Dr Robert Cantu on Managing and Treating Suspected CTE

[@unsilentabe1955]

I am so scared of the meds . I am 48. Played football wrestling and the Infantry Paratrooper. I approximately had 50 concussions. Docs said I couldn't play any longer, that was 1994 in a professional football in Germany. I played football for 10 years. Several concussions on the field during games. I have had 2 major strokes and am disabled. The docs could never pin point when I get strokes. I couldn't talk or walk for several months. I walk and can talk today. Today mark will be 1 year. VA docs want to treat anxiety and sleeping issues. And psych meds make me like a different person. I feel Like I have Parkinson's. I downplay everything in life. It's getting harder. Thank you for reading.

[@robertstepanov6868]

I hope you are doing well

[@nneratka]

I’m in this boat with you fellas - 35, played college in WV. Multiple documented concussions, countless times getting my bell rung - life has seriously changed in the last two years. These symptoms are awful. Too many to list. Crazy to think, but I’m a Doctor....it’s hell holding down a job

[@A1.2223]

@@nneratka what did you notice first?

[@organicwisdom2204]

I hope you are well

[@sharonendler1467]

Why is are the survivors of domestic violence not being studied. I have had many hits to my head and have lost everything including my precious children because of my overreacts and sometimes rage. I was a remarkably intelligent woman and now the degree of cognitive decline, serious issue with short term and working memory and inability to learn new information especially of a technical nature. Who is there to help us? I don’t have a big NFL bucks to help me pay for care!

[@Observer82AB]

Would you like to chat at some time? If so we can exchange emails.

[@celestejones6315]

I'm so sorry... Your comment stood out to me because my doctor suspects I have it, and mine would be from long-term physical abuse, too. I'm going through a nasty divorce and I worry about losing my two very young kids from my spiteful ex getting revenge all the time, and as a single mom it's my worst nightmare to lose them. I'm so sorry you went through all of that, and I can't even begin to imagine... It pains me every time I see discussions exclusively talking about athletes or veterans because so many victims and survivors of domestic violence are completely overlooked (I've seen that having been diagnosed with PTSD too for many years now with mild improvement, but now with CTE it's an issue all over again, too). My heart goes out to you, Sharon... And I really hope things have started to improve for you in the time since you wrote this. I also really hope more conversations will be had around CTE and domestic violence survivors sooner rather than later, too...

[@andre7733]

Keep up with the sharing of CTE information!! many ppl are silently suffering,

[@jjjreese]

😭😭😭

[@raychinga]

Concussion management and research has come a long way as a direct result of Dr. Cantu's dedication and long hours of sacrifice. THANK YOU Dr. Cantu!!!!!

[@jonspengler5891]

How can you treat something that cant be diagnosed. If you follow any history or medicine and disease, you know that this is like 18th century dentistry, they are just now learning and it has a very very long way to go.

[@ST-lt4ls]

I need some help please. My husband is 58, and has been diagnosed by a neurologist as having suspected CTE. He is a Veteran, so he does receive care thru the VA as well as civilian doctors. He is not receiving any care or therapy for his suspected CTE, and TBI. I would like for him to receive the best care possible, from this video it looks like much more can be done for him. Where and how would I even start to get him some cognitive therapy, and the work ups mentioned? It’s obviously not happening with the VA or civilian neurologist.

[@ConcussionLegacyFoundation]

Hi S T - as a first step, we would highly recommend reaching out to our CLF HelpLine for support, resources, and options for treatment. You can submit a request at concussionfoundation.org/HelpLine.

[@ST-lt4ls]

@@ConcussionLegacyFoundation thank you for responding! I will call that help line.

[@HeritageCast]

Im sorry but when were talking about CTE and TBI. First thing before drugs needs to be endocrine labs and replacing hormones. I cant believe we went into a whole chart of drugs. Instead of a discussion on hormone replacement which repairs the damage of TBI and getting levels back to where they need to be. Drugs should never be used until hormones are replaced. There is no zoloft gland, but when your Free Test as a man is tanked to below 50 Free Test, We replace using Testosterone Cypionate 100mg - 300mg get the Free test to 50s and above to toleration, and then go into Growth Hormone and run Pregnenolone and DHEAS. Dr Mark Gordon has tons of videos on this.

[@nneratka]

This is where I’ve started - 300 Test at this point, prescription NAD+ nasal spray, high dose omega 3s, with vitamin D and Magnesium. Adding hyperbaric and IR sauna, hard to train. Don’t sleep. Wish I could train/sleep, would help with energy/anxiety. Labs showed aggressively low T and low TSH, don’t have thyroid issues. Started at 200, didn’t boost my T levels at all. Omegas 3s, hyperbaric, IR Sauna - research from Julian Bailes, MD.

[@HeritageCast]

@@nneratka Reach out to Dr Gabe Frank Frankinstitute.com . You need a trained doctor that knows what they are doing.

[@nneratka]

Seeing a specialist in Florida currently

[@HeritageCast]

@@nneratka To be clear we treat hypogonadism with Testosterone Cypionate starting 100mg-200mg 2x or more injections a week. And Tirated to symptom resolution around 55ngdl ish Free TEstosterone. Total Testosterone dosent matter at all in the TRT patient. Each person is different, we dont chase SHBG, or use weird creams, orals or new fangled drugs. Testosterone cypionate is safe within 100mg-650mg clinical dosages and our goal according to the guidelines is symptom resolution. And this is just the start we are praticing functional medicine not TRT or GH Monotherapy. We go from testosterone, up to Cholesterol, get the diet under control, optimize pregnenolone, work on Thyroid. And Focus on Growth Hormone for the TBI patient. We do not get wraped up in the new age drama of Lights and spinning nonsense until the physisoligy has been restored and is optimal. If you hear a doctor say " Ohh you are in range" thats a personal opinion and not a clinical diagnosis. And requires a second opinion.

[@HeritageCast]

@@nneratka Still need to be on Test CYP 100mg - 200mg starting dose 2x injections a week min. Tirated to symptom resolution. And then getting a Glucagon Stimulation Test and prescribed Growth Hormone. Sounds like none of the basic TBI work is being done here. Gotta solve the underlying illness fist.

[@HeritageCast]

And the sleep side of things you want a sleep study to identify if there is sleep apnea. Prior to any use of drugs or melatonin.

[@nneratka]

I also have sleep apnea. Will be seeing a mental health counselor as well.

[@kathryns5122]

Waste of money if you KNOW it's a concussion (and lots of hard hits over multiple years) causing the sleep disruption. Get an iWatch and you can monitor your own sleep. BTW, the Nuedexta worked wonders for my sleep. I'm now sleeping like a 20 year old with rich, abundant dreams.

[@HeritageCast]

@@kathryns5122 I mean a CPAP is life or death. So theres not much countersignaling the CPAP. I mean if someone is border line sleep apnea ok. But as a hard statement especially when I get my license in the next few years. Always use hard science, always get testing, and always err on the side of what keeps you alive.

[@kathryns5122]

@@HeritageCast I used to sell CPAP and other respiratory therapy equipment (like neonatal ventilators) in the 80s. CPAP is great for those who have snorting snoring and wake not only themselves but the whole household. But it's turned into a health care insurance scam.

[@HeritageCast]

@@kathryns5122 Scam in what way rationing care? Or overselling them for insurance money?

[@jflsdknf]

Cold laser therapy on the brain looks promising

[@lowboogie1429]

Hit my head really hard when I was in 4th grade