looking for insight
 

First I have to say some of the threads have helped me a lot with the feeling that I.must just be defective.
I have suffered two concussions in the last year but think they are numbers 4 and 5 since my teens. The first in Feb 2011 was suffered while working on a patient inside of a car while the fire department cut the car apart. They accidently came down on the top of my head while buckeling the roof. I had pcs symptoms for about 2 months. The most recent injury was from a simple slip on black ice I struck the back of my head on the pavement. After that injury the headaches dizziness and nausea wh
ere and are unforgiving.
Unfortunately since both injuries are work related (last was while trying to get to a patient) I have to go through workmans comp for treatment. I am currently waiting on the neuro appointment.
I had been in a great string of symptom free days until 3 days ago and now they are back and there are new ones. I spontaneously vomit, will be doing something and have this sudden stabbing pain behind my eye or on the top of my head and bend over then standing back up results in me having to brace myself to keep from falling. My balance and moods are also effected negatively. Has anyone else had similar symptoms? I know no.two injuries are alike but with the original Dr not returning my calls and no assigned neuro I am blindly searching for answers.
Thanks
Tonya

First, welcome to Neuro Talk. Sorry to hear that you are having such difficulties. I don't know what is worse, PCS or workmans' comp. Well, actually I do know which is worse but I won't say o O

As far as your question, I think every one of your symptoms have been experienced by some one with PCS. Everyone has their own combination, but yours are all in the spectrum, so try not to worry about that. Instead, get rest as much as possible. You mention that you've been reading the threads, so undoubtedly you have encountered great advice on nutrition, vitamins and diet folks here have shared. I can only add, since this is a WC issue, get a lawyer. It's almost not an option. Someone has to be on your side, and you can be sure the insurance company managing your "care" and the neurologist they are funneling you towards are not.

Good luck and take care of yourself, and keep us informed of your progress.

Medicguyette welcome to Neurotalk,

spontaneously vomitting is not a common symptom of PCS as far as i know.
You mention a stabbing feeling behind your eyes, do you also have visual disturbances as well? Especially when standing up suddenly or coughing?

Sometimes vomitting, combined with visual distubances is indicative of increased intracranial pressure. The increase in pressure can activate part of the brain called "Area postrema" inducing vomiting, while also putting pressure on the optic disc causing visual disturbances. Usually though, people get progressively worse if they have this condition and don't feel better till it is resolved.

This is only a suggestion, so don't be alarmed :)


-GlassHead

I haven't had any visual disturbance yet and oddly holding my hand on my eye like holding pressure on it made it feel better then the pain came back but comes and goes so not constant. Thanks for all the advise.I will make good use of the info.:o

Tonya,

My heart goes out to you as you struggle and even more with WC.

Your fall on the black ice has likely added a whiplash component. Be sure to get an assessment of your neck and specifically your upper neck.

And yes, find a good WC attorney. But, be very careful to find an attorney with expertise with mTBI/concussion. Read up on the pitfalls of WC directed care at www.tbilaw.com and the sister site www.subtlebraininjury.com Attorney Gordon Johnson has some good advice to help you avoid getting examined by a biased examiner. The WC docs tend to be hired guns.

Even though they matter to your brain health, do not mention the high school concussions unless asked specifically and only if they were diagnosed by a doctor as concussions. Otherwise, they were just bumps to your head that you keep in your lifetime tally.

Have you tried to catalog possible triggers for your return of symptoms? This will be important knowledge to have as you progress. Remember that a return of symptoms can have a delay after the trigger.

My best to you.

What you are describing happens to me too, but I don't actually vomit, I just suddenly feel like I am about to vomit, but I never have. The pressure on eyes, and the imbalance are exactly the same for me. Also, each concussion gives me slightly different symptoms. Nausea did not come until my 5th concussion.
So either we are both weird, or we are in good company.
Good Luck!