Concussions
 

Hi,
Over two years I received several concussions throughout my senior year in high school football. When the first one (which was the worst of all of them) occurred, I thought I was in school and "woke up" playing a football. It was a realization that seemed very surreal. Days after the game I felt as if i was walking around in a dream all the time, my irritability was high, and I had trouble concentrating. As weeks went by, everything had become less intense although I experienced the "dream like" state very often and still do 2 years later (it seems). I was hoping that someone may have some information on this type of condition or could share their experience with me.
Thanks for the help,
Cory

Cory,

Welcome to NeuroTalk. You have found a great place for support and answers.

You sound like you really got your bell rung. What did your coach and trainer or doctor say about your condition? What did you do to recover? How long was it between each concussion? Did your team do any concussion baseline and after concussion testing?

What you are continuing to experience is not uncommon. It sounds like you have never spent enough time recovering. Then, you got concussed again with a repeat of not enough time to recover.

Have you been seen by a neurologist or neuropsychiatrist or neuropsychologist lately? Any other doctors care or comments? Are you taking any meds. Do you drink much?

Please tell us more about yourself and your symptoms and we can help you understand what is going on.

There are plenty of good people here who will chime in with support and answers.

My best to you.

Concussions
 

Dear Mark,
I appreciate the response. My coaches and trainer did not know how severe the concussion(s) were at the time, I think that is why I kept receiving so many. I sat out for 3-4 weeks after the first concussion and received several more each time I returned (clearly looking back now I should have been out for the year). I never received a baseline but did take many tests after the concussion. I scored pretty poorly on the tests compared to the averages but always getting better each time (on different tests of course). I have not seen any of those physicians/doctors but briefly talked to a family friend who is a psychiatrist, who recommended fish oils. I now do bodybuilding and personal training so I am pretty familiar with fish oils from a physical health standpoint. (This is the only "medication" I have taken in any form) It is the off season for competitions so I do drink a little, maybe once every 2 weeks.
Thanks,
Cory

Cory,

Fish oil is helpful but it is a small part of the nutrition an injured brain needs.

Do you take any body building supplements? Do you lift to fatigue or do max weight lifting?

Your coaches and trainer sound like concussion deniers. I encourage you to speak out in your community to get the schools to take a more conservative approach to concussions. I would not be surprised that football is a big event in your town. This is often the reason coaches and trainers are hesitant to take/keep players off the field.

There is a thread titled "vitamin supplements" that has my suggested supplements.

Check it out and answer my questions above.

My best to you.

Concussions
 

Yes I do take supplements daily. Most are proteins in addition to Glutamine and Creatine (not sure if you are familiar with those). And as far as lifting goes, I do not do max lifting. It puts a lot of unnecessary stress on my body and head I have found with little effect on muscle development.

And yes football is very big in my town. It is definitely a huge part of the community and the school. I think there is a lack of awareness, which is improving, along with not realizing how big of injury concussions are.

Thanks for the supplements list, I will be looking into all of those.

Thanks,
Cory

cory,

You should stop taking the glutamine until your brain has recovered. Even then, you should seriously consider not taking it. It is a precursor to glutamate which is an excitotoxin and is very rough on brain tissue. It may be a part of your continued struggle with concussion symptoms.

It would help if you listed everything to take each day. Also, how much caffeine, energy drinks, alcohol, and artificial sweeteners and preservatives do you consume. They are not good.

Do you work at HD?

What is your goal with body building?

Concussions
 

Daily supplement:
*All supplements are made by Beverly International

Glutamine
Creatine
Ultimate Muscle Protein
Ultimate Muscle Provider
Mass Maker
EFA Gold's
Provosyn

I take very little caffeine or any energy drinks. I was consuming a lot getting ready for competitions but now little to none. I drink alcohol once every 2 weeks typically (maybe once on the weekends right now). As for bodybuilding, it is a hobby for now but could become a part of my career. I do shows once a year so there is a long "off season". I picked it up mainly because I am no longer able to play football.

Thanks,
Cory

Here are some natural things you can do to strengthen the brain:

- Eat a whole foods (clean eating) diet high in omega-3s and tryptophan. Take 3 tbsp of ground flax seed in juice every morning for a complete daily dose of both and then whatever you eat during the day is bonus. I ended up switching to a vegan diet to reduce inflammation in the brain, but some people don't find this practical.

- Be sure to stay well hydrated. Drink half your body weight in ounces of water daily (i.e. if you weigh 100lbs, drink 50 oz. of water).

- There are also hot and cold water treatments you can do to increase circulation to the brain. In the shower, alternate 3 minutes of hot water with 1 minute of cold for at least 3 cycles. The greater the temperature contrast, the greater the benefit (just be sure not to scald yourself). Don't get the very hot water on your head, but do get it on your shoulders. Cold water is okay to get on your head. Always end on cold.

- Sunlight through the skin is good for vitamin D and through the eyes is good for melatonin (sleeping at night).

- Listening to baroque music (such as Bach) can help strengthen frontal lobe function (provided it does not increase symptoms).

- Exercise (even light exercise such as walking) can reduce harmful biochemicals and release endorphins. Again, be sure you are keeping it gentle enough to avoid symptoms.

- Avoid caffeine, alcohol, tobacco, and other non-prescribed drugs.

- Avoid or strictly limit television, video games, smart phone, and computer usage.

- Get fresh air daily and take 10-20 minutes specifically to do deep diaphragmatic breathing.

- Try to have regular times for sleeping and waking.

- Connect with spiritual practice, even something as small as making a list of 3-5 things you are grateful for.

These things will strengthen the brain naturally and shouldn't interfere with any medications or treatments your doctors want to use.

Medically speaking, the two things that helped me the most were having my vision evaluated for vision therapy and seeing a physiatrist. These links may help you find practitioners in your area.

http://www.braininjuries.org
http://www.nora.cc
http://www.aapmr.org/patients/findph...s/default.aspx

Good evening,
I am not sure if I have any long term effects, or if I decided just to have an irritable personality, but in the '60's as a young lad, lost my balance climbing in the rafters and broke my fall with my head (I think) on a concrete floor 10' below and re-awoke some hours later at home in the den. Subsequently years later, as a competitive swimmer, dove off the blocks in perfect form into the path of another, diving in from the side of the pool at nearly full speed. Why my outstretched hands did not forewarn me of his presence, is still a mystery as I think about it to this day.

I, of course, then went on to play football, and can clearly remember seeing stars on many occasions. Why those thoughts are clear and so much of the ensuing decades are a blur, bothers me, and to which I used to write off as just "I guess I didn't care enough to remember."

To be truthful, I don't know if I'm ready to give up alcohol or caffeine, since they were apparently good at tricking me into a better(?) state of mind. yes I've read the posts below. I just don't respond well to preachin. (getting mad at this yet unresponded to post, now that's funny,) the only other relief I've had from this bad attitude is the adrenaline rush of procrastinating and riding my bike through the woods, which after the fear is addressed, is really quite fun. *** First post and already tryin to break the rules, it is late, and tomorrow is yet another - work day :) Regards