Cannot lower my head or upside down, another PCS?
 

Hi,

I am recovering from my another concussion or PCS right now and noticed a new symptom. My brain is foggy most times and my head is always heavy. However, since about two weeks ago, I found that I cannot lower my head (small angle is fine, but cannot make it lower than my body) any more. Whenever I do it, I feel my brain is full of blood and my head becomes very heavy. I have to stand up immediately. The feeling will go away after a while. I don't know what will happen if I keep upside down position, will my brain blow? I never had this feeling before since I got the first concussion last April. I didn't take care of myself very well after the first hit. I knew it is totally wrong. I didn't get a lot of symptoms at that time (only dizziness and foggy brain). But it gets worse and worse recently and I started developing a lot of new symptoms like migraine, tinnitus, insomnia and the feeling I mentioned above. I am not sure if it is severe or not but it really scares me. Any suggestion? I am going to see another neurologist next week and don't know if it will help. I had an MRI last December and it is normal. Not sure if I need to do another MRI next week to clear my questions.

Thanks,
Johnson

I have the same issues. I get the pressure and my tinnitus is whooshing sounds. Your head won't blow up but it's very uncomfortable. When I bend down with my head say look under the bed or pick something up my head gets funky then I feel unsteady. Ive had an mri and mra which were normal.

After my head injury I had the same symptoms as you describe. Could not pick up stuff from the ground or bend over to tie my shoe lace.

I looked into the matter and from what I understand it could be the autoregulation system of the brain that is not working properly. This means that the brains ability to keep the blood pressure constant at different heart rates, working positions etc. is compromised.

According to some theories this is also the reason why many people with PCS is unable to exercise after their head injury. The increase of blood pressure brings back symptoms by irritating or damaging the healing nerve tissue.

I tried to get rid of these symptoms myself by following the buffalo university regulated exercise regimen.

It actually worked for me and these symptoms are pretty much gone today, but I also managed to relapse a few times because i was too eager to exercise.

So its is quite important to keep within the bounds of the pulse rate limits.

I think this forum has several threads on the subject if interested.

-Glasshead

Thanks! Any link to the buffalo university regulated exercise regimen? I read articles about that but it would be great if there is a detail guideline about how to do that. Cannot exercise is also my major pain as my body is pretty weak right now.

Glasshead has hit the nail on the head. The brain's ability to regulated blood pressure can get damaged. Your sensitivity to this is a strong reason to make every effort to avoid another head impact. Second Impact Syndrome is a result of an impact while this regulatory system is dysfunctional.

Here is a link to Buffalo concussion.buffalo.edu

I doubt another MRI is of any value. On home therapy you may try to exercise this system is simple. Sit in an upright chair. Slowly bend forward putting your head below your knees. As soon as you feel this fullness, slowly sit back up. If you do this on a regular frequency, you may be able to help your brain restore this function. You can vary the amount you lean forward to fit your comfort level.

The Buffalo protocol uses repeated increases in pulse rate and blood pressure to re-acclimate this system. Their exercise protocol establishes a limit of exertion that causes head ache and other symptoms. Then, you exercise to a BP and pulse that is 10% below this threshold. You increase the intensity by small increments about every two weeks or so. Slowly, the brain relearns how to moderate BP. It is not helpful at reducing the cognitive and memory symptoms of concussion.

Good luck with this as you carefully try it.

My best to you.

hmm... It sounds scary. What if my brain cannot control the blood pressure completely? Will my blood vessels in the brain burst? Or will it be fine as soon as I don't stress it? Will home therapy actually hurt my vessels? Really don't know if it is a good time to train my brain since my symptoms are pretty obvious. Should I just rest until everything is better?

The point of doing it in a chair is you can easily limit and reduce the effect. You may need to just lean forward a slight bit and wait to see if you feel the pressure. This is not a "see how far you can go' exercise. It is a try a little bit than rest exercise.

If this scares you after trying it just a bit, then wait until you see a doctor.

My best to you.

I had this symptom for a long time (and still have it to an extent). It felt like the same blood pressure problem when I exercised, and when I sang (I was an amateur opera singer and so sing in a very 'physical' way, right from the diaphragm etc.)

I tested it a fair bit as I found giving up my singing very difficult, and never did it 'blow' - I think it is just very uncomfortable but I wouldn't expect it to cause any long term damage from some major catastrophic event.

In the meantime just get used to bending at the knee instead of the waist to pick things up off the fllor. It will be better for your lower back too! This symptom should pass eventually.