I suffered a concussion in a car accident May 2, 2009, (got rear-ended sitting at a stop light) without hitting my head on anything. The impact was great enough to give me a concussion (neurologist said it's like adult shaken "baby" syndrome. The symptoms did not set in right away--over the course of 2 wks they worsened. I was off work 2.5 months due to my symptoms: personality change, couldn't do much as I would get dizzy, slurred speech, running words together or mixing them up (which at times were funny but still disconcerting), short-term memory loss, and a whole list of other symptoms. I could tell anyone off and not feel bad about it, which was weird as that is NOT me at all. I gave a credit card company an earful when they tried to raise my interest rate to 19% or something like that--it worked, they didn't do it! So on the upside, my concussion has made me a lot more assertive...and I like it!

So it's been 7 months since the accident and I'm still experiencing some symptoms. My neurologist told me it might take up to a year to get better. I've accidentally bumped my head 3 times on various things since then and each time some of the symptoms worsen. It's frustrating but I still feel I'm getting better...just a setback when I bump my head but is short-lived. I also was/am seeing a specialist in molecular medicine (only 5 in the US) and he's here in Indianapolis where I live! He prescribed Piracetam for me--which helps improve brain function and help the brain to heal quicker. I'm a believer!

I'm 55 and went back to college 3.5 months after the accident and only 1 month after returning to work (less than full-time). I asked my neurologist and he said it would be great for me to go to college (I was to go back in June or July but due to the concussion I couldn't). I thought he was nuts but using my brain more, it has healed a little quicker (exercising the muscle he says is good--brain is a muscle of sorts). I nearly have a 4.0 GPA so something must be working. I still have some memory problems....I still cannot remember much for the 2.5 months I was off work. I know I saw the last Harry Potter movie...but can't remember it at all except for one small part. It's weird not being able to remember.

So I'm hanging in there and hopeful I will fully heal in time.