Concussuion After Motorcycle Accidents
 

Hi, this is my first time posting here but I've been reading awhile. I'm 52 and on Oct 9th I was in a motorcycle accident. All I remember is the bike bucking and then sitting in the road bleeding everywhere. Evidently my helmet flew off and besides multiple other things I was knocked out. I had stitches and a large bump in the back side of my head and stitches where my eye brow was and a large lump there. I was home about 4 weeks and feeling like I could return to work when all of a sudden I got these strange things going on. I couldn't go to sleep without this feeling of falling (I had them earlier but thought they were caused by the painkillers) I was also having these strange pressure feelings in my head off and on, couldn't drive in the car, didn't want to leave the house, trouble wqith memory, etc. My Dr diagnosed me with PCS and started me on 10mg of Celexia. I also have 2mg valium, that I use when things are rough. He told me it would take about 6 weeks for the Celexa to start. I've been on it for about 6 weeks now and don't have the falling feelings and very rarely have the pressure feelings. I feel like I'm getting there but my concern is when I see the Dr on the 24th of Jan and tell him I'm ready to go back to work that I'll start getting the symptoms back again. Has this happened before? I still don't leave the house much and I sleep alot. I have about 2 1/2 months left of paid leave that I would lose when I go back if I don't use it so thats another worry. I stress about not being there and also about going back I've had my job for 25 years and they are all very supportive right now. Just wondering about anyone getting returning syptoms etc. Thanks

dgreen,

Welcome to NeuroTalk. Glad to hear your motorcycle did not convert to a donor cycle. Sounds like you have had a rough time.

Are you needing the Valium very often? Benzodiazepines like Valium should be used cautiously, especially with a head injury. They can exacerbate the cognitive symptoms of PCS.

Regarding returning to work, I suggest you work on getting out of the house and into environments that can build up to the intensity of your job. The roller-coaster of trying to return to work then needed to take time off again is not conducive to a good recovery.

You also could work on reducing your Celexa slowly. SSRI's can be miserable to get off. Not withdrawal symptoms. Just other issues of feeling 'Not right.' You should hope to be off the Celexa and getting plenty of time out of the house before you try to return to work. Maybe some volunteering at a food bank or such where you can go home at the first sign of struggle.

Take it slow. Recovery is a marathon, not a sprint.

My best to you.

Thanks for your response Mark. I usually end up taking the 2mg valium every few days, mostly later in the day. I've been feeling alot better it's just about getting out in the real world now.

I find myself shaking my head in agreement...saying ditto to Mark on a regular basis. Time is your friend right now. Take it slow, take it easy.

Good luck!

been there done that..
 

I know exactly how you feel. I got in an auto accident in June 09 where I totaled my car with air bag deployment. I went to the Dr. who said I could go back to work in a couple of days.. Low and behold after about 2 weeks back at work I started developing feelings of hopelessness. My executive brain functions were all screwed up. . I was in advertising sales and I began to become very impulsive.

I would say inappropriate things to customers because all my filters were off so to speak..Whatever came to mind came out of my mouth and for a sales person that is an absolute kiss of death. I also became very depressed and confused. The accident also affected my Testosterone level knocking it down to almost nothing..

It's almost 2 1/2 years later and even though I'm feeling much better, I'll never be the same person. I truly believe you should utilize your sick time to the max as these symptoms come and go continuously the first yesr.. Best of luck.. Also one last thought. My Dr. prescribed Cymbalta for my depression and it worked extremely well/