I have made a strong recovery (not 100% yet, but getting close). Life is mostly back to normal. I did not take any meds at any point. It has taken me almost 3.5 years to get this far.

Not sure if that is an endorsement for not taking meds or not!

Complementary medicine for PCS
 

I have found that complimentary approaches ( essential oils, bodywork, naturopath and chiropractic)- were more helpful overall than the pharmaceutical meds. But the Zoloft (50mg) kept me from crying all the time and the Klonopin (.5mg) did secure sleep. I realized not one dr knew the whole answer and I had to coordinate the care myself.

Car accident 2-9-14- still off work due to headaches and concentration problems

Ciprolex
 

I find that Ciprolex helps control my horrendous mood swings. I am 5 years post concussion and that’s the only drug I take for it. The rest caused too many side effects. After 1 year of lying on the couch I finally got permission to exercise again starting very very gradually. I still get massive fatigue sometimes, but I feel better about it because of the exercise.

I have pretty much tried everything. I got the sleep info from Mayo clinic. Been through sleep study...the machine hurts my brain. Melatonin, valerian, cal/mag don't work. Guided meditations on u tube help me relax. It seems when I lay down, My central nervous system gets all wired. Full of adrenaline.

dawneve,

I need gabapentin to settle my body so I can get to sleep. It does not make me sleepy. It just allows me to get to sleep. I take 600 mgs. I used to take 1200 mgs. I still need to practice good sleep hygiene.

Hi greenfrog, so glad for your recovery and hope you reach 100% soon. Can I ask you what symptoms you had and which ones are gone or seem going away ?

Personally speaking the turning point in my recovery was when I was precribed Cymbalta (SNRI). At the time I had dreadful fatigue, noise/light sensitivity, dizzyness, irritibility, forgetfulness, and terrible earache, tinnitus, toothache, jaw ache, pain in my eyes and the bridge of my nose. As well as this I had insomnia, being awake between 12-5am for months.

The Cymbalta instantly cut through my pain and also reduced all of my symptoms, including insomnia. It also helped my mood greatly and put me on the road to recovery.

We identified Imigran as a very effective drug for my post concussion headaches and it would also completely erradicate noise and light sensitivity for me.

2 years on I just take 30mg Cymbalta in the morning, and Topomax 75mg a day for ongoing neuropathic pain since my head injury. I lead a normal life, work, exercise and and I am mostly back to normal. I couldn't have done this without medication.

Regards

mouse1,

have you tried to stop the Cymbalta ? It would be interesting to see what symptoms you still have without the Cymbalta. SNRI's and SSRI's can be a struggle with side effects and such.

Do you have ADHD or ADD, because I used to take ritalin for that and might be going back on it hopefully it will help... Did It help you at all?

Yes, I succeeded without drugs. This time last year I had no hope, was depressed, had major insomnia fast forward to now - I'm doing well and sleep is good.