Pixie Medic,

Welcome to NeuroTalk. I'm sorry to hear you were assaulted and even more that you have to put up with Work Comp. PCS and WC are a terrible combination. Everything you are experiencing is common to PCS. The assault only makes everything worse by adding PTSD.

A very common but overlooked issue is injury to the neck. It is usually very subtle and not easy to diagnose. It requires gentle treatment. An assault can cause injury to more than just the upper neck like many concussions. Your right side issues would indicate such an injury.

PTSD is also a real possibility like the doc said. This, 'It's in your head' is bogus. PTSD is part psychological and part physiological.

Elavil (amitriptyline) is most beneficial in small doses of 10 mgs or so before bed. There are not usually serious side-effects at this dose.

Xyprexa helped me with PTSD. I was only taking it for 30 days while Celexa took effect.

The nausea can be due to your concussion or it can be due to the PTSD and anxiety. The gut has an enormous amount of nerve endings that get stimulated by PTSD and anxiety.

Please understand that PCS anxiety issues are not due to a weakness on your part. They are due to your brain losing the ability to tolerate stimulations and any level of stress. They are not 'in your head.' They are in your brain. No matter what quack WC docs say, try to stay strong.

What meds are you on ?

I encourage you to read the Vitamins sticky at the top. B-12, D-3, Omega 3 fish oil, magnesium and some others should be the basis for starting with brain based nutrition.

You also need to get good quality sleep. Your brain needs sleep at normal sleep times. Naps during the day will not make up for poor night time sleep. Try to maintain the same wake-up times 7 days a week. It is the best way to manage the sleep chemistry in your brain so you get the best sleep.

Don't go to bed until you are sleepy. You should fall asleep within 30 minutes at the most. If you get frustrated, get up and do something to refocus away from sleep anxiety then go back to bed as soon as you feel sleepy.

Good sleep and proper brain nutrition will be the best way to help your brain detoxify from all the stress and injury.

I've already overloaded you. Please feel free to ask anything.

My best to you.