Is it possible to improve without meds?
 

I am a year PCS and it seems like every doctor I see wants to put me on depression meds and Ritalin for daytime fatigue. Has anyone had success without meds?

Does anyone have experience with ciprolex?

Lexapro, Escitalopram, and Ciprolex are the same, an SSRI anti-depressant.

They will not cause healing from PCS. Depression meds can increase daytime fatigue. Ritalin will only mask the fatigue if it does that.

They will not cause healing but they may reduce symptoms that can delay healing.

How much sleep are you getting each night ? Are you getting good REM sleep ? Brain healing only happens during REM sleep.

The less meds, the better.

Sleep is a huge problem for me...got any ideas?

dawneve,

Do you have an established sleep hygiene ? It takes a process for me to sleep. What do you do during the 4 to 6 hours before you try to go to sleep ?

After doing some research, I felt skeptical of the efficacy of SSRIs for brain injury patients. Among other things, unlike drugs like insulin or statins, I discovered that nobody could explain how SSRIs actually worked. I decided not to take them and have managed my depression and anxiety without drugs.

Things are not perfect, but, although I suffered a significant injury, I seem to be coping as well, or better, than many of my TBI peers. Mind you, I had no pre-morbid history of depression or anxiety.

In the end, each patient has to make their own decision about meds. I made mine, in conjunction with my psychologist.

The tipping point, for me, was Toronto's Sunnybrook Hospital's study on TBI and SSRIs. sunnybrook.ca/media/item.asp?c=1&i=258

Published in the November 2008 issue of the Journal of Psychopharmacology, it is the largest study on SSRIs in the treatment of major depression following TBI - and the only one NOT funded by the drug companies.

The study found no improvement in TBI patients on SSRIs and, in some cases, the drugs deepened the depression.

I sleep on average 8-10 hours a night, depending on how easily I fall asleep which is usually quick! And also if I go through a period of insomnia where I wake up and can't get back to sleep. I do notice those days are a total write off!

I am doing a night and day sleep study this weekend so I will get more information regarding that soon.

Oh and I shared the same feelings as you on depression meds, I don't want to mask my symptoms and reality of life, I want to learn to accept and cope with it. It just seems that every doctor out there is pushing it on me...

Thanks for that link. I have never been one for pharmaceuticals, I am a natural/homeopath kinda girl! So I am hesitant to just hop on the bandwagon because my doctor keeps pushing it. I don't want to be numb to my symptoms.

You might want to look at this thread http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/sh...ighlight=sleep

People have different ways of dealing, or trying to deal with sleep it's a case of finding what works for you I guess.

Hey, did someone say they get 8-10 hours and fall asleep straight away - how is that humanly possible I ask 8-)

KnockedOut,

When you wake up and can't get back to sleep, try getting up and doing something for a while before trying to go back to sleep. Read a book, do ironing, watch a boring movie, etc, to let your mind reset to sleep mode.

I started taking lexapro about 5 months into my injury, it was prescribed primarily for anxiety, although I was often depressed too. I am also someone who does not enjoy taking meds (have hardly taken tylenol for my constant headaches), and if you'd have told me a year ago that I'd be on an anti-depressant I wouldn't have believed you, as I've never been depressed (numerous people called me the happiest person they'd ever met).

It was with a degree of reluctance that I started on lexapro, as I just didn't like the idea generally and was afraid of side-effects, but my anxiety had reached a point where what I had been doing was insufficient to stop downward spirals into anxiety and depression that were preventing healing, so I thought I had to do something.

Having been on a 10mg dose (which is low I guess) for a couple months, I can say that I think it has helped with anxiety. I simply don't get stuck in negative thought patterns as often, and can recognize them coming on more easily (meditation has helped tremendously with this). Also, the visceralness of the flight/flight response is not what it used to be, which helps.

It has not helped as much with depression, but I really think that's just a consequence of me being unhappy with what my life has become and sometimes hopeless that I'll get it back. But that's getting better with time I guess.

I haven't experienced any noticeable side effects, and I'm hoping this continues through the weening off process. I'd like to get off it ASAP, just because I won't feel totally better till I can get on normally without it, but I figure I should wait till I'm seeing significant progress.

Yes that is me! You would think I would wake up feeling energized and ready to take on my day, instead I wake up with a headache and have horrible fatigue all day. The normal average is 7-8 hours, the 10 usually only happens after I go through 3-4 days of 4 hours of sleep because of insomnia.

My doctor mentioned that to me, I usually try to do a little reading or watch a movie because if I try going back to sleep the stress of not being able to go back to sleep usually keeps me awake. Vicious cycle!

Laupala-
You described what is happening to me perfectly. This downward spiral has me thinking I am very, very insane and I'm not kidding. I want to get a handle on this so terribly bad. But where do you begin when you feel the anxiety is automatic and you can't find a trigger?

I feel so hopeless these days. I beginning to feel like detached from myself because I'm so different than what I was before the accident. I hate looking at myself in the mirror because I don't know who that is anymore.

My feelings of anxiety are slowly slipping into constant fear and paranoia almost. I think about this constantly and can barely hold a conversation with someone. I'm terrified of becoming mentally ill beyond repair.

RAllen,

At your current condition, it appears your current meds are not helping at all. You need to seriously consider a change in meds to find something that works. A benzo like Klonopin can be a quick acting and short term help.

Just because a doctor prescribed a med does not mean it has any credibility. Most doctors are a try this and see how it works for you, especially with SSRI's and other psychotropic meds. You need to be willing to try something different.

Have you looked for a neuropsychiatrist ?

I have looked and have not found one in my area. You are right about the way the doctors have gone about this so far. They look at me and say, "you mean you had no previous history of panic/anxiety/ depression before this?!!" and send me along to the next person.

Last week a therapist who I had only spent less than a hour with told me I have PTSD. Then told me to do group therapy. Whatever the dx, I just need some relief. My anxiety is so bad it's like I am convinced I'm not fixable at this point and I'll drift through life not being a good mom to my girls or do anything with meaning.

I know I comment a lot about this on many different threads. I just find this is the only means of getting things off my mind and receive encouraging words and helpful advice that is needed so badly. I find myself acting as "normal" as possible and withholding alot of what I'm really feeling from my family because I know they are getting worn thin.

It's so hard for us to talk with others who don't understand. It's hard for them to believe what they can't see. That is why I enjoy this place so much.

Your family NEEDS to watch the YouTube series "You Look Great" at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x9Xso...ature=youtu.be

If they want to have any input into your care, they need to become informed first.

The therapist is thinking you can think your way out of your anxiety. It is physiologically driven first, thought driven as a second event in response.

Please believe me. There is a way off this anxiety train. You just need to stick it out until you find the help you need.

What larger metro area of Alamama are you nearest ?

btw, I was born in Mobile but convinced my parents to move away by the time I was six weeks old.

Small world. I live across the bay from Mobile. That would be the largest city near me.

I believe every word you say. I just am stuck and don't know where to find the help I need. I feel like I'm doomed, everyday worse than the one before. I'm fighting this for my children. I would never want to leave them with the legacy that I took my own life. However, it's impossible not to think about that option. I'm just so tired of the pain and suffering.

I'm religious so I don't want God to think that I'm not grateful for the health I do have. I hope that he knows this is my sick brain and not me thinking these thoughts. I never in a million years would imagine I would be in this dark place. I was always so happy and outgoing. I got pleasure out of so much in life. That is all a distant memory now.

I will show my family the video, thank you for providing the link.

Thanks again for your support. It means more than you'll now.

yeah that's Never an option. Especially for something you will very likely overcome. If it ever gets to be an option, please let someone know right away. I really feel for you. I wish you weren't going through this. But there is a very good chance you will get pleasure out of so much in life again. You need to believe that.

I want you to know that you are not alone, I struggle with the same often. I don't share as much as I should with my family about what I am dealing with. I feel horrible for what my injury has done to my family. My kids haven't been the same and it kills me that I can't help them.

I have made a strong recovery (not 100% yet, but getting close). Life is mostly back to normal. I did not take any meds at any point. It has taken me almost 3.5 years to get this far.

Not sure if that is an endorsement for not taking meds or not!

Complementary medicine for PCS
 

I have found that complimentary approaches ( essential oils, bodywork, naturopath and chiropractic)- were more helpful overall than the pharmaceutical meds. But the Zoloft (50mg) kept me from crying all the time and the Klonopin (.5mg) did secure sleep. I realized not one dr knew the whole answer and I had to coordinate the care myself.

Car accident 2-9-14- still off work due to headaches and concentration problems

Ciprolex
 

I find that Ciprolex helps control my horrendous mood swings. I am 5 years post concussion and that’s the only drug I take for it. The rest caused too many side effects. After 1 year of lying on the couch I finally got permission to exercise again starting very very gradually. I still get massive fatigue sometimes, but I feel better about it because of the exercise.

I have pretty much tried everything. I got the sleep info from Mayo clinic. Been through sleep study...the machine hurts my brain. Melatonin, valerian, cal/mag don't work. Guided meditations on u tube help me relax. It seems when I lay down, My central nervous system gets all wired. Full of adrenaline.

dawneve,

I need gabapentin to settle my body so I can get to sleep. It does not make me sleepy. It just allows me to get to sleep. I take 600 mgs. I used to take 1200 mgs. I still need to practice good sleep hygiene.

Hi greenfrog, so glad for your recovery and hope you reach 100% soon. Can I ask you what symptoms you had and which ones are gone or seem going away ?

Personally speaking the turning point in my recovery was when I was precribed Cymbalta (SNRI). At the time I had dreadful fatigue, noise/light sensitivity, dizzyness, irritibility, forgetfulness, and terrible earache, tinnitus, toothache, jaw ache, pain in my eyes and the bridge of my nose. As well as this I had insomnia, being awake between 12-5am for months.

The Cymbalta instantly cut through my pain and also reduced all of my symptoms, including insomnia. It also helped my mood greatly and put me on the road to recovery.

We identified Imigran as a very effective drug for my post concussion headaches and it would also completely erradicate noise and light sensitivity for me.

2 years on I just take 30mg Cymbalta in the morning, and Topomax 75mg a day for ongoing neuropathic pain since my head injury. I lead a normal life, work, exercise and and I am mostly back to normal. I couldn't have done this without medication.

Regards

mouse1,

have you tried to stop the Cymbalta ? It would be interesting to see what symptoms you still have without the Cymbalta. SNRI's and SSRI's can be a struggle with side effects and such.

Do you have ADHD or ADD, because I used to take ritalin for that and might be going back on it hopefully it will help... Did It help you at all?

Yes, I succeeded without drugs. This time last year I had no hope, was depressed, had major insomnia fast forward to now - I'm doing well and sleep is good.

Yes Mark,

I have tried to come off Cymbalta and the anticonvulsant medication without success.

I slowly tappered off Cymbalta but what it resulted in was severe neuropathic pain, a tooth extraction in order to get relief from the constant numbness, pain, headaches which resulted.

This withdrawal led to a diagnosis of trigeminal neuralgia. It led to an increase in medication Cymbalta and Lyrica (now Topomax).

If it's not broken (your medication regime) don't mess with it!

I am very lucky, I can lead a normal life with very small doses of Cymbalta and Topomax so I am just going to put up with it and be thankful!

I was wondering the same thing! I am almost willing to try it for myself to see if Cymbalta will help...

No I don't, the dr prescribed it for my daytime fatigue… I still haven't agreed to take it, my GP agrees that it probably isn't worth it just for the fatigue.

That is great to hear! It has been a year for me and I have tried to improve without drugs, but starting to wonder if they are needed. I have never been a big med user, I much prefer more natural/holistic methods so this is hard for me.