maybe this will help...
 

I happened to see your post today - so sorry about what happened to you.
I had similar problems with supplements after tbi and I felt really confused a lot since there's so much info out there I ended up not doing anything about it for a while.
*admin edit*hope you find what you need and get lots of rest. :)

Thank you for this info Mark in Idaho...now I know what a sticky is! :)

Study shows the following supplements can help concussion patients
 

See:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WfAv08feYlo

and

http://www.amenclinics.com/dr-amen/l...althy-protocol

Here is a link to the study
 

TBI, Brain Fatigue, Migraines, Dizziness; Functional Manual Therapy?
 

Thank you so much for generous post about vitamins and supplements regime. I will have a hard time convincing my poor 25 year old son to get on this bandwagon as he is still in denial after 10 months and is still hoping for some quick miracle fix. It is tearing my heart apart.

My son's life suddenly changed 10 excruciating months ago. I'd so much prefer seeing my own life change like this. I know I should be grateful that nothing shows up on his MRI and CATscan, that the vestibular and audiological testing hasn't shown anything - but he isn't well!!!!

My son has extreme brain fatigue (feels like his brain is fried) and glassy eyes after just a couple of hours of working on the computer; migraines; dizziness; and more. It's shocking to learn how little the mainstream medical community knows about all of this. We have been to so many doctors, here in NYC where we live. Searching now for a neck doctor to address the extreme tension in there. But would prefer a doctor or team of doctors who understand the interconnections between all the affected body parts. Seems to me treating this complex condition piecemeal makes no sense.

We will try something new tomorrow: Functional Manual Therapy. Has anybody heard of it? I know now that there is also ostheopathy, myofascial release therapy and cranio-sacral therapy - all are new to us, scary, expensive, probably not covered by our insurance. Seems like this path is one of trial and error, running from doctor to doctor, waiting and wondering. Very very tough...But thank you all for being there so I don't feel so terribly alone.

An update of my vitamin and supplement regimen
 

Updated and edited Oct. 14, 2013

Here is the nutritional regimen I have followed for decades. It was prescribed for me by a doctor back in 1982. I have fallen off the wagon from time to time. Each time, my wife notices a difference and gets me back on the regimen. I have added a few things over the years.

The injured brain needs to do two things, First, it needs to cleanse itself of the toxic remnants of the injury. Second, it needs to regain strength (heal) in the damaged areas. B vitamins are the most important. I suggest:

B-12 (500 to 1000 mcgs daily)
a B-50 complex, for all the other B's so you get a good balance of B's
a high potency multi-vitamin like GNC Mega Women/Men. Centrum and One a Day are too weak.
Niacin, 200 to 500 mgs
Some extra anti-oxidants, Vit C and Vit E
D3, plenty of this, 1000 to 5000 iu's
Omega 3 fish oil, with a proper balance of Omega 6 and 9
Calcium with magnesium, 500 mgs per day


I also have added
Curcumin (pricy but worth it) 950 mgs daily This is a Turmeric extract
DHEA, 25 mgs , a hormone that helps the body balance the other hormones, If your skin gets oily try 1/2 of a 25 mgs tablet. I only take a half of a tablet.
a Costco High Energy multipack (7 pieces) in place of the multi-vitamin

I have recently added:
Cayenne capsules
Resveratrol, it is supposed to help the Omega 3 fish oil work better
Garlic capsules for cholesterol


<I am currently trying CDC Choline to review it for the manufacturer. It appears to be helping with less foggy brain but after only three days, this could be just a coincidence. I'll post a better review of CDC Choline later.>

I finished the bottle of CDC Choline and did not justify its continued expense. Others may have a different experience.


Good meat protein for the amino acids, pork is the best.
Or for vegetarians, there is a seaweed based spirulina extract that sounds pretty good. Most vegetarians do not like to eat the seaweed directly. There are some concerns with spirulina according to another NT poster. Check out MrsD's comments. Her comments about B-12 are good.
A good amino acid supplement including essential fatty acids and BCAA's (broken or branched chain amino acids).
Vegetarian diets are usually deficient in these so they need supplements. Spirulina is suggested as comprehensive enough .
avoid trans fats.

No caffeine, alcohol, MSG, artificial sweeteners (aspartame, Nutrasweet, Equal, Splenda, sucralose), high fructose corn sweetener, and only moderate natural sugar. Some studies suggest a single serving of caffeine or alcohol per day is acceptable for those who tolerate it.

We should also avoid aluminum compounds. The most common aluminum is found in antiperspirants (aluminum chlorhydrate) and some antacids. They should be avoided. Learn to read labels before putting it on or in your body.

My regimen based on the above costs about $1.30 to $1.50 per day including some non-brain supplements (arthritis).

I was started on the brain basics by a psychiatrist 30 years ago as a way to treat PCS depression and avoid medication. It was very effective. I am tempted to replace my paroxetine with 5-HTP or L-Tryptophan but have not been able to find any conversion factors.

The B-12 and the folic acid in the B-50 is important for repair of the myelin sheath that protects axon and dendrite fibers. The rest are for improving brain metabolism.

This regimen needs to be a long term or lifetime discipline. It take 4 to 8 weeks to see improvements.

After using the regimen for a month or so, it is good to get a blood test for the D3, B-12 and folate to make sure your blood levels are adequate. B-12 should be about 1000 pcgs/mL and folate at about 20 or higher.


There are three valuable resources for you to check out.

The TBI Survival Guide at www.tbiguide.com.
Print it out (84 pages)

You Look Great on YouTube at
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x9Xso4qGdlI
The YouTube is a 6 part series that takes about an hour total.

The brain line 'TBI Lost and Found'
http://www.brainline.org/content/201...u-to-know.html

Share these with your family and/or friends. And, try to find a TBI support group to attend with your family. They can be a great source of support and understanding.

For good legal information about concussions and mTBi's / TBI/s for those entering litigation, check out:
www.tbilaw.com and
www.subtlebraininjury.com.
Attorney Gordon Johnson has very good information about diagnostic testing and such.

Home made Ice pack

My recipe for a flexible/crushable ice pack is simple. One part rubbing alcohol with three parts water in a zip lock baggies. Freeze them, three is good, so you can alternate them and always have a frozen one. Wrap the ice pack in a towel to make it more tolerable. Ice frequently for 15 minutes on and 30 minutes off and repeat. If you get any stiffness or head ache, get the ice pack out. The upper neck easily gets inflamed causing symptoms like head aches, etc. This should make a difference.

edit 02/28/2015---- new updated post appears further down on this thread --post #101:
http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/post1106982-101.html

Goaliemom,

I went on the vitamin regimen as recommended by Mark and it has improved my day-to-day life in a most positive way.

You have come to a great forum here at NeuroTalk for support and education. I am no stranger to brain fatigue and brain fog and I fully endorse the vitamin strategy because it has worked wonders for me. I am more able to concentrate and stay on task and my memory seems to be improving too. I've also been improving my diet, good nutrition is very important.

Jamie

New to the site, been browsing around want to post my supplement/vitamin regiment which I've been on daily for a while now, (Even before my injury)

-Innate Mens One Daily (Multi)
-Nordic Naturals ProOmega
-Pure encapsulations Vitamin D3 5000iu
-Klean Probiotic
-Spring Valley Magnesium w/ Chelated Zinc
-Natrol Melatonin 5mg (At nighttime)

Anything I should add? My multi already contains B-12's, should I take more?

(It has been 4 weeks post injury/concussion)

Thanks for your help!

I have a quick observation:

Magnesium in OXIDE form is still around to purchase, and also quite cheap. BUT ...it has been found to not be absorbed much at all. You need a better form such as SlowMag, or a chelated type ...
carbonate
citrate
gluconate
glycinate
lactate
Avoid aspartate type as it stimulates pain receptors (NMDA).

Here is a good website that explains magnesium, and offers food
choices:
http://www.slowmag.com/

Magnesium oxide today is used mostly as a laxative....as in Phillips Caplets.

Thanks for your reply,

I see the form I am taking now is in the (oxide) form. Guess I will look for a new one. Is this particular brand also considered the aspartate type too?

Which one would you recommend specifically?

I like the SlowMag....it is available at WalMart.

Some people get laxative effects even from small doses orally and
SlowMag avoids that. It was initially developed for use by doctors, but it is OTC for anyone to buy.

I use now a magnesium lotion...this is very nice and gentle.
If you have neck pain,you can apply it there.
Morton's Epsom lotion available also at WalMart in stores,
and Amazon online. Use only about a quarter's diameter at a time, and at bedtime, as it helps sleep.

It is very new and not in other stores as yet, as far as I know.

This is my magnesium thread with tons of information:
http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/thread1138.html

The lotion is only $5.98.... magnesium that works does not have to cost alot.

Great info!

Will try and pick up some slow-mag Asap!

Your multi has a very small amount of B's, especially B-12. Look at the ingredients and do the math. You need 500 times the B-12 and 100 times the B-6.

I'd get a good nutrition supplement regimen going and taper off the Adderall a bit and see how you do. Your brain may just find out it can work properly.

But then, I believe clinical ADHD diagnoses are overdone. Some ADHD oriented neurofeedback and learning focus skills will help your brain live drug free or with less drugs.

Thanks Mark I appreciate the response.

Is there a particular high quality brand B-12, and B-6 I should add in? Usually Whole foods carries good gluten free quality vitamins, and supplements.

Thanks

A methyl based B-12 lozenge is the best. Any B-6 is OK. Don't get hung up on brands and 'high quality.' Your multi brand is outrageously over-priced.

I'm sorry I said B-6 (not sure where I got that from), you said B-50 complex which is totally different. My doctor said, be careful with the amount of B-6.

I like the multi I take, all based off natural foods, works well.

Supplement regimen for Post Concussion Syndrome
 

Hello, I was recently diagnosed with PCS. Injuries were sustained 20-40 years ago. A lifetime of emotional and cognitive problems, always blaming myself. I saw an integrative neurologist and began getting LORETA neurofeedback. In addition to PCS, I was diagnosed with heavy metal toxicities, low Vitamin D levels, and hypothyroidism. Here is the list of supplements prescribed by my healthcare professionals.

1. Ubiquinol (the absorbable form of CoQ 10): 100 mg, 3x/day
2. Fish Oil (EPA heavy): 1000 mg, 2x/day (max dose is 3,000 mg/day)
3. SAM-e: 800 mg in the morning, 400 mg at 2:00 p.m.
4. Vitamin B Complex: one/day (a necessary co-factor for SAM-e)
5. TMG: 650 mg, once daily (a necessary co-factor for SAM-e)
6. Curcumin: 500 mg/day
7. Vitamin D3: 7000 IU/day (Vitamin D does not absorb well in the GI tract; am considering getting a Vitamin D injection for faster respone)

8. Vitamin K2 complex: 2200 mcg/day
9. Multivitamin - I take Life Extension brand "Two-Per-Day" tablets

In addition, the neurologist prescribed a drug called Nimotop (aka nimodipine) to improve impaired brain circulation. It is a calcium channel blocker. This is an off-label use of an FDA approved drug.

My Suggestion's from Holistic MD
 

All vitamins including multi vit should be organic otherwise they are made from drug companies!!!!

Tons of Organic virgin Coconut oil DAILY!!!

I am now using liquid oxygen!! if anyone has questions about this please PM me

Eat all organic!

Tons of B's, C, DHA, Omega's, turmeric

Water, Water, Water!!!!!

Ginko Bilbo-(This helps with blood flow threw neck to brain) If you are on any medications for depression get approval from prescribing MD.

And COMMUNITY ACUPUNCTURE for chronic pain, headaches, moods, tinnitus, any thing under the sun you can get it with acupuncture!!!!!

Short & sweet...got to run!If I think of anything else I will add later

:grouphug: Mia

Puritans' Pride?
 

Does anyone here use Puritan's Pride for vitamins? I'm curious if their products are natural or effective. Oh I could ask them, but....:)

Yes, I use Puritan's for some things.

Their methylcobalamin works, as I was tested 3 months after starting it to trial it.

I get several things from Puritan's when they have their buy 1 get 2 free sales.

They are a GMP verified supplier.
http://www.gmpcompliance.net/CGMP_De...MP_Defined.htm

I'm taking a liquid B12 and B6, but it's not the methyl kind. It's something that starts with C. I can't think of the name right now. Will this still work, or should I get rid of it and get the methyl one instead?

Methylcobalamin is better absorbed than cyanocobalamin. Plus, I like the idea of not taking a cyanide compound for my B-12. I took the cyanocobalamin for years. Use up your liquid and replace it with methylcobalamin lozenges. They are easy to find. I crunch mine and let them be absorbed in my mouth.

Thanks for the advice, Mark. I also wanted to ask another question:

Do any of you become extremely exhausted after taking B12? I eliminated other things and switched around the time that I take it to make sure that the B12 is the culprit, and it definitely is. It makes me fall asleep within 20 minutes of taking it, and I sleep very, very well (vivid dreams, so I'm assuming I'm sleeping well).

B12 is a cofactor to making melatonin. So if you were low in the brain before, and now you are fixing that, then you would sleep better.

Most people however report feeling energized during their active daytime, with B12. (those that were low.)

I ended up switching to a methyl instead of a cyano B vitamin. Sorry, I can't remember how to spell the rest of the methyl word.

Anyway, I wanted to tell you guys that I am no longer exhausted after taking the methyl B12 and actually feel much better on it than I did on the cyano version.

I am also taking a few other vitamins and supplements, and I started taking curcumin a little over a week ago. The curcumin seems to already be helping a bit, because my headaches are much less severe (and at times, gone completely), and I feel less foggy. In fact, I have brief periods each day where I feel almost normal again.

I've scanned through the vitamin thread and didn't see this addressed - if it's answered elsewhere, please feel free to re-direct me. My question is whether the vitamin regimen should be altered according to one's symptoms. Also, is there an order in which you should add them to your protocol and/or a timeline for adding them? I'm hesitant to add everything at once in case something doesn't agree with me.

I had a concussion 10 months ago, most likely from a whiplash, but I also may have hit my head. After feeling as if I were never going to get over this, in the last couple of weeks I've had some positive results (a few days with 4-6 hour stretches with no headaches, better results on some of vision testing at PT, and just generally feeling better and having some energy). I still have a low-level headache a lot of the time, some sensitivity to bright light (didn't notice so much until our warm sunny weather started), I get dizzy very easily, and my balance is still a little shaky during certain PT drills - not so noticeable in everyday life, though. I also still have neck and shoulder pain that I'll probably re-address with an ortho PT once I finish with the Neuro PT. I asked my Dr, and all he suggested was fish oil and vitamin D. (Unrelated question - how do you add the "what happened" section to your profile?)

Many thanks,
Diane

Hi Diane, I'd just put what happened in the bio part of the profile.

I think the fish oil is definitely a good call by your doctor.

High doses of fish oil everyday really seemed to speed up my recovery towards the end, maybe if I'd started that practice sooner I wouldn't have had the headaches for as long as I did.

So yeah, lots of fish oil. And protein, protein is always needed for healing anything.

Also, cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli as well as being superfoods have been shown to help maintain the integrity of and boost the condition of the blood brain barrier if it has been damaged after injury. They are also powerful antioxidants.

You can't go wrong with adding those three things to your regiment.

Starting up the regimen...
 

I have been a little resistant so far in terms of getting started with a vitamin/supplement regime - working instead to maximize what I get out of my food (I'm a 17-year vegetarian, so I've always been quite attentive to what I eat). But, it can't hurt to try, right?

I just ordered a B-50 complex, B-12 lozenges, and Vitamin D (2,000 IU). I have ground flax seed every morning with breakfast, and stick whole flax seeds in things like homemade granola bars, etc., but I know this won't get me all of the Omegas. I also eat lots of olive oil, avocado, pumpkin seeds, and plenty of other nuts and greens, but I'm going to also look for a vegetarian supplement (couldn't find one on Amazon, but I'll try a vitamin store). Does anyone know of a good one they would recommend for the Omegas?

I'm also going to look for an appropriate magnesium supplement.

So right now my plans are to supplement my diet with:
B-50
B-12
Vitamin D
Omega 3 6 9
Magnesium

My yoga teacher also recommended a ginger/turmeric tea that I'm going to try. Does this seem like a reasonable start?

I am also vegetarian, and I have used both this

http://www.amazon.com/Ovega-3-Vegeta.../dp/B004LL7AXE
and this
http://www.amazon.com/Vegan-Vitamins.../dp/B002XDQSSK

which are vegan algae-based omega-3 supplements containing DHA and EPA.

If you want a complete 3-6-9 supplement, you can also look for Dr. Udo's Omega 3-6-9 blend online or in the store.

Greens
 

That sounds like a great supplement regime!

I used to have a similar vit regime, well maybe not quite as comprehensive as yours, but recently I've moved away from that and in another direction. I think it's very important to stress that you can get most of your nutrients by eating healthy organic greens. I can only eat so much of these so I use a vitamix blender to get enough in. It's easy when you mix fresh fruit and green veggies and tastes great too. The top green leafy I use is Kale which is packed full of antioxidants as well as nutrient rich vits and mins. Maybe you are already getting in your greens but if not give the green smoothies a try- they taste great and provide great health benefits similar to your supplementation. Good Luck!

A healthy diet may be suitable for an uninjured brain but an injured brain often needs extra levels of nutrition. The B vitamins are essential. Plus, Omega 3 would require eating more cold water fish and such than would be in a normal diet. D3 is also critical.

I eat a healthy diet but still notice a big difference when I have not been able to take my regimen.

Things like L-Tryptophan and L-Theanine are not available in therapeutic amounts in foods, no matter how one targets their diet.

For many of us, the vitamins and supplement regimen is a primary attempt to avoid prescription meds.

Help for mom
 

Hi,

A little over 2 months ago, my mom hit her forehead on the bottom beam of a garage door and now has been diagnosed with PCS. She has begun seriously resting now (no screen time/electronics, no multitasking, etc) but I understand adding vitamins and supplements may help her heal more completely so have begun researching. Here is what I plan on suggesting she begin taking:

Omega 3 - fish oil, with EPA 800mg and DHA 600 mg or so taken 2 times a day
Folic Acid, at least 400mcg but less than 800mcg
B12 (Methylcobalamin), 1000 to 5000 mcg
Magnesium Malate, about 1000mcg
D3, 2000IU at least

I chose Methylcobalamin because of the benefits it gives to those with fibromyalgia. She hasn't been diagnosed with fibromyalgia, but her symptoms are eerily similar. She also fights depression (has for years), so I'm hoping with this regimen that might be helped as well.

Does anyone have some advice on dosages or other things I need to be sure she takes/avoids? I know it's said that DHEA is bad for those with Bilateral Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (which she has), and too much folic acid for a long period of time can be bad for those with heart problems, but is there anything else I need to be aware of? She does take a small aspirin each day for her heart and is in her upper forties. So far her doctor has only been pushing for her to rest and sleep as much as possible. If knowing her specific symptoms will help you help me, I'll list them, just let me know :)

Thanks

She should add a B-50 Complex to get the whole spectrum of B's. Also, a high potency multi-vitamin and all of the anti-oxidants, C and E. Reducing oxidative stress will be good. It can take weeks for supplements to start to show improvements. The brain often needs to detoxify before it can start to heal.

Okay, is there a brand that's best or is any brand fine?
Thanks so much :)

Hey what do you guys know or think about noopept?

Please discuss nootropics in the main forum. Noopept has never been discussed before. It is not approved for promotion and sale in the US. Paracetam and other racetams have been issues of controversy in the past.

Interesting... I'll have to look into the vitamins. Years and years ago, way before the brain injury, my husband was told to avoid B vitamins because, at the time, his doctor felt that they would have a negative impact on his moods. Now I wonder if that doctor had any idea what he was talking about. Over the course of my life, I am finding myself constantly questioning medical advice... We are also vegetarian, and I am extremely conscious of making sure that my husband gets protein. Caffeine and alcohol are the two things I have a hard time getting him to cut out. When he first came home, I bought him decaf, as per his therapists instructions... at the time, he didn't know the difference. I could put it in the coffee container and grind it up espresso style and he didn't know the difference. No fooling him now, though... no matter how much I tell him caffeine and alcohol will harm his recovery, he thinks the doctors are being over dramatic. It doesn't help that the doctors really left him for dead and wanted to send him to hospice before he came out of his coma... so it's easy for him to say "the doctors don't always know best..." :(

Hey Everyone!
 

I've had pcs for 2 1/2 years and its finally gotten so much better. I can live an almost normal life again. I never posted much, but just knowing there were other people who had similar experiences always helped my feelings of isolation so much.

Taking 2 tsp of turmeric every morning helps significantly because turmeric decreases swelling and its effects build up over time. I just started taking 1 tsp of maca powder for brain fatigue and it seems to be working.

Acupuncture helps a lot, but only when I'm treated for symptoms such as anxiety as direct headache treatment provokes them.

And Yoga has helped tremendously because it allowed me to move again. By matching my movement with my breath I could use my body without provoking symptoms. It grounds me when I have to deal with the irrational emotions, the loss of sense of self, the anxiety, and depression. But make sure to find a genuine studio that is about serving people, not about looking good, and a good teacher and start with gentle classes.

I wish you all the best. And remember things do get better, even if sometimes its just that we get better at coping.

Omega-3 fish oil tabs seem to have given me awful gas/abdominal discomfort...

has anyone else experienced this?

Are you taking it with food?

Krill oil is usually easier to tolerate.
Costco and Sam's club have it at affordable
Prices.

We use Mega Red here at our house.