 |
|
| Traumatic Brain Injury and Post Concussion Syndrome For traumatic brain injury (TBI) and post concussion syndrome (PCS). |
| Reply |
|
|
Thread Tools | Display Modes |
02-18-2014, 05:54 PM
|
#1 | ||
|
|||
|
Member
|
I used to take Xanax for anxiety. I have been dealing with extreme anxiety ever since I hit my head 2 months ago, so I finally decided it was time to start taking it again. I have been taking it for about a week or so.
I am prescribed Xanax on an "as needed" basis and take it once every other day, but I feel like I need it daily. I'm just scared it will cause long-term damage to my brain. When I take the Xanax, I feel wonderful. My headache disappears, and I function on a level that is pretty close to where I used to be. On the days I don't take Xanax, I have a headache, nausea, dizziness, slight facial tightness, and a few other symptoms. I am usually big on holistic treatments, so it scares me that the Xanax is working so well. Unfortunately, nothing else has helped me feel better so far except my anxiety meds. Do any of you guys take Xanax, and have you found that it helps your concussion symptoms? Do you feel like it affects your brain in a negative way? I just don't want to turn into a zombie. I am probably over-analyzing all of this. Last edited by MomWriterStudent; 02-18-2014 at 05:55 PM. Reason: forgot something |
||
|
 Reply With Quote
|
|
02-18-2014, 06:47 PM
|
#2 | ||
|
|||
|
Member
|
I am unsure of xanax but I understand your concern. Up until I was injured I rarely went to a dr. Did not need medications besides the rare antibiotic. Now I am on several and don't know if I will ever come off them. Ask yourself does it help your quality of life? If yes then talk to your dr and decide for yourself.
__________________
49, Male Married, PCS since June 2012, headaches, Back pain, neck pain, attention deficit, concentration deficit, processing speed deficit, verbal memory deficit, PTSD, fatigue, tinutitus, tremors. To see the divine in the moment. |
||
|
|
Reply With Quote
|
| "Thanks for this!" says: | poetrymom (02-18-2014) |
|
02-18-2014, 07:27 PM
|
#3 | ||
|
|||
|
Legendary
|
MWS,
Have you tried taking L-Tryptophan and L-Theanine to help with serotonin and GABA? You can also try taking a smaller dose of the Xanax. When I was prescribed Klonopin ( a benzo like Xanax), I took half the prescribed dose with good results. Are you taking B12 and other vitamins and supplements ?
__________________
Mark in Idaho "Be still and know that I am God" Psalm 46:10 |
||
|
|
Reply With Quote
|
|
02-18-2014, 07:41 PM
|
#4 | ||
|
|||
|
Member
|
Quote:
|
||
|
|
Reply With Quote
|
|
02-18-2014, 08:03 PM
|
#5 | |||
|
||||
|
Senior Member
|
Just a word of caution, my husband is a DDO, of the many seminars they go to about drugs and their addictive behaviours that follow, Xanax is up there with heroin. I had horrid withdrawal symptoms when I decided to quit Xanax, very unpleasant. Use it with great care.
|
|||
|
|
Reply With Quote
|
|
02-18-2014, 08:13 PM
|
#6 | ||
|
|||
|
Member
|
Quote:
|
||
|
|
Reply With Quote
|
|
02-18-2014, 08:18 PM
|
#7 | ||
|
|||
|
Member
|
I would strongly advise against Xanax.
My personal experience with it was horrible, I stopped taking it after about three weeks on it and went through hellish withdrawals for about two days. Initially I was feeling much better when started taking it, for the first week or so, after that I noticed that I had to up the dose and had to take more doses during the day to the point where I had to take it every few hours (this is in a span of just three weeks). I figured out that I am getting addicted to it and stopped taking it right away, see the above comment about the withdrawal. My doctor said that it wasn't a withdrawal since I was using it for only three weeks, maybe a flu or something. Well, let me tell you that must've been the flu from hell since I had all the indications of a withdrawal. Not sure if my concussed brain reacted differently to it, than a "healthy" brain would. Anyway, here's my 2 cents on it. Try to stay with natural remedies, even though the anxiety seems to be overwhelming, trust me, coming off Xanax is way worse since any anxiety you treated with Xanax will be multiplied when coming off of it.
__________________
12/02/2012 - Light concussion at boxing practice. Ended up having PCS for about 3 months. March 2013 - Thought that since most of my symptoms resolved I could start having fun again. Went snowmobiling once (didn't hit my head) and concussion symptoms returned and got even worse than before. June 2013 - accidentally bumped my head against a deck railing, and had a month-long setback. November 2013 - drove to work after a big snowstorm and the roads were very rough, ended up having another setback. 2014 - Having setbacks after coughing/sneezing too much, or someone slapping me on the back, or any other significant jarring. Feb 2014 - Started seeing Atlas Orthogonal chiro - most helpful doc so far. June 2014 - Two months of physical/visual therapy - no noticeable improvement. September 2014 - Diagnosed with Perilymph Fistula in right ear. November 2014 - Fistula surgery (switched to left ear before the surgery after additional testing). January 2016 - Quit work to "work" on figuring out PCS, so far it seems that eyes/vision issues are the most contributing factor, especially computer work. Current symptoms are: inconsistent sleep patterns, headaches, vertigo/dizziness, anxiety/panic attacks, mental fog/problems with concentration, problems with computer screens. |
||
|
|
Reply With Quote
|
|
02-18-2014, 09:26 PM
|
#8 | ||
|
|||
|
Legendary
|
L-Tryptophan is needed by the brain to make serotonin. It is well understood by the body as it converts it to 5-HTP then serotonin and melatonin.
L-Theanine helps the body regulate GABA. Both have very little risk if any at all. I take each twice a day. My Ivy League doctor knows the biochemistry of both and it in full support of me taking them. You need a broader dose of B vitamins. A B-50 complex should be added plus D3. Your B-12 should be in the methylcobalamin form. Amazon sells the L's at the best price. I hope you give them a try. As others have said, Xanax should be avoided if at all possible. Benzos are rough and should be limited to 30 days of regular use maximum. My doc took me off them as soon as possible. The Klonopin was just while we waited for another med to start to work.
__________________
Mark in Idaho "Be still and know that I am God" Psalm 46:10 |
||
|
|
Reply With Quote
|
| "Thanks for this!" says: | poetrymom (02-18-2014) |
|
02-18-2014, 11:50 PM
|
#9 | |||
|
||||
|
Member
|
Hi there
I also take L-thenine every day and L-troys (can't spell it) but the one Mark mentioned. I've been taking one L-theanine supplement for over 4 years to help with the anxiety in a female brain at middle age. I also use Gabba from time to time, but I think it makes me foggy now at times. I don't seem to need it so i don't take it You can get these both at Amazon for not too much. Here's wishing you some calm. Sincerely, poetrymom
__________________
[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. |
|||
|
|
Reply With Quote
|
|
02-19-2014, 10:05 AM
|
#10 | |||
|
||||
|
Junior Member
|
You could try an antidepressant for your headaches. You could try breathing and relaxation techniques for your anxiety. I use Jean Marie Hays Deep Relaxation. You could try drinking a beer or wine at night to calm your nerves (if you do not have addictive or adverse side effects, I believe this is okay based on previous posts). Do not drink caffeine. You could identify your anxiety triggers and avoid them or take a nap if that helps you forget them.
I know how anxiety feels after PSC ... it's horrible. I used Xanax twice but no more than that because I was fearful of addiction and damage to the brain. I am bringing them on a plane trip coming up just in case, so I believe they are a good once in a while tool but no more than that. My anxiety went away slowly at about the 4-5 month mark. I still have episodes occasionally and I just sit them through or occupy myself with something else until they pass.
__________________
In July 2013 ran into a metal bar at a playground, remained conscious. CT normal. Headache subsided after a week. In August woke with thunderclap-type headache in right side of head, right eye was droopy. Ever since had electrical-type pulsating all over when falling asleep and during sleep. Strong muscle twitching occasionally. Chest pain in heart region, front left neck region, and left shoulder. Strong heartbeat noise in head and occasional weird noises in ears. Taking Gabapentin to control nighttime nerves. Other symptoms: anxiety attacks, goosebumps, fine motor coordination problems, sleep apnea, headaches/migraines, fatigue, unclear thinking. Update as of Jan. 2015 - almost all symptoms gone except for some tinnitus. Taking good care of myself except sometimes when I overdo it. |
|||
|
|
Reply With Quote
|
| Reply |
|
|
Similar Threads
|
||||
| Thread | Forum | |||
| alprazalam (xanax) .25. | Bipolar Disorder | |||
| Xanax off-label use | Medications & Treatments | |||
| clonazepam vs xanax | Multiple Sclerosis | |||
| Xanax OK? | Peripheral Neuropathy | |||
| Xanax or Xanax XR? | Chronic Pain | |||
Xanax: Yay or Nay?
Linear Mode
