[wtrpk]

I went to my son's baseball game...first time out in months...other than a quiet dinner with my husband. I took all the precautions...earplugs, my own chair at the end of the bleachers, just rest watching a game.

Well...then the fire alarm for the school went off (20-30 mins)...I couldn't escape..our car was right under it (and I didn't want to drive home).

Later that day I was in agony .. I just felt like crap..headache, fatigue, overall the worst. And then the next three days were a disaster..and still are. EXHAUSTED beyond belief...and can't really fall asleep..i'm in a zone laying on the couch.

I always notice being overstimulated I don't sleep well at night.

Any ideas here??? Could the alarm have done that much damage..or was I just overstimulated from the game itself...people talking etc?

[Mark in Idaho]

The alarm likely upset your adrenal system. You attempt to avoid it was an anxiety even to add to the alarm. It is not uncommon for PCS to include adrenal dysfunctions. It can take some of us quite some time to recover.

In cases like this, it is good to have a blood pressure kit at home. If you blood pressure is high, it helps to do what ever it takes to get it down. The longer your blood pressure is high, the longer it will likely take to recover from the over stimulation. At least that is how it works with my brain.

Planning an escape route at functions where thing can happen that are beyond your control is a good practice.

I can easily understand what you were going through. It is like it never ends once it starts.

Hope you are feeling better.

My best to you.

[wtrpk]

mark...i was always borderline high blood pressure...but when i was checked at neuro of course it was fine.

did you mean overall longer to overcome the overstimulation..or per event??

[wtrpk]

Mark...what are adrenal dysfunctions

[Mark in Idaho]

One of the dysfunctions is called adrenal-cortical hyperfunction. The adrenal system over reacts and causes a spike in blood pressure. The adrenal hormones (cortisol) and neurotransmitters (epinephrine, norepinephrine,) also speed up the brain processing in a fight or flight response. This can easily overwhelm a PCS brain.

I have some propanolol in the cabinet for just such a situation. I have not used it in ages but used to need it at least once a month or more. I have become very good at recognizing when I need to leave an overstimulating environment.

The alarm would have sent me over the edge.

[wtrpk]

Mark...I had weird tremor thru my body later on...not just the headache.

I'm also taking my blood pressure during the day--trying to notice if the headache is worse is the pressure higher. right now..not much headpain but my pressure is 148/91 ...if the kit is right. I've always been borderline high.

I'm going to the neurologist wed...anything else I can ask/ try out before I go?

I do notice that laying down helps the head pain a little...