Alcohol Withdrawal and Concussion
 

Hi everyone! I'm a little freaked out about how I feel right now so any help would be nice.

I've been a heavy drinker all year. I would go through bouts of being drunk every day for a week or so followed by a week or two of abstinence.
Sometimes in my time off I would feel mild withdrawal symptoms but nothing too severe.

A few days ago I was at a wedding party after a weekly drinking fit
and I bumped my forehead. I barely felt it at the time and I continued to
go about my evening just fine. The next morning however, I had a bump
on my head and a pretty bad headache.

Now 2 days later I still feel a bit off. My head hurts, I'm tired, and I feel mildly spacey.
Also, I usually run or walk 2-5 miles a day for exercise yet when I tried to walk for about 1 mile today I felt awful. My head was pounding every time I moved and I felt... out of it maybe dizzy.

I'm going to contact a doctor in an hour but I wanted any advice on what could be going on.


Thanks in advance.

serious business
 

James,
All I know is that both alcohol withdrawal unsupervised and possible concussion are very serious health issues.

What did the doctor say?

Well, I called to make an appointment and the doctor gave me a June 16th appointment.

I'm going to call some other docs to get in ASAP.

I know that you are supposed to wean off alcohol but I don't want to drink in case I do have a concussion since that could worsen it.
My injury does not fit the generally accepted symptoms of concussion (I didn't black out, no nausea, no confusion) but head injuries can
be nebulous and my symptoms fee very different from when I have taken breaks from drinking in the past.

I'm trying to rest and get to a doc soon.

I called to make an appointment with a neurologist and I won't be able to get in until June 16th.

I know you're not supposed to quit drinking cold turkey but if I did get a concussion I know more alcohol will only make it worse.

I did not have the clear signs of being concussed (unconsciousness, confusion,
dizziness, nausea ect.) and I recall everything that happened. However, head injuries can be nebulous and my symptoms did into feel like the usual withdrawal. I plan to rest up for today and see if I can't find another doc
to see sometime this week..maybe a general doctor will be of help sooner.

Hi James
I hope you manage to get another doctor to see you earlier

you may also want to post on our TBI/PCS forum as members there are very knowledgeable and recently had a discussion on alcohol and concussion
http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/forum92.html

Will do thanks! Sorry about the earlier repost I thought the first one didn't send.

=)