I’m not sure if I mentioned that I was going to the Neurologist last Friday, at my own expense, to get a second opinion as the guy I was sent to in August was a bit of an idiot. Anyway, the appointment went really well and I’m looking forward to getting the report back from her. She spent a whole hour with me and gave me a good pep talk as well as some good advice, so I almost feel it was worth the $350 I had to pay to see her! It was totally a miracle that I got the appointment so quickly, most specialists don’t work in January here and head off to the beach, so I didn’t expect to see anyone until February.
She also suggested me going on some medication, which I immediately turned down and said no to. But the more I thought about it the more I thought it might be worth a try. Apparently low Seratonin levels can contribute to the same sorts of symptoms that a brain injury can cause. Probably the low Seratonin levels also can be caused by the brain injury, funnily enough a hit to the heat can effect your chemicals in it.
I have been on the meds since Friday and I have to say that I’m NOT a fan so far. I’ve been pretty nauseas and have had an upset stomach and feel a bit drugged and fuzzy in the head. This is on a really teeny dosage too. I know I have to give it two or three weeks to really start seeing the benefits, but at the moment they are going to be a long few weeks. And I’m meant to be writing my business plan and organising myself for Christmas too in this time. Sigh.
They also mean that I won’t be able to drink at all on Christmas day, not unless I want to be rolling drunk and serve my guests raw food (raw turkey is not part of the raw food movement, methinks) so I will have to restrain. This is going to be very hard with a flatmate who has access to amazing wines from all around the world that we are planning to food-match. Doh.
I’m tempted to go to this holistic medical practice here and see what they advise, they have doctors and naturopaths (and really sensible, non-quacky naturopaths) who work together and see if they can advise a more natural way to raise my seratonin levels. If I had any money left I think I would do this. Any other advice out there anyone can give me?
Funnily enough, I had been feeling pretty good prior to the medication, not really needing afternoon naps much and losing weight. This feels like a huge step backwards so far.