[Mark in Idaho]

I have been having serious struggles with melancholy and even darker thoughts this past week. After fighting through it with little success, I decided to see if a pick-me-up would help. So, I took an Excedrin tablet. It has 65 mgs of caffeine.

It appears to be making a difference. I have done it twice and both times, I felt much better. The sense of hopelessness has reduced substantially. It sure beats the side-effects of taking an anti-depressant.

Since I am long beyond any healing or recovery stage with my brain, I doubt the caffeine will have any detrimental effects. If anything changes with this protocol, I'll let you all know.

My best to you all.

[Mokey]

Hi Mark. Sorry to hear you are having a tough week. Things will get better if you can weather the storm.

I think that the only rule for people with brain injuries and concussions is that they don't get another one! So if you find something that can help you and doesn't seem to harm you, that is great.

I use Excedrin for headaches. I try not to use it too much as it does a job on my stomach. In terms of caffeine, would a green tea be good for you? High in anti-oxidants which are great for the brain and for neuro-transmission and it is not too high in caffeine.

Hang in there!
M

[Vanilla Bean]

Hi Mark,

I'm really sorry to hear about the melancholy, but glad you've found some relief. Things WILL get better. Please let us know how you're doing.

Have you had melancholy prior to these last few weeks? Have you noticed any stimulants or situations that have brought it on? I am a pretty depression-prone person but I haven't had melancholy that much since the accident. A huge sense of defeat, yes, but melancholy and dark thoughts not as much.

There is a test the upper cervical chiropractor did measuring my flight or fight response I guess as a measure of anxiety. My reaction was a bit slower than a healthy reaction should be. Wondering too if this has anything to do with it. I'm not explaining it well, but I'm happy to scan it and send it to you to look at, pm me if you're interested. Are you still going to an upper cervical?

How long the Excedrin relief last?

Remember things WILL get better.

[Mark in Idaho]

Mokey,

I took the Excedrin precisely for the caffeine. I had it in the cabinet because years ago I used it to overcome the somnolence from Klonopin until the doc read me the riot act about combining the two.

65 mgs of caffeine is about like a weak cup of coffee. (95 mgs in a normal cup of coffee).

I am not a tea drinker so the green tea is a no go.

Oddly enough, the caffeine did not keep me up. After taking it late, I still could go to sleep.

Regarding triggers for my episode. I spent 3 hours digging with my diesel tractor. It is loud and rough riding. Maybe too much from that activity. I had to stop when I realized I bent a $500 part. That was a certain downer. The frustration of searching the country for a replacement part was exhausting.

I am also waiting to see if my legal case will get resolved. The stress has not been good for someone with PCS.

Thanks for all your concern.

[concussedlawyer]

Mark,
You/ve given so many people support on this board, I'm glad to be able to return the favor. Hopefully some of the melancholy has dissipated. Did you check out the link on Integrated Listening systems that was posted above on the what's new section? I have no idea if that would be helpful for your injury, but the whole idea that there was a significant recovery after 11 years was very heartening for me. Best to you!

[dagma1]

Mark,

I'm so sorry to hear you are having a rough time.

You are such a massive help to everyone here but please look after yourself, hope you feel better very soon.

[Arty]

Have you considered tapering down gabapentin?

[greenfrog]

Mark, are you doing all the "bread and butter" things that have worked for you in the past? R&R, nutrition, fish oil and other supplements, adequate sleep, music, fresh air, light, minimizing stress, light movement / exercise / stretching, contemplative time, etc.? Are you looking after body and soul? I find it's easy to get busy or distracted and overlook one or more things that have helped in the past.

[Mark in Idaho]

greenfrog,

I don't do everything you mention but I do all of my regimen. But, I am under extreme levels of stress that I can not reduce. I have been attacked by a past neighbor for doing things along our shared property line to improve my property so I could sell it or rent it. He has filed criminal charges against me for doing things that I am legally entitled to do. The problem is, he is a cop and cops can file criminal complaints against you for picking your nose. I spent 2 nights in solitary confinement in the medical wing of our county jail in early August. I was barred from returning to my own home. I had to stay with in-laws while my wife moved us out so I could take our belongings to storage and our mountain cabin.

I believe my struggles are due to a PTSD like reaction to these events.

I am living 5 miles outside a small mountain town of 600 people and feel very isolated and alone. My wife works half days. I do not work on any of the many projects I need to finish when my wife us away. No power tools. I am already missing part of a finger due to my PCS struggles. I almost chopped a thumb off today splitting firewood. Just a scrape from my hydraulic log splitter but it gave me quite a wake-up call.

So, I have quite a plate full of stress. I have also lost 20 plus pounds since my two night incarceration. Hopefully, one of the charges will be dismissed Thursday. The felony will hopefully be reduced to a misdemeanor that I will plead to Nov 6th. The third goes to trial Nov 13th.

The moral of the story is if a paranoid schizophrenic cop moves in next door, do what you can to move away. He has threatened criminal charges against me more than he has been neighborly. Acted neighborly 2 times. Acted like a controlling cop a myriad of times. Threatened to, Attempted to or successfully filed criminal charges against me 8 times. All of these incidents would normally be resolved as disagreements between neighbors.

At my mountain home, a wealthy neighbor built his house in the only spot on his 5 acres that destroys my scenic view then his plumber set up his well so it drained the artesian water flow so I lost most of my well flow so I can not fill the trout pond I spent a hundred and fifty hours excavating. Then, as I was filling in the empty pond with my tractor, I bent a $500 part. So, right now, my life is full of stress. I try hard to avoid even thinking about all of this mess but....

But, thanks for your concern.

[hopefulmom]

Good for you to know/remember what works. I'm glad the caffeine had a positive effect.

The stress of a court case can get anyone down because of the unknown. Then the finding and purchasing of a hard to find tractor part. It's a lot.

I'm also wondering if the change in light (vit D) or weather might have any affect on you.

We all wish you well....

Hopeful