PCS won't go away, no sign of improvement after 4 months
 

I was hit on my bike while going down hill 4 months ago. A cab driver opened his car door without looking, I had no time to react. I hit the door, flipped over it and tumbled down the hill (thankfully I was wearing a helmet, but still...)
Since then I have had uncontrollable constant burping, that is occasionally accompanied by acidic fluid. I can't eat much, if I do and I burp, the food comes up.
I have dull throbbing headaches, that at times turn into debilitating intense migraines. These include blurred vision and dizziness.
I can't stand up fast or move my head too fast without needing to pause for a second to let my vision catch up with my body (hard to explain)
I cannot stress physically or emotionally without starting to gag and/or throw up.
I have been off work since, and don't feel close to being ready to go back yet. The only thing I do is swim (I used to be quite the swimmer and I've had to tone it down and can't bring my heart rate up but I can lightly kick slowly swim until it starts to bother me, then I rest)
My injury is not physically apparent so no one seems to understand what I'm going through. A lot of people neglect me as they feel I should be better by now.
I've been seeing a doctor regularly and he just suggests massage and sleeping pills. I've had an MRI which came up clean, however a bulge in my c6 showed up that is apparently contacting my nerve route.

I have never participated in anything like this before (a forum) but I've been searching through them randomly to get some answers and I thought I would write my own story and see if anyone out there relates to this and has any idea what is happening to me. I don't feel like I'm getting better at all, and really hope it didn't do permanent damage leaving me burping up fluid forever.

Thank you,
Aleis

welcome to the board. there will be others along that know more than me but I can tell you that you are early in the recovery faze. it can take up to 2 years to heal to your full extent. right now time is on your side. it is very hard for others to understand head injuries because most of the time we look normal. try to explain what you have read here and even show people that care this website so they can see you ae not alone and you need to find a doctor that believes you. good luck.

Aleis,

Welcome to NeuroTalk.

I am not surprised to read that you have a bulge at C-6. I was going to suggest you get thoroughly checked out for a neck injury and even an upper back injury down to T-3. A chiropractor may be able to help or maybe a physiotherapist. Some gentle traction and mobilization would be helpful. I was treated by a physical therapist (physiotherapist) who is an expert in myofacial release who was able to get my stomach and esophagus working correctly.

You may have a rib partially dislocated from the vertebra. Either of these is not a one time fix. It takes time and discipline to allow the joints to heal and tighten up.

My condition was a version of Thoracic Outlet Syndrome.

The first time I experienced this problem, I lost 14 pounds in 2 weeks. I could hardly swallow.

I hope you can find help to get some relief.

My best to you.

I have nothing really to add... Just wanted to say Welcome!

Thanks for the quick replies!
 

I am really glad I signed on to this!!


I might need to find a new doctor, problem is this one was referred to me by my lawyer for specializing in MVA's.
He has prescribed massage therapy, but I am a massage therapist and I had my husband rub my neck where I thought he would need to, and it made me sick. So I'm scared of having someone mess around without knowing exactly what the problem is.
My major concern is the burping and acid reflux. I've been recommended by friends to try apple cider vinegar and I've been taking it for a week each morning.

the brain is the lifeline to the body and an injury can affect us all in many different way. I had urinary problems that went away with time. I would do what mark in Idaho suggested and maybe see a gastro doctor and explain what happened. I'm years into my injury and a massage still hurts me. let your doctor know what you feel and if he doesn't help tell your lawyer you want a different doctor. you are very early in recovery so be patient although I know it is hard. and feel free to ask anythibg you want.

Thanks!

I was planning on asking to be referred to a GI specialist at my next Dr appointment. At the very least I would like to make sure this acidic stuff isn't doing any damage to my oesophagus.

Sucks when you can't get a massage, I'm sure you'd agree that it would at least help the stress if anything!

yeah I'm taking it easy and taking my time recovering, it's hard when you used to be very independent and now are forced to rely on people to help you. Also when your partner doesn't really notice or see it as serious as it is. It's like an invisible injury to most people, except for my burping and being generally slower than I am used to.

Sorry if it seems like I'm venting, it's just the first time since I was injured that I've felt a little understood.

The first time this happened to me, I went to a gastro doctor who teaches at Stanford. He was clueless. When I found the problem, he refused to believe me.

I would not rely on a massage therapist. Most do not have the medical knowledge to find the problem. Massage therapists have their place but not with this kind of an injury.

With my physical therapist, she did somewhat painful myofacial release and very gentle traction and mobilization. This kind of injury will not image very well. You need someone with good but gentle hands.

Have you considered whether you may have a hiatal hernia to go along with your back injury ? The fall could have jammed your stomach up into your diaphragm wall. Do you know how to do heal drops to resolve a hiatal hernia ?

Do you have access to a physiatrist (Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation) ? They are often good at these non-orthopedic but skeletal injuries.

My best to you.

I understand!! This is the only place I feel understood. As you said, this is an invisible injury and in my experience, even family members have a hard time grasping what you are going through.

I had the exact same reaction to RMT, so glad to know the inside scoop on massage therapy. I don't think RMT is a way to go for PCS as Mark said here or somewhere else.

vent away. we have each other to vent to even if no one else will listen. fortunately most of you will get better and disappear but mark in Idaho hocky and probably I will be still be here.

Welcome - and feel free to vent your heart out. We all understand the frustration of living with an "invisible" injury.

I'm afraid I can't provide much personal insight into your symptoms. Aside from trouble swallowing, I was largely spared TBI related digestive/eating issues. However, while there's little doubt that some of your problems are related to injuries your body suffered as you tumbled down the hill (yikes), don't discount brain injury from the scenario.

The brain is your body's control system, directing everything, including digestion. I knew a TBI patient who would throw up - and then continue to eat. The doctors were stymied. Obviously this person wasn't nauseous. Turns out the initial cat scan had missed a subdural hemotoma that was pressing on the area of the brain believed to control the vomit reflex. By the time the hemotoma was finally discovered, it was too large to remove easily. In time, it shrunk away on its own - and the vomiting ended.

see a sports medicine doctor.
 

I received a concussion just before Easter from a motorcycle accident. What I was experiencing wasn't easily described. I felt like I wasn't getting through to my doctor what exactly was going on. I started to feel like I was going crazy. That was until I went to a sports medicine doctor. I finally felt like someone understood me. He got me set up on the right track and most of my symptoms are gone after a few weeks of physical therapy.

Good luck to you!!

Hey meezazu, what exactly were your symptoms that went away after a week of PT? I also had my concussion on a motorcycle.