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


advertisement
Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 12-02-2022, 06:59 PM #1
zizar3 zizar3 is offline
New Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2022
Posts: 5
1 yr Member
zizar3 zizar3 is offline
New Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2022
Posts: 5
1 yr Member
Default 3 months out from my concussion; when will I feel normal?

Hit my head on a surfboard on 9/4. Could tell something was off immediately but didn't start declining until 2 days later.

I'm not as funny as I used to be. Socializing is hard. I have no energy. Libido is gone. Brain is foggy. I'm a shell of myself basically. Before this I had just gotten promoted at work. I was dating a girl I really liked. I felt super disconnected from people so that ended. I don't like existing like this. When does it get better?

This is my 2nd ever concussion. First one I was better after like a week. I've gotten MRIs, hormone testing, tried all of the supplements in the world, therapy, IR light therapy (Vielight). None of it has fixed the fundamental issue. I just started running and doing crossfit again per UPMCs "push yourself" protocol. I can exercise okay... I just don't feel normal internally.
zizar3 is offline   Reply With QuoteReply With Quote

advertisement
Old 12-02-2022, 11:42 PM #2
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

How is your sleep?

Have you tried a anti-inflammation diet?

How busy is your life? Have you giving your brain some rest?

Do you take Omega-3 fish oil supplements?
__________________
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 12-03-2022, 09:23 PM #3
DrewDigital DrewDigital is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: Los Angeles
Posts: 138
8 yr Member
DrewDigital DrewDigital is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: Los Angeles
Posts: 138
8 yr Member
Default

Are you taking any medications?
__________________

.
DrewDigital is offline   Reply With QuoteReply With Quote
Old 12-05-2022, 05:50 PM #4
zizar3 zizar3 is offline
New Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2022
Posts: 5
1 yr Member
zizar3 zizar3 is offline
New Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2022
Posts: 5
1 yr Member
Default

Hi All,

I tend to eat fairly clean but not fully anti-inflammatory.

I've been supplementing with 10+grams of Omega 3.

I've been on an anti-depressant (Lexapro) for depression/anxiety for years. But those of those conditions were well managed before the concussion.

Currently I'm trying to force myself to re-integrate back into life, despite failures and difficulty. The hardest part is correctly socializing with other people. Conversations can sometimes be hard to track and I'm not as quick. It's a generally disconnected feeling. Physically, I run 20+ miles per week and do Crossfit 3x. That was my pre concussion normal.

Still feel poorly all the time, mostly due to low energy and cognition. Like watching TV doesn't have the same impact on me... the significance of some details ends up getting lost and I don't get as into the show. It's very frustrating.
zizar3 is offline   Reply With QuoteReply With Quote
Old 12-05-2022, 08:02 PM #5
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

I wonder if your antidepressant is no longer helping you. Lexapro is an SSRI. The side effects of an SSRI can sometimes be what you are experiencing.

Have you tried getting off the SSRI?

After 12 years on a max dose SSRI, I weaned off in 6 weeks and replaced it with 5-HTP and L-Theanine. My doctor followed my progress. It took 6 months before I got to my best condition. My brain had to relearn how to deal with its own chemistry.

I am far better now than I ever was on the SSRI. I also lost 30 pounds of SSRI weight.

Research shows that people with a history of anxiety and depression are far more likely to experience prolonged concussion struggles. They are 80% of the group who struggle long term.

A tip. When you are with people, avoid situations where everybody is trying to speak at the same time. Stay at the perimeter of a room full of people talking so the voices come from one direction. Auditory over-stimulation can be miserable.

There is a condition of depression that does not include the "woe is me" stinkin thinkin. It just slows how we try to relate with the world. BTDT. It was miserable. It can be caused by excessive stress in our lives. I was the victim of a huge financial fraud that took years to resolve....
__________________
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 12-05-2022, 08:57 PM #6
DrewDigital DrewDigital is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: Los Angeles
Posts: 138
8 yr Member
DrewDigital DrewDigital is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: Los Angeles
Posts: 138
8 yr Member
Default

When you described your condition, I suspected medications were involved.

Medications like SSRI antidepressants do not go well with concussions. If you look at the most severe PCS cases, antidepressants are usually involved.

Dizziness and drowsiness are side effects. Decreased libido is a side effect.

Dry mouth is also a side effect. The lack of saliva in the mouth allows bacteria to grow, and that bactieria can migrate to the brain and cause neuro-inflammation.

Neuro-inflammation is also linked to anxiety and depression, gut microbiome imbalances, and concussion symptoms. That's why people with a history struggle with concussions.

So I don't recommend antidepressants. But stoping them is also difficult because of the withdrawal effects, so you may have to taper the dose.

When did you start taking Omega-3? How is your blood pressure? Omega-3 can lower your blood pressure which would contribute to your tiredness.
__________________

.
DrewDigital is offline   Reply With QuoteReply With Quote
Reply

Tags
concussion, feel, hormone, normal, therapy

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
trying to feel normal for a bit! Cliffman Peripheral Neuropathy 10 11-08-2015 11:19 PM
Had bad concussion nine months ago and still don't feel I'm back to preconcussion me. kpbsemo479 Traumatic Brain Injury and Post Concussion Syndrome 3 01-07-2013 09:40 PM
Sometimes I feel almost normal 89danboy Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy (RSD and CRPS) 4 03-09-2012 10:36 AM
I just want to feel normal again... shamuboy Traumatic Brain Injury and Post Concussion Syndrome 20 03-10-2011 12:41 PM


All times are GMT -5. The time now is 12:26 PM.

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.