12 months PCS update
 

Thought I would provide an update almost 12 months after the right side of my head slammed the concrete from a bad fall. I might have LOC (loss of consciousness for a few seconds, however I was certainly dizzy after i got up). I was in REAL BAD SHAPE.

Initial symptoms were AWFUL. Unable to do anything except be very depressed and very sad all of the time.

The 6 month mark saw some changes however it was not until the 9 month mark that things finally saw a bit of light.

Now almost 1 year later I'm still not my old self however i'm gradually getting better. The PRO's are i can work out without problems for 30 minutes, am able to socialize, go to grocery stores, and be out at restaurants and even bars without too much strain.

The Negatives are I still suffer from immense Insomnia which might be causing a lot of fatigue for me.

Another negative is I got persistent Tinnitus in my right ear and have some times a bit of head pressure on the right side. I believe that the Tinnitus has NOT resolved itself because I've been unable to get any sort of QUALITY sleep the past 12 months. Another thought is I might have injured by auditory nerve.

I feel that now at 12 months my permanent, life long deficits will be bothersome tinnitus and likely lack of energy. Maybe one I can get my old energy back however I'm sure that won't happen because I have Tinnitus which keeps me up at night and Tinnitus is a permanent PCS symptom meaning once you have Tinnitus it will never go away.

In any case there is my update. 12 months feeling better however STILL NOT great.

Hi, I'm at the 12 month mark too and my experiences are very similar to yours. My recovery has been in steps, 2 months, 6 months, 9 months 11 months saw progress. I too have a real problem with sleep and some tinnitus still, which has got less this last month but is still irritating. I've got used to it at night and in the morning it can be a few minutes before I realise it's there.

As I improve I find my energy level gets better, the two seem to go hand in hand. If I get a half decent nights sleep I feel pretty good these days, but then I'll hardly sleep and feel like crap, it's like a sine wave.

I'm sure we'll both continue to improve, not sure what advice I can give on sleep, I've haven't found a magic cure for it yet, I know if I'm in a happy frame of mind I sleep better, so anxiety seems to play a role. I agree cracking sleep is the key, most people seem to get back to their sleep pattern eventually I've read, I've read after a year quoted a couple of times.

Supplement wise I'm taking fish oil and a good multi vit and try to eat healthy, are you taking anything?

I have completed 12 months as well. I was hit on the right side top of my head on a concrete wall. I have regained some energy levels gradually but I still have constant bothersome tinnitus. Not sure if this will ever go away.

Have you had the ultrasound therapy to relax neck muscles, martin ?

I have not heard of Neck Muscle exercises.

All i know is that the static/hissing ringing in my right ear is absolutely HORRIBLE and keeps me AWAKE most of the night.

It's Torture. Hard to imagine the brain can't shut off the sound.

I'm guessing damage is auditory nerve or outer hair cells.

Tinnitus has got to be one of it not the WORST head injury symptoms. Period.

I would say go to a PT and try neck relaxing techniques if you have not done this. Some people have significant relief in tinnitus after relaxing those upper neck muscles. You don't have anything to lose from this anyway. Have you got your C1, C2 investigated ?

tinnitus
 

Agree with you on the tinnitus, some days I would prolly feel normal if it wasn't for the constant reminder from Tinnitus that my brain is broken. I hate it so much, I am hoping HBOT can make this better.

http://www.beyondtinnitus.com/hyperb...n-therapy-hbot

Yes it's REAL bummer.

Unfortunately Tinnitus is one of the few symptoms that does not resolve.

Mine came on 2 days after the accident.

Were you by any chance placed on any prescription medications when you were injured?

I was placed on MOBIC and PERCOCET. I'm not sure they triggered the TInnitus however i'm suspect to ANYTHING.

I don't think MOBIC or PERCOCET were GOOD for me since I had a head injury in addition to back/hand injury.

Martin, have you seen an ENT?

I don't have tinnitus but I have really bad hyperacusis recently. I've always been somewhat sound sensitive, but never anything this bad. I've been hunting down an ENT here who doesn't charge over my rebate but it's difficult to find one. I was watching tv last night and the Au govt gives free hearing tests apparently and the company mentioned some device that sits in the ear and helps cut out certain frequencies... well, that's what I took away from the advertising. I also get migraines and have vertigo so I figured I should get to an ENT to get checked because this sound situation is driving me crazy at times.

At this bottom of this website there are strategies for adapting to life with tinnitus.
Not sure if this is of any help to you or not, but just thought I'd post. It's Au site.

http://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/b...itus_explained
Scroll down to where it begins Management of Tinnitus

Hypercusis should fade with time.

Yes I have been to an ENT. Normal audiogram however it appears my outer hair cells don't respond to a distortion product otoacoustic emissions test.

So the damage was done between my hair cells and auditory nerve. I'm doubtful this will resolve.

I previously had Tinnitus on rare occurrences however nothing like this.
I think concussions/brain injuries on temporal sides will activate it.

Some people think nothing of it. However I'm 100% that head injury tinnitus is a different league than noise induced Tinnitus.

I'll keep everyone updated and likewise I hope you do the same.

Have a good weekend!

My tinnitus arrived 7 days after my injury, I woke up exactly a week later feeling sick and there it was along with PCS. My injury was to the top of my forehead not the sides. I think the tinnitus is related to damage caused by brain swelling as I wasn't on any medication.

I can sympathise with it being a constant reminder of not being back to normal.