Serotonin syndrome
 

5-HTP is a direct precurser to serotonin that by-passes the brain modulating system. The safe way to increase serotonin levels is with L-tryptophan. It is modulated by the brain and only converted to serotonin as the brain needs it.

Vini,
I appreciate what you're saying but I guess this is my reasoning.
The most recent concussion which I received that ended up causing the PCS was due to a go-karting accident. In fact the 2 days after the accident I was fine... it was the flight and cabin pressure that actually caused the injury... my brain was a bit swollen from the head injury, then the 2 flights to acupulco caused further pressure of my brain against my CSF&Skull causing the actual injuries...

I play goalie in hockey, and although ive taken shots to the head none have ever caused me much grief, the only thing I really was hurt was when I was run into the post...

I may sound very ignorant but the league I now play in is not dirty, most of the guys are ex-jr players who are just there to play for fun and maintain some skill.. very minimal fighting or dirty shots... I actually feel safe, and the hockey keeps my mind off of the injury.. during the first 9+months it was the only thing that would give me brief moments of freedom from thinking about it. :(

Altitude
 

MIkeyy,

The altitude in a commercial aircraft never goes above 8000 feet. The pressurization system is set to maintain an 8,000 foot altitude pressure. You body would acclimate to the altitude quite easily. If there was a pressure differential that the body did not adjust to, all of the passengers eyes would bulge out.

To only difference the pressure would make would be what is called molecular pressure. At the higher altitude, the molecular pressure ( number of molecules per unit of volume) of the oxygen is less so the number that cross the cellular membrane is less so there is less oxygen transfer. As a result, the CO2 is not swapped out and the CO2 level in the blood and tissues increases. This is sort of similar to osmosis. This can cause the sick feeling.

High Altitude Cerebral Edema is not usually a factor at altitudes of 8,000 feet and below. Since your brain is liquid and semi-liquid, it does not compress or decompress. Only gases can compress or expand due to pressure.

The next time you fly, if you notice any return of symptoms, it is because your brain has not healed. The first study of this phenomenon was done in the early 1970's using an altitude chamber. The researchers found that the subjects with a prior concussion had symptoms. Those who had not had a prior concussion, did not have symptoms.

I am highly symptomatic at altitudes of 11,000 to 12,000 feet for extended duration. I had to give up flying my unpressurized airplane and sell it for just this reason. I was making cognitive mistakes. Rarely does a pilot get a second chance after making a mistake.

Most likely, your concussion from the go-kart racing caused a diffuse axonal injury. This stresses the axons that transmit signals between the neurons. When you were at altitude, these weakened axons started misfiring even more and left you with a residual problem after the plane landed. Some of these damaged axons will never heal and leave you with a weak area. The next time you are at altitude, the symptoms might be evident. The most likely symptom would be difficulty concentrating, but only if you had a valid way of testing your concentration skills.

He issued me 2 natural supplements which I have been taking for about 10 days and I can say that I am almost 100% symptom free. [/QUOTE]

May I ask what you're taking? I've been suffering for over 21/2 years. My syptoms aren't quite as bad but I still deal with fatigue and constant dizziness and imbalance. I'm so tired of this!

May I ask what you're taking? I've been suffering for over 21/2 years. My syptoms aren't quite as bad but I still deal with fatigue and constant dizziness and imbalance. I'm so tired of this![/QUOTE]


Im still taking
5 travacor when I wake up as well as 2 Balance-D
then before dinner an additional 2 Balance-D
Prior to bed im taking Advacor

its been almost 2 months now and I can honestly say im almost back to normal... from what I can remember normal being

IM going to redo the test next month and ill post the results again

I really recommend the test to anyone!

Fantastic to hear! I strongly believe its in a large scale about the chemistry when talking about PCS.

A report from a leading swedish institute came to the conclusion that the severity of a headtrauma was NOT the thing that predicted the outcome and possible PCS. All was mTBI but with a wide range of severity at the first glance.

They took scan-results, symtoms, neurological testing and more in to consideration, but it just didnt make any sense. People with the proven more serious damage such as hemorrhages, axondamage and more and more persistent symptoms was not automatically those with the worst long term outcome!!
This has been proven in practise also. You hear people having a quite mild first concussion but still get PCS, while some people can get lots without as persistent symptoms. Ok bad example but I think you will agree.

What they DID find in the study was that persons with negative psychological factors like depression and lots else (before, during or after the incident) was more likely to end up with PCS. This is what I really have thought alot of...

The reason beeing is my father who has had the same problem with fatigue as I have. But he didnt HIT his head...

He worked in a constant stress for too long and got himself into having somekind of a stressrelated disorder. It is proven that people with this kind of "disorder" have changes in their brain-chemistry. He has been on a lot of different drugs (antidepressants mostly) that has made his brain had a chance to by itself level out the imbalances. And now it seems it has...

The point beeing: Chemistry has more too do with our persisting symptoms than we might understand.


The really interesting part is this though:

How will the brain react if you level the balances out and keep the brain from "misfireing" or help with the reatract of glutamate for an example (through medications as you describe you use)?

Will it be fine or have the brain put itself in this recoverymode which means crossing its boundaries will harm it or prolong the "real" recovery whatever it might be...

I hate that I write soo much, its hard for people to read but Im so interested.

I cant find the report right now but If someone wants to see it I will try to get a hold of it.

Emil from Sweden

Couldnt agree more!

Stress and Stuff
 

Hi Emil - your post is interesting. I had always wondered if my state of mind at the time of my head knocks had anything to do with the PCS and I did ask several specialists - they said no but I still had my doubts.

At the time I was extremely busy at work - 2 staff members had left and I was covering their work - which made long hours. My best friend was dying of cancer, my mum was having to move into a retirement village and my brother was having tests for cancer. My husband who later left was not at all supportive. I had major stress for a long period of time and I was wondering if your brain gets locked into it? I know that I can not handle any stress what so ever now - instant bad headache etc

So I too wonder about this. there is also the theory that those with higher intelligence develop PCS due to noticing so many subtle changes in the brain. Maybe it is the combination of both?

Lynlee

Chemistry and PCS
 

There is definitely a connection between brain chemistry at the time of impact and the PCS intensity. The brain under stress does not properly metabolize and excrete the results of metabolism. There is also adrenaline and other chemical processes that go on at higher levels. the byproducts of the stress related functions do not get completely purged from the brain. As a result, the brain is in a weakened state and less able to tolerate and recover from impacts. Depression is a symptom of this chemical pollution. PTSD is similar except it causes physiological changes too.

Now comes an impact. The brain is polluted with these various chemicals. It is like having the flu and hay-fever allergies at the same time. Both conditions are magnified because of the weakened immune state. The brain is just the same. It needs to go through a healing process but is still overwhelmed with the stress toxins. Not only does the healing not happen, either right away or completely, but the weakened brain cells are more prone to damage.

This was explained to me in 1982 when I had a very bad reaction to a stressful event.

This is why mTBI and PCS persons need to be diligent in their nutrition and stay away from toxins such as alcohol, exitotoxins, and stress.

Just got the results from my most recent neuroscience test, check out the differences... keep in mind I have been off the natural supplements for 2+ months, Ive actually just started taking them again

Just neat to see improvements as well as results