Adrenaline and concussion
 

Commenting in Starrs post about being able to do amazing things when absolutely necessary got me thinking about adrenaline.

The day I had my accident I felt fine afterwards. The next morning is when all the symptoms started. My NP says that with all the adrenaline and chemicals running through my body after a 65KM bike ride it kind of makes sense that it took a while for everything to settle down. I think it takes a bit for the neurons to die off too?

Anyhow, I still feel much better, almost normal, when there's a bunch of adrenaline rushing around in my system but once it's done I crash really really badly. I think this was a large problem with my fibromyalgia also.

Does anyone else find that when they are at a doctors office there is so much adrenaline they feel better/different only to walk out the door and feel absolutely miserable for days? Sometimes I feel this way or sometimes I'm just stressed and feel worse. With the NP it's usually stress and with specialists/GP it's more adrenaline or fight/flight. I think I'm just always picking for a fight!

I catch myself almost living this way where I leave things to the last minute and then have to rush, use adrenaline, to get them done which makes it seem easier until I'm done and crash. Not a good way to do it.

I know I have a lot of overactive chemical responses in my system and have had for years but now it seems different with the concussion. I read the blog on neuroendocrine testing but I've seen an endocrinologist in the past and I don't think my doctor would humour me again this time!

Any thoughts?

CC

I completely agree--I have learned in my very short time being concussed that adrenaline is a help and a danger. I can trigger adrenaline to get me through meetings or discussions or tasks, and it is really helpful, but I pay the price. I have always lived on adrenaline in my very stressful job, but this is one of the silver linings for me. I'm learning how to identify when it's starting to run, slow it down, calm my heart rate and get through tasks without it. I think it's a big life lesson for me personally. too much adrenaline seriously shortens the duration of my productive time.

I plan on the aftermath from a time of excitement or extended effort. I try to rest up before by minimizing stress then schedule a light schedule after the episode of excitement or effort. It can take days to weeks to recover, depending on the level of stress.