I hit my head badly 3 years ago when I was getting up from a plane seat. Immediately I had pain and then the pain got worse. Over the next several days, my head would feel very heavy. Several trips to the doctor and two MRIs showed nothing and that all was OK.

It's been three years and my heavy head comes and goes. Watching the movie "I AM", the producer indicated he had PCS and I noticed it paralleled my symptoms. A bit more studying and the symptoms are dead on. Heavy head, lack of sleep, depression, etc. In the movie he says nothing worked for him and the symptoms began to recede by themselves. If anyone else here has had similar experience and can shed light on any way to help, please let me know.

thanks,
nima zahadat

Welcome captainnima.

Sadly, MRIs just aren't subtle enough to image the damage to your brain's tiny - but vitally important - little axons. Short of detecting a brain bleed, the vast majority of TBI patients have "normal" MRIs. Concussed athletes who had "normal" MRIs during their playing days have been found to have very serious brain injuries when autopsied.

Have you had a neuro-psychological exam? That remains the best way to identify TBI deficits and target cognitive and vocational therapy.

While it's true that there is no "cure" for TBI, there are things you can do to make your life more bearable. There are cognitive therapies that can help. Eat a healthy diet and avoid alcohol and caffeine. Seek help for your emotional struggles. Your local Brain Injury Association can be a great source of support and practical information on things like health care professionals and techniques to work around your deficits.

You're not alone.

nima zahadat,

Hello and welcome, happy to see you have come to be with us, it a great place to be. As you can see we have a great number and caring fellow members here, where you have find a supportive and relaxing place. Have fun looking into the different forums. Our shoulders are here for support in many ways.

Click on the following forum, there you will find some assistance with questions

Post Concussion Syndrome:
http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/forum92.html

Again welcome, looking forward to seeing you around. My thoughts and prayers are with you.

Darlene

Hello Nima,

Welcome to the NeuroTalk Support Groups.

Post concussion syndrome...generally doesn't last past 1 year. If it does...it is time for a differential diagnosis.

if you are functioning well for the most part... then I encourage you to look up Post Trauma Vision Syndrome... vestibular dissonance first. These two... can account for a lot of delayed or recurrent symptoms. A behavioral optometrist or an orthoptist can help you with the first. A vestibular therapist (usually a physio or occupational therapist) can help you with the latter.

thirdly... consider upper cervical spine problems. dysfunctional TINY muscles of the neck...they too...can mimick the same symptoms as post concussion syndrome. (not just massage...not just chiropractic... a physiotherapist needs to help you with this assessment and treatment).

Hope this helps!