frustratedislander,

Welcome to NeuroTalk. As Concussion said, rest is important. Check out the Vitamins thread for some guidelines and excellent online resources.

I am concerned that your PT and neurosurgeon have missed an upper neck injury. The joint at C-1 to base of the skull is easily strained. It can remain unstable for quite some time. An MRI will not likely show the neck injury unless the head is turned sharply to the left and right during the MRI. This can help expose the instability.

You also should be icing your neck and upper back whenever possible. Bone spurs are a common excuse for symptoms. It is not always accurate. Some have found help from upper cervical chiropractors. www.NUCCA.org and www.atlasorthagonal.org have referral system.

Generic chiros are usually too aggressive for these neck injuries. PT's are a hit and miss help for the same injuries.

The sensory overload is very common. A hat and sunglasses can help with bright lights and foam ear plugs can help with sound. Many of us just have to avoid these places except during low traffic periods when the stores are quieter. I keep foam ear plugs handy all the time.

The x-ray/CT-scan=concussion is confusing. There is no normal imaging to diagnose a concussion. As Concussion said, most practitioners have wildly varying ideas of concussion. Most are rather clueless.

You might want to try sleeping on your back with minimal pillow lift. Keeping your neck straight during sleep can be a big help.

Please feel free to tell or ask us anything. We have heard it all.

My best to you.