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.

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.

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.

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

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.