[brett202]

Hello everyone out there.

I guess if you are reading this you are probably also suffering directly or have someone close to you who is battling. "Kia Kaha" which means stay strong in Moari.

I guess I am trying to get some support from others who may have gone through what I have, and I hate to admit it but I'm looking for a bit of reassurance that things are going to be ok. Because at times it sure doesn't feel like it.

My story goes like this. I was on holiday in Vanuatu for a friends wedding where I got quite drunk at the stag do. The next day I was throwing up in the bath then all I remember is waking up with a sore left eye and a bulge like an egg out of the lower left corner near my temple. I was out for maybe only seconds and assume I hit my head on the bath or floor.

I am, or should I say at this point was, a rugby union player and had two heavy knocks to the head during the season and one of which had me unconscious for again just a few seconds about 6 weeks before the incident in Vanuatu.

I felt relatively fine after this and for the rest of the holiday continued with activities like walking, snorkelling, scuba etc. I didn't get drunk again though.
It wasn't till I got home to New Zealand maybe 5 days after the head knock and started in the gym that I didn't feel right. I tried to work out but just gave up due to light headedness and feeling off, I started to think possibly I had picked up a tropical parasite or bug.

After a few days of this I had, what I think looking back now was, an anxiety attack and ended up in the hospital. Where they ran bloods, a neurological exam, blood pressure, reflexes, urine etc. Everything was clear but they did tell me I may have PCS and it should clear up in days or a week if I avoid heavy exercise.

I had symptoms and major anxiety for about 3.5 weeks and nothing was getting better so I went to a Doctor (now in Australia) who said I was just having anxiety but go for a c.t scan just in case. Thankfully the C.T scan was clear and the doctor there said just keep battling and it will come right.

It has been nearly two months since I hit my head and I have days where it's ok, never perfect, but then I have days where I really feel like I am going to die. Anyone else experience these feelings of impending doom?

My symptoms are,

light headedness and a very mild vertigo( it just feels like things are unstable, not spinning)

Brain fog,

Ringing in the ears.

Major anxiety.

Sensitivity to glare, if I have to talk to someone in a room where there is glare behind them I get very uneasy and anxious and have hot flushes.

Nausea, lately this has been worse high in my stomach around my liver area.

Thank my lucky stars that headaches have been few and far between.

Can any one offer me an advice or any words of support. I feel kind of alone on this, medical staff all just say I need ride it out and have not referred me to specialist help, my partner who is a nurse agrees with them and she also tells me to tough it out.

Until this happened I was a superfit 28yo who felt bullet proof and was never ever sick so the past two months have been very nervous journey into uncharted territory. Any other travellers who can help?

[alt1268]

Hi and welcome to Neurotalk,

It sounds like you really got drunk and it has caused you such a dilemina. Please check out post concussion and anxiety forums. Here we are all friends and we learn from each other.

[Darlene]

Brent,

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.

The forums as to where alt1268 told you to check onto are:

Traumatic Brain Injury and Post Concussion Syndrome
http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/forum92.html
Anxiety and OCD:
http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/forum50.html

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