Hi, I am new to this site. I found it while researching post concussion syndrome and depression.

I have a 9 year old son who loves to play football. He’s a good size, but solid young man. He plays first string, left tackle. And he LOVES his position. On August 16th my son sustained a concussion during a game as a result of a head on head collision with another player. My son was in full gear at the time. Because I didn’t immediately pick up on the signs and symptoms, he sustained a second hard blow during a game on August 20th which resulted him landing on his back, hitting the back of his helmet/head on the ground. The second hit was the icing on the cake so to speak and within 24 hours there was no doubt about his injury.

I am sure everyone is wondering how I never picked up on the first signs and symptoms of a concussion. He had a headache on August 16th which Tylenol took care of. But to know my son is to know that when he is sick or injured, he looks and acts the same as if he was not. He never runs a fever, is always active and full of life. Nothing has ever gotten him down … until August 20th.

Unfortunately for my son, the concussion has been a roller coaster of headaches, migraines, numbness in his hands and feet, vision and hearing problems, sleeping problems, sharp pain in his spin, depression, agitation, and memory and concentration problems. Just as we take one foot forward, we end up taking two more back – he is still under doctor care and has not been permitted to play, run, jump … well, he has not been allowed to be a kid since diagnosed. This has been really hard on him. He loves the sport, but he is so miserable with all the symptoms.

Two weeks ago my son and I started violin lessons. I thought that perhaps getting my son to focus on the things he can do vs. the things he cannot do would help him. He loves it when I play my violin - he said it relaxes him. I was excited when he said he wanted to learn and signed him up for lessons with me. We are now taking a group lesson together. Unfortunately, my son can't always hear what is being played, said or what he plays due to his injury. Our instructor has been great and reassures Austin that music can do wonderful things for people who are recovering from an injury and in due time he will be able to hear. But in the meantime I can tell you that you are playing very well.

Yesterday his doctor released him to participate in P.E. and recess at school. My son is so excited. Even though he still has symptoms, we are hoping that gaining some of his life back will help him mentally overcome what is going on.

I wish I could say things were getting better, but they are not. Last night when my son was having a meltdown (which tends to happen when he is over-stimulated and tired), he said he was tired of the pain and wished he was dead. He said it several times and how he just wanted to see his dogs and grandma that have passed away. It was very disturbing and a HUGE red flag. Trying to keep my emotions under control I told him how sad I would be if he was not here with me. Needless to say I was up several times through the night checking on him.

His PCP has referred us this morning to go back to a neurologist we saw last month (for a second opinion to my son's condition). There is something serious going on with him and a neurologist would know what our next steps are. The follow up will be next week.

So where do we go from here?

Anyone else experiencing this with a child? Any good resources? What has or has not worked for you? I'm busy researching and getting ready for the next chapter in Austin's recovery.

Hello Austin's Mom and WELCOME to NeuroTalk!

I'm so sorry to hear of your son's struggles. I understand how boys want to be rough & tough and the center of the action!! ( I have 2 brothers & 7 nephews)

Here are a couple of links to help you find your way...

Children's Health
http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/forum9.html

Traumatic Brain Injury and Post Concussion Syndrome
http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/forum92.html

Spinal Disorders & Back Pain
http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/forum22.html

Please feel free to roam around and join in anywhere!

If you any questions or need any assistance in finding your way around please don't hesitated to ask, someone will always be around to help in anyway that we can. I look forward to seeing you around the board.


Abbie

I, too, found this site while researching PCS. I was at my wit's end having to deal with the pain and depression from my concussion. My symptoms have pretty much resolved themselves, but there's no way I could've made it through the toughest parts without all the support I've found here! Please let me know if there's anything I can do for you!

Thank you for the information and the support. I wish there was more I could do for my son. I keep reassuring Austin that this will all go away and/or this is happening only because of the concussion.

Very similar story here, 48 hour soccer tournament, missed first concussion, then multiple minor concussions with headers and an elbow to the head. We are 7 months out. Look into P.O.T syndrome for the numbness in hands / feet issue, a good neurologist or cardiologist will diagnose this. Postural Orthostatic tachycardia syndrome - common with multiple TBIs. Our third neurologist recommended DHE IV therapy, we had constant intractable headache/ migraines, worked somewhat. Understand the wanting pain stopped. Good luck.

I'm so glad you found this site. Best thoughts going out for you & your son.

My 13 yr old son suffered a severe concussion on 09/29/11. Since then, our lives have been turned upside down. He has constant/every day headaches, terrible meltdowns with angry/violent mood swings, and constant lethargy. He is on 20 mg of amitriptyline (sp?), and Tylenol 3 only as needed.

Right after the accident in the ER he had a CT scan which came back clean. At the 4 week mark post accident, because of his continued and even increased symptoms, he had an MRI. It also came back not showing any skull francture, lesions, bleeding, etc.

He is only going to school for his core classes, every day from 10-2. That is still sometimes too much. The noise and fluorescent lights of school are his undoing, along with the concentration needed.

Our biggest adjustment is to his meltdowns. He literally 'snaps' and becomes this person we do not know. It seems to happen if he's dealing with a particualrly bad headache or has 'overdone' it for the day...over-stimulated/tired. He will start talking in this baby talk kind of voice, and then just becomes so very hateful and mean. He will order everyone around, demand things, and if you do not do what he wants or try and combat him in any way...watch out. He has become extremely violent at times. A couple of weeks ago he demanded that his sister (age 14) get up and give him the seat on the couch and let him watch TV. She did not recogize he was "in mode" and just handled it like a normal sibling spat. He lost it completely, physically attacking her while wild-eyed and purple in the face, screaming all the while that he was "going to slash her throat, beat her with a baseball bat...." Last night at bedtime he was feeling very bad and he couldn't sleep. After about 1 hr, he walked into my room, completely off-balance physically. I led him back into his room, and he starts thrashing around saying "Im going to kill someone. Someone's going to die." The night went on and on, and needless to say, I stayed on watch and edge all night.

None of this was even remotely in his character before the accident. It is truly like Jeckyll and Hyde. Right now I am just thankful that he is a little guy and not some big sized 13 yr old.

These really bad episodes are not constant or even every day. He does have some decent days. He almost always hits some sort of wall though at the end of the day, even if he just becomes irritiable and starts the baby talk thing.

The Dr he is seeing is a Sports Medicine guy who specializes in concussions. He has been very good with him, and us as well. He has said that with the severity of his concussion, we could still be seeing and dealing with symptoms for months to come. He has suggested that if at the 3 mos mark we are still dealing with a lot of the emotional issues, it may be time to dig our heels in for the 'long haul' recovery plan and to think about getting him with a Behavioral Specialist to help him cope through the next stage of his recovery.

First and foremost, we want to help him. It is breaking our hearts to literally watch our sweet boy turn into this mean/hateful/violent person we don't know. Secondly, we are struggling mightily to make sense and keep our heads above water in this new world we've entered into. Because of his revised school schedule, our work schedules have taken a beating. Because of his issues, our home life and family evenings are completely battered. My daughter is getting the brunt of his negative attention and our lack of positive attention due to all of our concentration on him, however hard we try for that not to be the case.

I really wouldn't wish any of this on anyone, but at the same time, if anyone out there has/is dealing with a similar situation, it woud be nice to hear from you.

Good morning! I was wondering how your son is doing now. ?? My daughter suffered a major concussion last November, and we're still dealing with her symptoms of headaches and emotional problems…depression, mood swings, personality change when she's over tired. I don't know how long this will go on for, and I would love to hear how he is, and how you coped/managed with this. I hope he's doing MUCH MUCH better!

Hi elkheds,
Welcome to the NeuroTalk Support Groups!

The original posts are from 2011.
I'm not sure if the previous posters are still visiting this site, but you might try reading and posting over on the

Traumatic Brain Injury and Post Concussion Syndrome Forum

There are other parents there who may be able to offer you some of their experiences.
It's a busy forum and the people there are very helpful.

All the best to you and your daughter.

elkheds,

It is great to have you come and be with us. You will fine a great number of dear friends to listen when you are in need of ears. Please, just let us know how we can help you out. You will find out we are supportive and relaxing place.

Please keep us up to date on your situation. Again welcome, looking forward to seeing you around. My thoughts and prayers are with you.

Darlene