Mark in Idaho-will you share what you know about brain metabolism
 

Mark in Idaho,

Would you please share your knowledge about brain metabolism?

Thank you,

Jace

And anyone else if you can explain in easy to comprehend terms.

The only thing about basic brain metabolism that concerns me is glucose. My brain needs good sustainable glucose levels to function.

There are various metabolic chains related to specific substance, caffeine is one, where the beginning metabolic process and metabolites are benign but later down the metabolic chain, things turn for the worse.

Is there a specific question I can research ?

Thank you Mark,

I had asked my doctor why everyone else can complete tasks and I can't...my brain hits a brick wall and nothing else is accomplished besides resting my brain in quiet and dark, or sleep.

When I wake up I feel like I can function again.

I was told my brain does not process glucose like someone without a brain injury. I feel like I'm on the edge of understanding the things that are wrong but I've been on that edge for nearly a year. I can describe symptoms but can't grasp the why. ?

Does that help? I feel at a loss to explain. I could play the word game easier.

Jace

Are you really sensitive to stimulation? I've noticed that any type of bright flourescent lighting will immediately shut down the prefrontal cortex of my brain allowing me to have no processing capabilities what so ever.

When you said you have to rest in a quiet dark place, I can certainly relate to having to do so. My head would feel numb, overstimulated, full of water, and I would just need to avoid any type of stimulation that would trigger any response. Eventually usually after a couple of hours it would start to go away and I would be able to half way function once again.

If you do think this bothers you, look into Irlens Syndrome. You could possibly have it.

Just offering some thoughts, maybe you can handle stimulation just fine. It is researched that 55 percent of people that get a concussion are light sensitive and if you have PCS then it is almost certain that you do.

Sorry if your just looking for metabolic answers, but I just went to a specialist to get this corrected with specialized lenses and the change is extremely profound. No headaches, nausea, less fullness in head, less fatigue, and can focus much better on anything that involves light. Reading, watching tv, computer work, etc.

Anything else I can help with, I'd be glad to offer any insight if I have the ability to do so.

Jace,

Have you looked into the Ketogenic diet ? It is high in ketones, a source of brain energy that is saved for the brain as a last source of energy when all glucose is exhausted. Also, look into MCT's, Medium Chain Tryglicerides. The ketogenic diet is high in MCT's. Google MCT supplements. There are a variety of oils available.

Check out this Wiki page. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ketogenic_diet

A modified Atkins Diet shows value, especially with adults. It does not say what the modification is but it could be assumed that MCT's or coconut oil could be added to Atkins successfully.

Mark,

Similar to what my holistic doctor believed. He retired. He thought we should use all natural but more protein than fat.

I'm going to discuss this with my doctor tomorrow. I like it except for my occasional mister misty and popcorn craving.

Thanks,

Jace

I've wondered about the brain/glucose connection, too.

In the immediate aftermath of a brain injury, blood sugar levels can soar. It used to be that ER docs would administer insulin. They don't do that anymore, as they suspect the change is part of the brain's attempt to protect itself.

For the first 4-6 months after the injury I craved sugar badly. I am a rare sugar girl. I love my savory (can't tell u how long I had to wait for that word to come back to me. I used all my word finding already this morning up in the games and chat section with Mark) foods.

I ate foods I don't enjoy. Lots of baked goods- coffee cakes, pastries, pancakes, waffles. Okay I do eat a Belgian waffle if we go to Gatlinburg. So once every 2-3 years.

So when my doctor told me I don't process glucose like everyone without an injury it left me curious.

Does anyone else hit that brick wall? That's just what I call it. No matter how badly my motivation not one more action can be taken. I must rest or sleep.

Jace

Joe,

In vestibular therapy they did use colored sheets with me. They would place them over the bright white paper. It did feel like a softening to me, like when my husband turns off an overhead light...my brain says ahhhhh. Things soften and feel less hard and heavy. ?

I did not have the type of results you mention though. How wonderful it must be for those people it helps!

Thanks,

Jace

Yes, I freeze. If I'm overwhelmed, I can just shutdown.

It was much worse in the beginning. I recall a particularly bad instance at the grocery store. I was already struggling to cope with the bright lights, people, colourful displays and musak, when disaster struck. I needed coffee, but they were sold out of the brand on my list. Confronted with a wall of alternatives, I just couldn't make a choice. I guess I just stood there, staring. My very young (but very smart) daughter realized what was happening and lead me out of the store by the hand and sat with me on a bench, until I snapped out of it.

I am always afraid of these big freezes, so I avoid a lot of situations.

On a daily basis, I'm confronted by moments when I just can't do things. Sometimes weird stuff: for some reason I just can't open a piece of mail or clean sometime bad out of the fridge.

I get up, every morning, thinking, "Today, I'm going to get done everything that needs to get done," - and then, I don't. :confused: