Traumatic Brain Injury and Post Concussion Syndrome For traumatic brain injury (TBI) and post concussion syndrome (PCS).


advertisement
Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 04-13-2018, 12:31 PM #11
bmf07 bmf07 is offline
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2018
Posts: 7
5 yr Member
bmf07 bmf07 is offline
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2018
Posts: 7
5 yr Member
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Mark in Idaho View Post
Bre,



The counting of breaths or any other item or action, the repeating of thoughts, the intense need to define what has happened, the inability to let go of an idea, and such behaviors are all anxiety. You may not have nervous anxiety that you sense plainly but you have the obsessive and/or compulsive anxieties. Just because you do not have [Flashbacks, nightmares, detachment from others, loss of interest, anger, memory loss, feeling jumpy, turning to drugs and alcohol... ] does not mean you do not have PTSD.



I was put on Klonopin, a benzodiazepine anti-anxiety med. It settled me down a bit so I did not have extreme panic attacks but I needed an SSRI to stop the other behaviors. Most are termed perseveration. I called them looping. I would loop on meaningless things. A license plate I saw. The spelling of a word. A stanza of a song as I tried to find the finish to the song. It was exhausting.



It took a bit to find the right doctor. My doctor said I needed drug therapy and cognitive/psychological therapy to put the trauma into a understandable state. The goal of the psychological therapy was to convince me that a truth was not true to try to trick my mind into letting go. Not an option for me.



Then, about two years after the trauma, I suffered a concussion that added brain injury symptoms.



The immediate trauma therapy is often focused on helping your mind differentiate between what happened and what your mind thinks happened or is afraid of. It is a very complex condition with many different triggers and manifestations. Your symptoms are very similar to mine of 18 years ago.



Your symptoms do not fit with a brain injury.



What makes to say you may have had a concussion?



I am not trained in the specifics but have enough experience and have done enough research to support what I think.



I have a family member who suffers from severe PTSD that went untreated at the time of the trauma and that has left that person psychologically disabled. That person's spouse does not believe PTSD is real so there is no chance of treatment. But, those that truly know the person know that the PTSD is real and has had a serious effect. That person does not have [Flashbacks, nightmares, detachment from others, loss of interest, anger, memory loss, feeling jumpy, turning to drugs and alcohol... ] either but has alienated close family and replaced them with other friends who do not know the pre-trauma personality and function.



Mark


Mark,
During the initial injury I hit my head on the floor. However I went to concussion therapy and it was originally 3 sessions however the therapist canceled the other 2 because I had no symptoms matching post concussion syndrome. Another dead end.
Today my neurologist said she has never heard of anything I’ve explained to her. She did say it was possible what I am going through is brain damage but at a cellular level and they would not be able to detect it on any type of test. Or tell me what exactly in my brain is causing this! She did recommend to see my therapist again ASAP to deal with coping with this damage. I can’t get in until May though because of my insurance switching.

I am currently taking Remeron and Klonopin as I need both just to be able to fall asleep. I’ve been on these for 3 weeks now. No change in the odd mind stuff though. I know that Remeron is a non serotonin uptake inhibitor.
Have you had any experience with these? Initially I was given an SSRI but stopped 2 days in as it gave me EXTREME anxiety, worse than if I took nothing. If this isn’t brain damage and this is all in my mind, is there a specific drug I can take the actually turns my mind off? I know it’s a silly question but now I feel desperate since I’ve reached another dead end with Neurology. Thanks for all your insight Mark.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
bmf07 is offline   Reply With QuoteReply With Quote

advertisement
Old 04-13-2018, 06:51 PM #12
Mark in Idaho Mark in Idaho is offline
Legendary
 
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Somewhere near here
Posts: 11,416
15 yr Member
Mark in Idaho Mark in Idaho is offline
Legendary
 
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Somewhere near here
Posts: 11,416
15 yr Member
Default

Bre, When you post, scroll to below the last post and use the Post Reply link at the bottom left. It makes scrolling much easier.

I am always amazed by clinics that offer 'concussion therapy.' There really is no such thing. It is more a way a concussion clinic can bill for services and make the patient think they are receiving treatment. There is no evidence that concussion therapy provides any benefit. But, some like the hand holding and being told they are doing better. Post Concussion Syndrome is not a diagnosis before 6 weeks or so. Any symptoms before 6 or 8 weeks are just normal concussion symptoms. Good to hear you do not manifest any.

You may want to consider that you did receive a very minor concussion. Most recover within a few days. Military research has found that a concussion can cause PTSD to be greatly magnified. Getting strangled with the brain stress of even a minor concussion can be a recipe for PTSD. The confusion of "What is happening in my mind?" becomes additional traumatic stress.

The Remeron and Klonopin may not be what you need. Even the experts do not fully understand what Remeron does. It is a tetracyclic antidepressant and/or atypical anti-psychotic. Many have good experience with Celexa. Amitriptyline in low doses helps many with insomnia.

My doctor switched me from Klonopin to Gabapentin. I started at 1200 mgs an hour before bed. I still take it 18 years later but only 300 mgs. Without it, my mind and body stay attentive to too many stimuli. With it, I sleep soundly and wake up refreshed after 6 to 7 hours of sleep.

I had a severe claustrophobia trauma 4.5 years ago that messed me up with PTSD. I lost 30 pounds in 6 weeks. The racing mind was miserable. My doc put me on Zyprexa for short term to help my mind settle down until Celexa took effect in a few weeks. I was on Zyprexa for 5 or 6 weeks. I was off the Celexa 6 months later.

What SSRI did you try? The first few days can be rough. It appears you need a doctor who has a better understanding of the various drugs that may help.

You need to understand that the concept "This is all in my mind." does not put you at fault. The stress messes up the brain's normal chemistry and can even cause physiological changes in brain matter. Please look at your struggles as outside yourself.

Do not drink coffee or any caffeine beverages. They are seriously contra-indicated with your condition and meds.

Your sleep is the most important thing you can try to effect. You need to get up in the morning at a normal time every day. No sleeping in, even if you did not get a good night's sleep. No naps during the day. Slow your activities a few hours before bed. Get everything ready, hygiene, lights down, morning preparations done, bed ready, make notes about anything you may be thinking about for tomorrow so you do not try to remember it and end all stimulating communications an hour or more before bed. Put your iPhone away. End your day with nothing that needs attention.

You may sleep better falling asleep watching mundane TV. Things that do not require conscious response can help the mind let go. The meaningless distractions can occupy the 'thinking channel' in the mind so it can let go.

And, scroll up to the top of the NT index page and read the Vitamins sticky. You need B-12 plus a bunch more. B-12 lozenges twice a day at a minimum. Get the methylcobalamin 1000 mcg lozenges. I take mine as soon as I wake up. Your brain needs extra nutrition.

My best to you.
__________________
Mark in Idaho

"Be still and know that I am God" Psalm 46:10
Mark in Idaho is offline   Reply With QuoteReply With Quote
Old 04-13-2018, 09:32 PM #13
bmf07 bmf07 is offline
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2018
Posts: 7
5 yr Member
bmf07 bmf07 is offline
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2018
Posts: 7
5 yr Member
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Mark in Idaho View Post
Bre, When you post, scroll to below the last post and use the Post Reply link at the bottom left. It makes scrolling much easier.



I am always amazed by clinics that offer 'concussion therapy.' There really is no such thing. It is more a way a concussion clinic can bill for services and make the patient think they are receiving treatment. There is no evidence that concussion therapy provides any benefit. But, some like the hand holding and being told they are doing better. Post Concussion Syndrome is not a diagnosis before 6 weeks or so. Any symptoms before 6 or 8 weeks are just normal concussion symptoms. Good to hear you do not manifest any.



You may want to consider that you did receive a very minor concussion. Most recover within a few days. Military research has found that a concussion can cause PTSD to be greatly magnified. Getting strangled with the brain stress of even a minor concussion can be a recipe for PTSD. The confusion of "What is happening in my mind?" becomes additional traumatic stress.



The Remeron and Klonopin may not be what you need. Even the experts do not fully understand what Remeron does. It is a tetracyclic antidepressant and/or atypical anti-psychotic. Many have good experience with Celexa. Amitriptyline in low doses helps many with insomnia.



My doctor switched me from Klonopin to Gabapentin. I started at 1200 mgs an hour before bed. I still take it 18 years later but only 300 mgs. Without it, my mind and body stay attentive to too many stimuli. With it, I sleep soundly and wake up refreshed after 6 to 7 hours of sleep.



I had a severe claustrophobia trauma 4.5 years ago that messed me up with PTSD. I lost 30 pounds in 6 weeks. The racing mind was miserable. My doc put me on Zyprexa for short term to help my mind settle down until Celexa took effect in a few weeks. I was on Zyprexa for 5 or 6 weeks. I was off the Celexa 6 months later.



What SSRI did you try? The first few days can be rough. It appears you need a doctor who has a better understanding of the various drugs that may help.



You need to understand that the concept "This is all in my mind." does not put you at fault. The stress messes up the brain's normal chemistry and can even cause physiological changes in brain matter. Please look at your struggles as outside yourself.



Do not drink coffee or any caffeine beverages. They are seriously contra-indicated with your condition and meds.



Your sleep is the most important thing you can try to effect. You need to get up in the morning at a normal time every day. No sleeping in, even if you did not get a good night's sleep. No naps during the day. Slow your activities a few hours before bed. Get everything ready, hygiene, lights down, morning preparations done, bed ready, make notes about anything you may be thinking about for tomorrow so you do not try to remember it and end all stimulating communications an hour or more before bed. Put your iPhone away. End your day with nothing that needs attention.



You may sleep better falling asleep watching mundane TV. Things that do not require conscious response can help the mind let go. The meaningless distractions can occupy the 'thinking channel' in the mind so it can let go.



And, scroll up to the top of the NT index page and read the Vitamins sticky. You need B-12 plus a bunch more. B-12 lozenges twice a day at a minimum. Get the methylcobalamin 1000 mcg lozenges. I take mine as soon as I wake up. Your brain needs extra nutrition.



My best to you.


Mark,
Thank you for all your advice. You have seriously been more helpful than ANY of the medical professionals I’ve seen over the last few weeks (and I’ve seen a lot)! My plan now is to seek more mental health support. Also, I have been taking vitamin D, a multivitamin, and Iron since this all started as recommended by my doctor after getting blood work. And now tonight just picked up vitamin b12 you recommended. If you don’t mind I will keep you posted with my status and keep you as a resource. You have been very helpful to me. Thanks again Mark.

Bre


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
bmf07 is offline   Reply With QuoteReply With Quote
"Thanks for this!" says:
Mark in Idaho (04-14-2018)
Reply

Tags
brain, breath, incident, started, weeks

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Anyone else have these weird things???!! Dawnzie49 New Member Introductions 2 09-05-2017 12:47 PM
weird things happen to me becazican General Health Conditions & Rare Disorders 3 08-28-2017 09:46 PM
Weird things are happening, please help. sunflower0962 Multiple Sclerosis 24 03-12-2013 10:57 AM
Weird neurological symptoms no diagnosis mcduane_ie New Member Introductions 8 03-13-2012 12:56 AM


All times are GMT -5. The time now is 04:41 AM.

Powered by vBulletin • Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.

vBulletin Optimisation provided by vB Optimise v2.7.1 (Lite) - vBulletin Mods & Addons Copyright © 2024 DragonByte Technologies Ltd.
 

NeuroTalk Forums

Helping support those with neurological and related conditions.

 

The material on this site is for informational purposes only,
and is not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment
provided by a qualified health care provider.


Always consult your doctor before trying anything you read here.