that bad. Thanks.

Jace

So lots of avocado? Let me know what the doctor says... and what foods are good vs just ok... I would love a diet for when I go back to work (yes, I am still hopeful) that would help with brain function...

Sarah, The diet is high in fats and low in sugars and carbohydrates. Medium Chain Triglycerides (fats) are common to help with this. MCT oils can be used. When the liver processes fats in the absence of carbs, they are processed into ketone bodies. Only the brain and nervous tissues can metabolize ketone bodies.

The wiki link I posted does a good job of explaining it in detail. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ketogenic_diet

Doctor rescheduled for next week. Will ask about the diet then. My neurologist is great but extremely vigilant about all of my health care as he feels everything can affect the brain. I do appreciate him.

Jace

Oh "the Spells" ! I get them a lot, get overwhelmed then can't function, can't speak etc, actually it doesn't matter where I am, I can be home and not be able to talk or think properly.

M-i-m:

I was told seizure activity doesn't always show up on EEG's, doesn't mean you're not having them so it's good you're going to the Epilepsy center.

I'm told I have staring spells, just stop talking and stare then come out of it, don't know I'm doing it. I lose time and also feel like I'm in a dream state which lasts for 1-2 minutes or so, get a wavy feeling in my head and it feels like my brain suddenly shifts, things can look different.

One time here comes the brain shift and I started shouting the same words over and over like a robot, couldn't stop, then my left arm shook, muffled voices then I came out of it, hard to talk to begin with.

Hope you are ok and get answers.

Absence seizures.

Hi Sitke,

Thank you for your well wishes. I have been told my staring spells can last anywhere from 5 to 20 minutes long. Sometimes I can tell when they are about to happen because I' become suddenly confused, and my reaction time slows way down to stopping. There is usually an incredible pressure/ pain that starts on the left side of my head just in front of my ear and all around it that shoots across the top of my head to exactly the same spot an the right side of my head, like a too tight head band.

I used to shake like crazy on my right leg and then the right arm. Now the spells seem to stop all movement, and even affect my walking, as I need assistance (and once a wheelchair) to get to a place where I could sit or lay down.

I had one incidence at Neuro Rehab when I had a spell that sent me to the ER on an ambulance, where out of nowhere my left arm and leg started to flail and my right leg was shaking so severely, the therapists had to surround me to keep from falling off my chair. I was sobbing out loud with incoherent speech which started and stopped abruptly. I remember this happening, but I, too, felt like I had no control over my actions and "robot-like". Just came out of nowhere. This was on of two bad ones I had while in Neuro rehab that sent me to the ER by ambulance.

I was told that these spells were not absence seizures because with those you resume your activities as if nothing had happened, and I always have a period of confusion and need help to remember what I was doing just before the spell began. The confusional period can last 5 to 10 minutes, or sometimes I can slip into another spell almost immediately.

Unfortunately, I am becoming less and less aware of when they happen. I also feel when I come out of them the typical confusion, slight to moderate, but I feel as if I was only "gone" for a moment, like 1-2 minutes. Always surprised to hear it lasted 5 or more minutes, then additional 5+ minutes or more to come out of the confusion stage. WOW!! I am so shocked by the time differences between me and whoever is with me to observe the spells.

Hopefully I will get some answers. I hope you get the answers you are looking for as well. Take care, M-i-m

Wow MIM, I hope they figure that out soon. Sounds so scary. Are there triggers you recognize?

Jace

Hi Jace,

The only triggers I see as consistent are the sudden confusion ( don't know what I am doing) and slowing down, and the head pressure and pain. They mostly happen when I'm with other people, but as I found out in Neuro rehab, they can happen when I'm alone doing something like chopping veggies. In fact, that was one of my first complaints to my OT in rehab. I told her it would take me forever to chop veggies ( as noted by the clock) and I couldn't figure out why. She saw it happen when I was cooking in rehab on a number of occasions.

Now, I set a timer of 5 minutes and if I do not get it done in that time frame, I am to take a small break and resume with the same method until finished. Still haven't finished in 5 minute time frame sometimes. Oh well!

Please take care, M-i-m

Hi M-i-m,

Seems like professional's have conflicting opinions, this is why I am so pleased you are going to an actual Epilepsy center as they will know for sure. It does sound to me like you are having seizures but of course I'm not a Dr.

There are different kinds of seizures and you can have several types.

How long has this been going on for you? Did anything happen beforehand?

I had a severe concussion last year, hit my head but don't remember it, lot's of cognitive problems then started with all this.

I too remember the shouting I did, I knew it was me but couldn't stop,so hard to explain, I have heard some people get extremely upset as you did in the ER.

I totally understand the sudden feelings of confusion and slowing down, this happens to me, it feels like my brain suddenly shifts and I know something is wrong, if I'm in a store I just stand still and everything is slowed down and dreamy. This can be known as an aura.

I was told absence seizures only last for a few mins (who knows though) I don't have any recollection of going in to anything weird, I just feel like I wake up but then realize my brain has been somewhere else as time has passed, don't know where it's been though! no thoughts. I can even be walking when it happens, on the phone, watching TV.

I've had electric and shaking feelings in my arms. I've gone in to places I know very well but they seem new to me, I get confused where I am then it passes.

Do you ever look at something and it just doesn't look right? one time during a spell the table did not look right and my short term memory is shot, how is your memory?

Please let us know who things go? hope you are okay, obviously something is going on and hope you get answers as this is scary not knowing.

Don't mean to go on about me, just wondering if you experience any of these other symptoms, I totally understand everything you are describing.

Do you drive? be careful, I don't like to drive now, a few times I've had spells on the road and thank God there was no other traffic around me as I suddenly stopped the car then "woke up" and realized I'd stopped.

Take care...

Hi Sitke,

I am so relieved (yet sad for you) that I am not the only one that knows what I am talking about. I don't know if I recall seeing things that "just don't look right", however, I have experienced lack of coordination and fumbling of objects in my hands at the beginning of the spells. I never had this happen before the accident.

When you said your "brain suddenly shifts and you know something is wrong"...yeah, I've had exactly that. I call it a sudden confusion, as I hesitate in movement or in speech, because it's as if I suddenly don't know what's going on. Then it all begins.

I don't drive. I did for a short while after the accident and before the Neuropsych testing, because I kept getting reassured by Neurologists that I didn't have a severe brain injury, since I was never in a coma. But I can tell you, I had moments when I drove, I would stop accelerating and slow way down on a number of occasions without knowing why I couldn't maintain pressure on the pedal. One time, I had to pull over and let my son finish driving us home, because I couldn't keep my eyes on the road, but kept looking around and losing concentration. (Thank God nobody was behind me at those times). I know I cannot drive until these spells and my cognitive abilities improve. Just did not know what was happening to me back then.

My last spell just happened yesterday while eating dinner with my husband and son. Both told me my pupils we huge, just filling up the whole colored area while I was not responding and staring, then returned to normal size when I came out of it. Neither of them had seen this before, so definitely something I will bring up when I see the M.D.

I hope you can get some answers, too. It's strange not knowing why these keep happening, and I feel like most of the Neurologists I've seen are all too ready to dismiss these as psychological. In fact, I wouldn't even mind if they found them to be psychologically induced, because at least I'd have an answer, and I could start to get treatment for them.

The not knowing is tough. Please take care, M-i-m

Hi M-i-m,

I know, I'm also relieved that someone else understands this yet also sad you're going through it too.

Neuro's say it's psychological!! well, it is in the brain but no not the way they're thinking!!

Yes! when you were driving and not knowing why you were slowing down, me too, brain not working properly, my husband would ask me why I was slowing down, the light is green but I just didn't feel right, confused about everything around me.

If you don't mind my asking, what kind of accident were you in, did you hit your head and have a concussion? sorry, not been reading a lot of posts lately so must have missed it.

Your eyes changing like that last night is showing something is not right, I'm sorry you're going through that.

When was your accident? Do you know a brain injury doesn't always show up right away, symptoms anyway, it can actually take a long time in some people or just several months, these spells started with me 6 months after my accident but I had severe cognitive problems form the start.

i am seeing a neurologist in August and hope he can figure out what is happening, I just know I'm going to be extremely upset if he dismisses me.

I saw a chiropractor yesterday for other injuries still going on and he is actually sending me for a head/brain MRI to rule out a brain scar etc to see if it will show what's causing this, at least he was very caring and concerned.

These spells also seem to happen in clusters, 2-3 a day for days then they will stop for several days then start up again. When it happens out I feel scared especially when I'm alone, I just stand there.

Please be careful, can you let us know how things go, I am very interested and hope you find an answer, at least you will know, hugs....

Yesterday I overdid. I could feel the fatigue setting in. My mom dropped me at Walgreens front door to get a bottle of water. I can count on one hand how many times I've done something like this on one hand

I was in that light headed dreamy state and took a while. She parked and came in just as I was at the register. I put my things on the counter and he rang me up and I just stood there. They stared at me. I had no clue what to do next and wasn't even thinking of the next step. My Brian was just floating.

My mom looked at me odd and I looked at the clerk and it took me a bit to put it together. I eventually paid but messed that up.

Over stimulation does this to me. Sounds, movement in my vision, lights, thinking, talking, all of it. Going out is very hard still

I don't think I have seizures but I can relate to you both.

Yesterday I overdid. I could feel the fatigue setting in. My mom dropped me at Walgreens front door to get a bottle of water. I can count on one hand how many times I've done something like this on one hand

I was in that light headed dreamy state and took a while. She parked and came in just as I was at the register. I put my things on the counter and he rang me up and I just stood there. They stared at me. I had no clue what to do next and wasn't even thinking of the next step. My Brian was just floating.

My mom looked at me odd and I looked at the clerk and it took me a bit to put it together. I eventually paid but messed that up.

Over stimulation does this to me. Sounds, movement in my vision, lights, thinking, talking, all of it. Going out is very hard still

I don't think I have seizures but I can relate to you both.

Still messy today and brain fatigue

Hi Sitke,

I was in an automobile accident in October of 2012, where we were rear ended while stopped in traffic. My head hit my headrest very hard, and I sustained herniated cervical discs to my neck as well as a concussion. My symptoms showed up right away, but the spell were diagnosed the following June or July after 2 EEGs were negative for abnormal electrical activity.

I had a Neuropsych test in July of 2013 which showed moderate to severe cognitive changes. Because of these test results, I qualified for Neuro Rehab, which included PT/OT and ST as well as cognitive re-training. I just completed 5 months of outpatient rehab, and have improved in many areas, especially with my balance and with my speech.

I do not believe these spells have ever stopped at all since they began, and I believe I average between 2-4 every week.

Although I have improved with Neuro Rehab, I still cannot tolerate more than 2-3 continuous hours of activities. Like Jace, My brain just shuts down, and I end up having to stop and rest for a good 1/2 hour or more, or even take a brief nap to recover from the mental and physical exertion. I have issues with losing movement and coordination in my legs when I walk at a quicker pace, or for more than 1/2 hour at any pace. Kind of resembles Frankenstein as I amble along awkwardly!! Evenb worse if I'm in the grocery store and scanning shelves for items...thank God for shopping carts!! My husband ends up pulling me along from the front of the cart to keep me walking!

The brain is such a mystery. I hope the MRI or CT scan you take will give you some answers. Take care, M-i-m

Hi Jace,

So sorry it is still so difficult for you to be our in public places. I still avoid overcrowded situations if possible, and situations that have multiple conversations going on all at once. These things can really spin me, and will result in a spell if I stay too long.

It's embarrassing enough to do the blank brain fog stare, then add the spell and my inability to speak afterwards, and now everyone is staring at me, with looks of shock and concern written all over them.

Although they are quicker to understand now, since they know I have a brain injury. I think it's nice to have someone who has your back, like your mom. My family is always there for me, too. Please rest and take care, M-i-m