fasting after brain injury
 

I was just wondering whether anyone here has tried fasting or similar therapies (ketogenic diet, coconut oil, etc) to improve concussion symptoms/ heal brain trauma faster?

A year ago I suffered a concussion, whose symptoms lasted 5 months. After that I would experience the symptoms again for 1-3 weeks after even a slight bump to the head. Additionally, I would get emotional symptoms along with the concussions such as depression, anxiety, and exhaustion.

What I discovered after struggling for several months with these repetitive impacts is that a short water fast, 24-36 hours, gets rid of the emotional stress, depression and anxiety and many if not all of the other concussion symptoms too. Short term memory in particular has responded very well, dizziness and headache decrease and eventually disappear over the 24-36 hours, and tasks which would be difficult for me to perform, such as reading or jogging, are easier to do during the fast. All benefits which I gain during the fast, continue after breaking the fast. So a concussion which would take up to 3 weeks to heal under normal conditions, will heal in 36 hours provided I take only water during that time.

Even more interesting, I have noticed if I accidentally bump my head while I am in ketosis (having fasted at least 18 hours or so) there are no symptoms except maybe a slight headache.

I am curious whether anyone has had a similar experience to me and I also wanted to share my very successful experience. Keeping in mind, certain medical conditions can make fasting dangerous so please, make sure you have had a medical check up, and read up on fasting, before you try it!

I think everyone's tbi is going to affect them differently.

I know for myself, if I am hungry, then I experience an increase in symptoms - even on my best days.

I need to eat a lot of protein now in order to function as well as possible, much more than I ate before the TBI.

I would strongly caution against anyone trying to fast to help them to relieve symptoms - especially considering the desperation that most people feel to get better with PCS which may lead them to trying almost anything.

When Joe was still able to listen to podcasts, he listened to Terry Wahls talk about the Wahls Protocol, which allowed her to beat her progressive MS. He was convinced following the Wahls diet would help his PCS. There are 3 options - Wahls Diet, Wahls Paleo, and Wahls Paleo Plus. The Paleo Plus one is ketogenic, and he tried it for about a month and at the end of the month he was worse. He did want to stay on the straight Paleo diet and I help him by cooking for him this way. I think even that is too extreme, limiting things like oatmeal, brown rice, and legumes to only 2 servings per week. But he is an adult, and I am supporting what he wants to do. BTW, NOTHING has helped his condition for months, so the fact the diets are not helping is just more of the same.

Same here. I need lots of protein these days.

I have to eat several small meals a day. Otherwise I get dizzy and extremely fatigued. If I don't get enough protein, I feel like I can barely move. Hard to explain.

Yes, this is exactly where I'm at, too. Lots of small meals a day, high protein and nutritional content. Lotsa avocados, eggs, blueberries, and sardines. The eggs and sardines make me feel almost normal, I highly recommend it.

I've got to eat, get so weak, get the worst headache and bad tempered.

Wish I could get used to blueberries...Ack..can't stand them, do eat a lot of protein.

I eat a ketogenic diet under the supervision of my neuro, and at his suggestion. It's for the seizures, and it works fairly well. The seizure meds made me incredibly sick.

my keto is very specific amounts and ratios of protein and fats. No way could I do this on my own. I rely on my keto team.

It's one of the things that really works for a TBI issue I have.

Been reading a lot about the keto diet.

sciencetoy...if you read this...are your seizures the result of a concussion?

No way would I attempt fasting. I eat alot more protein and good fats since the injury and limit my processed foods. If I don't eat enough my headaches and other PCS symptoms get much worse.

Before my TBI, I could long periods without eating, without feeling hungry of weak. When I was working, I'd be so engaged, I'd have to be prompted to break for a meal or snack.

Now, if I don't eat, I get VERY shaky and dizzy. However, skipping meals isn't a problem anymore - I always feel hungry. I think it's a combo of my meds and damage to the part of my brain that regulates appetite.

Whatever the cause(s), it's wrecking havoc with my figure.