Mild concussion
 

Hey folks,

I'm new to the concussion scene. My girlfriend and I were rear-ended last Tuesday in our car and the emerg doctor said I had a minor concussion. I was heading to Boston on the Thursday for the weekend and even though I felt a little foggy and had some pressure in my head/headaches it was a fairly good weekend. I suffer from generalized anxiety disorder and I'm a bit of a hypochondriac so I've been really focused on my symptoms since the accident.

Flash forward to Monday July 3 - I returned to work (computer work) but felt the dizzy/foggy feeling worsen slightly and was accompanied with headaches. So I went to the doctor and he gave me a note to take the rest of the week off. I've been resting since, no tv, no reading, sleeping lots.

Today was the first day I went for a slow 30 minute walk and watched a few movie trailers on my phone. I've also been colouring in an adult colouring book to pass the time. But the foggy feeling and pressure with headaches doesn't seem to want to leave. Any advice or tips to help? I'm nervous because I don't have any sick time left at work and I have to go back next Monday. I just want this to go away.

Thanks
S

Me too
 

I had a concussion about a month ago. I was told it was mild to moderate, to take a week off. Now, one month later, I'm still feeling confused, depressed, etc. I was told to see a neurologist if you've had a head injury. I'm thinking I should have done that. They say not to get too hyper vigilant, over-thinking everything. But it's tough to ignore. Sometimes, I've read, these post-concussion symptoms can last for a long time. After a while, people consider your change in personality to be psychological when, in reality, they have a physiological origin. Anyway. I felt super alone so I went to a TBI support group. Mistake. Everyone else in the group had had major brain surgery and I felt like such a loser complaining about my "mild" concussion.

Are you watching tv and using computers and stuff again? My doctor said to avoid all that stuff so I'm laying in bed with nothing but my anxious thoughts. I feel so useless.

You can listen to calming relaxing music.. or some books on tape type of things...
a craft of some sort.. paint, carve, cook, sew, knit...
mainly the no screen suggestion is to avoid the visual & stimulating effects of TV, phone, computer screens..

mild concussion
 

I am, now. But I had to stay away from everything for ten LOOOOOONNNNGGGGG days. I limit my computer time now and can only watch TV for a short while. But you're right, going without all that stuff is really challenging. I thought I was going to go crazy.

Man that sucks. I love tv haha. How about reading a book?

Scoots,

As Jo*Mar said, the no screens means no stimulating screens, etc. It is important to stimulate good brain blood flow to help the brain purge the toxins from the injury. Napping and too much rest can disrupt getting good sleep at proper sleep times. You want to maintain proper sleep times and get quality sleep.

Find a low stress activity will be beneficial. I would expect you to also need some neck care. Many concussion symptoms are magnified by subtle upper neck injuries that cause inflammation that can disrupt vertebral blood flow to the brain. Icing your neck can be helpful.

Read the Vitamins sticky for some good info. Be sure to check the recipe for crushable ice packs. Most of the information is in the first post and one on page 46. (linked from the first post)

Henry,

Welcome to NeuroTalk. There are some struggles that the serious TBI group have that pertain to PCS but a TBI group may be too much early on.

What struggles are you having ?

What have you done to try to recover ?

Thank you for the great ideas. My friend actually bought me an adult colouring book so I've been using that and I enjoy cross stitching so I will try that out tomorrow and see how that makes me feel. I've also attempted reading tonight and it doesn't seem to be affecting me poorly.

It's funny you should mention my neck, I was just thinking a massage might help. I've noticed depending on some sitting positions I can feel strain on my neck and shoulders and even some strain in my head. So I think icing my neck is a good idea. I will continue to avoid screens as much as possible.

Thanks again
S

I've read that most people tend to feel worse in the evening but I've noticed one of my worst times is in the morning when I first wake up. I tend to feel tingling and minor pressure down my neck and across my shoulders, across the back and front of my head and over my temples. Does anyone else tend to feel worse when they first wake up?

On a positive note, I tried reading last night before bed and I didn't feel any headaches or pressure in my head. I also feel fairly clear of mind this morning.

Well that turned around fast. I'm starting to feel panicked that I'll never get better. There are some pretty awful stories on here about symptoms dragging on for a long time. I don't think I could handle that.

I'm a very anxious person and I tend to catastrophize things - I was doing a thought record earlier and I couldn't remember what CBT stood for (cognitive behavioural therapy) for about a minute and then I thought I was having memory loss. Anyway, I've been off all this week but having nothing but my thoughts has allowed me to work myself up a lot.

I'm supposed to go back to work on Monday and even though I still have symptoms the idea of being home alone with my thoughts freaks me out. Not to mention I'm out of sick time so I need to go back to work to get paid. But then the thought of going to work and potentially making things worse by doing computer work also makes me anxious. I feel so trapped in my anxiety and concussion symptoms. Does anyone have any words of encouragement right now?

Thanks
S

Mark,

Thanks for your question. I tripped over my dog's leash a month ago, fell about six feet to the concrete, then slammed the back of my head on a iron railing. I don't know how long I was out. A neighbor drove me to the ER. I was fairly lucid, so the Dr. sent me home with a one-page recovery sheet. I didn't realize - and no one told me - that concussion symptoms can last. So 14 days later, on vacation, I fell into a serious depression and began to word-swap (accidentally use the wrong noun). when I returned, I contacted my own physician, a psychiatrist about my depression, and a neurologist (who encouraged me to attend the TBI support group.) My brain only has so much daily life in it and I begin to tune out around 5pm. I've had zero attention span and a very major depression (unlike me). I also have zero impulse control and a short fuse - so I'm telling everyone off and alienating people left and right. My symptoms are all textbook so I'm just biding my time, trying to be good to myself. I wear sunglasses still and I'm not making decisions about anything right now. The depression is the worst symptom. It's been debilitating and frightening. But I think, with meds, I've got a handle on it right now and it was never a self-destructive depression, just a deep gloom. I am feeling better now. It was good to meet with a specialist and hear that nothing I'm going through is out of the ordinary.

I'm finding that over-thinking this situation is making it worse for me. I tend to be obsessive so I understand the impulse. I wrote a short list of the symptoms I need to focus on (brain tiredness, light sensitivity, depression, attention span, physical pain) and I've tried to not constantly assess every other part of my life. I'm lucky in that I don't have to work this summer. I can't imagine having to focus for my job right now. Sorry about that. I'd say, don't get sucked into thinking every sensation you're experiencing is about the concussion. you'll go nuts. But not ignoring the fact that you are healing is important. You do have limitation. Anyway, that's my take on it. As far as reading goes, I'm beginning to read, too, with no side effects. TV and computer time still give me a headache.

Henry,

You said "I wrote a short list of the symptoms I need to focus on (brain tiredness, light sensitivity, depression, attention span, physical pain) and I've tried to not constantly assess every other part of my life."

What do you mean by focus on these symptoms ?

It is better to not focus on symptoms but instead just accept that they will manifest from time to time. If you feel mentally tired, slow down and take a break. Move to a different environment to change the stimulation.

Mark,

I tend to plow forward and ignore what my body is telling me it needs. So by focus, I mean not ignore. Just be aware.

Mark,

How do you accept the symptoms you have and just move on with them. I feel like every time a symptom returns or feels a little worse I feel so beaten. I'm so worried as the symptoms continue that they are going to get worse and keep me from getting back to a healthy mind and body.

Henry,

That's good. Being aware of when these symptoms manifest so you can slow down or doing something else to no exacerbate them is good. Some people get stuck tracking these symptoms so their focus is "How am I responding to light ?" "Am I feeling tired" etc. and even track them in a journal/smart phone app. This can make symptoms appear worse.

So, stay the course and just be aware of the need to make small changes when symptoms start or increase. It is sometimes as simple as, "Symptom X is manifesting mildly and I can tolerate that level of Symptom X. I don't need to do anything about it except it may not be a time to take on extra work or stress. "

For me, these are 'No driving' days or 'No groups with lots of voices' days or maybe 'No TV news drama' days or evenings.

We don't need to climb into a hole. Just simple moderation can make our days go much better. For some, this lowered stress level is found to be an improvement to life and they choose to live a less stressful life regardless of PCS.

So, good for you. Sounds like you are making good choices.

My best to you.

Scoots, It sounds like your struggle is more than just PCS. Your anxiety can be a big contributor to your ups and downs. It sounds like you are trying some therapy. Brain nutrition helps the brain tolerate stress. Check out the Vitamins sticky at the top. Many of us find benefit to at least the basics, B-12, a B-50 Complex, D-3, Omega 3 fish oil, the anti-oxidants (C and E).

The anxious brain often needs more nutritional support. Caffeine can be a problem. MSG, added sugar, and such can be detrimental.

Good sleep is of paramount importance. If you go to bed anxious, you will not likely get good sleep. Finding a way to settle your mind before bed is helpful. I write down anything I need to do the next day so I don't obsess over it as I try to go to sleep. The act of writing down these tasks/issues is like setting them into a memory for tomorrow and helps many people let go of the thought.

The Serenity prayer has good logic and can help by just dividing the different issues, The things I can change, The things I can't, and wisdom to know the difference.

Your morning stiffness and other sensations suggest a neck issue. You may be able to resolve it by changing your sleep posture. Most people sleep with too much neck elevation. You should be trying to sleep with your head supported with your spine straight.

Hey there,
First I have to say thank you for all the kind words and support during this tough time. It's great to know there are good people out there with nothing but the best interests in mind.

So as I've mentioned I'm an anxious guy. I had something new happen to me the last few nights that has me worrying (go figure haha). I would love some feedback if anyone else has had this.

When I go to bed I generally feel ok - ready to sleep, concussion symptoms arent as bad for me at night. But the last few nights any time I start to drift off to sleep it's like my body is hit with a course of adrenaline or a shock. Sometimes it jolts me awake, most times it's just annoying enough to keep me from falling asleep.

If I am asleep I can be woken up suddenly by similar jolts in my head or body that basically send me into panic attack mode - even though I didn't feel panicked when I went to bed.

Has anyone else suffered from something like this? I assume it's my anxiety - am I right?

Thanks for the help,
S

Scoots,

Yes, those jolts are common. They are a sleep disorder type of thing. Just as the brain and body start to make that transition to sleep, something misfires. I used to do it all the time such that it disturbed my wife. We changed so she goes to bed and gets asleep before I get in bed so she does not feel my jolts. But, I don't have them anymore.

I think they may be tied to neck inflammation that interferes with nerve signal transmission from the body. That nerve signal gets out of sync and the brain struggles to make sense. Like having the sound out of sync with the TV picture.

I take gabapentin before bed and it helps my nerve signals settle down. But, I am an extreme case.

Your anxiety issues make this more prevalent as the anxiety chemistry needs to settle to sleep.

What did you mean by 'doing a thought record' ?

When you feared amnesia trying to remember CBT, that is not amnesia. It is called Word Finding or aphasia. It is very common with PCS and usually most prevalent when we push our memory. When it only happens occasionally, some call it temporary stress aphasia. I just call it 'word finding difficulties' because I can usually overcome it by relaxing my mind. True aphasia do not respond to relaxing though.

My word finding was very bad in the beginning. Now, it is rare and tied to stressing my mind.

Hi Mark,
I expected it was my anxiety as I tend to feel really anxious after being woken by these shocks.

A thought record is a technique used to assess an anxious thought in order to conclude if the person should be anxious at all. It points out all the evidence for and against the thought so the person can analyse it to find if there is any reason to feel anxious. CBT stands for cognitive behavioural therapy, a thought record is part of the practice of CBT.

I've known about CBT for 17 years. I had never heard of the Thought Record part. What I had been taught was more simplistic. Basically learning an alternative thought response to an event that tries to trigger a negative. In Christian oriented counseling, it is called "Taking every thought captive" based on a scripture that says we are to take every thought captive and compare it to truth.

For me, CBT was just an immediate redirect of thought without any need to journal the issues.

I recently learn an interesting bit of neuroscience. The brain processes emotional thought prior to processing intellectual thought. This is why some get stuck on the emotional issues even though the facts (intellectual) over-rule the emotional thought. This is the basis for the concept that some people do not allow the facts to interfere or over-rule their preconceived opinions.

I think that understanding this processing order can help some better frame the anxiety issues. "That is just my emotions/worries speaking. What do the facts say ?" can be an empowering concept to memorize as a sort of 'catch-all' CBT concept.

Some times, it take physical actions to overcome anxieties. I know people who don't sleep well because they are afraid they will get up late and be late to work. They base this on the fact they have pushed the snooze button in their sleep too many times. A physical action would be to put the alarm clock across the room so one needs to get out of bed to stop the alarm.

I have memorized thoughts to use as reactions to some struggles. When I struggle to get my words out, I may say, "My tongue get caught around my eye tooth and I can't see what I am saying." This lightheartedly redirects my thoughts reducing stress and my frozen mind thaws and starts working.

By injecting some humor into a stressful situation, the mind can be directed off the negative, reducing anxiety and stress, allowing a return to proper function. Most let struggles cause frustration and worry setting up a bad cascade of thoughts and events.

So, memorizing some humorous responses can be good CBT. "I just washed my mind and can't do a thing with it" is a take off on "I just washed my hair and I can't do a thing with it."

Many of us use humor, sometimes, self-deprecating in a light-hearted way, to get past these struggles.

I hope you can find some humor to use to improve your days.

My best to you.