TBI Treatments/medications advice request

[Susan Owens]

Has anyone tried the following:

Vyvanse (psychostimulant) to stay awake during the day? One of my doctors is recommending this but wanted to see if anyone has any feedback on this?

also

Interactive Metronome  as a way to create new neural pathways to improve areas of the brain impacted by TBI (in my case; shifting/switching, proprioception and impulsivity issues)

Thanks, would love to hear any feedback you guys might have!
Susan

[Kim Winter]

Hi Susan,
Hae you tried talking to a pulmonologist? I is very common for head injured individuals to have sleep apnea. A pulmonologist (heart doctor) can arrange a sleep study for you. This may be why you can't stay awake during the day, you are not sleeping well at night. I have apnea & I use a cpap machine to help me sleep... it is fabulous!
I strongly believe there is ALWAYS an alternatie to drugs. Perhaps finding better sleep is your alternative?

om shanti

[Susan Owens]

Thanks Kim - hadn't even thought about that connection - will look into it :)

Kim Winter said:

Hi Susan,
Hae you tried talking to a pulmonologist? I is very common for head injured individuals to have sleep apnea. A pulmonologist (heart doctor) can arrange a sleep study for you. This may be why you can't stay awake during the day, you are not sleeping well at night. I have apnea & I use a cpap machine to help me sleep... it is fabulous!
I strongly believe there is ALWAYS an alternatie to drugs. Perhaps finding better sleep is your alternative?

om shanti

[Kim Winter]

Hi again Susan,
I replied to your first answer before I saw this... my apologies. Do you have access to a heart doctor? As I said, I live in Gainesville Florida & there are several available here. I ALWAYS, repeat ALWAYS get a second, even a third opinion about medical stuff. Do you live in Orlando? I'm sure they are available there. If it means you don't have to take drugs, it is worth the effort... mmmmmmmm?

Susan Owens said:

Thanks Kim - hadn't even thought about that connection - will look into it :)

Kim Winter said:

Hi Susan,
Hae you tried talking to a pulmonologist? I is very common for head injured individuals to have sleep apnea. A pulmonologist (heart doctor) can arrange a sleep study for you. This may be why you can't stay awake during the day, you are not sleeping well at night. I have apnea & I use a cpap machine to help me sleep... it is fabulous!
I strongly believe there is ALWAYS an alternatie to drugs. Perhaps finding better sleep is your alternative?

om shanti

[Susan Owens]

No worries, Kim! As a matter of fact, I never did cave in to taking those medications although the doctor was well-meaning (I had written that first query months ago) and instead started a brain-based training protocol called "Interactive Metronome" w/ Dr. Gorman's office (here in Orlando) - this seems to help me a bit in my struggle to maintain better energy levels as well as other areas that had been impacted by MTBI...the way I see it, some progress is better than no progress - and agreed - I don't like taking any meds unless necessary.
would love to hear your stories and "pick your brain" as the saying goes... 32 yr survivor - quite impressive - only 3 1/2 yrs for me - often times it feels like I am wading thru oatmeal - and that's on a good day - but, I am preaching to the choir... Thnx for being available for questions, etc :) and I like your "om" closures which reminds me to get back into yoga class soon!
all the best - Susan

Kim Winter said:

Hi again Susan,
I replied to your first answer before I saw this... my apologies. Do you have access to a heart doctor? As I said, I live in Gainesville Florida & there are several available here. I ALWAYS, repeat ALWAYS get a second, even a third opinion about medical stuff. Do you live in Orlando? I'm sure they are available there. If it means you don't have to take drugs, it is worth the effort... mmmmmmmm?

Susan Owens said:

Thanks Kim - hadn't even thought about that connection - will look into it :)

Kim Winter said:

Hi Susan,
Hae you tried talking to a pulmonologist? I is very common for head injured individuals to have sleep apnea. A pulmonologist (heart doctor) can arrange a sleep study for you. This may be why you can't stay awake during the day, you are not sleeping well at night. I have apnea & I use a cpap machine to help me sleep... it is fabulous!
I strongly believe there is ALWAYS an alternatie to drugs. Perhaps finding better sleep is your alternative?

om shanti

[Kim Winter]

Susan,
Hi, I hope you are happy & healthy. Om shanti is hindy for "peace for your heart/soul". Well, something close to that. There is no literal translation.
Is there a head injury meet that you attend? When you go to the meeting I'll bet the first thing that is done is, everyone there describes there injury(ies) in minute detail. Maybe continuing on with how fabulous life USED to be.
I have proctured several (dozens?) of these events all over the country. One of the best things you may do for the group & yourself is; cease this behavior. This self destructive & perpetuates the "poor me" idea. If you have influence over the group, get them to stop this IMMEDIATELY. Instead, try asking the group to describe their biggest accomplishment since the last meet. Maybe describe the neatest thing that has happened since the last meet. You will be AMAZED...ABSOLUTELY ASTOUNDED at the difference in the way the meet goes. It will be positive, looking up towards the future. Try it? I promise, I promise it will make a large difference.
If you reply to this and want some suggestions for your own improvement, please provide a way to get in touch with you? I understand if you are wary/reluctant to do this, but remember 'life without risk is merely existance'.

om shanti

[Susan Owens]

You can reach me at [e-mail] - not so good at returning phone calls so e-mail is best for me! :) I have been out of the "TBI mtg/support group" loop for a few months now, due to my son's activities and lots of summer travel.
So here is another question for you: is it normal for us TBI folks to overextend ourselves then develop health issues as a result? We've done a lot of traveling this summer and I was sick almost the entire time...just dragged my sorry self thru it all - fun summer although had to make a lot of adjustments- but developed all sorts of respiratory issues and swallowing issues and dropped lots of weight - still struggling thru it all and am now wondering how much of this is from TBI related-brain overload issues? The regular ENT and gastro specialist doctors (thru endoscopys,etc) can not find anything wrong...just tossing this out there in case there is something from your 32 yr TBI experience that recognizes these symptoms as being more TBI related...
Other than that, all is well and I look forward to hearing your stories and great insight!
om shanti then! :) Susan

Kim Winter said:

Susan,
Hi, I hope you are happy & healthy. Om shanti is hindy for "peace for your heart/soul". Well, something close to that. There is no literal translation.
Is there a head injury meet that you attend? When you go to the meeting I'll bet the first thing that is done is, everyone there describes there injury(ies) in minute detail. Maybe continuing on with how fabulous life USED to be.
I have proctured several (dozens?) of these events all over the country. One of the best things you may do for the group & yourself is; cease this behavior. This self destructive & perpetuates the "poor me" idea. If you have influence over the group, get them to stop this IMMEDIATELY. Instead, try asking the group to describe their biggest accomplishment since the last meet. Maybe describe the neatest thing that has happened since the last meet. You will be AMAZED...ABSOLUTELY ASTOUNDED at the difference in the way the meet goes. It will be positive, looking up towards the future. Try it? I promise, I promise it will make a large difference.
If you reply to this and want some suggestions for your own improvement, please provide a way to get in touch with you? I understand if you are wary/reluctant to do this, but remember 'life without risk is merely existance'.

om shanti