My daughter has seen a new neurologist recently. He prescribed her Namenda to help with her memory and migraines, but her migraines worsened on the medication, so we will be trying something else when we see him again.

He has recommended that she get Botox injections. We are a little concerned because her temples have been slightly swollen ever since the initial concussion, and bumps to her temple in the past have triggered new symptoms. She doesn't know if these bumps could have caused concussions in themselves, but they seem to affect her in the same way as a concussion. We are worried that sticking a needle into the swollen area could possibly increase the inflammation and lead to an onset of new symptoms for her. The doctor does not seem to think it would be a problem, but some of her doctors have been careless in the past, and we wanted to get other people's opinions on getting Botox in an area that is slightly swollen as to whether it could aggravate the existing inflammation and potentially cause more problems for her.

Any feedback? Thank you everyone in advance for your advice.

Some have found Botox helped. Some have done a small test first. This is sometimes done to check for reactions. Some research to find the best Botox doc who appears to really understand her condition would be worthwhile.

Has her neuro mentioned amantadine ? It is an anti-viral that has helped some with PCS issues.

Many have reactions to non-concussion bumps to sensitive areas. These minor bumps or touches are no concussions even though they can cause an onset of symptoms. The brain can learn a response that mimics a concussion response. A simple trigger can appear to be a concussion.

How is her sleep ?

I can't imagine having much of a memory if I was living with migraines. Any headache messes up my memory.

Namanda sounds like an extreme shot in the dark. Various Alzheimer's drugs have been tried for PCS with very limited results. But, at least her doctor is trying.

When reading your daughter's story, the mention of Cipro jumped out at me. I would suggest to review the potential side effects of Cipro against her current symptoms. There is a strong community of individuals that suffer long-term damage to these dangerous drugs. They describe themselves as being 'floxxed'. The drugs not only attack the bacteria (bad and good - is she taking probiotics?) but also attack the mitochondria in the cells. The brain is second only to the heart in terms of mitochondrial density. Side effects can include many and various conditions including weakness, systemic pain and neurological issues.
On a more positive/practical note - has she tried neurofeedback? How about Chiropractic?

My doc tried Cypro (cyproheptadine/periactin). May have helped with symptoms but made me very depressed. He tried indocin/indomethacin in case my pain was from inflammation. Made me spacey.

Trickidicki,

Welcome to NeuroTalk. Are you suffering from a concussion or head injury ? How can we help you ?

JudyAnn, at this time last year I couldn't open my eyes. Now that I'm off all the medications I'm doing so much better. A couple weeks ago we went camping in the mountains with friends which was a huge milestone. Read my story to see what the medications did to me and how I got off them:

I read your posts to my daughter, and she wants to reply. Here is what she wants to say:

Mark, my neurologist is the one who will be performing the Botox injections. He seems a little dismissive of the concerns I raised when I met with him, but I am hoping that I can still trust him. I have had some unpleasant experiences with medical personnel in the past, so I am a bit worried. I did take your advice about asking for a skin test first, so that should at least give me an idea as to whether I will react badly to the Botox. It is really reassuring to hear what you say about head bumps mimicking concussions, but not causing damage. I have had a lot of head bumps over the last 2 years that have worsened my post-concussion syndrome, but with only 1 or 2 exceptions I suspect that these weren't actual concussions. One of my previous neurologists considered Amantadine, but decided against it because he said that it is more often used for patients who are low energy following a concussion. I, on the other hand, have racing thoughts and high anxiety, so my neurologist believes that Amantadine would worsen these symptoms.

TrickiDicki, I was on a relatively short course of Cipro and I did take probotics during and afterwards. I did not notice any worsening of my symptoms after I finished the regimen, but when my head is feeling a bit better, I will try to learn more about the side effects of Cipro.

Digital Drew, my mother did read your story to me in part. In many ways, it is quite similar to mine. I have spent a good four months lying in bed unable to talk to anyone, or open my eyes or do much of anything. I have reached a point where my migraines have lessened in intensity and although talking or listening to audio books still trigger migraines, the migraines are much easier for me to handle. I relate very strongly to what you said in your blog about not wanting to overdo it (and having the people around you not understand). After four months of essentially being a vegetable and over a year prior to that being only somewhat more functional, my mind was craving any sort of mental stimulation. Once I found that I could speak and also listen to audio books, it was very hard to resist just plunging right in to things. For the last few months, I have been doing a lot of talking and listening, and I have gone back and forth on whether this is safe for me to do, or whether it is increasing my recovery time. Based on the portion of your blog that my mom read to me earlier, it seems that you strongly believe that a failure to rest appropriately is going to worsen your condition, but I find it so hard to go back to lying in bed and doing nothing because although it's been 8 months since my last concussion, and although my headaches have diminished in severity, all of the previous triggers I had still tend to trigger me - the only difference is that the migraines are not as bad. If I went to doing only things that did not trigger migraines, I would lying in bed all day with my eyes closed and earplugs in, unable to get up to use the bathroom or microwave a dinner. I very much don't want to go back to that state, especially because all of the resting I did before never seemed to do much to alleviate my symptoms. I would be curious to hear your thoughts on this.

Thank you everyone for your responses, and congratulations Drew on your camping trip! It is really awesome that you were able to do that.

It sounds like you are improving since your migraines are less intense. That's great that you can listen to books and talk. Keep it up!

I know bedrest is no fun but I knew I had to stay ahead of the migraines and dizziness. I just had to stay in bed until I improved enough to tolerate getting out of bed. For example at first I couldn't read at all. I tried reading a half page and got dizzy. So I waited a couple days. Then I could read 1 page a day, then 2, and gradually increased as I improved.

Have you thought about tapering off the antidepressant? I think the antidepressant is what made my head so sensitive. Consider stepping it down 10% every 3 weeks. At that rate you'll be off it 8 months from now.

Your daughter sounds like she is in a lot of pain. Sometimes I think there is a cumultive effect. I had several head injuries and this last one really tipped me. HOWEVER, even before this one, the sensory issues were off the scale. I also wear earplugs all the time and cannot eat much and clothes feel funny etc. All my sensory issues are jacked up high.

There may also be genetics involved as to why someone had PCS and someone else not. And PTSD can complicate it, too. Many woman out here have many head injuries from violence and other traumas which not only cause head injuries but PTSD. It is like the soldiers who not only endure an IED but also all the trauma that is involved.

Something that helps me a lot is the Vitamin Section they have listed here. Sometimes hiring a personal trainer is helpful to help you work out but to also talk to you and be a light to you at this time and help you seek wellness and healing. The brain is an organ but so much more. It is also Thought.


I hope your daughter feels better soon and finds support here. I know I really do and it helps when others say what works and then I try it and IT DOES work!
She is lucky to have your support.

My daughter wants to thank you for your advice. She is open to trying your suggestions and we will keep you posted.

It does help her a lot and make her feel better to have the support. Thank you all!

My daughter is now saying she is not willing to get Botox injections for her migraines because it would be injected into her temples, which are already swollen. She is afraid that having this injection would cause a concussion, because one happened to her before when an ER doctor jabbed her in the temple.

I am hoping that she will get the Botox injections because I hope it will help her migraines - this is almost her last hope to get rid of her migraines and eventually resume a normal life. Does anyone feel she is being overcautious, or I am not being cautious enough? I would appreciate your advice on this.

Thank you.