First concussion; why do I still have headaches?
 

Hi everyone,

You all seem wonderful, caring and supportive. I've been lurking for a couple months now, thank you for providing this space. This has been a big learning process for me, considering this is my first (noted) experience with traumatic brain injury.

I suffered a concussion on August 5th, almost 3 months ago now. This is my first (noted, substantial) concussion. I was wakeboarding and slammed hard off a jump. The next few weeks were riddled with headaches; didn't think they would last long. I had gone back to work (lifeguarding) prematurely, as I was at the time uneducated on proper concussion protocol.

Research told me I needed to rest, so I then did. Probably for around 2-3 weeks no mental or physical stimulation. Eventually I had to return to school for the fall. Still rested, taking things easy, but started having to use the computer more and more. Still had hope things would improve soon.

I've been going to a chiropractor since shortly after the accident. He has helped me immensely with the whiplash from the accident, working on my upper neck (cervicogenic, vestibular?). My neck pain is now completely gone, but the headaches remain. I was hopeful this would rid me of them; it hasn't. Lately I've been trying swimming a couple times a week; generally I find this helpful and the exercise is nice. Prior to this injury, I was very active, loved going to the gym.

My diet consists of leafy greens and vegetables, meats, eggs, rice, safe starches, and fruits. No inflammatory foods, gluten dairy or otherwise; I have food allergies, so I eat very healthy. I've been taking vitamins and supplements since a couple weeks after the injury; Curcumin, B complex, C, D, A, Alpha lipoic acid, Phosphytidalserene, and Fish Oil.

I'm currently supposed to be writing a thesis, but the headaches make this very hard to do. They range from mild to moderate, and are present everyday. I'm seriously considering dropping my thesis and taking a lightened course load, in order to rest more thoroughly.

I suppose I'm distraught, frustrated, concerned, and tired of symptoms, like most are. I respect that some of you have very serious and debilitating symptoms; my heart goes out to you. I understand no one can probably tell me when my headaches will subside, but any insights are appreciated, and thank you for listening.

clandestine,

Welcome to NeuroTalk.

As you know, there is no way to predict how long your head aches will last. I have had head aches be chronic for 6 months after a head impact. Your class work is not beneficial to healing. The chiro may help with your neck pain but may be causing enough upper neck trauma to keep you head aches going. If he is doing the 'twist the head and pop the neck' adjustment, it may be too aggressive. Have you done any icing of your upper neck ? Are you tender to the touch behind your ears (the bony part) ?

btw, Add some B-12 to your regimen. 1000 to 2500 mcgs per day. A B Complex likely has only 50 mcgs of B-12.

You might talk with your disabilities department and ask if they have any suggestions for dealing with PCS with a full course load.

I got injured July 19, and I keep asking myself the same question. I wish us a speedy (if you can talk about speedy after three months) recovery. :D Hang in there!

Mark, thank you for the warm welcome.

With regards to the classwork not being beneficial, is it the mental strain? Or the computer use? Both? I'm in a design program; my coursework is very computer heavy.

A major question I've been wondering this whole time: how much screen use is okay? Does screen use (computer, phone, etc.) impede my healing?

The chiropractor is very knowledgeable, and utilizes a gentle massage technique to free up restrictions in the neck. I have done icing on my upper neck, usually after visits and sometimes when my headaches are bad at home. I am not tender to the touch behind my ears.

Theoretically, should another month of rest with a lightened course load help me?

I will definitely try to add B-12 to my regimen, thanks for the suggestion.

Thanks thorx, the reply is much appreciated, knowing others are going through something similar.

Is this your first concussion? What are your symptoms? All the best.

Welcome clandestine. :Tip-Hat:

Visual processing, especially for computer work, is an intense neurological load. I would eliminate any unnecessary screen time, smart phone, etc. Also, take eyes closed breaks as often as possible. Any kind of mental strain is detrimental to recovery. Try to moderate your intensity level with breaks.

Does the chiro do the c1 c2 /upper cervical adjusting also?
If no,t that might be one more thing to try, from an expert.

If neck muscles are tight - even if they don't feel painful they could still be tight- does he use ultrasound , NIMMO, IF stim, low level laser, any mention of trigger points?
*trigger points can cause referred pain like headaches and many other referred pain spots.
clickable chart for trigger point info -
http://www.pressurepointer.com/pain_reference_chart.htm

Another option to try is headache preventive medicine, though these do sometimes come with unwanted side effects. Elavil (amitriptyline) is commonly prescribed for post-concussive headaches, and if they are migraines you might also have success with something like Topamax (topiramate).

Thanks for the insights. I've already got f.lux and workrave installed on my pc, so hopefully those help to some degree.

One more thing I would like to ask you Mark; what about weight training? How long after having sustained a concussion can a person typically get back to regular exercise? I've read and heard conflicting things regarding returning to the gym; the information is all over the place.

I imagine the answer is somewhere along the lines of "when you no longer feel symptoms", but was wondering if you (or anyone else reading!) had any idea.

Hello Jo*mar; not sure if my chiro does c1 c2 /upper cervical adjusting. He's been working all over my neck and the back of my head, and has mentioned the words "upper cervical" and "vestibular", but I can't be certain I suppose unless I ask.

And nope, no ultrasound, NIMMO, IF stim, low level laser, or any mention of trigger points. Uses his hands.

Thank you for the chart! I'll take a look.

Hi Eowyn; unfortunately I'm terribly stubborn about taking (or not taking, rather) medication for the headaches. I personally prefer to understand when a headache is occuring, and how bad it is, so I can log it properly.

It's a bit hard to explain, but I'd rather not mask the headaches, and prefer to feel them exactly as they are, so I know where I am in my recovery.

Nevertheless I absolutely appreciate you posting, and the advice you've given. If I were in a more dire situation, say if the headaches were debilitating, I would definitely consider prescription medications.

Hey. You can read more about my injury in my older posts, particularly http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/thread208673.html. I thought the least I could do was document it for posterity. :D

Basically, I went through similar things that you have while trying to get back on my feet as quickly as I could (total rest for 2–3 weeks, vitamins, supplements, fish oil, lecithin...). I have been doing much better now in my third and fourth month, but I have yet to shed the headaches. My doctor says it's not unusual after a strong hit to the head and that it could take a couple more months (quite a stretch from the "you'll be OK within 10 days" that they gave me in the ER).

It's nice that you swim. Physical activity should be conducive to neurogenesis. I was a very active (both sports-wise and intellectually) person before my concussion, but I have somewhat let myself go physically now. Time to do something about it. :) Especially after coming across articles like this one https://thevreelandclinic.wordpress....-lift-weights/. I found it yesterday, and it should partly answer your question about weight lifting.

Best of luck in your healing!

The challenge with weight lifting is the straining, especially of the neck muscles. This can cause blood pooling in the head and such. If you can weight lift but remain relaxed, especially in your neck, it may be OK.