Please help, is this pcs?
 

About three months ago I was walking to my friends house for his birthday when suddenly I was jumped, I got elbowed in the left temple really hard, I did not lose consciousness however. I managed to get away and notified the police. Pretty much immediately after I was hit that side if my head started swelling so I got home and put ice on it to take it down. Didn't go to the doctor until like a week later and he didn't do a good job explaining anything. But said I may have suffered a concussion it has been about three months since then and everyday I have been battling depression and anxiety, it has however gotten alot better. But there hasnt been a day gone by where I felt myself. Here are the symptoms I have been experiencing: 1st month: sleeping problems, Loss of appetite, anxiety, fatigue, trouble remembering things, depression, fogginess. 2nd month: pretty much all the same as the first but the symptoms seemed to lift a little. 3rd month: mood swings, and I experienced this weird feeling of depersonalization, some anxiety still lingers . Overall I can tell I amgetting better but as if now u still feel "not myself". I feel kind of disassociated with myself. I have been taking omega 3 and B-complex vitamins daily for the last two months. Is this PCS? What can I do to help it?

Welcome to NeuroTalk,

It sounds like PCS. The anxiety and depression are common to PCS. The fact that you notice that things seem to be getting better is a good sign.

You supplements are a good idea. You may want to increase your B12 and B6 beyond what is common in a B Complex. Also, add all of the anti-oxidants and common minerals.

You have not mentioned anything about rest or reducing stress or stimulation in your daily life. What have you done in this area? What do you do in a normal day, job, school, entertainment?

Have you reduced caffeine and alcohol to a single serving max per day?

You did the best thing for a concussion with the ice. Not only does it reduce swelling by the lower temp helps limit the cellular damage.

What do you mean by 'this weird feeling of depersonalization?' Are you just not feeling like yourself or does it get worse than that?

Have you been researching concussion online? What sources of information have you used?

Have you checked out the TBI Survival Guide at www.tbiguide.com It is full of information to help you understand your symptoms better than most online concussion sites.

Has anybody commented anything about any changes in your personality?

Sorry for the 20 questions but it helps to get a basis of what you have going on already.

The key things for you right now is rest, limit stress, and avoid worry about how you feel. Relaxing and letting your brain heal in its own time is best. Limit visual and auditory stimulation to the minimum to get through the day.

Then just wait it out. You sound like you are doing better than many who have prolonged PCS symptoms.

My best to you.

A normal day consists of about 20 min of schooling. (I'm homeschooled) then usually just watching tv or playing video games. I have been going out with friends alot and trying to get my mind on something else, but I haven't felt like me since I got hit and I am badgered by that thought all day. No one has said anything about my personality, they just think I'm in a depression. Which I guess is true. Even though I have nothing to be depressed about. Somedays are better than others and somedays I cry for no reason. I haven't been seen by a neurologist yet mainly because we don't have the extra money, my parents are going through alot right now and they aren't swimming in cash. But I'm kind if thinking I will give it to the beginning of the year and if I still feel the same I will talk to them about seeing a specialist. And the whole depersonalization thing is my main concern. Its just a really eerie feeling, I feel like I am not myself? Like im a different person.

Wow, you finish your homeschooling in 20 minutes. My kids took much longer than that with their homeschooling.

You need to get off the video games. they are definitely not good for your recovery, They cause too much brain processing and visual overload.

Depression after a concussion is not based on your living experience/environment. It is a reaction to the stresses out on the brain by the injury and the other stresses such as too much audio and visual stimulation (video games).

The crying is also a PCS symptom. Crying at TV commercials is not uncommon.

The depersonalization you describe is common. The disrupted sensory and cognitive processes lead to this feeling of being different or not the person you remember yourself to be. Just relax and wait it out. It should pass given enough time.

btw, You should change your screen name to something beside your real name. You can do it in the personal profiles section. I think it is under 'User CP' It will automatically change your name on prior posts.


My best to you.

I agree with mark, tv and computer often makes your symptoms worse. The less time spent on tv, computer, texting,etc. The faster you will feel better. As for not feeling "like yourself" I would think that's common, I have experienced that as well. Truth is, your not like yourself right now with pcs which is sounds like you have. As you start to get better, you will feel more normal again. As for seeing a neurologist, mine said the sooner the better. Its not always easy to afford specialists. But the sooner the faster you can get feeling normal. Its also comforting to hear from a specialist that what you feel is not just your mind playing tricks on you but an actual condition :) good luck!