Traumatic Brain Injury and Post Concussion Syndrome For traumatic brain injury (TBI) and post concussion syndrome (PCS).


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Old 08-07-2013, 08:30 PM #1
mrsmith mrsmith is offline
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Default Melatonin

I finally got in to see a neurologist, and a neuropsychiatrist. The neuropsych put me through a series of memory tests and things like that, which were all far above average.

The neurologist gave me no new information, but said I should be definitely betaking melatonin. My sleep schedule is pretty strange, simply because I make the mistake of falling asleep during the day which messes it up. I have been taking it the last few days and I feel symptom free during the day, except with extreme fatigue feelings. I dont know why this is. Would you agree that I should be taking it? (I have no medical knowledge)

Any responses are appreciated, also keep in mind that I am a youth.
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Old 08-07-2013, 09:19 PM #2
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I sometimes take melatonin but it makes me VERY sluggish the next day. Because it is unregulated, each brand and formulation is different, and they all have different effects on me. Some work, some keep me up at night!

If you can find a small dose that works and that allows you to feel okay the next day, that is not too risky, I suppose.

I don't like it and avoid it if I can.
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What happened: Legs pulled forward by a parent's hockey stick while resting at the side of the rink at a family skate....sent me straight back. I hit the back of my head (with helmet) on the ice, bounced a few times, unconscious for a few minutes. September 11, 2011. Off work since then…I work part-time at home when I can. It has been hell but slowly feeling better (when I am alone☺).

Current symptoms: Vision problems (but 20/20 in each eye alone!) – convergence insufficiency – horizontal and vertical (heterophoria), problems with tracking and saccades, peripheral vision problems, eyes see different colour tints; tinnitus 24/7 both ears; hyperacusis (noise filter gone!), labyrinthian (inner ear) concussion, vestibular dysfunction (dizzy, bedspins, need to look down when walking); partial loss of sense of smell; electric shocks through head when doing too much; headaches; emotional lability; memory blanks; difficulty concentrating. I still can’t go into busy, noisy places. Fatigue. Executive functioning was affected – multi-tasking, planning, motivation. Slight aphasia. Shooting pain up neck and limited mobility at neck. Otherwise lucky!

Current treatments: Vestibular therapy, Vision therapy, amantadine (100 mg a day), acupuncture and physiotherapy for neck, slow return to exercise, magnesium, resveratrol, omega 3 fish oils, vitamins D, B and multi. Optimism and perserverance.
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Old 08-07-2013, 10:32 PM #3
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I've been taking 3mg doses.
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Old 08-07-2013, 11:46 PM #4
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Getting exposed to outside light during the morning and around noon is very important cor your body clock. Even if you can sit or lie in a sunny spot inside.

Perhaps 3 mg is too much. Can you cut it in thirds and start with the lowest dose to see if it is effective?

The best one for me is one that is in US pharmacies and dissolves on the tongue.

I have read you are supposed to take it a few hours before you want to sleep.
Good luck!
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What happened: Legs pulled forward by a parent's hockey stick while resting at the side of the rink at a family skate....sent me straight back. I hit the back of my head (with helmet) on the ice, bounced a few times, unconscious for a few minutes. September 11, 2011. Off work since then…I work part-time at home when I can. It has been hell but slowly feeling better (when I am alone☺).

Current symptoms: Vision problems (but 20/20 in each eye alone!) – convergence insufficiency – horizontal and vertical (heterophoria), problems with tracking and saccades, peripheral vision problems, eyes see different colour tints; tinnitus 24/7 both ears; hyperacusis (noise filter gone!), labyrinthian (inner ear) concussion, vestibular dysfunction (dizzy, bedspins, need to look down when walking); partial loss of sense of smell; electric shocks through head when doing too much; headaches; emotional lability; memory blanks; difficulty concentrating. I still can’t go into busy, noisy places. Fatigue. Executive functioning was affected – multi-tasking, planning, motivation. Slight aphasia. Shooting pain up neck and limited mobility at neck. Otherwise lucky!

Current treatments: Vestibular therapy, Vision therapy, amantadine (100 mg a day), acupuncture and physiotherapy for neck, slow return to exercise, magnesium, resveratrol, omega 3 fish oils, vitamins D, B and multi. Optimism and perserverance.
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Old 08-07-2013, 11:58 PM #5
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Okay thanks again

and I am having this problem with severe flinching, like if someone even comes to pat me on the shoulder my head will completely flinch, if I hear something I dont expect same thing.

Do you think these minor impacts could be delaying healing? It may be related to anxiety Im not sure.
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Old 08-08-2013, 12:03 AM #6
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I mean to say if I hear something I dont expect the same thing. It is almost like a defense mechanism. But I think it may be doing more harm then good.
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Old 08-09-2013, 08:27 PM #7
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Default melatonin and valerian

I take both melatonin and valerian every night and it helps me sleep. I take the liquid form of each and one dropper full each.

Without these, I was waking up at 3 or 4 AM or 2 AM and not going back to sleep. It just seems to work for me.

Take care

pm
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[SIZE="1"]What happened. I was in a car accident 2-23-2013, and got a mild concussion from it. I had some time off for brain rest, got somewhat better, but slipped into PCS in March 2013.

Symptoms I had: dizziness, light and sound sensitivity, fatigue, tinitis, occasional headaches and migraines,

Symptoms as of 5--2013: poor sleep, tinitis, some confusion /short term memory blanks, balance. The other symptoms are mostly gone, but flare up if I OVERdo something.

Therapy I had: vestibular

3 months in: I could drive more and for longer distances. I felt like a younger, happier version of myself and I feel so blessed to have this feeling.

9 months in and I am working full time. I do get tired, and some sound and light sensitivity from time to time, but mostly I am over most of my symptoms.
I pray every day and I m praying for your recovery.

Over a year in: I can multi task (limited) and have humor in my life. But when I am tired, I am very tired.
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Old 08-09-2013, 08:39 PM #8
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I have been taking 5 mg of melatonin (I buy from pharmaca.com) in order to sleep; otherwise, I am also waking up at 2 or 3 am.

I think your panic upon hearing or being surprised is your heightened "flight/fight" response. It will calm down, but it may take some time.

I would almost panic at any sudden noise (book falling, door being shut, etc.) and go into panic attack mode. I still get the hairs standing on my skin and a shot of adrenaline and heart racing, but no panic attacks.

Best of luck in finding rest and relaxation....
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The event: Rear ended on freeway with son when I was at a stop in stop and go traffic July 2012. Lost consciousness.

Post-event: Diagnosed with post-concussion syndrome, ptsd, whiplash, peripheral and central vestibular dysfunction and convergence insufficiency. MRI/CT scans fine.

Symptoms: daily headaches, dizziness/vertigo, nausea, cognitive fog, light/noise sensitivities, anxiety/irritability, fatigued, convergence insufficiency, tinnitus and numbness in arms/legs.

Therapies: Now topamax 50mg daily; Propanolol and Tramadol when migraine. Off nortryptiline and trazodone. Accupuncture. Vitamin regime. Prism glasses/vision therapy. Vestibular therapy 3month. Gluten free diet. Dairy free diet. On sick leave from teaching until Sept. 2014.
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Old 08-12-2013, 09:24 AM #9
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I had another brain injury friend recommend melatonin and it's worked great for me. I use 2.5 MG sublingual (brand is Source Naturals) and I take it 30 minutes before bedtime. The sublingual (dissolves under the tongue) type and dosage was the key to not feeling groggy in the morning. It took trial and error to find what works for me. After using it for 2 months my sleep routine regulated and I don't need it anymore. Don't give up. Find out what works for you - it honestly makes a huge difference in how I feel and operate cognitively.
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