A Brain Injury Can Have Long-Term Effects

Family Practice News ^ | 1 April 2009 | DIANA MAHONEY

[jesseam]

I would keep that up and if you could get a blood test for a vitamin D level, that would tell you where you are.

[iceskater]

Oh wow. That was no fun.

Mine was doing power pulls - skating forward on one foot pulling back and forth to go forward (I think you do that kind of thing in hockey). Anyway, one nanosecond lapse, and my feet went out from under me, whacked the back of my head, glasses flew off, broke the wrist. The goose egg just about covered the whole back of my head. The dizziness took about 6 months to go away. That bothered me more than wearing a cast.

I’m an EMT - you know it’s bad when I told them to call 911. I think that freaked out my coach more than anything else. I really thought seriously about not skating again. But I do love it so I’m living on the edge (so to speak).

[neverdem]

TBI is a real problem with returning Iraqi vets. Neurology diagnosed mine from having my chimes rung by too many close mortar detonations. Exaggerated startle respnonse, light sensitibity and balance problems went unchanged for two years until I was placed on high doses of vitamin D and after a month some of the problems did improve. Vitamin D is more than for strong bones and teeth, it is vital enzyme necessary for healthy central nervous system functions. When you are placed on high doses, serial blood tests have to be done to prevent toxic levels from being reached.

Thanks for your service. I'm glad to read that your getting better. Actually, vitamin D is very similar in structure to the various sex hormones.

Click to view an image of vitamin D in a new window.

Click to view an image of testosterone in a new window.

Click to view an image of estrogen in a new window.

[jesseam]

I was wondering about that sex hormone thing!!! :-)

[rangerwife]

Interesting...thanks for the information.

[jesseam]

You bet. I had sought neuro/psychiatric help from the local VA hospital and was placed on a number of meds, none of which helped, then they hit on vitamin D. Thank God.