So I had my visit at the UPMC Sports Medicine Concussion Clinic today (excellent state-of-the-art facility by the way). I took the IMPACT test which was a test on the computer that asked me which symptoms I was experiencing on a scale 1-6, then proceeded to test my memory, speed, and other skills using a series of 6 different tests. I then met with two neuropsychologists afterwards to discuss the results along with my history and current status.

The docs basically told me that my main weaknesses are in the vestibular area. He told me to hold out my thumb and follow it 180 degrees with my eyes and said my eyes jump to follow my thumb when it should be a smooth motion.

He wrote me a script and recommended I take balance / vestibular physical therapy and noted that it is going to help a lot with my foggy thinking and dizziness symptoms.

He also said with my injury being in crowds is going to make my symptoms much worse, which I can personally attest to.

He also gave me a few other suggestions:

1. Do not take naps. Go to bed and wake up at the same time everyday including weekends.

2. Exercise about 5 days a week using low weights and low impact such as stationary bikes or treadmills. But avoid going to the gym during times there are a lot of people there.

3. Repeat cycles of exposure and rest. In other words, do something active, and follow it up with rest. Basically don't be too active for too long or rest for too long. Exposure could be considered going to Costco, working at work, going to the gym, going for a walk, paying bills, etc. Rest would obviously include quiet time but NOT napping.

He told me that it is more difficult to recover from injuries with my personality type (Type A) because we like to push ourselves often beyond what we should. He also said that anxiety is typically what my personality type experiences with concussions, rather than depression. He re-assured me that my anxiety is normal.

He told me I will recover 100%. He sounded very confident that the vestibular / balance physical therapy is going to help me a lot.

Does anybody have experience with vestibular / balance physical therapy? Did it help you? What should I expect to go through?

My first appointment is this coming Monday (May 6) followed by two more visits (1/wk) until my follow up appointment with the neuro on May 23.

All in all I feel much more confident I am going to get through this thing. He recommended I continue with my 4 hour work days at least until my follow up appointment.