I'm like a babe in the woods here. Some advice please?
 

Hi all!

Okay a little background. I'm a 32 year old woman and have never had any type of head trauma prior to early this past March. I whacked my head on the door frame of my car. I saw stars but didn't pass out. The following day I started experiencing all the classic symptoms: blurred vision, nausea, headaches, slurred and confused speech, the works. The CT scan was clear but I was off work for a few weeks. At or around week 3 I began experiencing sensory problems, specifically noise sensitivity. Went back to work for two weeks, mostly half days (if I made it half a day), and had a really hard time. I work in a kiosk in a mall and there's a lot of chatter and commotion that I can't get away from. I began experiencing panic attacks.

Fast forward to the second week of April and I managed to whack my head on the edge of my desk (biggest klutz in the world). Immediate headache, nausea and blurred vision. Yay. I've been a mess since. Headaches daily, dizziness and light-headedness, my balance is a mess and now I'm light sensitive as well as noise. My doctor diagnosed me with PCS the other day and I'm seeing a neurologist on Monday.

So I'm kinda lost in the weeds here. I've been off work again for the past 2 weeks, and essentially most of the past 5 weeks. As stated, my work environment is not conducive to a quiet day, and I also do fine-motor repairs which require concentration. Obviously nobody knows what my neurologist is going to say but does anybody have any predictions for me?

Thanks so much!

I'm not a doctor, but I think your recovery will take some time, probably at least a couple months. My reason for saying this is because you had two concussions in such a short period of time.

I have had multiple concussions, but I didn't realize it until I mentioned to my new doctor that I broke my nose a couple summers ago. I broke my nose by slamming face-first into a hard concrete floor.

Anyway, to get to the point, I'm now 4 months into another concussion - 2 years later - and am recovering veryyyyyyyyy slowlyyyyyyy. My doctor said that getting multiple concussions makes it harder to recover each time, even if your concussions were spread out over a long period of time.

Hope you find some relief soon! I can't even imagine working in a mall right now (I have worked retail gigs in the past), so I give you props for even making it through half a day.

Appreciate the response! I didn't realize I had suffered a concussion the first time as I had no noticeable symptoms the first day (although in retrospect my memory was starting to lapse - I went to Target after work and purchased a shirt. I have the shirt and the receipt but no memory of picking it out). When I woke up with blurry vision the following day I thought I just needed to get my eyes checked until I got to talking with my mom (a nurse) and said "you know I did hit my head yesterday." Not long after the nausea started and it was downhill from there.

And it absolutely sucked working in the mall like this. I closed on a Friday night and was all but rocking back and forth in the corner at one point. It was horrible. The other day I went with my family to a Max N Erma's to celebrate a birthday. BIG mistake. I spent more time outside than inside, and that's with my hat on and ear plugs in.

I just don't know what to expect with regards to work. I used up all my sick time and vacation time with the first one and, unfortunately, I never enrolled in the short term disability program so I'm not drawing any kind of paycheck right now. I've been working this job for years and who thinks about disability when you're young and healthy?

Anyway, sorry for rambling. Thanks again!

I can't imagine working in a mall with PCS!!!

I'm assuming you are using ear plugs. Can you wear some tinted sunglasses to cut the glare from the fluorescent lighting?

As for you symptoms, everyone's rehab is different. However, it took me a good year and half to start being able to do some of the everyday things I would typically do daily. I did 9 months of vestibular (balance) therapy, 2 months of vision therapy + glasses, (never had vision problems before); medications through a physical medicine and rehab doctor to manage symptoms; cognitive therapy via a speech therapist to help with attention and memory; etc.

I'm now 3 years post and attend grad school one class at a time. (I was previously working full time and going to school full time). My recovery has been slow, but I had two prior head injuries that may have caused damage I didn't realize I had. Another mistake I made was trying to work from home for the first month because I worked in a classroom and kept making lesson plans, etc for the teacher.

Another piece of advice, make sure your neurologist is very familiar with TBI. If not, they won't be of much help. Many do not know enough about "minor" head injuries, like concussion, to be very helpful. Mine made me feel like I was just going crazy and that my symptoms were psychosomatic.

The best thing you can do for yourself is to stop and rest. If you must work, then do absolutely nothing, (no tv, no computer... anything that is going to stimulate you), and just rest anytime you are not working.

Hope you get some relief on Tuesday!

I just looked her up and it says she's board certified in neurology, neurophysiology, neuromuscular disease and electrodiagnostic medicine and that she has a specific expertise in neuromuscular disease and multidisciplinary care for patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, but makes no mention of TBI. So now I'm a little concerned. Of course that could be because I have insomnia right now and haven't slept much tonight. I trust my GP and don't think she'd lead me wrong, but who knows. I know this neurologist is in network with my GP so maybe that's why she was referred. I dunno. Too many things to process lol :)

Thanks for the response!

Depending on how helpful the neurologist is (or isn't), you may also want to look into seeing a doctor in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. I got the best treatment suggestions from this type of doctor, rather than the neurologist as PM&R doctors are specialists in rehab and getting you back to where you were before.

Well I saw the neurologist today. I was a little worried given the warnings I got here but fortunately she seemed to know her stuff. She basically said that everything seems to be progressing well and I need to keep doing what I've been doing. I have a PT appointment tomorrow, and I hope they can help me with my neck because I've been getting stiff and sore necks with obnoxious frequency. I also have a massage scheduled tomorrow evening so that'll be great :) Unfortunately I'm off work still for at least 2 more weeks if not more but I guess there's really nothing I can do about that. Just take that time and heal.

Thanks for the help guys!

Everyone's path is quite different when it comes to an injury to the brain.

I can closely relate to needing a quiet environment! Without it I fail to focus and my senses are overwhelmed.

If possible read as much as you can here without bringing out your symptoms. This forum, these people have gotten me through very dark times when I was very disconnected from myself. Many, many good people here.

Peace and wellness,

Jace

Socks, I wish you luck! I started PT today and although I am sore, I definitely foresee this helping my intense neck pain recover.

Well now my neurologist is playing dumb. I distinctly heard her say I should be off work 2-3 more weeks minimum last week. My mom was sitting right there and heard the same thing. I called today to try to clarify that and she's saying she never said I needed to be off work. I already was off last week and will be off this week. So now I'm having to see if she'll write me a note covering me through this week and I'll have to go back next week even though I'm not sure I'll be ready. Hopefully she writes the note otherwise I don't know what I'll do. Go back to my GP and ask her to do it I guess? I had been pleased with her but now I'm beginning to change my mind.

If you want a second opinion, you can also look into seeing a specialist in physical medicine and rehabilitation. Referrals here: https://www.aapmr.org/patients/findp...s/default.aspx

yes 2nd opinon
 

Sounds like it's time to fire that doc and get one who will be clear with you. Good that you took someone with you to yr appts. Keep doing that and take notes and bring your questions.

I hope you can get the time you need to heal. I had to take time off and am much better for it.

Good lluck and keep us posted

Sincerely

poetrymom