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!

See:

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

and

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

http://narramoreinstitute.org/wp-con...D-3-2011-1.pdf

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.

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?