exercise
 

It has been a year since my TBI. I have recovered pretty well. I have some fatigue and executive function issues but really waat to go forward, physically. The main issue is that if I try to get my heart rate up by running, I start to get headaches and feel short of breath. If I push myself through these symptoms I find it takes me days to recover. Is this normal? All the doctors say that it could be some autoregulation issue from the brain injury. That once I get to a certain level something isn't kicking in. Does anyone else have this problem a year out from their injury?

I don't want to discourage you, but I also have the same problems and it's been over 3 years for me.

I ran cross country my sophomore, junior, and senior year after. It was really hard at first but I did get better for me. And the problems lessen a lot when your conditioned. By my senior year I was our teams 5th runner on varsity.

So don't let it stop you from running, it will get better once you get used to it.

Hi, 7 years on and exercise is still a problem for me.

I find that if I push to far I get shocking headaches and begin to vomit and can't stop without a trip to A&E for the jabs to stop the pain and the vomiting. This happens even if I walk too far. Like about 6-7 miles ok any further and the headache happens.

I am currently going to a gym and am being very careful. I have to avoid any exercise that lowers my head and am watching my heart rate. I am wondering if I increase very very slowly I might be able to manage more.

Jerky exercise is a definite no no. Running is out for me - it seems to shake my brain and gives me a headache. I feel like my brain needs a stabilizer like a ship!

Lynlee

hi wolfman
 

hi wolfman I can,t run but have ridden a bike a bit wobbly it diden,t shake my brain so much I am having tests for an internal CSF leak I had CSF coming out my nose but it has the effect of giving you a postural head ache head leakers can stay up right a bit longer than spinal leakers with me its about 2 or 3 hours max so it is worth considering if you are having postural head ache,s they get better if you lay flat ?? or if you had a lumber drain to reduce pressure in your head if you had surgery some people leak from that

It is clear water type fluid that can drip out your nose or run down the back of your throat (a bit ikky this) but it has a salty sweet iron type taste low pressure can give you balance problems tinnitus sickness stiff neck infact all sorts of things so if you have this fluid it worth having it tested but that is not that easy if you need more info just ask

After five months of pushing physical training too hard, and taking days to recover (like you said) I finally got help from an agency up here in Canada (www.alliance-cns.com). I was in a vicious circle of feeling better, pushing too hard, and starting over. And of course anxiety went up.

To summarize what I learned for return to physical activity:
- start very slowly and find what you can do without ANY symptoms. For me it was walking for 6 minutes.
- then we (the physiotherapists) slowly increased the walking by 1 minute each couple of days. Over four months I increased to walking 3 minutes and running 8 minutes :) I am working towards running for 20 minutes.
- resistance or weight training began very lightly and cautiously. We started with only a couple exercises and avoided anything pressing above my head (produced symptoms). Now I have an hour's worth of exercises that I chart and increase only every couple weeks. First I increase repititions, then weight.
- I gave up volleyball (my favourite) for almost a year. To get ready to return, I started tossing a ball around with my kids and against a wall first. Then I practised setting against a wall and with my kids. Then just went to a practise, then played 1 game, then played 2 games. You get the idea.

- also critical for me was my neck. Due to my injury and the anxiety/stress of PCS, it had become tighter and tighter - just making all kinds of symptoms worse. So the physiotherapists gave me neck exercises which I still do 3 times/day. Also I'll use a heat pad to keep things loose there.

Now I'm a stubborn person and have always been able to take care of myself, but I had to "hit bottom" and surrender to what this agency was telling me. I had to baseline work hours as well and gradually increase that slowly. I was at the point of quitting as I would get such bad headaches and fatigue. The workouts improved my energy level, which helped work and so on.

It's sort of like you have to retrain your brain to handle motion again. Stroke victims have to relearn things like walking and talking. It's not as severe for us, but in a sense, our brains do need to relearn things. My damage seemed mostly in the vestibular/balance/motion region of my brain. I still have tinnitus and ear popping and sensitivity to excessive noise. I carry a set of ear plugs everywhere. I make sure I sleep 8 hrs/day. I take breaks regularly and pace myself (VERY important). I don't drink anymore and I even gave up caffiene (though I still luv my coffee).

It truly is one of the most difficult experiences of my life. On the flip side however, I learned a lot about myself and have had time to think on how I want to spend my time. I'm a little less "frantic" and pushy and "busy". I try to just "be" a little more and listen. Very enlightening.

MargN

Thanks
 

Thanks for the replies I have to say I was surprised that this is an issue - thought it was just me and that maybe it was just still to soon. One think I have noticed is after I run my nose is also running. I find myself sniffing constantly. Not sure if this is what a csf leak...hmmm. Will try to be aware of this next time out - try to see if there is a pattern.

I haven't really gotten to much info from the doctors on how I should approach a workout program. Should I be monitored by a therapist for awhile or just do this on my own?

Just an fyi - because of my tbi I am also suffering from endocrine issues. Apparently the pituitary stalk was damaged and slowly the hormones are failing. I am wondering if this has also something to do with not being able to exercise....another hmmm. Have any of you had a endocrine workup following your head injury?

Re: Endocrine issues; check out the very first page of this subforum. There's a link to a Medscape article on this topic which you may find useful.

http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/thread19144.html

After many years and injuries, the off/on endocrine issues are showing up in my labs. Last visit with my PCP, he pushed for an endocrinology consult. I had to decline with regret due to lack of healthcare dollars. Next year, maybe I can swing it.

If you have an endo in your area that you trust, a workup, including MRI of the pituitary is a darn good idea IMO.

Jeff

Endrocrine
 

When they did my workup at first all the blood work came back in the normal range - they then did a noctural surge test and from that test it came back the pituatary was not making enough tsh. I was put on medication and when i went back for another blood workup the noctural surge numbers were lower and also my cortisol was low. still waiting to see what they are thinking regarding that.

thanks for the link and information.

According to some web site...do not push yourself or the symptoms will return.
It might just be too soon for you to be running.
I cannot run either, and frankly at this time do not have the desire or stamina to run.
I do however enjoy the fact that I can walk again.good luck.