Hello all,
Just over five weeks ago, at the end of July, I had an accident at home which resulted in me falling flat on my face. I hit the ground with considerable force...So much so that I fractured my two front teeth quite badly and broke my nose. I also had some swelling of my top lip and just under my left eye. My hard palate/roof of mouth/area just behind the two front teeth was considerably swollen from the force of the impact.
I initially thought that this was no biggie and that I had just broke a couple of teeth, my dentist thought otherwise and suspected a fractured palate so I was urgently sent to the maxillo-facial unit of my local hospital. Whilst there I was given a pretty thorough examination by two consultant surgeons who ruled out a serious maxillary fracture and diagnosed an alveolar fracture. My teeth were splinted and my dental papilla was sutured back where it should be.
Now, I have not been feeling right since my fall. I initially put this down to an infection I developed from the palate/soft tissue trauma (I was put on amoxicillin 500mg x3 a day for this). Unfortunately, despite the infection and swelling eventually clearing up/receding, the symptoms have persisted. I recently spoke to my GP about them who advised me to go to hospital to get checked out there. My GP suspected concussion and the doctor at the hospital has given the same diagnosis.
My symptoms are as follows:
- Derealization: transient moments where I feel like I am in a dream. Faces, people and my surroundings seem unreal/strange. This is pretty disturbing and probably the symptom that worries me the most.
- Feeling like I am tense/rigid/unable to relax
- Sinus pressure
- Postural hypotension
- Moments of lightheadedness/dizziness
- Nausea
- Cognitive deficits (muddled thoughts, lack of clarity, "foggy" thinking)
- Sleep disturbances
- Some subtle blur to visual field sometimes
- Heightened anxiety (due to the concussion or symptoms I am experiencing?)
There are perhaps other sensations I am experiencing that are just too hard for me to put into words.
I am 28 and otherwise healthy other than having a hiatus hernia (which is kicking up really bad lately so double whammy! lucky me!). I have a history of depression and anxiety (moderate; treated with SSRI and no longer a real issue)
I seem to have good days and bad days and symptoms can wax and wane throughout the day. I was advised by the medics to steer clear of alcohol for at least two months and to rest any chance I get and stay well hydrated. I foolishly had a few drinks yesterday to celebrate getting the keys to my new place and I have had an awful day today with the symptoms. I really, really hate this!
The doctors have said that it could last between 3-6 months. I start university in two weeks! The idea of being able to study/concentrate with all of this going on makes me want to cry...
I am glad I found this forum. It helps to know that you're not alone right?
TL;DR Fell on my face about five and a half weeks ago. Dealing with concussion/PCS symptoms.