not a sufferer but signed up because
 

I'm shocked by the amount of people who are just passively waiting for symptoms to improve.

I've read a lot of studies on brain health. An SSRI helps but I think the choice to take one is personal.

But the two things everyone should be doing is taking high doses of fish oil, regular strength not the ethyl ester concentrates. And exercise(jogging, weight training) or at least breathing exercises/meditation.

You will be surprised at how much 10 grams a day of fish oil will help.

Strong doses of vitamin c help also. And the b vitamins.

I notice some of you have noise sensitivity. You need to gradually desensitize yourself to noise by starting with recordings at a low volume.

But the biggest thing is exercise and fish oil.

BDNF,

We have discussed high dose fish oil many times. Some can not tolerate it. It is helpful but not for everyone. Weight training is counter-productive for people with unresolved neck injuries as it can cause neck muscle tension.

There are some who believe SSRI's can have a negative effect and even leave the patient with long term problems.

We do support the need for enough activity to get good brain blood flow.

What are the issues with fish oil?

Some people have gastric distress with too much fish oil. It can also cause bleeding, gums, nose, feminine, and others. Others have head aches.

The blood thinning and bleeding issue is a risk for those who may have suffered a brain bleed.

We discuss the value of vitamins and supplements in the Vitamins sticky at the top.

Well thanks for your post BDNF.
First, I am interessted where you got your knowledge about TBI from?

Sounds like I did something wrong concerning the excercises. I stayed in bed as much as I could to be honest. The higher heart rate and blood pressure are no problem?

Eat for your mitochondria! Here is a diet plan to follow
 

This is an amazing Ted talk of a lady who healed her MS symptoms through food.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=KLjgBLwH3Wc

The Wahls Protocol
 

The Wahls protocol...that is the book. Sounds like everyone in this forum should get on this diet. At least us newbies.

The Wahls protocol is a diet for those with autoimmune disorders like MS. It does not appear to have a cross-over to PCS. It is a version of the Paleo diet.

Maybe these two prior posts should be posted to the MS forum.

Rebuild Myelin!
 

Mark it sounds like The Wahls Protocol helps the brain rebuild Myelin and supposedly helps the mitochondria work better. Wouldn't it be safe to assume that it will help the average PCS sufferer? Who is riddled with fatigue and needs to rebuild Myelin...I mean that is the whole reason weare on a vitamin regimen to help the brain rebuild itself and MS is a disease of the brain and so is PCS.

You should take something for the blood pressure and heart rate if that's keeping you in bed. I'm not sure what you mean though, if you suffer from it or if you are worried about those effects from exercise.

The low inflammatory aspect of the Paleo diet may help for those who have an inflammation based symptomology. It sounds extreme for most to adopt.

Anyway, regarding exercise, there's countless studies done on mice where they gave the mice a tbi and split them in to an exercise group or non exercise group and the mice that exercise fair a whole lot better than the non exercise mice.

If you wanna see for yourself go on ** and search exercise tbi.

BDNF,

Firstly, humans are not mice. Many/most TBI sufferers also suffer from mobility impairments and other disabilities after their accident.

While I have looked at the studies and scholarly papers, I find an overriding caveat - that exercise should be 'safe', built up gradually and started under the care of a Physician.

I point you in the direction of the Paper: Exercise After TBI: Is It A Double-Edged Sword? By Grace Griesbach PhD. Here is a clip from the Summary:

Quote
Results of human and animal studies suggest that premature postconcussive exercise may be deleterious by exacerbating postconcussive symptomatology and disrupting restorative processes. A better understanding of the mechanisms that influence exercise after TBI will contribute to improving guidelines for the return to exercise activities and to the successful use of exercise as a therapeutic tool.
Quote.

I am an ABI sufferer, with a large lesion in the Occipital part of my brain causing double vision, and multiple White Matter Lesions throughout my brain shown by MRI. I am currently waiting for results to be forwarded and interpreted by a second Dr as my Neuro was less than forthcoming. I have multiple spine/neck/cord injuries, Neurological Hypersensitivity and heart issues which mean I cannot exercise, and while I take certain vitamins, high doses and D supplements are closed to me due to contra-indications.

Yet I would love to be able to do everything to protect - even improve the health - of my brain. It is where 'I' live. That is what every Member here feels, they come seeking advice and knowledge and reassurance that they are going to recover from the terrible event that brought them here. Don't think everyone sits and lets the World wash over them. Being a Member of this wonderful Forum, linking up with peers, is often the start of the fight back to recovery.

Dave.

I don't believe there are any magic quick fixes or sure fire ways to get over tbi, only rest, light exercise and a healthy varied diet high in fresh vegetables and fruit help. Having a positive mental outlook, which isn't always easy, helps the brain repair too. The body needs time to heal and that's all there is to it.

Hi Mark

I am wondering what you mean by "an inflammation based symptomology"? What would those symptoms entail? I am curious because I often think that a lot of my symptoms are due to inflammation but can't be sure.

Thanks and take care.