Post Concussion Syndrome?
 

3 months ago I hit my head so hard that I fractured my frontal sinus bone. This resulted in a concussion and I was feeling symptoms of PCS (light headed, nausea) for about 2 months, then I started feeling pretty much normal. I started feeling slight symptoms such as light-headedness and nausea again a few days ago. This started the same day I began weight training again. 2 weeks after the concussion I tried to lift weights for a few days and this made my symptoms worse, so I stopped. Although this could be a coincidence, I think there is a correlation, since no other factors such as diet or stress have changed. Why would weight lifting cause my symptoms to come back? How long should I wait to start weight training again after I feel symptom free? Can I do light cardio exercise? Any diet recommendations?

Just to let you know, I have had 2 CAT scans and seen a neurosurgeon. The doctors did not find anything wrong on the cat scan (with the exception of the fracture)

You might want to read about chiropractic and the C1 -C 2 alignment also called the atlas and axis or upper cervical adjustment.

Could possibly be the vertebral artery getting affected by misalignments in the c spine.

Chiropractic care info- a good one can help with many symptoms:
http://www.upcspine.com/self.htm
http://www.uppercervical.org/subpag...b/about_faq.php
http://www.spineuniverse.com/index.html
http://www.coloradochiropractic.org/.../glossary.html

I dont think it has anything to do with my spinal cord. No neck pain or stiffness to indicate there is a problem with my spinal cord. I have seen 4 or 5 doctors and all agree that it is a result of the concussion. Just wondering if anyone knew why intense exercise would lead to my symptoms coming back. Does weight lifting decrease the flow of blood to the brain or something?

I was slightly misaligned for years and didn't know it - had no pain.
until I got shoulder & repetitive strain injuries.

The injuries aggravated the misalignments and more or less a chain reaction from there.

Do you have any symptoms in your hands or arms?
Can you hold arms overhead or forward for a long time with out any problems? like blood flow, numbess or tingling?

I was going to ask about holding hands and arms over head.

You might try weights in hands just small to start and moving
up. And things like that. I know I've been in physical therapy
from a post concussion since september, and its connected
to my neck. I'm just about ready to go out of therapy, but
will always probably need my tens machine. For the tension
in my neck and things. I still can't lift my arm's over my head
that well but its just that I've not used them that way much
yet. I need to slowly start doing things again.

Donna

Weight Lifting
 

Weight Lifting increases intracranial pressure alot and if you have not completely healed yet it relapses your symptoms. Your brain is not healthy enough to accomodate the change in pressure. Running also does to a lesser extent. You probably still need less intensity for a time.

Nancy,

That explains it. Do you have a link to this information or did you hear it from a doctor? I would like to read more about it. Thanks!

Nancy is right. I've suffered from PCS for almost a year and a half now and have similar symptoms. Prior to my symptoms, I lifted weights and ran on a daily basis. Since the symptoms started, I haven't been able to do anything physical at all, let alone lifting or running.

My advice is take it easy, as hard as it may be. I've tried months upon months of chiropractic as well, and it was no help. Chiropractic is likely not going to help with PCS.

dbc11 - do you think you are getting better or do you think this is a permanent thing? It's been close to 4 months for me since my concussion. Sometimes I think I am getting better b/c I feel good for a week or 2, then I start feeling symptoms again. Very frustrating.

I'm really not sure if I'm getting better. I'll have a few weeks where I do feel largely better, similar to what you said, but then I'll have symptoms again. The symptoms continually evolve too and they occur even without exertion. Like I'll have a couple weeks of a lot of lightheadedness, then a couple weeks of headaches, then a couple where I have more psychological stuff, like panic attacks and obsessive thoughts. It's a cycle of different symptoms it seems. But no matter what the other symptoms are, exertion makes them worse and brings on headaches and lightheadedness almost instantly.

Hey dbc 11,


Could you please read my thread titled "Please Help". It should be slightly underneathe this thread. Have you experienced these symptoms. I, too, have obsessive thoughts. You have suffered from this for so long. How do you do it. I have had PCS for 5 1/2 months (only mental symptoms, no headaches or anything. the only type of headaches I get, come from long weightlifting sessions and its only a headache in my eyes. I know that sounds weird, but only the back of my eyes hurt. I'd really like to stay in tough with you and discuss a few things. Thanks

I am a nurse in a neuro ICU and know what activities increase intracranial pressure and they are avoided as patients heal. I just figured if those activities brought symptoms back that may be why. Stress also increases ICP. Anything that increases your blood pressure alot will. The only encouraging advice I have for you guys is that most people who are reporting their symptoms here seem to be still a year or under from their injury, perhaps the others are feeling better and thus not on line anymore. I am thinking this still just needs more time for you all. My son and I are going to see a neuro psych doctor tomm who is an expert on this. If I find out anything of help, I will let you know.

Hi Nancy,

I've just read your reply above. Did you find any useful information about how long it takes to recover fully from PCS? Or about how stress brings symptoms back again. Thank you for any info.

Mint

Mint

I thought I would let you know that most of us that suffer pcs now go to
the forum for this. And TBI. So you might find these issues there.

Donna

PCS IS VERY OBJECTIVE.In reading and thru personal experience, the symptoms can run the gamit.Do you know what the symptoms are? Until I saw the symptoms in print, I thought I was going crazy. Anyway... relapses do happen. As the RN explained about the blood pressure. My relapse was from a sinus infection, which landed me in the ER and an admission for overnight.That was 12/27 and I am still out of work. I went 10 1/2 mo. without major symptoms. I would have slight dizziness,nauseau and processing problems on a regular basis, but to a minor degree.
From the docs I've seen,they encourage getting back to your normal life asap, but as you've found out that is hard to do. It's a true balancing act.

Pcs
 

Hello Nancy, I have PCS for the past 18 months and having a hard time getting through the day because of all the things that go along with it. How did you make out with your situation? John

koncession aren't detected in scans
 

I didn't think I had anything wrong with my head, as it was scanned at the ER. But I later learned at the Upstate Medical Concussion Center here in CNY - that concussions don't show up in scans. These will detect fractures and bleeds, but not concussion.

el

Upstate Concussion Clinic
 

I too have been going to the Upstate Concussion Clinic since August. I think we are very lucky to have a program, however I'm stumped as to why we don't see a neurologist...I have never had an MRI??? Have you?
Thanks -Ann
:confused:

I know this post is nearly 10 years old but that is what I'm dealing with almost exactly. Any updates?

Steve,

What specific symptoms are you referring to ?

None of the posters to this thread have been around in a long time.