Hi everyone,

I’m in desperate need of some answers and treatment direction. Late 30's male living in Ontario Canada. This is my first post. Anyone know any good concussion specialists in the London/Toronto area?

History:

Major concussion from being hit with a softball on top LEFT side of head in June 2013. Another sports related concussion less than a month later. Went back way too early; I was still having some symptoms. CAT scan in 2013 was normal.

Had about 5 more concussions periodically over the last 6 years (mostly sports related).

Other than headaches and other classic concussion symptoms, I have neck stiffness/cracking/creaking/tearing. Pain back/base of my head/neck. Tingling on LEFT side of head when shrug my shoulders. LEFT ear popping when I yawn or stretch my jaw. Constant LEFT ear ringing for last 18 months. Went to chiropractor for several months in 2017 to adjust neck, but made it worse. Now I can literally hear a “tearing” sound in my neck every time I move it.

MRI of brain in February 2017 and MRI of neck in June 2018. Brain scan normal. Neck MRI mostly normal, showed moderate narrowing of nerve pathways LEFT side - family Dr. was not concerned. Subsequent MRI of brain in August 2018 was normal. To rule out sinus issues (where I normally get my headaches and pressure), CAT scan of sinuses in September 2018 was normal.

Went to neurologist in October 2018. Told me he can’t help and I will have the headaches the rest of my life. He at least admitted he had no concussion training.

Major Concerns:

Seem to get new concussions or aggravate symptoms easier and easier (after driving over pot holes/bumps, light/moderate bumps to head/body or moderate strenuous physical activity – lifting heavy things, snow shoveling, etc.). It now seems that any moderate jolt to my body causes problems. Other than a few little minor bumps, I haven’t actually had a major hit to my head/body in over a year and a half.

After some “triggers” (mostly driving over potholes, very bumpy train tracks, etc.) I get a sharp localized pain/pressure top left side head in the exact spot I was hit in 2013. It’s not a headache, it’s just a painful/puffy/inflamed feeling. Feels like this “spot” is damaged and over sensitive to pain and any over stimulation (vibration, bumps, jolts to the body, intense mental strain, etc.). This exact spot and the left side of my head is also often tender to the touch after being “aggravated".

Then shortly after the trigger I feel a tingling sensation in my sinuses/teeth/forehead/bridge of my nose that eventually leads to a major headache in my forehead. At which point my head feels completely inflamed, tight puffy forehead/sinuses etc. Then it’s super sensitive/painful and I “feel” every bump on the road when driving, every jolt etc. If the trigger is real bad, it gives me nausea as well. These symptoms can then last for days, weeks or months before they completely subside, it all depends on how bad the trigger was.

Not sure if my symptoms are from permanent concussion damage, multiple impact syndrome, post-concussion syndrome, neck damage, anxiety, a combination of all these, or something else.

With all the concussions I had in the past, I was always able to slowly get back to jogging and physical activity. Now it’s been about a year and a half and I can’t even get up to a speed walk or do anything moderately physical without getting symptoms. I can however go for normal paced walks no problem.

I feel like I can’t over exert myself physically or mentally at all without flaring my symptoms. I can get some relief and function at a moderate level if things are calm and “steady as she goes” and I don’t experience any “triggers”, major stress, or take part in any moderate physical activity, etc. It seems like if I’m super careful and limit my “triggers”, I can nurse myself back to a very modest tolerable baseline. But as soon as I have another “trigger”, or over exert myself in any way, I’m in crisis mode and struggle for days/weeks again.

My ability to remember new things is fine. My high-level cognitive function/intelligence/comprehension is still good. My ability to read is still ok, but much slower and often gives me a headache. My short term memory is terrible however.

Can anyone provide some insight on this and/or suggest some treatment options? I guess my biggest question is Am I getting new concussions all the time, is something else going on here, or has my brain just reached a level that it can no longer cope and properly repair itself. Also, should I be trying to push myself harder to "expand my baseline" or should I be listening to my body and slowing down more?

I realize I will never play sports or do any major physical activity again. I just hope that with the proper treatment, I can somehow get back to a decent quality of life and maybe even go for a light jog once and awhile and drive down the street without any issues. I'm trying to be realistic and really do have modest hopes/expectations. Any help would be greatly appreciated.