Alex has been on many medications since his injury. From Coma to waking, from epileptic medications to tranquillisers, laxatives, sleeping pills. You name it, he has probably been given it!
I started to investigate quite extensively the repercussions of taking medications in the short/long term. My discoveries were shocking, and I decided to try and get Alex as 'drug free' as was possible given the situation.
My thoughts (as many professional have confirmed) are that the injured brain is an environment far more susceptible to differing balances, whether induced by medication or otherwise. It seems that this is the case. Each medication Alex was taking, I did as much reading on as I possibly could.
I also came across a book 'The Side Effects Bible' which I found invaluable.
As, thankfully, Alex is now able to be fed almost normally, just thickened fluids remaining, but can masticate normally and swallow normal food OK, I am in the position to be able to top up his nutritional levels through drinking highly nutritional vegetable and fruit juices which I juice myself with a Matestone juicer. This does not change the enzyme process in the juicing, therefore allowing maximum nutritional value to the body.
I have also supplemented, for a long while, his diet with high potency Omega 3 with EPA and DHA. This I will discuss further in another post, but for for the purposes of this article, I use Ideal Omega taste lemon flavour, as it is a liquid and can be added to anything very easily.
It may be a good idea to sit down with the Neurologist or Dr and discuss through the drug chart, to familiarise yourself with the medications your loved one is being prescribed. I do this regularly, just to keep on top of the medications which may be added or doses that are sometimes adjusted.
I have certainly found, through personal experience, the complete removal of any Benzodiazipines (which again, I will do a more detailed article on) in Alex's recovery has helped his mood stabilise and his confusion be far less prominent.
It may take a very long while to resolve medication issues, and there are medical reasons why the patient has to be on them. So be patient with this. However, the less necessary ones i.e. the laxatives, I discovered Senna to be the best, most natural.
There are many others; the one used in Alex's circumstance: Movicol, I discovered, although very effective, in the longer term use relaxes the bowel and colon, therefore lessening the patient's ability to 'feel' the necessity to go to the toilet. So I have also removed this, and increasing the Senna seems to work.
As I say, this has been a hugely lengthy process, and we have just started the reduction of the Epileptic medication he is on Keppra. So I will report on this as I watch how this effects or does not, Alex's behaviour and mood.
This website here is the one I refer to time and time again for practical nutritional and juicing advice.
http://www.rebootwithjoe.com
Here are a couple of articles I read in my research to do with side effects of medication sin TBI patients.
http://towncenterwellness.com/services/drug-nutrient-interaction-analysis/
http://www.virginiahopkinstestkits.com/nutrientdepl.html
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