Lynnette

Not from TBI but fibromyalgia and severe fatigue. It's like walking through mud up to my neck. This is a new discussion in our new community- Rejoining life 101. Hope you will check it out. PS- sorry about the music, had the song Distracted by KSM but screwed up and do not know how to fix it. Here's the link (hope it works)

http://www.wearetbi.org/rejoininglife101/discussions/371

30 months ago

Lynnette

I live on energy drinks and coffee, but caffeine is often a no no after brain bleeds. I was on phenteramine but I didn't like it, made me feel drugged. I'm going to try nuvigil. I hope some folks chime in on this one. Fatigue is worse than pain to me.

30 months ago

barbara

unfortunately i do not like coffee, adderroll works to some extent but i crash really hard on it.  provigil did work, just the unknown heart probs i had at the time make me cautious about taking it again.  plus even with insurance it's expensive.  cutting out sugar in my diet helps a lot, but since i am a sugar addict it's really hard.  though developing type 1 diabetes a few months ago has really made me more motivated NOT to eat sugar.  what is phenteramine?  is it prescribed for fatigue?

30 months ago

Michael

Im pretty much a naturalist person and I think that the fatigue part will disipate with regular workout. Now thats not a proven fact but just myself I have a mild traumatic brain injury and Ive found out that while dealing with the other symtoms that come with the head injury while its healing I have to maintain a good excercise program. Remember that the body needs blood flow in order to make things heal and what better way to make the blood flow than to excercise. I know its hard to get the body in gear after such trauma but you cant give up are your body will give out.

30 months ago

Leslie

I am not a doctor of any sort, and I definitely can't make any sort of medical claims for you all, but I just wanted to share my experience.  I have had three bleeds - at ages 8, 11, and 17 that caused severe deficits.  My earliest bleed was in 1990, and my most recent one was suffered in 1998.  All my life - even before the bleeds - I have suffered from extreme fatigue, exhaustability, heat intolerance, chronic pain, fainting, and heart problems.  It was only last year - when I was hospitalized for low potassium - that I was diagnosed with autonomic dysfunction.  My doctors believe it was caused by the cavernous hemangioma on my brainstem.  It caused symptoms even before it bled. 

I was so relieved to finally have answers to my questions about constant fatigue.  I was so relieved to know that while autonomic dysfunction is not cureable, it is at least treatable.  According to my doc, autonomic dysfunction is probably something that will plague me my entire life, but with treatment, I can manage it.  Brain injury is a notable cause of autonomic dysfunction, and I would urge anyone with questions to consult an autonomic specialist to find out if this is causing your problems.  Exercise and a healthy diet are very important, there are also many natural treatments and some medications that can be tried to ease some of your symptoms.  Taking a multivitamin daily is essential for me.  I also try to stay hydrated with G2 or Propel if needed.  I also try to exercise daily (when I'm not too tired!)

30 months ago

Lynnette

Phenteramine is a diet drug you get at places like new image weight loss clinics. I don't think you folks should ever go that route. The docs for your TBI might think its bad. In the long run they just made me worse. But I cannot get up and going without coffee. I gave up on stimulant drugs. I don't like feeling drugged at all. My meds are strong and were working well for me, now they are making me feel stupid. I can't think straight and I'm out of work because of it.

30 months ago

Leslie

yeah.  i have problems with my heart, so diet pills or anything like that are out.  i agree that it may not be the best thing for us.  i try to limit my caffeine (it can lower your potassium!) too, so i only drink coffee on the weekends or for a special treat.  vitamins are my secret to energy.  a b-complex is good for long-lasting energy.  other than that it's just rest, rest, rest.  and try to pace myself when i can.

30 months ago

Donna

Gingko bilibo can help with cognitive fatigue for brain injured people.

29 months ago