SAN,

Welcome to NeuroTalk. Sorry to hear about your struggles.

80% of concussions have an upper neck injury that causes concussion like symptoms and makes concussion symptoms worse. Getting help for you upper neck is important. There are somethings you can do for yourself. Avoid any head forward positions when sleeping or napping. That puts a strain on C-1 and C-2. A PT, upper cervical chiro or osteopath may be able to help with some gentle traction and mobilization and upper cervical specific treatments.

Assaults often include multiple impacts so your brain and neck likely has suffered a lot of trauma. A multi discipline approach would be worthwhile.

Some have found help with specifically tinted lenses, often to block blue light.

You could get a complete hormone and thyroid assessment. Add a B-12, folate, D3, magnesium and other blood work.

Please read the Vitamins sticky at the top. Follow the link to the update. Ignore the comments about 5-HPT. It cannot be taken with an SSRI or other serotonin active meds.

Many of us use foam earplugs. Mack's makes good one.

You brain is failing in its filtering function. It normally can block out a lot of stimuli but this function often fails with concussion.

Your proper sleep is very important. The magnesium can help. If you are serotonin deficient, you would likely be melatonin deficient. They both come from the L-Tryptophan to 5-HTP to serotonin/melatonin pathway.

Have you had any imaging done? DTI MRI, SWAN MRI, Imaging down to C-3 with an upper cervical specialist to read the images?

The challenge you have is the L/I issues in Washington. Sorry to hear that. What part of Washington are you? Maybe we can help point you to good help.

I don't know the process to get a doctor outside the system. It may be worthwhile to contact a l/I Work Comp attorney. I would highly encourage it. This firm looks capable. Seattle Worker's Comp Attorneys | Brain Injury | Emery Reddy A case analysis is free.

You should be icing your neck with an on and off regimen. Anti-inflammatories should help. Ibuprophen (400 mgs) can be taken as often as every 3 hours (3200 mgs per day) 400 mgs 3 times a day is usually needed to maintain the anti-inflammatory effect.

I hope you can find some good concussion help. Work injury doctors are usually not that helpful. Your pre-existing issues complicate things. Sorry for that.

My best to you.