Does swimming help anyone else with PCS?
 

I had a head injury over 2 years ago (age 30) from running head to head with someone while we were both running at top speed. I had a year and a half of constant dizzyness, accompanied by a lot of fatigue, headaches, frequent migraines (2-3/week), blurred vision, plugging ear, photophobia, phonophobia, head pressure, and insomnia. I did not notice any cognitive or memory problems, except the distraction that the other symptoms would cause. I was helped a lot by a chiropractor who was an upper cervical specialist. But alas, the adjustments would fall out with the slightest things, like a hard sneeze, or tripping a little on the stairs. So, I asked him for exercises, and he recommended aquatics as a good way to strengthen the neck and upper body. I could not do anything that involved impact, so the swimming made sense.
So, this summer I went to the lake a lot, and swam for several hours at a time. The effect was really noticeable and immediate. A lot of times, I could go to the lake feeling full of head pressure, dizzy, and other symptoms, but come home feeling like a new man, full of energy, and no head pressure. Also, I had a lot less problems with insomnia at night. I have wondered if it is due to the following:

Cold Water - The lakes here in WI never get very warm (70s), and maybe the cold reduced swelling or something?

Exercised Muscles - Maybe the shoulder muscles being exercised helped the inner muscles of the neck next to the brain stem to relax?

Areobic - Maybe the areobic exercise got more oxygen to the brain? I have read that the brain consumes almost 1/3 of your body's oxygen supply.

Over the past few months, I have made a huge amount of progress, and even was fairly symptom free for 4 days in a row! I also have not been to the chiropractor for about 5 months now. I even had a few mishaps, but it never seemed to pull the upper vertebrae out of place anymore, because the muscles were stronger. I have still have ups and downs, but overall I have been doing a lot better. Some time ago, I was away from home for a while and unable to swim. I started having more noticeable symptoms again. Has anyone else out there found swimming to be a help with PCS?

I have also been taking magnesium, and trying to take it a little easier in general (as a father of two (soon three) and running my own farm, and doing church work too, it can be challenging).

Everwilde,

I'd be very interested to know if swimming has helped anyone else. I get discouraged about my weight gain since I've had PCS, and would love a way to stay fit without putting myself at risk.

Obviously I would need a swimming buddy so I didn't pass out from too much activity! ;-) I don't see my neuro for another month or I would ask him about it. He tends to tell me that the more rest I get, the better I'll be. He doesn't want me to stress myself too much.

I love to swim and would have to find a pool... wow, you really have my wheels turning!

I had to start out a little slow, and build up to longer swim times. If I did too much too fast, I would start getting knots in my shoulders and neck. It seemed to make quite a long-term difference (in addition to the immediate relief) after a month or so of 3x per week. If you do go, watch that you do not bump your head at the end of the pool lanes!

First yes water is good for us. I had a membership to a health club but
just had to cancel it. Because my husband has just gotten laid off.

But it has been one of the best things I could do for my body. Either the
PCS or the fibromyalgia. Also because of the tightness in my muscles I
really need the hot tubs. So I'm going to miss it.

I'm going to look into a scholarship especially for my son who is 18 and
would qualify for one on his own.

Donna