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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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06-10-2015, 07:15 PM | #1 | ||
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This is likely a silly question, but I figured I'd just ask. I was prescribed antibiotics for "cellulitis", which is just a skin infection of some sort on my leg (I'm hygienic, don't know how I got it!). I'm reluctant to take antibiotics unless I have to, given it seems every week another study comes out showing how important the microbiome is. But, if it doesn't get better in the next couple days I may just take them. Is there any PCS reason not to take antibiotics?
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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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06-10-2015, 07:33 PM | #2 | ||
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Legendary
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Laupala,
Check out a preparation called Vetericyn or Puracyn. http://puracyn.com/ The first is available at vet supply and horse supply stores. The later is the human version and is available at Walgreens, Rite-Aid and Meier but can be hard to find. They are the same. They are great at treating skin infections. They excite the body's healing reaction. My wife sold them off TV infomercials years ago. For a skin infection, I would try a topical first. No gastric interference. |
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"Thanks for this!" says: | Laupala (06-10-2015) |
06-10-2015, 08:38 PM | #3 | ||
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I was looking through the side effects of doxycycline (the antibiotic I was prescribed), and found that there rarely cause a serious increase in pressure inside the skull, which causes headache and can lead to vision problems. Seeing as I have a constant headache and visual problems, could this be an indication that I have elevated intracrainial pressure, and that it wouldn't be a good idea to take this antibiotic?
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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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06-10-2015, 09:02 PM | #4 | ||
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Legendary
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I just try to avoid anti-biotics. The Puracyn is not an anti-biotic. Systemic use of anti-biotics are a concern for me. There are many reports of using Puracyn successfully for cellulitis. Google Puracyn and cellulitis
Your vision and head aches could or could not be related to IICP. |
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06-11-2015, 08:48 AM | #5 | ||
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I googled puracyn and cellulitis and didn't find much explicitly addressing it.
Is increased IICP common after mTBI? How would one know this underlies their symptoms?
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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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06-11-2015, 09:49 AM | #6 | ||
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Legendary
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There are three different US brands of this same product. Microcyn, Vetricyn, and Puracyn. Here is an overview. http://vetericyn.com/downloads/marke...ntibiotics.pdf
Regardless of the IICP risk, avoiding a systemic anti-biotic is worthwhile. |
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06-11-2015, 11:29 AM | #7 | ||
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Hello Laupala, in your initial post you say that cellulitis is “just a skin infection of some sort on my leg,” but it can sometimes turn into something more serious. Here is a good article about cellulitis: http://www.medicinenet.com/cellulitis/article.htm
An excerpt on treatment: “Cellulitis is a treatable condition, but antibiotic treatment is necessary to eradicate the infection and avoid complications and spread of the infection. Most cellulitis can be effectively treated with oral antibiotics at home. Sometimes hospitalization and intravenous antibiotics are required if oral antibiotics are not effective.” Here is a link that includes comments from patients who have been treated for cellulitis: http://www.medicinenet.com/celluliti...mments-505.htm Normally I try to avoid taking any prescription medications, but I’ve found that topical medications have not worked very well for me for skin conditions. Hope your cellulitis heals quickly! |
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"Thanks for this!" says: | Laupala (06-11-2015) |
06-11-2015, 11:30 AM | #8 | ||
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Thanks for the info. Given it seems to be getting better (the swelled area has decreased significantly since it's max a couple days ago) I'd skip the antibiotics, but I'll be camping in about 10 days and don't want to risk the infection getting worse then. That's why I'm considering taking the antibiotics.
__________________
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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