Issues while driving on rough roads
 

Anyone experience issues while driving on rough roads?
I thought that I finally am beating this PCS thing and had a major setback that need to figure out a solution for, since I need to be able to drive in the winter.

I live in AK and we just had our first major snowfall this weekend, so the roads are very rough, like driving on a washboard in many places.
I drove to work Monday morning and within an hour started feeling my PCS symptoms coming back (headache, fogginess, etc), so went back home after lunch. Got better today (but working from home).
Talked to a doctor I know in Russia on skype (I'm originally from Russia), she said it is probably related to my neck issues. She suggested placing an inflatable doughnut on the seat to take the pressure off the spine while driving. Also suggested continuing the neck exercises that she recommended earlier in the year and I've been doing them on and off.
Going to see my regular doc tomorrow to try and get a referral to a Physical Therapist to take a proper look at my neck.
I've had issues while driving back in May/June when I started getting out of the house and I learned where every bump/pothole is on my routes to/from work/stores and try to avoid every one and with time it seemed to get better, but obviously not as good as I thought.

A little background on my PCS - got a concussion while boxing (sparring) Dec 2012, unfortunately didn't realize how serious it was (no loss of consciousness, just a hard hit), my doctor and later a neurologist didn't give me the best advice either and as a result I got too active too quickly and went through hell (I'm sure many of you know) the two weeks of Xmas/New Years.
Got better by March and thought I was done, since doctors said three months of rest should do it. Went snowmobiling and you can predict what happened after that.
Spent two months off work just basically sitting at home staring out the window in sunglasses and earplugs going through worse time than the first time. Gradually was able to get back to work in May, but kept having setbacks as any minor bump to the head would set everything off. Also screwed up my stomach from taking all the meds (this is finally seems to be resolving now).
Working has been tough as I have the vision-related issues many of you have and I have to work on the computer (but it seems to be slowly improving, I'm able to work a full day with frequent breaks most of the time, and I finally got an appointment scheduled with a Neuro-Opth next month).

I have to say that this forum has been great, before I found it I thought that there's really something wrong with me since all the docs I saw had no idea what's wrong (as I know many of you experienced).

I have the same problem and i have to drive on some bad back roads, it could be your back, but i was told it was the fluid around my brain that makes it flare up bad for me. you had a head injury, no matter what it can take a long time to recover depending on the person. your neck and brain are being shook over bad roads! ever try to hold an uncovered drink while driving? the cushion may just help! it may act like a shock absorbent! good luck! :hug:

RP

I have this problem. My solution is to not sit with my back against the back of the seat. If my spine is curved forward with my shoulders slumped forward, I can tolerate far more bumps and vibration. Adding the air cushion will help but it is important to get your back away from the seat back. The vibration from the seat back will overcome the cushion.

I have this problem also. The good news is that it has improved over time although I am still dealing with it. We needed to buy a new car recently and the sole focus for me was a car that minimized road noise and had great shock absorption. In addition to the spine/neck issues identified below, I think this has something to do with the brain's ability to filter out stimulation like noise and bumps; but I don't really know. Good luck.

Sounds familiar, what you're going through. What Mark In Idaho suggested really works for me -- I discovered it by accident, myself.

Sitting forward with my back off the seat, and keeping my shoulders slumped forward helps support my neck and head. I also stretch my neck and shoulders regularly due to past rotator cuff injuries, and those stretches actually help my headaches.

Good luck with the cushion. Let us know how it works for you.

I'd like to revive this thread quickly, to share my experience.

I avoid driving cars since my concussion, because of the effect of potholes. That's why I always take the bus to get to my destination. Today I was taking a bus, which drives partly over very rough roads. There was one road that should have been repaired years ago. It's so unsteady that even persons without concussions might feel uncomfortable. I decided to stand(even a bit on tiptoes), instead of taking a seat, to absorb as less as possible of these potholes. The space from the floor of the bus and the sole provides a good cushion of the shakes. In the end, came to the conclusion that taking the bus is not specifically better than driving by car.

However I didn't feel very well after leaving the bus. About two hours later, I was at home and became very exhausted and dizzy, (without actually knowing if it was due to the potholes two hours earlier). It's more likely that people get symptoms directly after it happened I guess?

At the moment it is very difficult for me to get anywhere, as one simply can't avoid driving on roads. But It's quite astonishing that so many people get symptoms from these potholes.

The idea that our brains are shaken upon potholes makes sense to me, thus causing symptoms. But aren't brains of people who didn't have concussions shaken too? They can ride the wildest roller coasters in the world, jump off several ladders on a skateboard, go kart, run a marathon, bunjee jump, trek, head a soccer ball and do as many adventures activities as they want without their brains being shaken and we are in a fix even after a slightest thud on road. How fair is it ? Basically our life is over then right ? Sorry to be so blunt but this symptom ****** me off now.

Someone above said that CSF amount can cause it. Can someone pls explain it to me? Can CSF be checked on an MRI? I think its partly due to anxiety. And physical cause can be vestibular and neck issues . any thoughts?

Galaxy,

Again, you are mixing up too many issues. Heading a soccer ball over and over again is known to cause problems for most everybody. The other activities can also cause problems. It just depends on how often they are done and at what intensity.

The concussed brain has already been injured so it is more sensitive to later lesser movements.

But I think Galaxy is right by saying "our lives are somehow over then". I mean if getting from point A to point B by car or by bus is no more possible, how to proceed with life? The fact that no one knowes what is going on inside the brain is the worst. I always tend to say, if you feel something, there is something wrong. Maybe in injured brains, those minor movements cause the axons to tear again? Who knows?

The question about CSF playing a role is indeed interesting.

Well said graffin. I don't intend to be discouraging and negative on this board. There are tons of people who get better and move on from PCS but what to do while we are still inside the storm. My GP told me that I am better off breaking both my legs than having PCS. I know there is no point in whining and complaining but why are there no answers to this horrible condition ? Why is the medical world so ignorant to us when we are the people who need support,empathy and care the most. Humans are surely not designed to suffer this kind of problem.