Need to Vent
 

Hi all, this is my first post here. I hit my head on Sunday, and it is my third concussion in the past three years. The two concussions before this one didn't give me many symptoms at the time, but I went to the endocrinologist last week, before this concussion, and he said that many of the problems I have been having may be a result of those two head injuries (he doesn't think my symptoms are hormonal). Sorry if this is a bit disjointed, but I'm having trouble thinking clearly right now!

Anyway, I didn't hit my head very hard on Sunday, at least I don't think I did, but I got pressure in my head and dizziness a few hours later. I also had tingling in my face, hands, and arms, and although my doctor said that those weren't signs of a concussion, I am almost positive they came from hitting my head since i have never had tingling in my face before. The doctor I talked to Sunday night told me to go in for an evaluation Monday if I was still not feeling well.

On Monday, I was having trouble walking, talking, and I had a headache and was very dizzy, so I went to the doctor and saw a different doctor from the one I talked to on the phone. She drug tested me (I don't drink or do drugs, so the test was obviously clean, but I guess she thought I was acting strangely...which I was, since I wasn't feeling horrible and I could barely talk and I was nervous!) and also sent me for a CT scan.

The office called me last night and said the scan came back ok but I definitely had a concussion. But tonight, someone else called from the office and said that the urine test came back clean (as I knew) so the doctor didn't know why I was acting confused since there was no explanation for my behavior.

So now I really am confused. I don't know who said I have a concussion, since if she said it, wouldn't she know that's why I'm not quite right (ok, not right at all at the moment)? I'm getting nervous that she won't believe me when I go back tomorrow, but something is really wrong. I can barely type right now- I'm usually very fast, but my fingers are missing the keys. It's hard to read, I'm seeing random colors, shadows, and spots.
My body is shaking, my head is pounding, and when I try to walk around, I'm so dizzy. My brain also feels like it's twitching, which I know sounds strange, but that's how it feels, and my arms, legs, and torso are twitching, too. Basically, I am a mess right now and quite nervous that she thinks I'm crazy (I'm not!).

I also have to go back to work on Thursday; it's a brand new job, I just started a month ago, so taking time off really is not an option. As the title suggests, I just had to vent to people who might understand what I'm going through!

hb,

Welcome to NeuroTalk. Sorry to hear of your injury and struggles.

It sounds like you may be having a combination of concussion foggy brain and anxiety. Anxiety is a common symptom of concussion. The brain's frustration to process your environment can cause the anxiety like reaction and feelings.

The doctor or whatever who did not understand your confusion likely has the idea that concussion confusion does not last. You may have speech that is not normal. If your brain is off on its timing, your speech can sound slurred to others but appear normal to you. I have this problem from time to time in the exact opposite. It sounds like everybody is talking too fast.

Regarding typing gibberish. It is very common for me. I type out my thoughts then have to go back and fix ALL the red squigglies. My fingers know backspace and delete as well as they know home row.

Sometimes, my fingers follow my direction and fly across the keyboard.

How did you get your concussion? Most concussion include trauma to the neck that is overlooked.

My best to you.

I am definitely having some anxiety! This all just happened and I am really hoping that the symptoms won't last but they sure aren't easing up! This time I hit my head on my car when I was getting in. Like I said, I didn't think it was that hard but I am thinking that maybe it's worse this time since I already had two concussions. But anyway, thank you for your response!

Is there someone you really trust to help you with your medical information/treatment? I was/am overwhelmed with everything and "hear what I want to hear." I am very lucky I trust my husband without a doubt. He has written authorization from me to be privy to my medical results with the doctors. It takes a weight off my shoulders in terms of having to recall information and I have a source of information when I get frustrated because he knows what is going on or can find out with a phone call. I am participating in my recovery and deciding what steps to take, but am not alone.

As much as Mary is right about having somebody who can help you with medical records and the fact that you may be struggling to make sense of what was told to you, it is not uncommon to get the mish-mash of communications from medical professionals and their offices.

A way you may be able to make this situation better is to tell them to send you an email. This puts the communication in writing and easy to archive. A text message would be my second but distant choice. Texts tend to get erased easier.

You would be wise to establish an email folder for medical records. We can not trust our memories nor our ability to process verbal information.

Welcome to PCS.

My best to you.

I keep a journal.

I started rather late in my journey, after finally seeing my first Neurologist, and talking with people involved on my clear days, to get updates about me and what I was like at the time around the injury and after - so I put things together as best possible.

Since then I try to remember to keep it up to date.

My wife sees me inputting at times and asks if I am journaling - see makes sure I update things that seem different or new sometimes. And, she refuses to read it - says she doesn't want to read my personal thoughts on what Im feeling, even though I have told her I don't care if she does.

BTW, I have said something in my posts before, I constantly am editing as I go with backspace and correcting my typos, on my posts, and do the same in my journal, emails, etc. - I just don't like to have stuff looking bad.