alcohol...
 

Just wondering if someone could explain the ins and outs of alcohol and having post concussion syndrome. Since my accident in June I have a very low tolerance of alcohol the very few times I have drunk, and I start to feel sick when I drink it. I was just wondering how it all worked in relation to having a poorly brain, and also if I should still be staying off alcohol 100% - easier said than done when you're 21 with a bunch of friends who like hitting the town, however much cheaper!!

I'm sure you'll get a very scientific response (Mark? ;) ) but all I can say is that alcohol is toxic and kills brain cells in the healthiest of brains. I know that I permanently feel hung over as it is and don't want to add to the horrible feeling or to my recovery time!

I'd say if it makes you feel bad don't do it!It's your body's way of telling you it doesn't like what you're doing!

I've seen it suggested to stick to one drink so maybe you could try that. At Christmas I had perrier with a splash of wine in a nice wine glass just to feel like it was a celebration.

If your friends give you a hard time just remind them that now they have a designated driver! Or consider new friends or ways to socialise.

I think you had your accident around the same time I did... I hope your feeling much better and getting back to the things you enjoy that matter!

CC

It's obviously bad to go out and drink on a consistent basis.

I think the key is to go out and have one or two drinks maximum, depending on how you feel. Pace yourself and don't drink fast.

One of the things I have been doing is getting cranberry soda instead of cranberry vodka. No one asks any questions and if someone asks to try it just say you are sick and you'd rather they not catch what you have.

Also, I've read medical literature that suggests one drink of alcohol a day actually improves brain function. Research that and let me know what you think.

TLDR: Binging is bad, drinking socially (drastically reduced from what you are used to) is probably okay as long as you don't have symptoms from it and you don't feel strange and off.

Alcohol is toxic to brain cells as noted.

Recovery from brain injury takes long time.......longer than past 'experts' predicted. Alcohol can slow and stop this recovery.

Brain injury trauma can place survivors at risk of developing seizures.
Alcohol can lower the seizure threshold and may trigger seizures.

And more >> resource: Alcohol Use After Traumatic Brain Injury

In the mTBI injured the brain is already compromised. When alcohol is consumed it passes the blood brain barrier easily and affects a number of different nervous systems. It acts as a neuro depressant with the pain centers which can make us feel better. It slows processing ability making those of us with slow processing abilities even slower. It suppress's transmission between nerves. It is a depressant so if you suffer anxiety you don't feel as anxious.

And it is a neuro toxin so when the feel good effects wear off and they will quickly. WE are left with toxins which will make us feel worse. Long story short concussion and alcohol are not a good mix. Remember the, "This is your brain on drugs commercial." If you are concussed your brain is half fried already.

I almost forgot to mention too that I was told by the president of the Brain Injury Association to please stay away from alcohol for another reason....addiction risk is higher with people with brain injuries. Probably because you can feel more normal while drinking it..then horrible after so in order to feel good again...drink again.....addicted.

Just thought I'd mention that too. So please be careful!

CC

Besides to good posts from the others,

*admin edit* We need to accept that alcohol is counter to good brain health. If friends think "not drinking" is socially unacceptable, we need to consider two things. First, why do your friends think alcohol is a necessity? Why have you not learned to stand and defend your injury and tell them, "I am recovering from a head injury and need to stay away from alcohol." ? You can even say, My doctor has told me to not drink alcohol.

The research shows that alcohol is not good for an injured brain at any amount. There are some who consider one serving per day acceptable as a means of relaxing for the evening. The relaxation is more valuable than the small amount of a single serving of alcohol.

Beer is the worst alcohol to drink because of the many substances in it that challenge the brain. The hang-over is more of a toxic and allergic reaction. The alcohol is bad enough without the added insult from the beer components.

If the 'I'm sick and I don't want you to catch what I have' works, they must already be drunk because it is a dead giveaway. The alcohol is a disinfectant.

Your mind is already altered, it does not need any further alteration.

If you can tolerate a single serving without feeling off the next day, it may be OK as an evening relaxant. If you feel off, don't even drink the one serving.

Thanks everyone for such helpful replies :)

I think also due to my social anxiety issues the thought of not being able to drink one or two to relax (never been a heavy drinker) makes me anxious and making conversation is harder etc. I also find it quite boring going out when everyone else is drinking and usually end up bailing on them, as a result I haven't seen my friends much at all.

If you are still struggling with PCS symptoms, going out with friends in a group may be over-doing it. Being where lots of people are talking can be too much for your brain to process. Feeling like you need to say something in a group is also stressful. It often sounds like all the voices are twisted together. Even when you think you hear just one voice, the other voices make it hard to follow the conversation.

Good thread everyone! Just the fear of feeling worse than I do now has kept me from any alcohol.