Hello everone - About two and a half years ago I sustained 2 concussions within a few weeks by getting thrown on the ground during karate. I didn't realize I had the first one- I thought I was sick- and went back to class and was repeatedly thrown. Since then I cannot do any exercise or symptoms recur. (Actually I can walk at a casual pace, like shopping at the store. But something like quick vacuuming will set me off) I am finally OK on a daily basis as long as I don't exercise or do anything that shakes me. The symptoms are the usual- dizziness, fatique, headache, insomnia, irritability. But one of my recurring symptoms I haven't heard much about and wanted to see if anyone knew anything about it. My cardiologist does not. It is an increased heart rate that I notice at night and keeps me up pretty much all night, hence it is 3 am right now. I checked my resting heart rate in bed before I got up to write this and it was about 90. The other day I missed a step and got a jolt and retriggered my symptoms so it's back. It happens anytime I overexert myself or get a good shake. And then for a few nights or weeks, depending on how bad a thing I did, it's like I can't control my heart rate normally. I tried a beta blocker but it doesn't work. In general it's been a long two years of adjusting to a sedentary lifestyle from a very active one and trying to keep sane. But my husband always reminds me that I could have been Natasha Richardson and I should feel lucky. Would love any feedback!

anastasiaelena,

Welcome to NeuroTalk. Sorry to here of your struggles.

I am surprised the beta blocker did not help. I have occasional high BP and pulse and have propanolol in the cabinet for such times.

You might want to get your hormone levels checked by a good specialist. PCS can throw off the regulating mechanism in the brain. Womens International Pharmacy https://www.womensinternational.com/..._referral.htmlhas a doctor referral program to find someone in your area. Not all doctors fully understand out of balance hormones and will often try a shotgun approach to a woman's complaints.

On a different issue, it will help many of use if you would put a double paragraph space every 5 or six lines. We have difficulty finding the beginning of the next line when there are too many lines without spaces.

Let us know how you are doing. We are here for you.

My best to you.

Thank you for your quick response. It's great to see people understand these difficulties. It certainly can get discouraging after a few years. I'm 43 with two kids and hope to get back to somewhat normal someday.

btw I will be trying the Buffalo method to try to help regain my ability to exercise. I had started with it last month, but reinjured my head when I missed a step and jarred my body a couple weeks ago. I was able to cycle for 20 min with my heart rate at 110, which was good for me. In a couple weeks I'll start back.

I have read all their published studies and their stats for sucess are good. But they haven't included any subjects with symptoms as long lasting as mine, so we'll see. Thanks again

Hi,

I experience what feels like pounding heart palpitations sometimes. And sometimes when I can get up from lying down too quickly, my heart rate accelerates and pulse drops.

As Mark mentioned, I think going to a doctor who can accurately test your hormones and treat imbalances is very important. I think hormonal problems (for me, much of hormonal imbalances seems to stem for the brian injury) generate some of this. I also have hypoglycemia, which can be influenced by hormones/brain issues, and when I have a hypoglycemic episode, I get heart palpitations, along with headaches. During these times, I am also more prone to dizziness.

Having a good eating schedule and cutting down on sugar and white flour has helped me tremendoulsy. I'm quite sensitive and things like beans can make my blood sugar dip. Having snacks with me (protein/fat, with a little salt, very low sugar) is helpful too.

I have also found that having a small snack before I go to bed (ie rice crackers- not rice cakes- with almond butter and a little sea salt) helps to get through the night. If my blood sugar drops in the middle of the night I wake up with heart palpitations. Not sure if any of this will be relevant to you- but I hope it helps. And I hope you find something that is helpful in alleviating the heart issues.

-Hazzell

Hazzell,

I too need to eat too before bed so I can sleep. I am reactive hypoglycemic. Cinnamon-raisin bread toast with cream cheese on it is my current food. I used to have cinnamon on peanut butter on whole grain (7 grain) toast with butter. I gained too much weight. Now, with the raisin bread, I have lost 12 pounds and still sleep OK.

Cinnamon is a good ingredient to help insulin balance. My wife buys the cinnamon in bulk and I probably eat at least a pound of it a year, maybe 2.

You said <And sometimes when I can get up from lying down too quickly, my heart rate accelerates and pulse drops.> Do you mean your pulse rises than drops or does your pulse rise and BP drop? Heart rate and pulse are the same thing. Sounds like you had a brain fart. That is when the brain does something unexpected and stinky. I've learned to laugh at my many brain farts.

btw, I have had my blood sugar drop to the 40's during the reactive gyrations. I now am much better at sensing my need for energy and have avoided the low glucose levels for quite some time.

Hi Mark,

Lol...Yes, I meant to write heart rates accelerates and my blood pressure drops. But somehow "pulse" came out instead.

I'm glad that eating before bed and sensing your body's needs has helped you with hypoglycemia and energy. It makes a big difference for me too. Brain fog happens a lot more with me if my eating is not good. I feel like my brain is extra sensitive to hypoglycemia and blood sugar dips due to the injury and that nutrition and good timing of eating is extra important. Sometimes my eating gets out of synch and then a negative cascade of symptoms starts.

Do you find brain fog is less of a problem when you are eating well?

-Hazzell

It's really just a problem when I try to exercise. And I always eat pretty well. My heartrate will be in the high 80s or 90 at night- Only after I raise my heart rate during the day past a certain point. I will just keep a slow increase in exersice and keep in subsymptomatic. Thanks so much for your help!

Hazzell,

My brain fog is more connected to getting good sleep. I may get a tired or weak brain from lack of food energy. One of my current snack foods is black olives. Peanut butter on crackers or toast has been my energy for years but I like the weight I am losing by not eating it anymore. Sometimes, I will have a cheese stick. It will allow me to sleep well.

I have recently begun to believe I wake in the morning because I need food energy, not because I am rested. After breakfast, I feel like I need a nap, especially if I spend any time reading online.

The many permutations of behavior needed to live today never ceases to amaze me. The old saying "You are what you eat" is incomplete. It should be "You are what you eat and how you react" or something like that.

What do you think?