yrs of concussions/ 38yr old getting worse
 

First I would like to thank anyone who takes time out of his or her busy schedule to read this post. So thank you and sorry for the miss spelling.

I am 38 yrs old and married for 15 years now to my good-looking wife. I wrestled and played football in high school. I do remember this one game that I did get a concussion because the only reason I knew what happen before the coach or doctor got to me was that a team mate told what I did. I also was hit by a car my senior year crossing the road. About 10 years later another accident when a car ran a stop sign. The latest was a year and 1/2 ago I was in a bad accident and now I am not the same.
I get headaches more frequently on the right front of my head. My speech goes, I lose function of my left side and can barely do anything. If I don't get my wife to talk to me to keep me calm early when I feel the symptoms coming on it gets worse. The symptoms last for about 30 min to an hour and still don't feel 100%. I am worried that one day I wont snap out of it and be normal again.
So I am looking for answers to find out if my fears are true and if so, what can I do to prolong it or prevent it from happening

Thank you

Brad

Brad,

Welcome to NeuroTalk. Sorry to hear of your concussion history and current struggles.

It sounds like you may be experiencing a combination anxiety attack with upper neck inflammation. You are so fortunate to have your wife available to help.

Have you been seen by a doctor during any of these episodes? I suggest that you should.

Do you have an At Home blood pressure/pulse kit? They are about $20 to $30 at the drug store. Understanding your blood pressure during these events will be helpful.

Have you had any brain imaging done? An MRI, CT, MRI/MRA, etc?

More information will be helpful.

My best to you.

Brad,

Just wanted to drop in and say that I'm sorry to hear you are having problems.

With that said, Welcome to NeuroTalk. You came to the right place. There are plenty of good people here that can relate to your struggles and offer you their advice.

Mark mentioned you should get a blood pressure kit. You can find them in drug stores, Walmart or online...I just ordered this one online today for $20:

http://www.walmart.com/ip/Veridian-S...r-1ct/16562819

I have similar episodes like what you described. When they start coming, my speech also goes and sometimes I have trouble with my right side...I'll lose coordination in my right arm and feel some tingling. You said talking to your wife helps...this works for me sometimes...but sometimes I can't talk at all and being around people just makes it worse.

I also have trouble deciphering whether it's an anxiety attack or just symptoms of PCS. Sometimes it's hard to tell the difference.

You mentioned being afraid that it won't go away, or you won't be able to snap out of it...I've posted the same thing on here before. I struggle with this every time my symptoms flare up. For example, today, I became overstimulated while taking my son back to his mother and running a couple errands on the way back. I've had this eerie / weird / uncomfortable feeling since and when things like this happen I freak out and think I'm stuck that way. Don't feed in to it...It will pass.

Keep posting, keep us up to date. Wish you the best of luck.

Anxiety attacks are a symptom of PCS. No way to tell the difference.

Welcome to the forum. :)

It's awesome that your wife can help you to calm down so the symptoms do not get worse.

Have you learned any relaxation techniques that you can do when she's not around that might be able to help you?

Have you noticed what activities or things might be triggering your symptoms?

A lot of us here avoid overstimulation because it can trigger symptoms for us - like watching too much TV, or watching a suspense movie or something like that. (I have found HGTV mind-numbingly relaxing.)

Most of us also avoid caffeine and alcohol because they can make us worse too.

Your body or brain might just be trying to heal and needs some time. Try to rest, relax and take it easy so your cells can work towards recovering.

Brad I totally understand.
I suffered my first concussion at 5 YRs old. I have since had at least ten other diagnosed concussions. what I thought were syptoms of a stroke were actually caused by either my cervical injuries or my brain injuries.
My wife would panick as my speech would slurr and I wouldn't/couldn't talk to her. I sometimes would get sharp electrical shocks in the back of my head and pain on the left side of my head.these symptoms would only last about 20 minutes or so. although I still suffer from the migraines and mild dimentia(not diagnosed, just what others have told me) my cervical surgery has cured my stroke like symptoms for now.

Thank you
 

Yes, I have seen a doctor and had images taken and was told by a specailist that it mite last a year or the rest of my life. He stated that when you have taken a number of concusions it is hard to tell the long term affects.

My wife has taken my vital signs during and after the symptoms. I do have to try to find out what triggers the effects and try to avoid them all together.
Thanks for the tips and I do thank the good Lord for another day.

Brad

Esther

Thanks for the heads up on what most of you do to try to avoid the symptoms. I don't drink alcohol but still drink 2 cups of coffee and 1 pop a day. It kind of makes sense about to much tv because the one day i was watching it and the symptoms came on. I am still trying to figure what triggers my symptoms.My wife thinks I should stop my trading in the stock market. She feels that trading on top of going to work everyday isn't helping. So I am now not trading as much to see what happens.
I haven't tried any relaxation techniques. I usually try to walk and talk to someone. That seems to help get me back to earth and functioning again. I take it 1 day at a time.

Thank you again for your reply

I agree with your wife. The rush and anxiety of day trading can be too much stimulation. She sees you from the outside and likely has a much better understanding of what effect day trading and other activities have on you.

The three doses of caffeine is a bit much too. There are plenty of pop drinks without caffeine. Even better are those without artificial sweeteners, artificial preservatives, or high fructose corn syrup. We have Sierra Mist around because it uses natural sugar and natural flavors and preservatives.

I enjoy a Dr Pepper every few weeks when eating out but usually pay for it with a restless day or two.

I don't have any problem with TV as long as I use my head set for the audio. Without the head set, I get bombarded with too much stimulation. The mute button is also helpful to avoid the over-stimulating commercials. I also do not watch music videos or other chaotic programs.

You are fortunate to have a wife who is supportive and understands you. Many struggle to understand their injured hubbies. We have some great wives of injured hubbies here than may also have some observations for you.

My best to you.