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


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Old 04-05-2012, 04:41 PM #1
AllAmericanAmy AllAmericanAmy is offline
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Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Southwest Michigan
Posts: 57
10 yr Member
AllAmericanAmy AllAmericanAmy is offline
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Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Southwest Michigan
Posts: 57
10 yr Member
Default 1 month Medicine free: UPDATE

Been 1 month since we decided to take hubby off all meds after finding out Lipitor was linked to amnesia, cognitive difficulties & confusion. We wanted to get a "baseline" to see how TBI symptomatic he is and if any of his issues could be attributed to the meds he was on.

He was also on 100 mg Zoloft and was supposed to be transitioning from Zoloft to Wellbutrin.

For almost 2 entire weeks he was feeling quite good. More active than he had been in months. Went from feeling absolutely terrible 90% of the time to feeling halfway decent 75% of the time. HUGE progress. Very encouraging.

I FIRMLY believe Lipitor was causing cognitive difficulties and confusion. For the 2 months he was on it he would periodically hold his head and say "I just feel so confused today". Don't remember him saying that in quiet, one-on-one settings prior to taking Lipitor. Nor does he now - post Lipitor. IMHO, TBI peeps should NOT be on Lipitor.

Weaned him down to 12 mg Zoloft and no other meds. Began having terrible, all-day (mostly) headaches and feeling like his brain was "sloshing" or "flipping". Anxiety increased (mostly car related) and feeling "overwhelmed".

We increased his Zoloft to 25 mg and are holding it there. Also began Wellbutrin 300 mg in the morning. I think the Wellbutrin is DEFINITELY helping combat the fatigue factor that accompanies TBI. And Zoloft helps get RID of the headaches and brain sloshing.

So, our medicine free attempt was not completely successful. But we achieved our objective of figuring out if any was still necessary (Definitely is) and the combination he is on really, really seems to be working wonders for him. Ready for work yet? Ummmm, nowhere near. Resuming some semblance of life again? Praise the Lord, YES!

Moral of the story: Don't give up! If the meds you are on don't seem to really benefit you in the way you need them too, try something different. If your doctor won't work with you to find a combination that works best for you --- find a NEW one that will. Remember, the Doc works for YOU.

Additional supplements he is on:
Magnesium
Vitamin D 4000 units (2 - 2000 timed release pills)
Vitamin B-12 5000
L-Carnitine 500

Not sure which vitamins are helping vs. wellbutrin/zoloft --- and I don't care! He seems to be feeling better on this combination. We'll see what the next few months bring and will look at backing off Wellbutrin or Zoloft again to see where he is at. Right now, just enjoying having some mobility and energy again.

Praying for each one of you to find hope and answers you need!
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Blessings to you...
AMY

Wife of 54 year old hubby who sustained TBI January 2011 downhill skiing.

Hubby is: Machinist, off work since injury. 70% of the time feels really, really rotten (better! Used to be 99% of the time) 30% of time he just feels bad but can push thru to do something.

Current Symptoms: Light & noise sensitivity, brain fog (lessened by Zoloft), extreme fatigue, balance issues (walks with cane), cognitive problems (slowed & more difficult thinking), overwhelmed easily. Difficulty falling asleep but then could stay asleep for 12 hours or more
.
(Uses CPAP machine while sleeping due to apnea NOT caused by TBI)

All symptoms increased by stress, fatigue & crowds. Jostling movements (walking briskly, bumpy rides) are VERY bad & cause severe set-back


Seems to help: Taking 150mg Zoloft at night for symptom control, especially helps with "brain flips / swishing when walking" and brain fog (helped). 300 mg Gabapentin (100 3xdaily) for headaches (works pretty well. Minor headaches are eased by combined Acetaminophen & aspirin). Xanax for anxiety, but also seems to slow the overstimulation feeling when out-and-about. Feels best while lying down (vertical position seems to bring on symptoms)

Misc: Clear EEG, clear MRI'S (2 of them). No cut, bump or bruise after accident - all damage internal
.
Oddly enough, he's not bothered at ALL by tv
.
Praise the Lord he has NO difficulty driving.
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Old 04-05-2012, 07:36 PM #2
Mark in Idaho Mark in Idaho is offline
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Mark in Idaho Mark in Idaho is offline
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Good for you and your family. I bet he was only marginally in the risk group for a statin. I just got a quote for life insurance and with a total cholesterol of 240, I am still in the preferred risk group, one level above the normal category. If my cholesterol was below 220, I would be in an even lower risk group.

You ought to add a B-50 to help him get a more balanced B vitamin level. 5000 mcgs of B-12 is likely excessive but he at least needs the other B's.
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