Post concussive syndrome/depression
 

December 2, 2011 was the day that changed my life. Driving to work my car slid on a patch of ice and I hit a telephone pole. The left side of my head knocked the windiw out and i lost consciousness. I experienced all the usual symptoms if a concussion. The following 6 months were basically a blur. What brings me to this website is questions. I am still having symptoms and its been 10 months. Not sure if I should go back to the doctor. Over the past months the symptoms have come and gone, and the time in between would get longer. But the past month or so (and yes I have been stressed out lately) it seems the symptoms are back to the way it was right after my accident. Also been getting headaches. I've noticed something else. I'm tired alllll the time, I have no desire to exercise or do anything. I'm a little concerned because I feel like I should be getting past this but it's not going away. Any thoughts or suggestions would be appreciated.

hillie...
 

Depression is definitely something a lot if not most with MTBI experience in the weeks, months etc after their injury. The biggest question for you is how were you prior to the accident? Explain this to a doc who has an understanding of the brain such as a neuropsychiatric or neuropsychologist.

I am still dealing with lasting issues that have many attributes of depression. What I know depression to be makes me feel this is something different. The issues are certainly limiting no doubt.

There is a lot of data that supports depression as a result of tbi caused by a chemical imbalance in the brain. Hopefully you can get a better idea by seeing a specialist and let us know what you find out.

Thanks for the reply :) To be honest with you, I don't really remember how I was before the accident, but it wasn't like this. I was never this scatterbrained, never had a problem with my memory or with dizziness. I do remember that I always had a hard time making choices because I'm afraid of making a wrong decision, and now that is soooo much worse. Don't ask me to solve a problem either, because I struggle with that too. I have plans of going to Disney in January, but I'm a little apprehensive. I read on another website that it's not the G-force that's the problem, but the head getting bounced around. And there are a couple rides at Disney that will defintely do that. And I am prone to motion sickness as well. I feel like I'm doomed and have actually considered skipping the trip. I just want to get better. I hate this! I cry alot because I'm so frustrated with it! I talked to a neurologist that I work with and he said it sounds like "benign paroxysml positional vertigo" and I tried "Epley's manuever" which did help for a while. The problem with that is it made me soo sick to my stomach for a couple hours, it was awful.
Thanks again for responding. I have felt so alone because noone close to me has any idea what I am going through!

Hi hillie...
 

I read your post and it struck a chord with me, as I see you've been thru a tremendous amount of pain and frustration.
It's no wonder you've been hit with the depression cloud as well and I'm so glad that you've come here to talk about that.
I've battled this for most of my life and the worst mistakes I have made thru-out the years is isolating myself. Mostly because, like you said, the people around us don't have a clue, and chances are they wouldn't even 'get it' if I did try to explain. It takes someone who understands depression to really comprehend what it does to a person.

Fortunately, this place has people who KNOW and truly care. It's good to talk about it. It's also good to talk with a professional who can give coping strategies and perhaps medication if it helps.
I am ever grateful to have this place to come to. It's genuine care and concern from one to another which keeps us lifted above the dark cloud.

It's good to have you here...

Caring,
Rae
:grouphug:

Will I ever be normal again...
 

That metallic taste....does anyone know what I am talking about? I mean, after the accident, my taste was off for a few months, and then went back to normal. And it was only with certain foods. When I finally drank my first beer after the accident it tasted metallic. Very strange. Thought it was that particular beer so tried a different one. Same thing. Now, almost 11 months later, the metallic taste comes and goes but it's only with beer. It's very strange.

And I'm still not sure if I will be going to Disney in January. I don't want to waste the money if I can't go on any rides, not to mention paying for the plane ticket. I tend to get nauseous driving in a circle in the car. I always was prone to motion sickness but since my accident it is 10 times worse. :Sigh:

Right there with you
 

You are not alone. It will get better. It has to.

I have been experiencing depression like symptoms as well- overly tired, unmotivated and general malaise. Anytime I try to exert myself I am literally exhausted afterwards. Headache, blurry vision and dizziness follow soon after I try to utilize my brain for higher level functioning like critical thinking. I fear that I will have to quit grad school altogether...but can't give up just yet in case I do recover fully and continue on the path I was on previously. I am not in a position to work less than full time, I have no s/t or l/t disability insurance options...so sitting back and allowing myself to recover is not really an option. My doctor recommended setting daily intentions and carving out time for yoga, walking and meditation daily. I do think it is useful to check in with a Dr. every few weeks (or keep a journal) so you can look at what has improved and be grateful for those minor changes. Thanks for listening.

I just wanted to thank everyone for the encouragement and suggestions. I am so glad I found this site and I am no longer alone :)

Flying....
 

If anyone is a year post injury and has flown, please let me
know how it was. I know I'm not 100% so I'm a little
nervous about getting on the plane. Any thoughts,
suggestions, comments??