Executive Summary of My Condition

Prior to my February 9 #functionalmedicine meeting with Dr John on my recovery from #braininjury, I sent him an Executive Summary of my condition, my latest test results, my diet and the discipline with which I followed his orders for the last 8 week period. I post it as an example of TBI recovery and great patient doctor communication.

Dr J

Booze: I stopped drinking 100% https://www.tbi4toughguys.com/blog

Exercise: I have been working out hard with heavier and heavier weights for the last two months.

• · I do T25 legs at least 2 days a week

• · I do chest and tris back and biceps one to two times a week depending on timing.

• · I can do 7 dips, 6 dead hang pull ups and 40-50 pushups.

All of these are significant improvements.

Tens Machine: The Tens machine we bought did not come with the attachments we needed. We ordered the clamps but 6 weeks later we still didn’t have them. I have it up and running now. From what I have read this treatment can have a positive effect on easing spasticity but is usually coupled with some other physical therapy meant for the same ends. I think I can detect some improvement but it is probably a placebo effect at this point.

Vestibular exercise: 1 to 2 times a day and have seen a marked diminishment in my light headedness and balance problems. These are still issues but the level of debilitation that I feel is not a constant worry or distraction like before Gaze Therapy . Again, this treatment is usually coupled with some other physical therapy meant for the same ends.

Gait my left leg is still experiencing significant spasticity and my gait is still obviously hindered, especially when I get tired. When I concentrate, I can walk normal but it is never natural and always an effort. No matter how hard I practice, I can’t overcome the feeling that I am shambling along.

Supplements: I have been taking the supplements you prescribed religiously for 6 weeks now.

Diet

Fasting: I fast 16 and 8 every day.

Cognitive Ability: the sharpness of my brain has improved significantly in my estimation. It is obvious to me that my thoughts are nimbler and more complex. I can stay focused and work intelligently and stay organized, late into the afternoon. This is a great improvement on all accounts. I still have memory and concentration lapses. I am better but still need cognitive work.

• · Breakfast: shake with, Wey protein, MCT powder an apple cabbage, one small yogurt and water.

• · Lunch: brothy bean soup with carrots and peas, lean poultry, bean soup, fresh fruit, and a dry cabbage salad.

• · Dinner: each dinner has a salad and some steamed or boiled vegetables and potatoes or rice

  • Most days lean poultry

  • Fish or lean red meat one day a week.

  • One day a week we have spaghetti or lasagna

I tracked everything for 6 weeks but got bored because it is always the same. Will send what I have tracked if you want it. Paradoxically, the more I eat the stupider I get and greasy food, bread, and pasta and sugar feel like poison that makes me tired, stupid, and slow. I weigh 200 lbs and this is up 8 lbs since we started. I look strong and dead sexy vs. fat but am steadily gaining weight. I will start limiting calories next week.

Endurance: I feel significantly better now than when we started working together but am still only a shadow of my former self. I get out of breath going up one flight of stairs. Surprisingly I can do the T 25 Lower Focus and only get a little out of breath. This may be because my movement is limited by my balance issues but I seem a bit stronger now.

Balance: Though my dizziness and balance issues are notably better, I still look like a tottering old man, when I get out of a car or get up from sitting for over 10 minutes. I eventually loosen up after walking a bit, but the spasticity never disappears, even when masked by my will and desire not to look like a broken old man. Standing for a long period has the exact same affect.

I cannot play catch or any sport the requires changing directions, laterally or backward without falling down.

Sleep and Bladder: I drink water until 1800 then stop. I still wake up every night about 0140 and 0320. Unless I have some large issue or project to mull over I can usually get back to sleep. If I take 3 ibuprofen, I can make it most of the way through the night without waking up. I never have to pee very much but the pressure is uncomfortable enough that I cant sleep through it.

Sex Drive: My sex drive is Zero. My sexual performance is Zero.

Goals:

• I want to eliminate the spasticity in my leg or at least see progress.

• I would like to regain enough endurance to do aerobic exercise for 20 minutes or so.

• I would like to be able play agility type games like tennis or catch without falling down.

• I would like to recover a bit of my sex drive and performance.

Conclusion:

I feel significantly better but want to reach for the next level of wellness. I am ready to start more complex and difficult rehabilitation work. I would like to consider supplementing testosterone since I assume my levels are still in the toilet.