Traumatic Brain Injury and Post Concussion Syndrome For traumatic brain injury (TBI) and post concussion syndrome (PCS).


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Old 12-20-2011, 08:32 PM #1
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Default Immune system down

Has anyone had any issues with their immune systems being out of whack since their injury? Sorry if this is a thread somewhere and I didn't see it.

I'm on about the 4/5th upper resp infection since August. Also had the stomach flu-but not sure I can count that one-came home from daycare.

I get a flu shot every year and am otherwise pretty healthy. I take vitamins, eat a reasonably healthy diet, and get exercise as much as I can.

I've had my butt kicked the last few months. Just can't kick the crud. Wondering if the injury from July had anything to do with it-the body expending so much energy trying to fix the physical injury and brain injury the rest of me has gone to hell in a handbasket.

Thanks for any input!

Tami
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Old 12-20-2011, 09:57 PM #2
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Well, almost by definition. I have suffered from Chronic Fatigue Syndrome since the accident. I firmly believe CFS is an immune system dysfunction, and is often (though not always) triggered by brain trauma. I feel like I always have the flu.
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Old 12-21-2011, 01:02 AM #3
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Upper respiratory infections can often outlast a course of antibiotics. My wife had one that lasted maybe 10 years. they discovered this when they did maxillary surgery and found the infection had been eating away at her maxilla and sinus area bones. She had been through many courses of antibiotics. It took the surgeons 45 minutes to remove and cauterize all of the infected tissue.

So, yes, an upper respiratory infection can last a long time.

I am of the belief that flu shots are actually damaging to the immune system. Only live virus vaccines should be used, not dead virus vaccines like most flu shots. The nasal flu vaccine uses a live but weakened flu virus. The Flu shot uses dead viruses.

Have you tried flushing your sinuses with a Neti-Pot? My wife swears by them when she has a resistant cold or such. Use the Neti-Pot with a good saline solution.
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Old 12-21-2011, 07:29 AM #4
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When I was younger I had a really debilitating, violent cough for months and they couldn't find anything wrong with me. In the end they stuck a camera into my lungs, found that it had just remained inflamed from a previous infection even though the infection had long been cured. Cleared it up in no time with erythromycin.

I haven't experienced any immune system problems since my head injury, if anything I am healthier in other ways (due to my obsession with living healthier in order to get better I guess).
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Old 12-21-2011, 11:52 AM #5
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I dont think it has anything to do with your PCS....there are definetly a lot of bugs going around. ANd if you keep having upper respiratory infections....just like Mark said, it may have never gone away the first time. over Thanksgiving i got a severe case of sinusitis and bronchitis. Took a 5 day course of antibiotics. THen 3 weeks later it came back full force. Saw my doctor again, and reminded her on my last Head CT it showed that i had maxillary sinus disease that was picked up (and i wasnt sick when that scan was taken). So we took a more aggressive antibiotic regimen, along with starting to use the Netti pot. She said my previous infection never cleared and was just waiting to attack again.
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Suffered a TBI with PCS on April 25th 2011 from multiple blows to the head from falling, unconscious for 12 hours with no memory of event. Hit the back of my head, and above right eye. MRI and CT negative. Symptoms included constant headaches (migraine, pressure, tension, icepicks), dizziness, tinnitus, visual changes, photophobia, fatigue, "spacing out", word finding difficulties, depression, and emotional lability.
Began Healing in November 2011 after starting acupuncture and Healing Touch (a nurturing energy therapy that promotes relaxation and pain relief). I went back to work in February 2012. Ive been symptom free since July 2012. Very happy, positive, energetic and working out every day, doing yoga, and living a normal life again!
I also began taking Healing Touch classes in November 2011 and completed 5 Levels of Healing Touch Certificate Program that included a 1 year mentorship to become a Healing Touch International Practitioner in June 2013. I am so pleased to offer this wonderful healing therapy to my patients, friends, and clients.
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Old 12-21-2011, 01:12 PM #6
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Default Hi tamisue

Sorry to hear of your colds and flu that seem to re-occur. Once you get one of these bugs, and don't quite get rid of it, they can come back over and over again. I do have a compromised immune system. I know that happens to me if I catch a bug. Let your doctor know this keeps happening. I really hope you get well, and over this series of virus' that are making you miserable. Where I live is a floating petri dish. I aviod being in the public as much as possible as I catch those things so easily. Be good to yourself. Stay rested. ginnie
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Old 12-21-2011, 06:08 PM #7
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Thanks all! I haven't tried the Neti pot yet mostly because I didn't want to have to explain to the paramedics why I was waterboarding myself.

I am on a stronger antibiotic this time around so I'm hoping this will clear me up.

Mark-10 years? Yeah, four months and I'm reading to jump the ledge. I can't imagine 10 years.

I just wondered if the fact that my body was working so hard to repair itself in other places that my immune system was compromised.

Thanks for the info everybody!
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Old 12-21-2011, 07:14 PM #8
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We had a really bad run of colds and flu in our household a couple of years ago. Someone or other in the house was sick from October until April.

We got a UV toothbrush sanitizer and all started taking Vitamin D3. This has seemed to reduce the rate of passed-around illness and reinfections quite a bit.

Hope you feel better soon!
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mTBI and PCS after sledding accident 1-17-2011

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Symptoms exacerbated by being in a crowd, watching TV, driving, other miscellaneous stress & sensory overload
Sciatica/piriformis syndrome with numbness & loss of reflex


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Eowyn Rides Again: My Journey Back from Concussion

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Old 12-22-2011, 02:13 AM #9
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I agree with you!
Before I had my concussion I got sick about once a year, but now I am sick at least once a month if not more, and this has been going on for three years, next month.
I think that it is because our bodies are working so hard to heal our brains that it does not have the energy or resources to keep the rest of us healthy.
I am frankly more sick of the sicknesses than of the constant migraines and nausea and dizziness combined!
In Christ,
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Old 12-22-2011, 08:48 AM #10
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I haven't noticed an increase in colds, flu etc. In fact (knock on wood) my son was very sick last week and I didn't catch it.

I dont expose myself too much to people. I always tuck the bottom of my sleeve over my hands when I open a door when in public. (ocd maybe..lol)

I used to work in pediatrics so I was exposed to everything maybe this has helped me in the long run.

I think dealing emotionally with the PCS can leave us open to illness.. It does affect our immune system if we are unhappy or upset which I'm sure we all have high doses of that.

I hope you feel better and have a wonderful holiday.
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