Supplement Question (I did read the sticky)
 

Hi everyone,

I tried to read the supplement sticky but I am confused. The sticky was great but I can't really read and understand big chunks of info right now.

Which supplements do people find really help? I'm on melatonin for sleep per my doc and it has helped. So now I'm looking at what else I can take. I gathered from the sticky that B's and Fish Oil are really helpful? Is there anything else people cannot live without? I read something, somewhere (my new memory, haha) about Cell Salts? I can deal with the physical issues pretty well. It's the thinking deficits that are driving me batty.

I'm early in recovery. Hit my head on a steel beam at an auto race. 20 minutes later blacked out for 3 minutes, loss of control, vomiting. Dx moderate concussion. This is the first diagnosed concussion but probable I had a mild concussion (whacked front of head on a bathroom stall door) one month prior and then went to Disney World and this bump to the head just aggravated my already hurt brain. I have just about every possible concussion symptom, I'll try to list them later as my list is at home and I can't remember.

I'm seeing a family sports medicine doc who specializes in concussions. I am working as I'm scared not to. I was out for a week, then half days, then half/full days, now full days. I'm 31 and this is the first time in my adult life I've been slowed down and I'm scared not to work or recover fully, I just can't face the prospect.

Sorry in advance if I sound course or repeat myself, not intentional. Thanks everyone and good recovery wishes to all.

Lolo,

Welcome to NeuroTalk.

Cell salts are primarily to replenish salts lost during exertion, like the salts in Gatorade. The B's and Omega fish oil are important. They are not a cure as much as they are a way to help the brain tolerate stress.

I don't put a lot of faith in concussion specialists. They are primarily oriented in Return to play guidelines like those put forth by ImPACT.

Reducing stressors such as those at work is important. Getting good sleep is also important. At 3 weeks, you are still early in your recovery. Please try to be patient.

My best to you.

Vitamin B and Curcumin seem to be the ones that have helped me the most.

Make sure to get a methyl type of B vitamin if you can find it.

Thanks for the replies? So which if any type of doc have you found most helpful? A neurologist? There is just so much diff't info coming in from all sides and my scrambled brain can't seem to sort it all out.

It is rare that a doctor is truly helpful. Some have seen good results with PM&R (Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation) MD's. Other than prescribing meds to deal with single symptoms like anxiety, head aches or insomnia, there is little most doctors can do.

Some times, help with an undiagnosed subtle upper neck injury can be helpful.

Hi,

Thanks for the replies. Sorry I could not get on yesterday. I had a pretty rough day.

So, I got two of the supplements to start, Fish Oil and B-12. I want to start slowly so I don't overload my system and I actually take them. I get overwhelmed when I have more than 1 or 2 things to take, do, think about. I'm sure you all know that story :p

So I got, the Nature Made Fish Oil (1200 mg) w/360 mg EPA and 240 mg DHA per dose of two pills. So I read a lot of varying info but I settled on taking 4 of these pills a day for 1200 mcg. Is that enough or too much?

The B-12 is 3000 mcg sublingual. Is one pill a day enough? I plan on adding a complex B vitamin (methyl per previous post) next week.

Also, I underestimated the importance of the D3 but on rereading your posts I will be adding that ASAP. I thought I could get it from the sun but since the sun is currently my mortal enemy, that was silly.

Some suggestions for you to get the most from your efforts and investment of cash:

1) take the B12 on an empty stomach(no food for an hour)...most is dissolved in the saliva, and absorbed in the intestine. Food present will minimize success therefore.

2) split up your fish oil dose over the day, and take WITH food for best absorption and to avoid fishy burps.

Consider eating foods high in magnesium or taking a good supplement (not oxide form) to help the fish oil work.

Err, I wish i had read this prior as I took it with food per the bottle. I do feel a bit energized though, probably just the placebo effect but I'll take it.

One concern, and it could be silly. The doc said no aspirin because its a blood-thinner. I read something about Fish Oil possibly being a blood-thinner? Is this of any concern? Is it less than aspirin?

I did have some gnarly black/yellow eyes last week, still dark around my eyes this week but not the same boxer black. Told that can happen with head injuries and not a concern, IDK.

Sorry for all the questions too and thanks for all the answers. I've just found this forum to be the most thorough and understandable advice so far. You all seem to speak my language, lol.

Fish oil thins the blood a bit. But it is not as strong as aspirin.

It is often discontinued along with Vit E, gingko and aspirin, NSAIDs about 2 weeks before any surgeries.

Wondering the reason why your doc told you about blood thinners? Was it concussion related reason, or something else?
Reason I'm asking is that a neck/spine doc told me to take Aspirin for 6 months as her suspects part of my problems might be a damaged blood vessel that's going through my neck, and so by thinning the blood it would help more of it to get to the brain.

Yes, Vitamins B6/B12, Vitamin D, Fish Oil, Curcumin, and 5HTP.

Also, I hate to say it, little to no caffeine, no sugar (!), little gluten, and even no dairy for me. These help eliminate brain fog in a major way.

The paleo diet (meats, fish, eggs and veggies) really boosted my brain and energies level along with the vitamins. It's more expensive, but the shift in my brain sharpness has been remarkable.

Best of luck!

Hi, I did check with my doctor yesterday and he approved the use of Fish Oil. He didn't mention using aspirin yet but I will check at my next appointment. He said no aspirin because of the risk of increased bleeding. I had some blackening and yellowing around the eyes which he said was a sign of the bruising healing itself. I guess if there is some minor bleeding, he doesn't want that to increase. I'm still early on in my healing process so I'm guessing the risk will diminish as he wasn't concerned about the Fish Oil.

Thanks so much for this information, especially about paleo. If I can muster the strength, I want to hit the grocery store this weekend and stock up on good brain food.