Brand new member, same song
 

Hello everyone.


I'm a 39 year old female PCS sufferer, mother, businessperson, forum newbie from Canada.


October 26th on a chilly Saskatchewan day, after some freezing rain, I walked out to my car after work. I wasn't rushing, nor was I wearing heels... But in a split second I was falling, my right leg suddenly hooked under my car, accelerating my fall and slamming the back of my head onto pavement. I can still hear the sound, it was deafening when my head hit.


I don't remember the next events until I was upright... No one was there to help me. I can't answer if I lost consciousness or not, it's a few seconds of blank time. Then, I got in my car and drove... Yes I know. Wasn't even thinking.


Fast forward to the next day... I was taken to the medi-clinic by my partner because I couldn't move, neck so sore, head just thick with pain. Ears ringing, vision disturbed, extreme nausea. I barely recall this day at all, the confusion was so pronounced.


Doc examined me, and sent me to emergency at the hospital, STAT. I was so confused... But anyway X-rays, CT done and were "negative". I was discharged to rest as much as possible. No advice. A prescription for a muscle relaxant and told to take Tylenol for pain.


Since then I've been off work, from my fast paced high energy job as a casino marketing manager. My brain was formerly my favourite thing about myself... And now?


Well it's been 7 weeks. I've since been sent to a neuro surgeon and went for a precautionary MRI. Although he didn't tell me, I've read that I have "PCS" which was an unknown acronym to me until now. He offered zero feedback as to how I can heal. I've been told to "rest". Then get reassessed. I'm not cleared to go back to work until January at least.



They also sent me for physiotherapy for my neck. Have had 2 treatments so far- massage and acupuncture. Shrug... I can't tell if anything works.



"Rest" they say.



So... The Holiday Season. Motherhood. Those things sound restful don't they? Turns out I've learned more about what kind of rest my brain needs, from browsing these forums over the last few days.


Still, I'm a slow learner lately so I'm asking... What should I be doing? Avoiding? Eating? Supplementing?


Symptoms are still severe most days.


-headache
-fullness in my head
-dizziness that comes and goes
-nausea that comes and goes
-ears ring
-hate bright lights
-cannot tolerate loud or even moderate sound
-confusion
-memory problems
-verbal delays (I'd like to buy a noun please... Instead of um, uh, the thing)
-comprehension problems (tell me three more times, I'll get it yet)
-neck pain, neck pain, neck pain



I'm sure this is all the typing my brain can handle... So, signing off...


- Rri

MsRrio,

Welcome to NeuroTalk. Sorry to hear of your struggles.

Everything you are experiencing is common to PCS. The rest that was prescribed was correct but only half right. You need quiet rest. With kids, this can be a challenge. The point is to moderate your cognitive and physical activities. My thread about Vitamin Supplements is worth reading. The brain needs help purging the toxic remnants of the injury so it can start healing.

You should be avoiding caffeine, alcohol, MSG, artificial sweeteners (aspartame, Equal, Nutrasweet, Splenda, sucralose), and high fructose corn sweeteners. Moderate amounts of natural sugar are OK. Stevia and Monk Fruit sweeteners are OK.

Good meat protein is good for amino acids. Pork is the best for its high levels of BCAA (broken chain amino acids).

There are three online resources. The YouTube, You Look Great 6 segment video series takes about an hour, and is at:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x9Xso...ature=youtu.be

http://www.brainline.org/content/201...u-to-know.html

and the Brain Injury Survival Guide at www.tbiguide.com is worth printing out to understand your symptoms.

It will be good to inform your family of your needs so they can help with over-stimulation issues. A quieter house will make a big difference.

Please keep in mind that a good day does not mean you can take on a stimulating activity. Often, you will pay for it the next day. You need to focus on linking as many low symptoms days together as possible.

At 39, you may benefit from getting a good hormone assessment. Concussions can really mess up hormones, especially for women. A referral to a specialist is at https://www.womensinternational.com/..._referral.html Most gyn's use to broad of hormone levels to be beneficial to an injured brain. Targeted bio-identical hormones can make a big difference.

Be sure to ice your upper neck and back of your head, especially when you have a head aches. The inflammation at C-1 and C-2 can magnify concussion symptoms. A zip lock bag with 1 part rubbing (isopropyl) alcohol and 3 parts water will freeze into a moldable ice pack. 15 minutes on, 30 minutes off, repeat.

Let us know how you are doing.

My best to you.

Feel free to ask as many question as you have. There are lots of great people here.

lots of similarities!
 

Hi MsRrio

I read your post and thought..wow... we have a lot in common! I'm also 39 and work at a casino (off right now though) and I have a family too. My son is almost 18 though so I am very lucky that he is such a huge help. I couldn't imagine trying to recover from this with young kids.

I'm almost 6 months since my accident though. I don't have any magic answers, I just wanted to let you know it does get better. If I look back to where I was at 2 months there's been noticeable improvement. I still have a long way to go though.

The best advice has already been given, rest, cognitive and physical. No noise or stimulation. No tv, reading, phone conversations, going out, etc. I think the better you are at this the quicker you will see some improvement.

I'm too new to be giving advise though...just wanted to say good luck and it does get better! I'm going to check out those hormome links for us older ladies ;)

CC

Welcome, you have gotten good advice already. Visit when you need, ask any questions you may have, vent all you want.

Tried icing my neck for the first time. How I wish I'd found this forum weeks ago. Honestly how can the medical system not even tell us these basic coping strategies???



Have yet to check out the videos, wasn't a good brain day. But I'm hopeful.



Thank you just doesn't seem enough. But, thank you everyone. To have gone through this and still commit to helping others going through it, is no small sacrifice. You are appreciated!!!! :hug: