Writing By Laura

Over the years (my severe Traumatic Brain Injury was in 2016) I have developed a bunch of things that are all over the counter/homeopathic to create something I am coining “My TBI Toolkit.” Each of these items helps with a symptom of my TBI. None of these were really recommended by a medical professional (except for one) but I have come to use them regularly. This is not a literal toolbox like my illustration below. Instead it’s really things neatly placed in my purse and my nightstand (my TBI has made me fastidiously tidy in certain areas of my life). See below for a list of items and how I use them (I have added links to the item or something similar).

I am constantly adding to it and trying things out. In fact, if you have something that works for you that you think I should consider or try out, let me know (comment on this post or send me an email).

My TBI Toolkit

I have broken these items up into categories that you see in the headings below. This makes it easy for you to see how I am approaching my TBI symptoms from many different levels/senses, etc. I didn’t do this purposefully really, or systematically, everything has just been added organically as I find it.

Massage Tools

• Pressure Point Massage Roller: (Gaiam Restore Pressure Point Muscle Roller Massage Stick, $17.98 on Amazon). I happened upon this because I read and follow a lot of health, beauty and wellness blogs. This device randomly came up as recommended by one of the blogs for loosening up muscles. As a person who has suffered from TMD (jaw pain), migraines and Fibromyalgia BEFORE the Traumatic Brain Injury, I have been a walking tense ball of muscles for a long time… and then I got hit by a car! Anyway, this little strange looking device has done for me more in a short period of time than what years of Physical Therapy, acupuncture, medication, massage, etc. have done over the years. I had a sizable lump on my left shoulder that through repeated use of this device has disappeared (Warning: when working on something like my “Quasimodo hump” on my shoulder, work slowly and gentle and don’t try to release it all at once. AND DRINK WATER after you use the device because you will be releasing toxins from the tense muscles into your system. I am NOT a medical professional in any way shape or form, but this has just worked for me).
• Scalp Massager: This helps the muscles in my head that get tense associated with my TMD/jaw pain, TBI, migraines, computer/eye strain.

Sense of Temperature Tools

• Gel Ice Pack: My TBI has made me overheat very easily. So much so that I now find a frozen gel pack behind my neck to be the fastest way to soothe, calm and cool me down in a way that is so satisfying and helpful. I have linked to the pack of 4 that I always have at the ready in the freezer.

• Cold Eye Pack: This isn’t frozen, just refrigerated. I have always found it comforting to put a cool wash cloth on my eyes when I feel unwell and this a nicer less messy version of that.

• Migraine Cold Compression “Hat”: I don’t have this exact one because my sister got me mine and got me a pink one. I feel like I’m wearing one of those vagina hats feminist protesters wore years ago when I wear my pink one (I plan to get another one in a different color because I like it so well).

Sense of Hearing Help

• Earplugs: (Loop) and others: I just got the Loop Switch 2 on a Black Friday sale so I haven’t really used them. They came highly recommended by members from my virtual TBI support group and I liked that this version (the Switch 2) lets you switch between modes from quiet, experience to engage modes. I also have a lot of lesser expensive earplugs that I always keep handy. Sound makes me so uncomfortable and unhappy since my TBI and earplugs are an easy adjustment I can make. They don’t solve everything clearly but they certainly help. Some cheaper ones that I have used or still use are these and these.

• Apple Air Pod Pro 2: For noise canceling. A more expensive noise canceling option but I have found that in a quiet environment I am able to listen to some audiobooks (it’s the sound quality of these that allows that).

Barometric Pressure Help

• Auvulis Ring: I have always been sensitive to barometic pressure changes and those have always been a headache trigger for me. Now with my TBI I am even more sensitive now. I have only been using this ring for a few weeks but I notice a change already. I am sleeping better (according to my Apple Watch) and we’ve had 2 snowstorms and I haven’t gotten a migraine or even a smaller headache!!

• WeatherX Headache Prevention Earplugs: I technically don’t use these because with my hearing loss they make it really challenging for me to hear. But when I got them I downloaded an app (you might just be able to use the app without the device, in fact, I don’t see why not: Apple App Store Link or Google Play Link) and it sends me notifications of when barometric pressure is going up or down. I especially like those notifications now that I am using the Auvulis ring because then I can really tell the ring is working.

Sense of Smell Soothers

• Ginger Chews: You can get these anywhere (Trader Joe’s, Home Goods), I get them from Amazon (my favorite flavor is the Chime’s Orange). Ginger is known to help with nausea and I actually think it helps with the mild heartburn I sometimes get (I suck on it and don’t chew it). I also just really like the taste and have found that when I am really overwhelmed (as I often get in loud and active public spaces with my TBI) I use ginger chews to calm and self soothe.

• Essential Oil Migraine Roller: I honestly don’t use this in the typical way (you’re meant to roll it on your forehead, temples and back of neck). I do that sometimes but I started to put it under my nose as little scent diffuser while I have my C-PAP mask on. I may have invented something there because it’s a great idea.

• Good Smelling Lotion: I personally like the EOS Coconut Waters scent. When I have trouble sleeping, muscle pain, or feel overstimulated after an online meeting I use the pressure point massager on my head, shoulders and neck, and massage this lotion and my magnesium lotion into my muscles. I also use my scalp massager. This combination is pretty much a guarantee to get me to sleep and feeling better when I wake up.

• Magnesium Lotion: I also happened upon this from one of the health/beauty/wellness blogs/emails I subscribe to. I am not quite sure how it works or the science behind it but I do find it soothing.

• Good Smelling Lip Balm: I like to appeal to my newly heightened sense of smell by using good smelling products (with my hearing loss, I find this is true. That first winter after my TBI the salt put on winter sidewalks and roads smelled so SALTY that I felt like I was licking the salted rim of a margarita glass).

• Aromatherapy Shower Steamers: When I’m having an uncomfortable day either related to TBI or migraine I light some good smelling candles and take a shower with one of these (I am not a bath person).

Obvious/ not obvious tools

• Coconut Water: I was always the person who never hydrated enough. Then the TBI happened and I found a direct correlation in how I felt when I hydrated enough (OBVIOUS, I KNOW) and Coconut Water and Bai are my go-to drinks for that besides water. Especially coconut water. It helps so much. I put the smaller carton in the freezer for a bit and when it’s really cold it’s really good!
• Sleep Eye Mask: Light has always bothered me when trying to fall asleep. Why it’s taken me so long to figure out that I have the power to personally control light in my sleeping situation by simply covering my eyes with an inexpensive eye mask… I truly don’t know.
• Vitamin B2: I take this daily (and it was actually recommended by my health care provider who has helped me so much with my migraines). In combination with a monthly preventative injection I take and an as needed pill I take at the onset of a migraine, these daily vitamins have helped decrease my migraines and daily headaches by a lot.
• Limiting Screen Time: An obvious one of course, but for someone with a TBI I sometimes feel like the bugs attracted to a bug zapper in the animated movie from years ago “A Bug’s Life” ‘Don’t go towards the light… but it’s so BEAUTIFUL!’ I use Apple devices so I use the Screen Time feature in my settings. I am still on them too much but considering I have all my devices (phone, computer, iPad) share time and I do a whole host of constructive things: like learn German, ASL, online grocery shopping, all the online health scheduling and messaging for me and my parents, run an online book club and blog for an organization and am trying to write my memoir (oh, and this blog which I used to do regularly and haven’t for some time). I also do virtual therapy and a virtual support group for myself. I do however spend too much time watching cleaning videos on Instagram (so relaxing) and cute dog videos on Instagram (I’m not on TikTok but so many people cross-post on the different social platforms).

A new little pup says hi!

In July my parents and I got a new cocker spaniel puppy and I named her Winnie Lou! I will never ever get over my Selby Sweetie but Winnie Lou just had to say hi to the blog! I do have her on Instagram but I haven’t posted too much. I have a cute idea for Christmas if I make it happen I will post it on her Instagram! @winnieloucocker