Setback
 

I haven't been here for a while ... in mid-November I thought I'd turned a corner (August concussion) and was on the mend. I'd begun lifting weights again and was walking 6-8 miles/week.

Last week I was loading paint and supplies into the back of my wagon and whacked my head on the lift gate, in the same spot as I'd hit it in August. I felt just ok afterward, not great. But the same symptoms I felt in the weeks following my concussion have returned -- dizziness/wobbliness, feeling as if my head is going to float off, difficulty concentrating, fatigue, loud tinnitus. Spending 3 days inhaling fumes as I painted our bedroom didn't help.

The one things my doctors had told me was "Don't hit your head again." I kind of laughed it off at the time, because I knew I wouldn't. It isn't funny now.

I hate being back to square one. I hope recovery will be quicker this time.

If you were painting with solvent based paints, the fumes could be part of your problem. But, most room paints are latex and/or Low VOC so the inhaled fumes are minimal.

The re-injury is likely the cause of your symptoms.

Have you been icing your head and neck? It will likely help.

Your recovery should be quicker this time because you have a better understanding of how to take care of yourself. Get the good quiet rest and you should do fine.

My best to you.

Oh yeah, Don't bump your head again. I've tried this since I was 16 but have bumped my head 10 times more in 40 years. LOL

Thank you, Mark. My husband and I went on a mini-vacation last weekend, and I had my first alcohol and caffeine since August. We also walked a lot, virtually all day long. I felt fine. But today, after being back in the office working on the computer, I'm dragging, miserable, lightheaded. I'll try to get some good rest this week. And no more caffeine or alcohol until I'm back to normal.

It never occurred to me to ice my head/neck. I'll try that, thanks!