Was doing great until....
 

I went on vacation with a ton of friends this past Memorial Day Weekend. We were drinking everyday, pretty heavily. I had been drinking prior to vacation and even though it seemed like my hangovers lasted a bit longer than usual, after a few days I would feel fine again.

This time it's different. I woke up on Monday when we were leaving and felt very miserable. Eye site was off constant headache/head pressure. Things have gotten slightly better since I got home on Monday, but they have not changed significantly. I am back at work and my eyes are still very sensitive to light/the computer screen. I am contemplating calling my physical therapist and starting back up with that, but I don't know if I should wait it out and see if things get better like they usually have been.

I am still taking 30 mg nortryptiline before bed every night, but besides that I am just taking my usual vitamins. Protein shake every morning and vitamin C. Since I go back on Monday I have been taking a couple ibuprofun every few hours to help with the headaches. Any recomendation would be much appreciated. Last time I saw my Neurologist and Physical Therapist, both said it was ok to start drinking again and that I should do my best to live my life normally again. It worked for a long time, I was feeling great and symptom free until this weekend for some reason. I really hope this does not put me back to square one.

Any help is appreciated.

Thank you,
D

I think you may need to stay off the alcohol permanently or at least in moderation.

I was also wondering, did you have light sensitivity with your PCS and did nortriptyline help with it?

Take care.

Yes, one of the last things that got better for me were my eyes. I always felt like there was constant pressure behind them, also felt the light sensitivity issues. I don't think I was put on nortriptyline for this reason because I was already taking it to help with my PCS. But eventually I did start to feel completely better and the light sensitivity was the one thing that always kind of seemed to come and go, but it wasnt anything that I couldnt handle. I'd much rather have light sensitivity then that floaty feeling or loss of balance feeling. But nortriptyline has really helped IMO. Yeah I am definitely going to be staying away for alcohol, this has been a very scary experience.

Setback
 

Sorry you've had this setback. You might want to see a neuro-Opthamologist, if you haven't already, it you continue to feel like your eyes are a big problem. A regular opthamologist will NOT be able to help, so don't bother with that.

Alcohol--if you can't drink in moderation, don't drink. That's my opinion. I can still enjoy a margarita or a beer or two, but that's it. Anything more and I'll just feel bad the next day. Who wants that? With PCS, you just run the risk of overdoing it in every area of your life, so listening to your body is key. If you feel like you might be overdoing it--whether drinking, exercising, or using a computer--you probably are. I've learned from experience unfortunately!

Lifestyle changes are ways we can help ourselves to get better. Abstaining from alcohol is one of those recommended lifestyle changes.

http://www.msktc.org/tbi/factsheets/...c-Brain-Injury

http://www.tbicommunity.org/resource...Spring2008.pdf

drod,

Your neuro and PT do not know what they are talking about when they said you can start drinking again. Alcohol is a toxin to the brain. A hangover is the brain struggling from the trauma of the toxicity of the alcohol even after the alcohol has been cleared from the body.

Nobody can say if this has put you back at square one but my money says it has left you at close to square one.

If your vitamin regimen is a protein shake and vitamin C, your brain is seriously lacking in nutrition. B vitamins are known to help with hangovers because they also help a struggling brain.

I wish I could help you more but first you need to help yourself.

My best to you.

How long have you been on the nortriptyline and when do you plan on tapering off it?

alcohol and PCS
 

Hi there,

Mark and Defaysmom are spot on about alcohol and the PCS brain.

I know it's hard to be moderate if your friends are all drinking, but you only have one brain, and even if you get better, I think there are things that will be harder to handle and our recovering brains just can't take much of it.

My husband makes wine, but I've learned I just can't have it the way I used to enjoy it. Or, in the future, if I do, one glass at a sitting. Personally, I'm really afraid of how I will react to alcohol now, and I just can't risk a set back.

I hope you recover and feel well soon.

Sincerely,

pm