Hello all,

I'm not new to forums and at a glance can see that I have a good amount to read already (which I'm thankful for). I will try to be brief... I have had 7 concussions in the past 4 1/2 years. The first was in a bad car accident that opened a large flap on the top of my head and needed 17 stitches to close. Since that time, I have not been able to drink alcohol like I used to. Sometimes there is no effect, sometimes I after 1 beer I will feel "concussed" or have the "hangover" that I see others have described. I also had to give up caffeine. The past 8 months it has been worse, where I can't even get through a beer without it kicking in and now sometimes it shows up unprovoked. When it does I'm irritable, short-tempered, frustrated, embarrassed, can't focus (especially at work), have vocabulary issues, short term memory loss etc.

I was diagnosed with PCS and PTSD after the car crash. I had been doing EMDR Therapy for the PTSD but had to stop in December when my insurance changed. I have had a brain MRI and they found nothing (wrong). This is very difficult to live with so I'm hoping to find some answers/support on here. I have an appointment with my Neurologist, but he is very good so I can't get in before September. Anywho, that's my story and why I'm on here. I appreciate any input and help in advance.

RollerDerbyCoach,

Welcome to NeuroTalk. Sorry to hear you are struggling so.

First, many of us have been able to live long and full lives without alcohol and/or caffeine. If the beer is causing a problem, I think you know the answer. I can not tolerate one beer. For me, a single beer causes a miserable hangover/foggy feeling the next day.

Some people get no benefit or a negative reaction from EMDR. Studies show that for many, properly targeted CBT (Cognitive Behavior Therapy) is as effective or more effective.

Are you doing anything nutritionally ? The anxious brain is usually in serious need of B-12 and the rest of a good brain health vitamins and supplements regimen. You can read the Vitamins sticky at the top and get a good idea of what the brain needs.

Other than the intolerance to alcohol and caffeine, what other symptoms are you struggling with ?

I do take a b-12 pill daily as I had read that it could be beneficial. I have not look in to nutrition passed that, though.

I get migraines from time to time. I take meclizine for them and it normally calms them down pretty well. I am concerned that the "foggy" feeling has just popped up when I awaken here in the past few months when I haven't had anything to drink. I have a difficult time getting to sleep and take trazedone as needed to help slow my brain down so I can and my symptoms are worse when I get little sleep (like this entire week).

Yeah, sadly I'm afraid that I do know the answer. I'm in IT sales and do technical work as well, so it's embarrassing being the only person not drinking. I get a club soda and "pretend" most of the time... Coming home and not having a beer on a rough/hot day like today is a tough pill to swallow. I know it probably sounds dumb to most, but it's frustrating to feel so "abnormal". I was hoping that there would be a treatment or medication that could counter what I've been going through...but it seems that this foggy/hangover/concussed part of PCS is actually pretty common?

If a beer is the worst of your symptoms, jump for joy.

If your coworkers make fun of you over a drink they are pretty shallow but maybe you can explain to them alcohol does cause your injury problems....I would bet they would be understanding.

Bud

I suggest you be honest about drinking. Just say you suffered a concussion and are taking meds that both preclude drinking. If your co-workers have a problem with that, it is their shortcoming, not yours.

The foggy mornings can be simply not getting good sleep or not getting sleep where you are breathing properly. Sleep apnea can be made worse by concussions. The tri-cyclic antidepressant usually used for post concussion insomnia is amitriptyline or sometimes nortriptyline.

I take gabapentin to help my mind and body relax.

A single B-12 daily is just the start. What dosage and version of B-12 are you taking ? 1000 or more methylcobalamin B-12 is a good start but 2500 mcgs would be good. A B-50 complex, D-3 and magnesium are all important.

Yeah, I like the idea of mentioning a recent concussion. Tonight, just for the heck of it I decided to try a fathers day non-alcoholic beer at dinner (having never triend one before). I didnt get 1/2 way through before feeling it coming on so I stopped. Like de-caf coffee, I know they still have a trace amount of alcohol but it's very frustrating.

I do take Nortriptyline nightly and have for about a year now. I will take trazedone on top of that when needed. I'll have to check, the b-12 is a generic vitamin though. I'm going to read up on the suggested vitamin suggestion and give it a try asap.

Thank you for the great input, I really appreciate it! Is it common that people will have these effects 4 years in? =( Just today after 1/2 of the non-alcoholic beers I was dizzy and foggy.