[peacheysncream]

Hello everyone,

I took some time out from this site due to the discomfort of using a computer, but am pleased to see some old regulars still writing encouraging, kind and interesting comments.
I cannot believe it has been 3 years since my injury on the 27th. I have learnt so much about coping alone (it truly is a painfully lonely place to be), but really could do with a little support now. My vision, memory, balance, head pain and exhaustion are pretty bad right now.

My question to all is, and I really would appreciate some well thought out feedback.....After having played football and been a dancer for 17 years, I now can no longer build strength or stamina. Why?
I have been trying for 3 years to systematically build my ability to exercise but each time I try (even light walking), my temperature rockets and I start having seizures. The worst part is the pain in my head that can last up to 6 weeks after one bout of gentle exercise. Please tell me what you think.

Kind regards to all xx

[Mark in Idaho]

peachey,

Sorry to hear you are still struggling so.

Have you had an EEG and/or EKG ? Have you been tested for adrenal function?

Adrenal-cortical hyperfunction is not uncommon to TBI. I suffer from it in a mild form.

Have you been seen by a Physiatrist who has the resources of a NeuroRehab Hospital ? NeuroRehab Hospitals often have Neuro-Psychologists on staff.

If you feel you need to build some muscle tone, there are exercises that do not cause rising in BP and pulse. An exercise band attached to a door knob or such can be used to do slow pulls. You want the resistance to be such that you fatigue after just a few pulls. Say you want to work your bicep. Start your pull with your arm extended and slowly pull to full flexion. The pull should take 5 to 10 seconds for the full range. It is like a slow moving isometric exercise. TRX is a form of exercise that uses body weight as the resistance. It may be able to be adapted to your needs.

You will need to figure out how much effort you can put in before you cause a heart rate increase. Resting between each set may be all it takes.

I hope this helps.

May best to you.

[peacheysncream]

Originally Posted by Mark in Idaho

peachey,

Sorry to hear you are still struggling so.

Have you had an EEG and/or EKG ? Have you been tested for adrenal function?

Adrenal-cortical hyperfunction is not uncommon to TBI. I suffer from it in a mild form.

Have you been seen by a Physiatrist who has the resources of a NeuroRehab Hospital ? NeuroRehab Hospitals often have Neuro-Psychologists on staff.

If you feel you need to build some muscle tone, there are exercises that do not cause rising in BP and pulse. An exercise band attached to a door knob or such can be used to do slow pulls. You want the resistance to be such that you fatigue after just a few pulls. Say you want to work your bicep. Start your pull with your arm extended and slowly pull to full flexion. The pull should take 5 to 10 seconds for the full range. It is like a slow moving isometric exercise. TRX is a form of exercise that uses body weight as the resistance. It may be able to be adapted to your needs.

You will need to figure out how much effort you can put in before you cause a heart rate increase. Resting between each set may be all it takes.

I hope this helps.

May best to you.

Dear Mark,

I always appreciate your input. Thank you. I have had EEG and sleep EEG. I have been trying to control my adrenal function with homeopathy. I have not been seen by a psychiatrist but I have been referred to a neropsycologist, I am waiting to see them.
Thank you for your ideas on exercise. I feel I have a problem with my neck from the accident. So every time I exercise that area seems to swell and cause extreme pain that goes on to affect my eyesight etc. My GP says that I have a thickened liguerment in my neck but I do not know if that affects me.

[Mark in Idaho]

What homeopathic treatment claims to help with adrenal function ?

There is a lab that claims to be good at diagnosing some of the issues. http://www.pharmasan.com/

I am not confident in their work but would put them ahead of homeopathy. I did lots of research into the 'science' behind homeopathy after it was recommended to my wife.

fyi, My concern with Pharmasan Labs is that they are owned and administrated by the same company and people as NeuroScience Supplements. A bit of a conflict of interest. But some have claimed to benefit from their work and supplements.

[MicroMan]

Hang in there Peacheysncream... I sincerely hope things get better for you soon.

[peacheysncream]

Originally Posted by Mark in Idaho

What homeopathic treatment claims to help with adrenal function ?

There is a lab that claims to be good at diagnosing some of the issues. http://www.pharmasan.com/

I am not confident in their work but would put them ahead of homeopathy. I did lots of research into the 'science' behind homeopathy after it was recommended to my wife.

fyi, My concern with Pharmasan Labs is that they are owned and administrated by the same company and people as NeuroScience Supplements. A bit of a conflict of interest. But some have claimed to benefit from their work and supplements.

Dear Mark,
All I can say is that I had no seizures for a year and I believe that to be down to homeopathy. I treat my daughter with it instead of antibiotics and so far so good. I know there is no scientific research published, but can you imagine if there was! The effect it would have on pharmaceutical companies......

[Mark in Idaho]

I'm glad you think homeopathy is working for you. The placebo effect is powerful at helping our bodies help themselves. Studies show that the placebo effect can be as high as 60% or more. There is research into the makeup of the products. The 'best' dilutions are so diluted that it would take an Olympic size swimming pool to have one molecule of the 'active' ingredient. Arnica Montana is commonly sold at such a dilution. Hahnemann's original concept was that by serial dilution, the water, sugary liquid or alcohol would have just a memory of the active ingredient and that memory would be able to influence the body's healing. There are some dilutions that actually have a reasonable amount of the active ingredient as opposed to the way homeopathic remedies are usually formulated. It's a wonder as to why they are still called homeopathic.

But, if using a homeopathic substance means she does not get an antibiotic that gets in the way of her body fighting off the invader, that is great. Many of my generation have lived our lives without antibiotics. I have only had them when required for surgery or a deep penetrating wound. It's great to see a mom who does not let the doctor throw antibiotics at every malady.

Homeopathic labeling has had to change in the US because many claims made were never able to be validated. Often, the remedy does not even mention the conditions it is suggested to help.

Do you use Cicuta for your seizures ? What dilution ( commonly designated by a nC or nX on the container, n being the dilution factor, 1-60 )?

[peacheysncream]

Dear Mark,
Thank you for all that info. Very interesting.
I have been given Opium by my homeopath. She makes the doses up herself at home. I understand what you are saying and to a large degree I think you may be right. I understand my body very well which I believe aids my ability to control my seizures to a degree. The large dose of Opium that I took in homeopathic form spelled a few hours of horrific flashbacks of my past to me. After that I did not suffer one seizure in a year.

[donniedarko]

Hi Peachey,

I'm glad to hear that you've found something that works for your seizures. I get annoyed by my tremors enough that I can't even imagine how terrifying it'd be to have to deal with seizures. I wish I had any valuable advice to share for your situation, but all I can do is wish you the best as I'm still learning myself..

[Mark in Idaho]

Wow, it sounds like that Opium dose was much stronger than homeopathic. As I said, there are dilutions that are sold as homeopathic that do not fit the true definition of homeopathic because they are so strong.

Correlation and Causation are hard to differentiate in many situations.