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Originally Posted by benjamin
Hi there everyone!
I wanted to get in touch with some people who can understand what I'm going through at the moment.
6 weeks ago I came off backwards from my bmx quite hard and had a mild concussion which involved me being confused and disorientated for about 15-20 minutes after which time I regained my bearings and was coherent again. I also experienced a strange feeling that I was dreaming while awake and had intense deja vu. I don't remember much about those 15 minutes. It left me feeling a bit weird, tired and with a headache and neck pain.
I'm English and I was in Germany at the time, embarking on a new life for myself in an new and exciting place. However a few days after the injury I started to experience periods of acute stress, anxiety and depression. I just didn't feel 'right' and I became worried that I never would again so I got a plane back to my parents. I had a CT scan which thankfully came back clear and all my cognitive, balance and memory functions were fully intact.
6 weeks on and I still feel distant/foggy/detached/tired and certain mental processes are a strain eg. calculations involving times, mathematical relationships. In the evenings, watching TV, chatting I feel like there's nothing wrong but when I go outside into a large open space or somewhere new I get this foggy feeling back.
I'm 28, normally very physically and mentally active and am finding it hard to deal with the state I'm in. I know how important it is to remain positive and that there are many people who have PCS much worse than I do. I wondered if anyone has any suggestions for therapies to speed up my recovery or any similar stories. I do feel I'm getting better, just very slowly.
Any words would be greatly appreciated!
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Ben,
I'm in a similar boat. Same symptom base (anxiety/depression/foggy, better at night while watching TV/hanging out) I am also very active and sustained my concussion while skiing. (no loss of conciousness or memory...foggy afterward)
I also had to get on an airplane and move away from my dream ("pro" freeskier-living in Jackson) back to my parents house, so I totally understand what you are going through.
The reality is you may be better in a month, you may bet better in 11 months...but at our ages (I'm 23) we should get better eventually...it's just a big waiting game.
I've tried everything under the sun to try and speed recovery, maybe it's heped, maybe it's just made me feel like I'm doing everything and THAT helps....who knows.
Regardless, just be greatful you should recover, don't stress, realize this is a short window of time in your life. Reorganize your life's goals and priorities in this time. Take a deep breath...
I suggest perhaps going to see your doc about him perscribing some Ativan or Xanax (i suggest ativan). It'll help you deal with the following month(s) anxiety you'll get when your brain is overwhelmed.
I'm trying SSRIs in place of Ativan (SSRIs are more long term...Ativan/Xanax is an acute anxiety med) and so far they seem to be helping only very mildly.
Sleep a ton, try and stay a bit active (as long as it doesn't provoke symptoms) and take it easy!