Two months ago I suffered a concussion. I was told that I was knocked out for about 2 or 3 minutes. I was fairly intoxicated with alcohol. I had an MRI, a cummulative EEG, and blood work. And everything came in negative, meaning all is normal. But I feel really lousy. I do feel like I'm getting better. I've been told I have PCS. Can anyone let me know if feeling in a dreamlike state is typical for this condition? It's very scary and I get anxious over my PCS symptoms, and start having panic attacks. It's difficult to concentrate, like being in a fish bowl. I worry that I won't be able to work, but I push myself to go to work every morning. Motivation is in the dumps, I use to run 3 miles a day but haven't run in 2 months. I just don't have any motivation, and feel exhausted at the end of the day.
Can anyone validate if this is normal and how long it might take to feel like my old self again.
Thank you.

Hi Rual,

First welcome to NT and I'm sorry about your injury.

I'm afraid I can't tell you how long you may suffer from PCS symptoms: that varies from person to person and injury to injury.

I can tell you that the symptoms and feelings you described are all pretty typical after a Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI). The TBI takes away motivation, can induce anxiety, depression and/or panic attacks and can make even the smallest tasks tiring. The floating feeling you described sounds a lot like an absence seizure. You may also find yourself having difficulty controlling your emotions and struggling in your work and personal relationships.

As for the clean MRI, standard imaging in not that great at diagnosing brain injury. (I can give you the technical song and dance if you like.) A neuro-psychological exam is a better way to find out how your brain is actually functioning. If you haven't had one, I'd suggest you consider it. I think it's especially important in your case: being knocked out (even for a few moments) can be indicative of a more serious concussion.

If you don't mind me asking, what is your current treatment plan? Many of the folks here have an encyclopedic knowledge of PCS and could give you some really excellent advice.

If you haven't visited, the Brian Injury Association of America has an informative webpage. If you're not up to reading, there are a number of excellent videos on brain injury on Youtube. Yes, who knew it wasn't just people surfing on the roofs of cars?

Cheers

Thank you for answering some of my questions. I'm having a really bad day today. I feel so out of it. Very dreamy / spacey.
The MRI came out negative, meaning all OK.
The EEG came back negative, meaning all OK.
I have enlisted the help of a psychologist who is going to give me a neuro psyc test. Still waiting on insurance. I have an appointment with the neurologist on 10/15 to discuss my results. My general practioner has prescribed Clonazepam .5MG. To take 3 times a day as needed. Don't feel very motivated to do anything social because I feel so out of it. And it's been 2 months. But I push myself to stay active. If anyone can please comment on this symptom, I would be most appreciative. This site is helpful, I have read some of the articles on the BIA website, and may participate on an upcoming webex. Everyone tells me to get over it that it was just a head injury. I just want to enjoy life again. Some days are better then others. Just a very altered state I'm in. Help.

Welcome

I'm sorry for your injury.

Head injuries are difficult to assess sometimes. Your body seems to be telling you and you're aware you're not all right. the neuro-psych is the best route right now. It is a plan.

Be careful not to injure yourself in another accident while you're not your old self. And sometimes medications and not sleeping well can put us at a risk for injury.

Being in good physical shape is a good thing. You have good health on your side. that helps a bunch.

Allow yourself some recoup time. I don't do what I used to do and that's OK for now. Let some things go for now.

Try making a list of things to do and things you need so you won't run out of stuff or miss appointments.

Rest is good right now. Slower paced activities can be fun.

Here are a few sites to visit:

TBI:

http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/forum92.html

Anxiety and OCD:

http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/forum50.html

Social Chat:

http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/forum35.html

Just ask if you ned help getting around on the board.

I'm sorry, but not completely surprised, that some of your friends are being insensitive about your condition. TBI is often an invisible injury: we look fine so people expect us to act that way. Ironically, TBI can be one of the most serious and life-altering injuries a person can suffer. It’s very real and there is no way you can just ignore it and carry on with your premorbid life. I don’t know where you live, but most areas have TBI support groups. Joining one might help combat your sense of isolation.

A clean MRI means nothing. Standard MRIs are not sensitive enough to image all the millions of tiny axons that might be damaged or torn. Even if you have more sophisticated imaging, it can’t tell you how the damage is effecting your daily functioning. It’s good that you’re going to have a neuro-psych. However, please make sure that your psychologist is qualified to administer and score this test. It is usually best to have the testing done by a specialized neuro-psychologist.

Good Luck

Hi Raul
Hockey has done a good job giving you some basic thoughts. I want to also stress that the MRI being normal only means that there is no structure damage showing. Honestly this is good, it means that they can't see a serious illness in your future so far. But they don't usually see TBI on a MRI.
Unless you are unconscious like in a coma for weeks. And honestly then
you go through even more than many of us here are going through, or have gone through. I know of a couple of young men that were in this situation,
but I can't honestly tell you that their parents were told that the MRI showed anything. Or the EEG showed something wrong, I'm pretty sure it was the opposite. Especially since after one of the boys, the more severe.
Got out of the hospital, his mom was calling me to see if I knew of anyone
that had been through this experience that she could talk to. I am a parent advocate in Indiana, and have a list of parents in the state. Luckily I could
give her a name of a mom for hopefully some support.

But for your situation, I would say that 2 months is a good start. If you are starting to have good days. Start to chart your good days, see if you can give yourself more. Remember to take it easy when you get home. I did physical therapy because of a brain imbalance, and honestly it was one of the best things I did for my TBI also. I would recommend this to you also.
See if your neuro would send you for some physical therapy, ask that you be allowed to go for focusing and things like this.

One of the other things that really has helped me is a membership in a local fitness club, with a pool. I also have fibromyalgia is the water is very helpful.

But going day by day, taking what time I needed from work. And after finding this places TBI-PCS room and starting to post and helping and getting help was the best for not being alone anymore.

Good luck, and know we are here.

Donna

Thank you everyone for your very kind remarks. I'm dealing with this one day at a time.

Hi Rual,

I think one day at a time is the only way to deal with a TBI - but don't deal with it alone.

The injury robs us of motivation and self-awareness. Our lives can spiral out of control because we can't act and/or we may not even recognize all of our problems. TBI patients need help from others: family & friends, support groups, trusted clergypeople, competent professionals, etc... REACH OUT!

Good Luck

Hello Rual, and welcome to NT! This is such a great place with many helpful and caring people.

We're so glad you found us!