Hi all,

I've started doing the "Buffalo" protocol on the treadmill and have seen some progress although as of right now I am having a few day set back.

As I am sure your all aware or somewhat aware lots of specialists are beginning to point out that a lot of the problems we experience "may" be related to an over active sympathetic nervous system. Thus by doing gradual cardio over time we can teach our nervous (parasympathetic)system to properly control blood pressure cerebral blood flow and eliminate the high heart rate variability we experience with exercise l. This in theory can help with light sensitivity noise sensitivity sleep problems anxiety ruminations and for myself it seems to even have helped with digestion problems that I am beginning to see were related to this accident. Or so that is my hypothesis.

Getting to the point of my ramblings. I know there is some incredibly intelligent people on here. During the sustained cardio tests I experience problems in and around 15 minutes at a relatively low heart rate ( I'm up to being allowed 104 bpm) . Yet when I lift weights, I generally do not have any problems that crop up unless I start eliminating rest periods. I am wondering if it is possible that having been lifting weights for approx 5 months now, that I have re trained the anaerobic and sympathetic nervous system to handle that, and an left with the problem of retraining the parasympathetic and aerobic systems to work properly..?

I could be fooling myself, but I often feel great after weights, again assuming I do not over do it and cause sustained heart rate elevations.

Also. I know it's a lot to ask but in reading about Dr leddys findings he said they have about a 77% cure rate for physiological post concussion disorder, using this treadmill protocol..with the remaining being related to cervical (I now know how huge a role my neck is playing in the headaches etc) psych, and ocular dysfunction (which I have , all day everyday)

So my problem is, when reporting be symptoms, my eyes are constantly changing, but the real tightness and headaches darkness de realization doesn't come on until later, do you guys think that The eye problems while caused by the accident might just be that way because it's been so long or is that an indication of over doing it, because just getting out of bed I have eye issues..

Thanks for your help, I guess my goal is to maintain a regular ish life by having something athletic, which I don't perceive as causing issues, while managing all the rest very carefully.

I have more issues with conversations, general work tasks driving etc than o do with going to the gym, it's all a bit confusing, but I feel like everyone's concussions are different and I really think I have a grasp on mine, even though most literature just broad strokes and says do this don't do that.

I used to think I was crazy, now I think I have a handle.. And to those out there wondering if your making it up, you aren't, trust your gut, but don't be too proud to listen. I eliminated anxiety for the most part, and that to me has been the biggest piece to having my life back, and I credit the people on here with pointing it out to me. There is so much value on here it's insane.

Enjoy your weekend and thanks for any and all opinions, even if you have to blast me for being wrong!!

You lost me at "I am wondering if it is possible that having been lifting weights for approx 5 months now, that I have re trained the anaerobic and sympathetic nervous system to handle that, and an left with the problem of retraining the parasympathetic and aerobic systems to work properly..?"

I tried rereading and still do not understand what you are asking.

I think you are expecting others to know what you have read about Leddy and the Buffalo protocol. Few have followed anything more than the gradual increase in heart rate during exercise concept.

I think you may be expecting too much, especially in light of the out of context 77% cure rate. I think the 77% cure rate is more likely a 77% were able to return to play rate. They may still have other symptoms.

Hey mark thanks for the reply.

I guess that is pretty muddled.

And thanks for the honesty about the return to play, I often read these things and get caught up fast. You do have a point there.

As far as the nervous system stuff, I don't have it all figured or so I'll try to simplify what I am saying and if t still doesn't make sense there is a possiblity that I am also confused haha

I am working under the assumptions that are made by the doctors in this program.. that the autonomic nervous system comprises of two parts, the sympathetic nervous system and the para sympathetic nervous system and that the aerobic exercise prescribed by them is to assist the brain with re training the para sympathetic nervous system to pipe back up and control our sleep, heart rate, cerebral blood flow better. They recommend no other exercise.

But the question I have is that working out does not seem to affect me , within reason. As long as I am somewhat careful, so my theory is that by weight training earlier, my bodies response and brains response has been re trained sufficiently to allow this. As well, because it is anaerobic system my thought is that it would be the sympathetic part of the nervous system .. And that doesn't seem to be hurting for me anyway.

I am wondering, basically, am I fooling myself and it's causing damage , or is it possible that I can continue to lift weights because it's something I really enjoy and gives me something to work on...

have any of you had experience with lifting weights with the continuing of progress ?

Has anyone done this program and had a degree of success or failure

Everyone is so unique I often wonder why doctors don't take a more dynamic outlook when treating people.

I feel like the recommendations often just cover the doctors ..

Thanks again

If you can do it without causing an increase in symptoms, it is probably OK.

You throw in 'anaerobic system' into you comment and completely muddle the comment. What anaerobic system ?

If you are struggling with ongoing symptoms, I suggest it is because you focus on too much small detail.

If you can do certain tasks without raising your BP, HR or respirations, it would make sense that you would not experience an increase in symptoms.