Episode 46
Are your concussion symptoms getting worse and you can't figure out why? If you're a woman in your 40s or 50s, hormones might be the missing piece of your recovery puzzle.
In this episode of the Concussion Fix Podcast, Nikki Fraser sits down with Dr. Paul Hrkal and Melinda Krynen Hill to unpack the complicated relationship between perimenopause, menopause, and persistent concussion symptoms (PCS). This is one of the most common questions from members of our program, and for good reason.
Here's what we cover:

How a concussion can disrupt hormone production, sometimes months or even a year later
Why perimenopause and PCS symptoms look so similar, and how to tell them apart
Simple at-home tracking strategies to see if your cycle is affecting your mood and symptoms
What hormone testing to ask for and who to see
How balancing hormones creates a "neuropermissive environment" for brain healing

Recovery is complex, and for many women, hormonal dysregulation is a layer of the onion that goes unaddressed for far too long. You deserve answers that actually account for everything your body is going through.
If this resonates, you are not alone, and recovery is absolutely possible.
Visit us at www.concussionfix.com to learn more about the Concussion Fix program and the step-by-step support waiting for you there. Subscribe so you never miss an episode.

Learn more about the Concussion Fix program for PCS - https://www.concussionfix.com/

Hear what people are saying about the Concussion Fix Program - https://concussiondoc.io/offer/love-page/

Take part in one of our free 90-minute patient workshops to learn how you can conquer your PCS - https://webinar.concussiondoc.io/s/qMKYfx

Intro song credit - I Feel Good - All Good Folks, Orfium (Hexacorp Ltd.)- downloaded from Uppbeat.io

#ConcussionRecovery #PersistentConcussionSyndrome #PCSRecovery #Perimenopause #HormoneHealth #BrainHealth #WomensHealth #ConcussionFix #PostConcussionSyndrome #TraumaInformedCare

Don't forget to subscribe to the podcast so you can be notified about more valuable content on concussion recovery!

Learn more about the Concussion Fix program for PCS - https://concussiondoc.io/offer/the-concussion-fix/

Hear what people are saying about the Concussion Fix Program - https://concussiondoc.io/offer/love-page/

Take part in one of our free 90-minute patient workshops to learn how you can conquer your PCS - https://webinar.concussiondoc.io/s/qMKYfx


Remember, these insights are not medical advice. Always consult with your healthcare provider before making any changes to your treatment plan.

Intro song credit - I Feel Good - All Good Folks, Orfium (Hexacorp Ltd.)- downloaded from Uppbeat.io

Episode 45
Nikki Fraser sits down with Dr. Paul Hrkal, ND, to unpack one of the most common and frustrating symptoms after a concussion: sleep disruption. If you've been lying awake at 3am wondering why your brain just won't settle, this episode is for you. You are not alone, and there are real answers here.
What You'll Learn:
Why up to 70% of people experience sleep disruption after a concussion, including how circadian rhythm, inflammation, and neurotransmitter imbalance all play a role
The truth about the old advice to wake someone up every 30 minutes after a concussion (and when it actually does and doesn't apply)
How different sleep disorders (insomnia, hypersomnia, sleep apnea) require different approaches to treatment
Why napping can help in the acute phase but may work against you in PCS recovery
Sleep hygiene essentials: darkness, cool temperature, managing noise, screen use and blue light exposure
Why stomach sleeping is the worst position, and how side sleeping supports your brain's glymphatic system (its overnight detox process)
The top 3 free things you can do right now to start improving your sleep: optimize your sleep environment, get natural light during the day, and regulate your nervous system before bed
Why sleep medications should be a last resort, not a first step, and the risks of long-term use
How to start a sleep journal to track what's helping and what's hurting
Key Takeaways: Start with one thing. You do not have to do it all at once. Build slowly, one habit at a time, just like recovery itself. [2]

Don't forget to subscribe to the podcast so you can be notified about more valuable content on concussion recovery!

Learn more about the Concussion Fix program for PCS - https://concussiondoc.io/offer/the-concussion-fix/

Hear what people are saying about the Concussion Fix Program - https://concussiondoc.io/offer/love-page/

Take part in one of our free 90-minute patient workshops to learn how you can conquer your PCS - https://webinar.concussiondoc.io/s/qMKYfx


Remember, these insights are not medical advice. Always consult with your healthcare provider before making any changes to your treatment plan.

Intro song credit - I Feel Good - All Good Folks, Orfium (Hexacorp Ltd.)- downloaded from Uppbeat.io

Episode 44
This week's episode dives into one of the most complex questions we've received from our community: Can a concussion cause intermittent paralysis?

A member of the Concussion Fix program shared their experience, a TBI followed by recurring episodes of losing motor function in their legs, triggered by cognitive overload and stress. No pain, no clear diagnosis, despite an ICU admission, spinal and brain MRIs, and an fMRI. Usually lasting a few weeks until they push through and can walk or even jog again, until the next episode.

In this episode, Dr. Marshall, Dr. Hrkal, and Melinda discuss:
Why paralysis is not a typical concussion symptom, and what to rule out first
The neurological workup you should seek if you're experiencing unusual symptoms
What Functional Neurological Disorder (FND) is, and why it came up in this discussion
The difference between concussion causing a symptom vs. concussion as a system stressor
How chronic stress, cognitive overload, and pre-existing conditions can amplify and manifest as neurological symptoms after a concussion
The concept of parasympathetic shutdown (freeze response) and how it may play a role
Why PCS is really a reflection of your overall health going into the injury
How other stressors (Long COVID, mould, trauma, grief) can produce the same PCS-like symptoms
Why shifting the mindset, from "my brain is damaged" to "my systems are dysregulated," is key to recovery

Key takeaway: A concussion doesn't directly cause paralysis. But the nervous system dysregulation, chronic stress cycle, and predisposing factors that follow a concussion can sometimes manifest in complex and unexpected ways. Always rule out serious neurological causes first, and then explore the whole-person picture.

Please note: The Concussion Fix team are not your primary healthcare providers. Nothing discussed in this episode or in these show notes constitutes medical advice, a diagnosis, or a treatment plan. We are sharing a general discussion based on a question asked by a community member, with limited information available to us. Every person's situation is unique, and we strongly encourage you to work with your own qualified healthcare team for anything related to your personal health. Always seek professional medical advice before making any changes to your care.
Remember, recovery is possible. You are not alone. 💚

Learn more about the Concussion Fix program for PCS - https://www.concussionfix.com/
Hear what people are saying about the Concussion Fix Program - https://concussiondoc.io/offer/love-page/
Take part in one of our free 90-minute patient workshops to learn how you can conquer your PCS - https://webinar.concussiondoc.io/s/qMKYfx

Intro song credit - I Feel Good - All Good Folks, Orfium (Hexacorp Ltd.)- downloaded from Uppbeat.io

Don't forget to subscribe to the podcast so you can be notified about more valuable content on concussion recovery!

Learn more about the Concussion Fix program for PCS - https://concussiondoc.io/offer/the-concussion-fix/

Hear what people are saying about the Concussion Fix Program - https://concussiondoc.io/offer/love-page/

Take part in one of our free 90-minute patient workshops to learn how you can conquer your PCS - https://webinar.concussiondoc.io/s/qMKYfx


Remember, these insights are not medical advice. Always consult with your healthcare provider before making any changes to your treatment plan.

Intro song credit - I Feel Good - All Good Folks, Orfium (Hexacorp Ltd.)- downloaded from Uppbeat.io