New to this site, just wanted to say hi
 

Hi all!
I never knew there was a site like this and I am happy to find it. I am happy to find people that know how I feel, but I think I am about to cry. There is just so much built up emotion and sometimes I get really emotional when I think and talk about this stuff.

Anyways, I am a 28 year old female and my teammate drilled me in the back of the head with a softball on April 8, 2011. It was right on the base of the head and neck. Since then I have been diagnosed with MTBI, post concussion syndrome, occipital neuralgia, severe phototobia, cervical spondylosis, damage to muscles, multiple vision disorders, etc. I was on short term medical leave from work for three months and I am still on medical accommodations through work where I mostly work from home.

I get really sick with lights, especially fluorescents and if something in my neck/head gets agitated with say lifting something, I will start shaking, my speech gets all crazy, hard to breathe, massive fatigue and so on. I have started to sometimes feel these tremors with other conditions, such as emotions, physical pain, etc.

Anyways, I could go on and on. I have found some pretty good doctors, but it has taken a long time. I am working on getting through some of the mental pain this has caused. I have a pain psychologist that has helped a lot, but I still feel a lot of pain from this inside and most people don't know it and I am not sure how to release it. I guess I just have to trust that time will heal. I guess I just feel like my confidence has taken a hit. Sports are a big part of my life and I can't play much anymore and I just feel overall like "damaged goods" and weak.

Sorry for the rant, but just wanted to get that out. Also wanted to say that I am here for anyone who needs someone to talk to, brain injury related or not.

With that location of impact, have you tried upper cervical chiropractic?
Also called atlas/axis, c1 c2.

I'm assuming no other cervical spine issues.
info sites-
www.upcspine.com
www.nucca.com

Umm I am not sure!! What is it?? I have been to two different chiropractors and they have taken full panel X-rays and tried different treatments. Some of the more basic treatments helped temporarily. Awhile back at my last session they tried a more aggressive approach on my "bad" area called cupping and I have a severe reaction and had tons of bruising all over my neck and back and I had crazy nerve issues all down my arms and stuff like that and ended up in the ER the next day. So, needless to say, I haven't tried much else yet! I was a little scared. I did try a muscle activation therapist and it seemed to work well, but it took a lot of energy for recovery and I broke my finger is two places and broke my foot. So I don't have a ton of energy to spare at the moment!! But I am def going to look up what you mentioned because I have tried a lot of things, some have worked, some have been really bad, but that's just how it goes I guess.

Tracy... I sent you a private message... I am new to this too so thought I better actually tell you to look at your private messages as it took me awhile to figure that out! I have many of the same issues and thought we could chat.

Tracy,

Welcome to NeuroTalk. You have found a great place with good people.

When you talk about mental pain, are you meaning emotional pain? Head aches are a frequent subject here but the emotional pain and struggles are real. You will find an accepting and supporting community here no matter how much you struggle.

Many of us have found it helps to understand the various symptoms so that we can work to find work-arounds and other accommodations that allow us to move forward with life.

Regarding your neck and tremors, etc. have you tried icing you neck whenever you have any discomfort or symptoms? My neck acts up and my legs start twitching. Sometimes I get tingles in my left hand. Icing my neck makes a big difference.

You can make a soft ice pack with a zip lock baggie with 1 part rubbing (isopropyl) alcohol to 3 parts water. It will mold easily. Put a thin towel between it and your skin. 15 minutes on, 30 minutes off, repeat as necessary.

Please feel free to tell us more about your symptoms and any struggles you are having. Nothing you say will surprise any of us.

My best to you.