2 years ago the day before my birthday I had a tubing accident. I hit a wake and the rest happened so quickly. My neck snapped (my main concern at the time) and my head bounced off my shoulder. Next I went head first into the water at high speeds.

My initial thought when my next snapped was "oh no! that's not good" I thought I had messed up my neck pretty bad. When I fell into the water I lost consciousness, but am not sure for how long... maybe just a few seconds. As my next thought was "why can't I breathe?" I told myself it was because I hadn't taken a good enough breath before I went under.

I swam to the top and even swam back to the boat, but couldn't pull myself up. I was so very disoriented. Everything was foggy, my ears started to ring and hurt like heck, then I felt as if I would loose my bowels and throw up at the same time.

Still unaware of my head injury I proceeded to enjoy the rest of the day and even the next day (my actual birthday) saying I was fine. Though my friends showed concern for my lethargy, slow speech and pace, and intermittent loss of balance. It wasn't until two days later I knew something was wrong. I was in pain and just felt off.

By the time I got to the hospital I could barley speak and required my mom's assistance to keep me steady when walking or standing. When I did speak I had a pretty bad stutter (which lasted 2 weeks) and found myself using my hands a lot, almost like an attempt to use sign language.

After loads of test, plenty of meds, and a frustrated me sitting there for hours unable to form proper sentences; it was decided that I would stay in the hospital over night for observation.
Prognosis: severe concussion and swelling on the brain. I don't really remember much details about my stay or conversations with the doctors. But I was told to stay off of work for 2 weeks (I only took 1) and if my speech didn't get better I would have to go to a speech therapist.
Well almost 2 years later, my speech is back to normal and the weakness in my left side is completely gone. What I am left with is a ton of questions...

I was someone with a high IQ, 2 degrees, a photographic memory, and a huge sense of responsibility. Now I am just "off" my short term memory is not what it used to be. I struggle with motivation to participate in the outside world. I don't have the same level of concentration as before. I feel like my verbal expression has suffered, whilst insomnia is now a common word in my vocabulary.
What I have been searching for, is help. Are there any studies on the long term effects of severe concussions or brain swelling?
I am not completely altered, but I notice the change and I am just looking for some answers. If anyone can point me in the right direction I'd be so grateful.
*I know this was all a mouthful. Thank you for taking the time to read this*

Hi FriendlyFriend

Welcome to NeuroTalk .

I am sorry to read about what you have experienced.

My suggestion is that you check out the "Traumatic Brain Injury and Post Concussion Syndrome" NT forum (https://www.neurotalk.org/forum92/).

It is a very active forum - many NT members live with the consequences of brain injury. You are most welcome to share your story there - I am confident that other members will be able to offer you thoughts, support and suggestions.

All the best.

Hello FriendlyFriend: I'm just stopping by the say welcome to NeuroTalk! I trust you will find the time you spend here to be of benefit.

I'm sorry I am not able to address your concerns. However here's a link to a PsychCentral article regarding brain changes & how they can persist well after the concussion has occurred. (PsychCentral is NeuroTalk's sister website, by the way, in case you're not familiar.) Perhaps this article can at least get you started in the right direction. Also note the other articles there are links to at the bottom of the page:

Brain Changes Can Persist 6 Months After Severe Concussion | Psych Central News

My best wishes to you...