[teaaquinn]

2 weeks ago I sustained a "mild concussion". I was starting to see some improvements but felt set back and convinced I had reaggrivated my inflammation after shaking my head "no" way too fast and then later the same day looking down at my feet too fast out of instinct because I thought there was a bug on my foot.

About 2-3 days later (yesterday) I did some research and foolishly consumed deer antler velvet extract that is mostly IGF-1. The night after I went to sleep fine and woke up in the middle of the night for no abnormal reason. I decided to take a couple more drops under my tongue (as directed) of the deer antler velvet extract. I then went back to bed and had a vivid lucid dream of getting up out of bed and being so dizzy (vertigo like symptoms) that I fell onto the ground. Again just a dream. However I then woke up and felt the same. Ever since I've been having what seems to be increased symptoms and this vertigo feeling everytime I lie down. I hope that this is just a coincidence as I think I have an ear infection as well and vertigo is a symptom of this. Does anyone have any experience or know anyone that foolishly took deer antler velvet in hopes of 'reducing inflimmation' to the brain and healing quicker, as claimed here on the specific brand that I used company's website. I wasnt able to post the link because I am a new member but a simple google search of "deer antler velvet concussion fong" should find you the link to the document. It is the second link down in the google search.

Does anyone worry for me that 1-2 doses of this stuff could have set me back further in my recovery or is this probably all in my head? I couldnt find any threads on this before and thought it necissary to have a discussion on this issue. Thanks. Mark In Idaho I am waiting for your response as you seem to be the forum expert on all things PCS and concussion related.

[teaaquinn]

anyone got any ideas? could it just be stress?

[teaaquinn]

my concern is my seemingly sudden sleep disturbances after taking the igf 1 supplement. it was so foolish of me to even try to play with my brainchemistry after a concussion. however, i find hope in that it was only about 1 and a half doses and most research shows that even when put under tongue for absorbtion little to no effects occur. the dose i took was one and a half doses out of s bottle that contained 100,000 nanograms. research shows that one would have to take 25 million nanograms daily to grt hgh like results. this gives me hope that i couldnt have effected my igf 1 levels with just a little over a single dose.

[Mark in Idaho]

teaaquinn,

Welcome to NeuroTalk. I have never heard of deer antler velvet being used for concussion symptoms. I suggest you give it time to clear your system. You should also read the Vitamins sticky at the top to provide your brain maximum nutrition so it can cleanse itself of the toxins of your injury and any other toxins you may ingest.

You are early in your recovery so a conservative approach to let the brain heal is worthwhile.

My best to you.

[teaaquinn]

thanks mark. i saw the supplements thread and have been taking them since a few days after i hit my head. any suggestions for someone like me that is early on in recovery? any additional vitamins etc??

[teaaquinn]

right now i am at school in tennessee and maryland is home to me. i am considering driving home with the assistance of my mom. do you think this is a good idea ? we will break up the trip over three days into 3-4 hour drives as it is a 12 hour drive total. its been three weeks and i still feel almost the same. should i avoid this and just stay in tennessee until i feel better?

[Mark in Idaho]

If you mom can do the driving, you can sleep during the trip. I routinely drove 11 to 13 hour road trips. Stay hydrated and don't fall asleep with your head and neck in poor posture.

And stay away from the deer antler velvet and other strange concoctions. And, when driving Tennessee to Maryland, an area with plenty of deer and other wildlife crossing the road, know that it is safer to brake and drive straight into the animal than to swerve to try to avoid it. You don't owe your or anybody else's life to a deer crossing the road. Swerving to avoid animals causes more death and injuries as car collide with other cars or roll over or hit roadside obstacles.