New and quite a few questions
 

Hello,


I'm new on here and am looking for a little bit of insight from people with more experience with concussions. I am 19, very active and have been injury free up to this point.

On may 25th (2013) I suffered a concussion while surfing. With my head turned away from the board, the wind picked the board out of the water and tossed it in to the back of my head (left sub Occipital I think) It definitely hurt, but honestly i've taken much harder hits to the head before and I continued surfing. It wasn't untill later that day while doing a strength workout that I really knew something was not quite right, so I stopped the workout, and sure enough when I woke up the next morning I knew that it was a concussion.

At that point I decided to call out from work for a few days and not resume training (I Nordic ski NCAA and have a daily training regimen for the summer.)
5 days later I continued working as a Busser/ Runner at a local restaurant it was tough but seemed doable, as I felt like I was slowly getting better. 3.5 weeks out, right after taking an IMpact I hit a low point and told my boss that I needed a week off. but one week turned in to two... to three... to four and so on. I took another impact test in Mid July and saw zero improvement from the one a month ago. Since then I began seeing a chiropractic neurologist, who uses a series of adjustments, stim therapy and eye excersizes, and more recently began the Buffalo Protocol and was told that I was the perfect candidate for it because I am used to excessive daily exercise.

Recently however, I have not felt any better, but actually as bad as I've ever felt. My most profound symptom I've had the entire time is a mental fogginess and indescribable surreal feeling that waxes and wanes depending on how im feeling. I also have fairly significant sound and light sensitivity and am easily over whelmed by distractions and lots of activity. I have had some sleep issues and have been using melatonin, but found an herbal remedy called tranquility which seems to work better and claims to "calms the nervous system" and "support the natural stress response" - not sure if thats a problem or not but It seems fine. At this point I'm probably not going to be able to go back to school in a few weeks, and will most likely take the semester off.

has anyone else had a similar story, have any advice for me, or see something I've been doing that I really shouldn't?

Also, if anyone has suggestions of fun things to do that are low key, that would be awesome. Since my idea of fun typically surrounds activities such as surfing or playing ultimate frisbee, i've been struggling to occupy my time.

I can already see that concussions aren't all bad, and honestly I can tell i'm becoming a stronger person because of It. It would however be comforting to know that I am definitely getting better and on the road to recovery.

Thanks alot, I'm happy to have found such a wonderful resource

-jamie

Sounds familiar
 

Your symptoms sound very familiar. Read this board and listen to the advice. Some of us just heal slowly.
My best advice...rest.
Try to understand your symptoms and avoid triggers.
Don't give up. Keep trying to get therapy that is needed.
Good luck
Su Seb

Also
 

As far as exercise is concerned, listen to your body and don't push it if is increasing symptoms.
Before my accident I was a fitness specialist and exercised a lot. I could barely even go for a walk for eight months after my concussion. My body just couldn't handle it. Now I am able to walk, but that's about it. Part of my problem is due to vestibular system and central nervous system problems.
Everyone is different
Su seb

Thanks Su, good advice.
I was tested on a treadmill and told not to let my heart exceed 98 bpm while exercising, which i've found is pretty much at my comfortable walking pace and doesn't seems to bother me.

Welcome
 

Hello Jamie,

NeuroTalk is a good place. Look at the vitamin and stickie thread and I recommend you get some really good vitamins and really look over your diet to see what you can do to heal from the inside.

Avoid alcohol and caffeine too.

No 2 brain injuries are exactly alike and no recoveries are alike either.

I had the brain fog, light and sound sensitivity too, and dizziness. I got better from the dizziness through vestibular therapy. As for the light sensitivity -- sunglasses most everywhere for a long time, and I didn't go into those big box stores alone for awhile either.

So, if you have to shop, can someone go with you? I hope you have a support network to help you.

Time will help and be careful with exercise. Gentle things like walks or yoga might be best. You might try some meditation.

I had luck with acupunture, but it's not for everyone. I only went to a woman who does the community works model, and so pay what you can afford.

The biggest thing I had to learn early on is that recovery is a marathon, not a race. No one can really tell you when you will feel better. I know this is very scary, but also read the thread on PCS and hope.

I am mostly better now, with fatigue being the biggest problem at times.

Good luck and keep asking questions. Other, very experienced people will weigh in.

Take care!

pm

fun things
 

These might not be fun, but it's what I had to do.

1. Audio books (don't stress your brain with much reading)

2. Classical music ( I love it now)

3. Easy, gentle walks.

4. Talk to friends on the phone (this can be tiring too)

5. Cook new things if you can or it's not tiring.

I can't think of other things -- do try to limit the TV, phone and computer. It will help.

All for now

pm

Hi,

Yes, very familiar symptoms, I had a concussion from a car accident at the end of March and haven't felt right since :o I also get that surreal feeling, dizziness, light sensitivity, headaches etc..

I am a climber and trail runner so used to being very active and right now all I can do is walk on a flat surface but not too far as the dizziness and severe headaches start, oh boy it 1/2 killed me when I was told no climbing or running but I learned the very hard way that advice was right. :rolleyes:

Rest is very important, the sticky on Vitamins is very good, eat well etc.

I'm in vestibular therapy, PT and neurological OT for my eyes, for a few months I felt exactly the same but just this last week I can feel a little difference so it all takes time.

Good luck, feel better :grouphug:

Wow, you sound like my older brother. Adrenaline junkie by any chance? ;-)

I was in a bad car accident and aside from feeling like my bell was rung - I thought I was fine. A week later I lost my balance, ability to speak, think clearly - everything changed AND that doesn't follow the bible on "what to expect after brain injury". I was a webmaster, mom of 2 teenagers and going to massage school at night. I never returned to work, but did complete school. Physical activity - man I couldn't even do yoga at the time as part of my curriculum and the ball routines - out of the question (got dizzy and fell off).

Things you can do? I have no idea - you'll need to figure it out as you go.

1 - Know your limits and DO NOT go beyond them. Doing too much can push you backwards and frustrate you further.

2 - Swimming
3 - Yoga
4 - Meditation
5 - Pilates can be beneficial - let them know you have TBI (cross body work helps rewire the brain)
6 - Mow the lawn, or a friend's lawn
7 - Learn something new and push your boundaries in other ways - I learned to draw and never could before my accident.

Did I say don't do too much? Don't do too much.
~Kristy

Thanks for all the great advice. I was already taking some supplements but added a few to my list, and am continuing on slowly with the buffalo protocol. Hahaha also, I don't think i've ever appriciated Jack Johnson as much as I do now.


If anyone has significant knowledge on amantadine and its effects, my doctor just recently told me that he wanted me to try it. I know its a drug for parkinsons/flu and I was wondering if anyone has had luck with it.?