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| Traumatic Brain Injury and Post Concussion Syndrome For traumatic brain injury (TBI) and post concussion syndrome (PCS). |
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08-17-2014, 03:00 PM
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Just wondered if anyone here had their hormones tested? I'm beginning to think mine aren't right and my cortisol levels are too high or serotonin too low - or both! My eyes feel sore in the evening but I don't get sleepy or yawn at all, just feel fatigued out when I go to bed. Then have a hard time getting off to sleep, toss and turn. It's not like I feel anxious any more. So, what symptoms did people have if they tested for abnormal hormones?
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08-17-2014, 04:06 PM
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Legendary
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Many have found getting their hormones tested has helped. It requires a forward thinking endocrinologist or other doctor with expertise with hormones, especially hormone issues for those with brain traumas.
EsthersDoll has posted info about hormones and brain injuries.
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Mark in Idaho "Be still and know that I am God" Psalm 46:10 |
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08-17-2014, 04:18 PM
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I just had my first (and likely only) follow-up with a neurologist who totally wrote off getting my hormones tested, despite me citing a few articles I'd read that suggested that mTBI can affect hormone levels. He said that the pituitary gland is like a finely tuned orchestra, and that messing with one thing sets off the rest.
I certainly get that it's complicated, and even I'm a bit skeptical of a single test being accurate, as hormone levels fluctuate a lot based on all sorts of parameters (at least in other animal species), but I wish he would've been a little more open.
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26 year-old PhD student in evolutionary biology, slipped on ice in Feb 2014 while clipping my fingernails and walking to save time (dumbest reason for PCS ever?). Initially just had headaches and didn't feel quite right, but a minor head bump 5 days later started a downward spiral of anxiety, depression, insomnia and fatigue. Had trouble concentrating on reading/looking at screens April 2014 - did exertion test, passed, started exercising and doing more, but didn't feel much better. May 2014 - Went on backpacking trip OK'd by doctor, trip itself went fine, but felt worse a few days after getting back, more difficulty concentrating, worse headaches. June 2014 - Bumped head on ceiling walking slowly down stairs, no immediate symptoms, but caused worsening headahces, more difficulty concentrating and looking at screens. Have not felt as good as I did before this since this bump. December 2014 - after feeling relatively better I went xc skiing and fell but didn't hit my head (something my psychologist who specializes in brain injuries told me he hoped would happen so I saw it was OK), felt worse Feb 2015 - back in grad school, light teaching load and some research, nowhere close to operating at my full capacity. Still have constant headaches, difficulty reading/looking at screens, mild anxiety and depression, and just not feeling like my normal sharp self. Trying, but struggling, to believe that I'll get back to my old self, or at least get close. |
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08-17-2014, 04:38 PM
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Legendary
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The neuro said the pituitary gland is like a finely tuned orchestra....... Even a finely tuned orchestra needs to check to see if it is in tune. What if that finely tuned orchestra gets out of its fine tune ? He made your point for you.
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Mark in Idaho "Be still and know that I am God" Psalm 46:10 |
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08-17-2014, 05:10 PM
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Yeah, in hindsight I think he was talking about hormone replacement as getting the orchestra all out of whack, but you're right, he did seem to contradict himself. This coming from the same neurologist who told me I'd be 50% better in a month after starting lexapro...
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26 year-old PhD student in evolutionary biology, slipped on ice in Feb 2014 while clipping my fingernails and walking to save time (dumbest reason for PCS ever?). Initially just had headaches and didn't feel quite right, but a minor head bump 5 days later started a downward spiral of anxiety, depression, insomnia and fatigue. Had trouble concentrating on reading/looking at screens April 2014 - did exertion test, passed, started exercising and doing more, but didn't feel much better. May 2014 - Went on backpacking trip OK'd by doctor, trip itself went fine, but felt worse a few days after getting back, more difficulty concentrating, worse headaches. June 2014 - Bumped head on ceiling walking slowly down stairs, no immediate symptoms, but caused worsening headahces, more difficulty concentrating and looking at screens. Have not felt as good as I did before this since this bump. December 2014 - after feeling relatively better I went xc skiing and fell but didn't hit my head (something my psychologist who specializes in brain injuries told me he hoped would happen so I saw it was OK), felt worse Feb 2015 - back in grad school, light teaching load and some research, nowhere close to operating at my full capacity. Still have constant headaches, difficulty reading/looking at screens, mild anxiety and depression, and just not feeling like my normal sharp self. Trying, but struggling, to believe that I'll get back to my old self, or at least get close. |
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08-17-2014, 05:49 PM
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Ive been wanting to ask my neuro about this but keep forgetting everytime I go.
How should I even approach the question. His bedside manner is terrible, and really only wants to talk about movies or books.... |
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08-17-2014, 05:54 PM
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If i were you guys either change doctors or now i right a checklist and bring it with me to make sure i ask everything i need to. Its not full proof because i still forget to say things with my bad handwriting but it will help. There are many reasons why hormones can be off. Stress can cause it but i would go for it if you have the money because the worst that can happen is you check that off of the list of possible causes.
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| "Thanks for this!" says: | Lara (08-17-2014) |
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08-17-2014, 05:54 PM
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Legendary
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Gosh kevbo.
You're paying him and he's talking about movies and books? 
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08-17-2014, 06:06 PM
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Quote:
This guys beyond a joke. |
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| "Thanks for this!" says: | Lara (08-17-2014) |
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08-18-2014, 04:49 AM
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Hmm, I'm planning on asking my GP for a hormone test, wish me luck I think I'm going to have to do some arm twisting to get it! I'll have to be referred to an endocrinologist by him to get it done. Makes you wonder how many people just put up with their PCS symptoms because of the intransigence of the healthcare professionals is too much.
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| "Thanks for this!" says: | Lara (08-18-2014) |
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Hormones tested anyone?
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