Here's the summary of it all:
A beta carotene 3500 IU
B1 Thiamin 1.1 mg
B2 Riboflavin 1.1 mg
B3 Niacin 14 mg
B5 Pantothenic acid 5 mg
B6 Pyridoxine 5 mg
B7 Biotin 30 mcg
B9 Folic acid 400 mcg
B12 Cyanocobalamin 50 mcg
C 350 mg
D 1000 IU
E 235 iu
K 50 mcg
Calcium 300 mg
Magnesium as oxide , citrate and aspartate 500mg

I am a side sleeper due to a back issue from 2002. I can't last 30 minutes on my back. But I did change to a very minimal pillow and my head is in a very neutral position. I can see sleep efficiency as a percentage, percent restful sleep, sleep activity, restless vs restful, light and deep sleep, average heart rate, percentage sleeping heart rate dip. No check on breathing......besides my husband who says I don't snore or breath funny, just talk in my sleep sometimes. But I always have, especially when I'm super tired!!!

That looks like a common multivitamin. I'd add a B-50 Complex (not B Complex). The dosages you are taking are minimal. Probably RDA based.

I'd also add 1000 to 2000 mcgs of B-12 methylcobalamin. Take it first thing in the AM on an empty stomach.

When you sleep on your side, your pillow should hold your head level.

The fact that you wake up with a headache suggests something is not as good as it should be.

I learned about my sleep being a big issue when I would fall asleep in my recliner and get good sleep. My wife would comment that I would have a peaceful expression vs a tense expression when sleeping in bed. She could tell when I was going to have a bad day by the look on my face first thing in the morning as she woke up.

I hope you can find the cause of your headaches.

Thanks. I'll add a good B 50 complex and more B 12. I did sleep a bit better last night! I tried very hard to sleep with my head in a straight line, not flexed like I prefer. I kept my pillow pretty flat also. I felt better this am! That's a START! Thanks so much for all your input! I'm still tossing around the idea of Cognitive FX. I talked to them and they couldn't get me in until August 20 anyways so I'm going to try UPMC Concussion clinic and see what they tell me June 18.

Most B-50 Complex supplements are the same dose. 50 mgs of most Bs and 50 mcgs of B-12 and another B.

B Complex or Super B Complex is a different product with usually a lower dose of the B vitamins but C and others things added.

I would consider UPMC before CogFX. UPMC is open about their research. Cog FX keeps most of their research hidden. Their 'successful' standard is subjective, not objective like I would like to see. $8000 to $10,000 is a lot to spend with a company that is not transparent about their process.

Thanks Mark. Do you know much about UPMC Concussion clinic?

Are there many on here with experience from UPMC?

UPMC is one of the first concussion research clinics beside Boston U and U Buffalo.

Some on NT have found help. And insurance usually covers their services.

Cog FX is a cash in advance program.

Definitely will start with UPMC then! Thanks so very much! Got the B50 and B 12 today! I really appreciate all your input! Please let me know if you think of anything else!

I am trying to walk and keep y heart rate in the 80s. Some days I have trouble doing that. Today was one of those days. It kept jumping to 90s and above even walking so slowly or stopping for awhile. If I push on I get a headache, then nausea and then dizziness. If I don't stop it lasts the rest of the day! How do I ever advance form here! I try to walk 1-2 miles once or twice a day if I feel OK. I always walk at least 1.5 miles a day. I usually have to walk so slowly my pace it 35-40 minutes per mile to keep my heart rate in 80s.

I am amazed that just gentle walking can raise your heart beat so much.

Have you checked your blood pressure when you hit 90 bpm?

Do you take any aspirin or ibuprofen? Both are blood thinners and can make it so blood flows through the brain easier. Even low dose aspirin may be worthwhile. Enteric aspirin does not dissolve in the stomach so it is less upsetting.

I take 2 975 mg doses of enteric aspirin each day for arthritis (am and pm). It also keep my blood very thin.

My BP is always low, normal but haven't had it checked while I'm walking. I'm not on aspirin or ibuprofen. I see a neurologist again Monday. I'll see what he says. Thanks. My head hurts frequently at rest, always worse with exertion. I think that's what causes my increased heart rate. My heart rate jumps up simply in response to a loud noise, dog bark, siren, generator kicking on.

My fiance has daily morning brain pain as well!
 

MichelleV, my fiance is 2.5+ years out from mTBI + two subsequent hits to the head shortly after. She wakes up with head pain daily similar to you. Her injuries could most definitely involve her neck, but she's never complained of any pain or stiffness in her neck (and she was a physical therapist before her injury, so you'd think she'd be able to readily vocalize anything that feels different in her neck).

Regarding her sleep, her sleep sounds extremely similar to yours. Often her brain doesn't shut off and she can't fall asleep easily. She wakes every night when I get up to go pee. She's a very light sleeper after her brain injury. She sometimes gets quite fatigued during the day. Regarding posture, she normally jacks her head up sleeping with 2 pillows. We've recently put a stop to that. I can't say it's changed anything. 25mg of Topiramate / Topamax is the only thing that's appreciably lessened her daily morning head pain. She's only been on it for a 1.5 months now. We haven't been able to up her dose because the side effects are becoming bothersome to her (paresthesia in her feet and hands, achy back and knees, dizziness and loss of balance). She has went to the ER twice and was given 10 mg of Compazine. She slept like an absolute rock for 12 hours and woke up feeling far better than normal! I've never seen her better. Unfortunately, Compazine has appreciable side effects and can't be taken regularly. We're pursuing a basic sleep study with a recording pulse ox. I'm hoping we can use it for 5+ nights to collect data rather than one.

Anyhow, I didn't want to chime in on a thread about Cognitive FX since I've nothing to say about it, but I had to step up to say my fiance has the same daily morning brain pain (every. single. morning.). If you improve yours and can share your experience, I'd greatly appreciate hearing it! I'm new to these forums and might not catch a response. ** I've subscribed to this thread, so hopefully I receive updates. However, don't hesitate to contact me via any means!

Lastly, Mark_in_Idaho, I can't express my thanks to you enough for the effort you put in on this forum! I am unemployed and spend 100% of my time researching ways to help my fiance with the typical list of PCS symptoms. Your experience and ideas are helping open avenues of hope for us. This is the first thread I've read. I'm now going to proceed to dig through more of this forum. Thanks!

AeroDan,

Welcome to NeuroTalk.

I never had any neck pain. I get a bit of grinding when I move my head but no stiffness.

But, I know that my neck posture will impact my brain even without any other symptoms. That is why I call it a subtle neck injury.

A bit of postural strain put on an unstable or weak neck can cause inflammation that changes nerve function and/or blood flow.

The quality of sleep I got and still get sleeping in a recliner with my head and neck straight is strong evidence.

Some do not feel comfortable without a pillow elevating the head. A bed wedge can provide some lift to the head of the mattress so a thinner pillow can be used. In time, sleeping flat cam be learned. The goal is to reduce the strain on the C-1 to skull (C-0/occiput). It tends to be the joint that suffers the most during a concussion.

Got it, noted, and thanks!

Mike_in_Idaho: Did you have daily brain pain when waking?

Are you asking if I wake up with a headache?

I have in the past but rarely do now because I have been disciplined to not aggravate my neck.

Yesterday morning was a bad wake up. First in a long time. I had stressful dreams and woke up with foggy brain.

I have had periods when I had chronic headaches for 6 months or more.

Did you go to CognitiveFX?
 

Hi - Just following up on this. Did you go to CognitiveFX?? Am currently considering their 5-day program for my son (PCS since concussion in 1/15). Thank you.

I chose to go to UPMC in Pittsburgh, PA. I had my injury March 3, started at UPMC in June and I have been 100% pleased! My progress went from zero to substantial and I am very happy to report that I am able to return to working January 14, at a much less stressful job but I’m so happy to be able to get back to work! They have warned me that it will be very tough for me and I need to pace myself and take lots of breaks. But I’ll try and do my best! I’m sure working will be much better than doing all the therapy at home! Fingers crossed and lots of prayers! I very highly recommend UPMC Concussion Clinic. Look it up online and watch all the videos. Look up their CME- continuing medical education for physicians and watch the lectures. You can learn a lot!! It is backed by high quality medical research. Good luck to all. Get outside and get exposed to what makes you feel bad every day! It’s the best and only way to get better!!!

Thank you. I wondered if shanebox did go to CognitiveFX. Have read a lot about UPMC but thought they were for sports concussions only.

Upmc
 

UPMC is definitely NOT just for sports concussions. They have many patients who come from long distances and they arrange all the appointments for you so you make the best use of your time. I very highly recommend them. We can exchange emails and phone numbers if you want to discuss it more. I wasn’t making any real progress until I started there and now I’m going back to work next week!!! It’s been 10 months for me. I’m at about 80% and still working on my therapy but making very good progress! I hope for the very best for your son!

Upmc
 

Concussions 11 | ReThink Concussions

Great information here. Watch all the videos and read everything. You don’t have to go there to learn a lot about the best way to get better from a concussion even years later!

UPMC Infomation
 

CME Courses | UPMC Physician Resources | UPMC Physician Resources

Clinical Trajectories of Concussion | ReThink Concussions

Concussions 11 | ReThink Concussions

Patient Stories | ReThink Concussions

ReThink Concussions | Pittsburgh, PA

When will Mickey Collins start writing down his comments and treatment guideline so we do not have to try to follow a video presentation? These appear to just be infomercials to seeking care at UPMC.
Yes, we know there are different trajectories.

shanebox, did you end up seeking out treatment at CognitiveFx? I am interested to connect with you if you are willing- I am a physical therapist who is coming up on 5 months post concussion with continued symptoms that are functionally limiting. I am interested to hear more about your experience as I also have young children (2 and 1) who add challenge to the recovery. I realize I am very early on in my recovery compared to some, but am in the early stages of researching CognitiveFx and fMRI as I want to do whatever I can to accelerate my recovery and get back to my career.

NSTPT,

Welcome to NeuroTalk.

shanebox has not posted in over 2 years.

Please feel free to start your own thread and tell us about your concussion, any diagnostics, symptoms, therapies, and current struggles.

Thank you, Mark; I appreciate all you have shared. This is one of the frustrating things I still experience after having gone through a long slow recovery of PCS (9 years out).

Do you have any insight on how to differentiate this from age-related memory issues? I'm hoping I will see improvement with more mental activity. In the meantime, it's very disconcerting how much my memory has declined when I don't make that deliberate effort to remember something.

Thanks!

You treat the symptom, not the cause. It does not matter what the cause is.

Mental activity only improves reaction times. It does not improve memory. Memory disciplines are the best way to improve memory.

Plan on your memory failing so you do not expect your memory to be successful. Then, use focus and other accommodations so you have a greater likelihood of remembering.

Limit conflicting sensory stimulation when you need a reliable memory.