Hello -

First time poster so go easy on me. I am going to be heading to the dr. in the next few months regarding my 'condition,' but I wanted to start asking around to a broader community for some possible insights on what may be going on with me. Perhaps others may have experienced something like what I am wrangling with and can offer some hope to folks like me. What I detail out here seems like post concussion related symptoms, but obviously there may be more going on.

My history: I can think of one time playing JV football that I was concussed on a kickoff return when I was a freshman in HS (about 14 years old) I felt like I really wanted to impress the coaches so I would hit the other guy full bore, which I did, but paid the price in the process. My bell was rung, but it was probably on the milder side as far as concussions go. I kept playing but I recall not having my faculties about me and I had a splitting headache that evening and for the next few days. I remember my memory wasn't all there and slight disorientation. Aside from that, I don't recall any contact related concussions that stood out to me. I am now 41 years old by the way (yikes!).

Fast forward several years from this event when I recall playing racquetball with a friend of mine. I wasn't in any conditioned form at the time, but I wasn't really in bad shape either. I did NOT take any shots to the head nor did I crash into any walls, but I experienced the same sort of symptoms as I did when I was concussed. In this case, about 20 - 30 minutes after activity, I noticed my memory was compromised, I experienced disorientation and could not recall words from memory to complete a thought. This was the first time I recall having anything that resembled my symptoms from my JV football concussion.

These 'concussion events' would show up from time to time, and at least up until a few months ago, were seemingly as a result of an intense workout when I may have had some significant time off from the previous workout series. By time to time I mean 2 - 3 times per year. Now, a little bit about my health. Up until the last 12 months, I maintained a pretty aggressive workout schedule/routine. Sort of a home grown crossfit/HIIT for 3 - 4x per week. I typically jumped rope for at least 30 minutes then I would do some body weight exercises with little rest between for another 30 minutes. I am 6'1 and was under 190. I am now about 220 and due to life getting in the way, my work outs have completely stopped over the last 6 - 7 months.

After one of my bouts with the disorientation, memory loss, inability to recall basic words, followed by a dull headache for several days, I opted to go to my general practitioner to get his input. He felt it was more due to hydration during my workouts and that I needed to focus on ensuring I have plenty of H20 before, during and after my workouts. I can't say that it worked as these concussion related symptoms continued.

Fast forward to the last few months, punctuated by my most recent bout a few days ago. In the last two incidents, I was no where near exercise. As noted, I haven't been exercising which rules out the 'exertion' type concussion symptoms. In the first one, I was in a meeting with a colleague and I felt an episode coming on which was confirmed even further as time went on and I couldn't think straight. The second one was after I got back home shopping with my wife and was putting items back. We went in to put the kids to sleep as say nightly prayers, and I couldn't string a thought beyond two words. I tried very hard, but my brain stopped working. I stopped, told my wife, and struggled to described what I was feeling, but because I couldn't make a sentence that made sense, it was hard. My speech and the language actually came out fine, I just couldn't think.

Lastly, as I get a bit more astute in one of my episodes, they seem to start with an awareness that something isn't right. Just a slight feeling. My vision starts to feel a little wonky/blurred. The brain is still functioning, but I get something is happening. About 20 - 30 minutes in, my brain hits the thick mud and is slow to respond. Words fail, frustration and concern set in. After 20 - 30 minutes, my mind starts coming back. After about 3 hours, a dull headache sets in. These headaches are different than a normal tension headache. In a post episode headache type, the dull pain is there but subdued with normal, light activity. I barely notice it is there. But, if I shake my head moderately +, sneeze, or cough, the pain that comes on is rather intense. Tylenol/IBU/Advil won't touch this headache and it takes a few days until it slowly subsides.

Well, those are the basics. I am not sure it they are post concussion related, but the symptoms seem similar so that is my first inclination.

Sorry for the long thread and if you made it this far, maybe you have some wisdom to impart. I am a bit concerned, but not nearly as much as my wife. I really do appreciate any help y'all can offer.