3 months out from my concussion; when will I feel normal?
 

Hit my head on a surfboard on 9/4. Could tell something was off immediately but didn't start declining until 2 days later.

I'm not as funny as I used to be. Socializing is hard. I have no energy. Libido is gone. Brain is foggy. I'm a shell of myself basically. Before this I had just gotten promoted at work. I was dating a girl I really liked. I felt super disconnected from people so that ended. I don't like existing like this. When does it get better?

This is my 2nd ever concussion. First one I was better after like a week. I've gotten MRIs, hormone testing, tried all of the supplements in the world, therapy, IR light therapy (Vielight). None of it has fixed the fundamental issue. I just started running and doing crossfit again per UPMCs "push yourself" protocol. I can exercise okay... I just don't feel normal internally.

How is your sleep?

Have you tried a anti-inflammation diet?

How busy is your life? Have you giving your brain some rest?

Do you take Omega-3 fish oil supplements?

Are you taking any medications?

Hi All,

I tend to eat fairly clean but not fully anti-inflammatory.

I've been supplementing with 10+grams of Omega 3.

I've been on an anti-depressant (Lexapro) for depression/anxiety for years. But those of those conditions were well managed before the concussion.

Currently I'm trying to force myself to re-integrate back into life, despite failures and difficulty. The hardest part is correctly socializing with other people. Conversations can sometimes be hard to track and I'm not as quick. It's a generally disconnected feeling. Physically, I run 20+ miles per week and do Crossfit 3x. That was my pre concussion normal.

Still feel poorly all the time, mostly due to low energy and cognition. Like watching TV doesn't have the same impact on me... the significance of some details ends up getting lost and I don't get as into the show. It's very frustrating.

I wonder if your antidepressant is no longer helping you. Lexapro is an SSRI. The side effects of an SSRI can sometimes be what you are experiencing.

Have you tried getting off the SSRI?

After 12 years on a max dose SSRI, I weaned off in 6 weeks and replaced it with 5-HTP and L-Theanine. My doctor followed my progress. It took 6 months before I got to my best condition. My brain had to relearn how to deal with its own chemistry.

I am far better now than I ever was on the SSRI. I also lost 30 pounds of SSRI weight.

Research shows that people with a history of anxiety and depression are far more likely to experience prolonged concussion struggles. They are 80% of the group who struggle long term.

A tip. When you are with people, avoid situations where everybody is trying to speak at the same time. Stay at the perimeter of a room full of people talking so the voices come from one direction. Auditory over-stimulation can be miserable.

There is a condition of depression that does not include the "woe is me" stinkin thinkin. It just slows how we try to relate with the world. BTDT. It was miserable. It can be caused by excessive stress in our lives. I was the victim of a huge financial fraud that took years to resolve....

When you described your condition, I suspected medications were involved.

Medications like SSRI antidepressants do not go well with concussions. If you look at the most severe PCS cases, antidepressants are usually involved.

Dizziness and drowsiness are side effects. Decreased libido is a side effect.

Dry mouth is also a side effect. The lack of saliva in the mouth allows bacteria to grow, and that bactieria can migrate to the brain and cause neuro-inflammation.

Neuro-inflammation is also linked to anxiety and depression, gut microbiome imbalances, and concussion symptoms. That's why people with a history struggle with concussions.

So I don't recommend antidepressants. But stoping them is also difficult because of the withdrawal effects, so you may have to taper the dose.

When did you start taking Omega-3? How is your blood pressure? Omega-3 can lower your blood pressure which would contribute to your tiredness.