Quote:
Originally Posted by muddyriverrugby11
I am 20 years old, and will turn 21 in April. I have had multiple concussions as I participated in Football and Wrestling in high school, and then went on to play a year of college football. I've been playing rugby, until last spring during a game I was kneed to the head, received 20 stitches, and another concussion......I then returned to play 3 weeks later, with no real problems. The next week at a rugby tourny the first game I felt concussion symptoms again and then took my self out of the game. That was May of '09 and I have had this hell since. Symptoms are/were nausea, migraines, hazy, no motivation, depression, dizzy, zoned out. I was on Amitriptyline for 6 months, which I've recently weened my self off. I have not been able to lift weights or train since, which was the biggest part of my life. At first I pushed through it like athletes are taught, as it was engrained in me to do so personally. Drinking is up and down as some times Ill feel fine and laugh and be loud as I usually am, and then other times I'll feel stuck or in a haze, basically feel like garbage. I've always been the loud, funny, and people person my whole life, and now it all seems gone.....Depression is what becomes of this, which no one ever wants to admit, but when your whole life has been taken away for damn near a year, it what becomes of it.......if anyone has any advice I'd appreciate it greatly or strories of someone who has become them selves again after a long struggle with Post Concussion Syndrome.....I'd appreciate it more than anyone could imagine.......Thank you very much
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Hey Muddy!
Don't get discouraged. It will take a long time. I also am a Multi impact concussion gal from ski racing and bike racing. The last hit was 2012 which literally still seems like yesterday to me as I was engrossed in the brain fog and depression and frustration cycle. My people charming personality seemed gibe forever so I fakes who I thought I used to be and toughed it out.
It wasn't until I finally succumbed to 'this is me now' that I finally started healing. That was last October. I never thought I'd be me again but consistently following what my docs told me to do and literally being couch bound for nearly 5 months did the trick. I have had says where I was that me again- but bette as I have such an appreciation for my brain and body and taking care of it now. Days I've been me- my friends, family, and co-workers noticed. But then I get all giddy and go all out and do things I used to (ie have a couple of beers) and I suffer from it and regress for days.
Just be patient. And if I could offer any advice- don't drink. It's been hard on me socially not to drink but 1 beer can get me way buzzed now after my injury.
And caffeine amps me up so I've dropped that habit. I enjoy joining the tea drinking society and the green eating society too. It's amazing how many foods affect the brain like a neurotoxin. Nourish the Noggin and Depression the way out both speak of going to a more alkaline diet - as in way your veggies.
All that has helped me greatly. If you wanna PM me I can share some more.
And just relax- you'll be you and you are you still, your body is just teaching you to slow down. You'll be back!