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Traumatic Brain Injury and Post Concussion Syndrome For traumatic brain injury (TBI) and post concussion syndrome (PCS). |
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03-23-2013, 03:02 AM | #1 | ||
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Legendary
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I have been working at transitioning off 60 mgs daily of Paxil. I told my new doctor first so it is in my medical record if I have any problems. We could not find any information about dosages so we decided to wing it. The original plan was to reduce to 45 mgs of Paxil and add one capsule of L-Tryptophan. The minimum capsule size is 500 mgs so I cut the Paxil to just 30 mgs thinking 500 mgs was a lot of L-Tryptophan.
I realized by the 2nd day that 500 mgs was not enough so I doubled to 1000 mgs with my 30 mgs of Paxil. I realized I needed more in the morning so I added 500 mgs of L-Tryptophan at bed time with my gabapentin. I have been doing great with this dose for the past week. In a week or two, I will cut back to 15 mgs of Paxil and add some more L-Tryptophan. Hopefully, I will be off the Paxil completely in a month or 2. My goal has been to get away from the Paxil side-effects. The sweating, nausea, and sexual dysfunctions have been unpleasant. I think adding L-Tryptophan to a daily regimen may work good for many who are struggling with anxiety. It also helps with sleep. L-Tryptophan metabolizes to 5-HTP which metabolizes to Melatonin and Serotonin. Although 5-HTP is cheaper than L-Tryptophan, 5-HTP is risky to take as one can overdose on it. It is more difficult to overdose on L-Tryptophan. A starting dose of 500 mgs twice a day would be worth trying. Doubling that should not be a problem. Do not take L-Tryptophan without medical advice if you are taking an anti-depressant, especially an SSRI or SNRI . Effexor and Cymbalta, and norepinephrine are SNRI's. Paxil, Zoloft, Celexa, Lexapro and Prozac are SSRI's. Elavil (amitriptyline), a tri-cyclic anti-depressant, nortriptyline, a tetra-cyclic anti-depressant and MAOI's should not be combined with L-Tryptophan. Natural remedies like St John's Wort and other natural substances that increase serotonin should also not be taken with L-Tryptophan or any anti0depressant.
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Mark in Idaho "Be still and know that I am God" Psalm 46:10 Last edited by Mark in Idaho; 03-23-2013 at 05:35 AM. |
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"Thanks for this!" says: | Consider (03-23-2013), SpaceCadet (03-27-2013) |
03-23-2013, 03:24 AM | #2 | |||
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I heard that 1/4 Cup pumpkin seeds or edamame had the same effect as tryptophan without the side effects. The other one was oolong tea (two cups a day) or kimchi or kefir to replace gabba. Haven't tried them myself but for those that want to try something natural it might be worth a shot.
Sorry if there's spelling errors. 4:30 with no sleep so who knows what I'm typing! CC
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I'm a 39 year old, female, accountant. On July 2, 2012 I crashed my bike at the end of a 65KM road ride. I was fine that day but woke up the next morning to my current world. Ongoing symptoms include: dizziness, blurred vision, light and noise sensitivities, cognitive problems, uncontrollable emotions/depression/anxiety, headaches (but they're getting better), mental and physical fatigue, difficulty communicating and sleep disturbances. Currently seeing a fabulous Neuro Psychologist and vestibular physiotherapist and hoping to soon see a neuro ophthalmologist. I am currently doing 20 minute stationary bike rides daily, 20 minutes of meditating, 15 minutes of Lumosity and lots of resting. I have not been able to work or drive since the accident. The things that have helped me the most since the accident are vestibular therapy, gel eye drops (for blurred vision, sensitivity and dryness), amitriptyline (10mg), and meditating. I am finally starting to see some slight improvements and am hopeful! My brain WANTS to heal itself... I just have to let it and stop trying to get better! |
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03-23-2013, 05:30 AM | #3 | ||
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Legendary
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The proper dose of L-Tryptophan should not have any side-effects. If side effects develop, one should reduce the dose until the side effects resolve. L-Tryptophan is a natural substance that is present in many animal and plant proteins.
The natural substances you mention would be very difficult to use daily and on a long term basis. Those who need a short term benefit might find them useful.
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Mark in Idaho "Be still and know that I am God" Psalm 46:10 |
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03-23-2013, 07:53 AM | #4 | |||
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Definitely keep us posted with how you are doing Mark. I have been hearing a lot about the dreaded "Paxil Withdrawal". I am interested in more natural substances rather than drugs and if they work. And also, good luck.
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College Student in Information Technology and avid PC Gamer, hit the back of my head against a bunk bed and went unconscious for 3 minutes back in 10-28-2012. Symptoms: Occipital Neuralgia. 2 MRI's and CT normal. Currently going through Paxil withdrawals, and psych has me on L-Theanine, Benadryl for zaps, and Lemon Balm. It has eased it by a bit, so I am continuing the treatment till 1 month from now. Made a 98% recovery on April 8, 2013 with only symptoms of pinched nerves/Occipital Neuralgia in the head and is being treated with injections and physical therapy. Was experiencing: Migraines, Headaches, Nausea and Vomiting, Panic Attacks and Anxiety, Depression, Major Insomnia, Brain Fog, Tinnitus, Lethargy, Loss of appetite, Major Heart Palpitations, Occipital Neuralgia has eased a bit. Vitamins and Medicines: , L-Theanine, Omega 3 Super DHA 900mg, Stress B-Complex Extra Strength, Potassium Gluconate 1000mg, Magnesium Malate 1250mg, Vitamin D3 2000 IU, Methylcobalamin B-12 5000 mcg, Vitamin C 500mg, Lemon Balm. Things that helped me: My Vitamin Regimen, Medication, Earplugs (Love these!), Nature Sounds, Hydrotherapy, Neck Pillow with Heat, Heating Pads, Resting, Being Outside! |
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03-23-2013, 08:03 AM | #5 | |||
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Good luck with this, I only want to stay on medication short term until the PCS goes away. I think the longer you stay on them the more intense the side effects.
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03-23-2013, 10:52 AM | #6 | |||
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I also would like to one day get off all medication as well and appreciate this information.
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What Happened: In 2011 I was in a MVA . Symptoms: Physical: I am always cold in any season!!I cannot tolerate anything pressure on my head(sun glasses,hats)longer then a hour,Lock jaw/Displaced TMJ, Dropsey, Hands go numb, Arms go numb, back of head numb (when asleep),Muscle spasms in face & upper body,migraines, concentration headaches, dizziness, nausea, neck and back trauma (from accident), tinnitus, extreme light sensitivity, noise sensitivity, EXTREME fatigue, impaired vestibular system, balance off, Pupils NEVER equal, disrupted sleep cycles,speech problems. Cognitive: Cognitive Behavior, Brain fog, impulsivity, speech problems, word finding problems, slowed processing speeds, impaired visual memory, impaired complex attention Emotional: Unable to handle stress or overstimulation without getting extremely irritable or angry, easily overstimulated, MAJOR depression, major anxiety, Panic attacks Treatment so far: Treatment for PCS,PTSD,Depression & panic,Vestibular therapy, Physical therapy, Vitamin Schedule,Walking,No Dairy, No eggs, No caffeine, No artificial coloring, Sleep with 2 pillows, Very little sugars consumed, Eat healthy,No alcohol, Medications, limit stress and overstimulation. ~*~Learn to treasure yourself and your Divinity. Be willing to accept yourself completely. Be yourself, be graceful, be kind, be wild, be weird ... be true to yourself~*~ |
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03-23-2013, 11:17 AM | #7 | ||
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Thanks, Mark. Keep us posted as to your progress with this experiment. Good luck.
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03-23-2013, 11:59 AM | #8 | |||
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Quote:
Was this for depression or other mood disorder? As I have mentioned in other posts I have found mindfulness meditation helpful. If your physical symptoms allow, consider light yoga, I find this very helpful also.
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What Happened: On November 29, 2010, I was walking across the street and was hit by a light rail commuter train. Result was a severe traumatic brain injury and multiple fractures (skull, pelvis, ribs). Total hospital stay was two months, one in ICU followed by an additional month in neuro-rehab. Upon hospital discharge, neurological testing revealed deficits in short term memory, executive functioning, and spatial recognition. Today: Neuropsychological examination five months post-accident indicated a return to normal cognitive functioning, and I returned to work approximately 6 months after the accident. I am grateful to be alive and am looking forward to enjoying the rest of my life. |
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03-23-2013, 12:49 PM | #9 | ||
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Legendary
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I have been on Paxil to help control looping thoughts, otherwise called perseveration. My mind will get stuck looping on mundane thoughts like lyrics to a song, the spelling of a word, a license plate number, etc. This can go on for hours and is exhausting.
I am dosing just enough to prevent this looping from returning. As I said, right now I take a 30 mg Paxil and 2-500 mgs L-Tryptophan capsules in the am and a 500 mg of L-Tryptophan at night before bed. When I started, I took 30 mgs Paxil and 500 mgs of L-Tryptophan in the am and the looping returned mildly. I increased to 2-500 mgs of L-Tryptophan and the looping stopped. I am going to try flipping the dose to 2-500 mgs of L-Tryptophan at night and 1-500 mg L-Tryptophan in the am with my 30 mgs of Paxil. It may help with insomnia this way. L-Tryptophan has a 12 hour half-life so dosing twice a day is suggested. So far, I don't have any unusual Paxil withdrawal symptoms. I went off Paxil cold turkey last fall for 9 days by mistake and did not suffer any bad effects. My wife says I was a space cadet, though. btw, I package up 60 days of my meds and vitamins regimen in zip lock bags so I don't need to open 14 bottles every morning. I did not notice that I had started into some bags that still needed Paxil. I was 9 days along before I noticed this error. I have had a low grade head ache since mid day yesterday. I don't know if this is Paxil withdrawal or just my normal PCS head aches. I've been head ache free for 3 weeks. Understanding PCS is more an art than a science.
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Mark in Idaho "Be still and know that I am God" Psalm 46:10 |
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"Thanks for this!" says: | Brain patch (03-24-2013) |
03-24-2013, 08:26 AM | #10 | |||
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Hi Mark,
Just wondering how your doing? I had major problems with Paxil. I had a bad reaction to it and never was able to take it. I have the looping thought thing sometimes. I did not know there was a name for it. Hope you are coming off of it easy and not having any effects that are too bad so far. Be careful. Managing PCS is an art. Very intricate. Brain
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Brain patch. . Had MVA in 2006 resulting in post concussive syndrome manifested by cognitive impairment, chronic pain/ fatigue. Chronic pain of head, neck, back, left leg. Other problems include REM sleep behavior disorder, nocturnal frontal lobe epilepsy, chronic migraines associated with nausea/vertigo, episodes of passing out, hypoglycemia, liver dysfunction (had accidental overdose of acetaminophen in 2009) had liver and kidney failure, hernia, degenerative disc disease with compression of nerve root, PTSD, and other problems associated with functioning problems from traumatic brain injury (light, sound sensitive, easily overloaded, easily distracted, cannot focus, anxiety problems etc.) |
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