Marina,

Welcome to NeuroTalk. Wow, you have a concussion history that rivals mine.

You sounds like you are suffering from a common condition.

Multiple Impact Syndrome is a condition where the cumulative effects of multiple concussions combined with sub-concussive impacts leave the brain very sensitive to any impacts, even very minor impacts that result in symptoms of a more severe concussion. This can even leave the person with a sensitivity to simple stressors such as an illness/fever, emotional stress, environmental stresses/pollutions, nutritional stresses, and exhaustion.

You appear to be almost as hypersensitive as I am. I can't shake my head 'No.'

You will likely have a similar recovery period as your previous bumps. You could improve your rate of recovery by adding to your supplement regimen. You may be overdoing the B-12. 5000 mcgs is a huge dose. 500mcgs might be adequate. A blood level of 1000 pgms/mL is optimal. You may need folic acid and the rest of the B vitamins, too. A B-50 or B-100 would be good. Balancing B vitamins is good.

You may also have some slight balance and visual/spacial awareness dysfunctions. This is not uncommon for someone with Multiple Impact Syndrome (MIS).

The partial solution to the latter is to learn to be more deliberate with your movements. Most people tend to move with a sub-conscious level of care. Those of us with prior concussions and especially MIS need to learn to stop and think before making many of our usual moves. Over time, this can become a new subconscious level of care. It becomes just a slower movement initiation style with a greater awareness of our surroundings.

For me, I really need to take extra care because I have very poor short term and immediate visual memory. I can need to duck under something and look down at the last minute and have already forget it was there and bump my head into it. Ouch. Instead, I have to stay focused that the overhead obstacle is there.

When you go on vacation, try to get your family to help you with obstacles. A vacation is a stressful time with lots of opportunities to bump your head. The stresses can be positive or negative to cause concussion symptoms.

These same stresses can combine with the MIS to cause a struggle with depression. Those "like life isn't worth living" feelings need to be taken seriously if they persist. There is a difference between being frustrated and tired of the symptoms and actually feeling "like life isn't worth living." There is help available that should be sought. I have been there and know the anguish the depression can cause.

Extra rest and respite from the chaos and stress of family will also help with your recovery. It will help if you learn to understand the stressors around you. It will become a valuable life skill.

My best to you.