Suffering from Post Concussion Symptoms
 

:icon_frown:

One month ago today, I hit my head so hard (don't want to talk about how it happened) that the next day I had this really bad pressure headache. I went to the ER and they did a CT scan which turned out negative. They brushed me off like they usually do with patients and told me to take tylenol 600mg as needed. I knew something was wrong because I don't just go to the Dr. for fun. They wrote me a Dr. note for work for 2 days. I went back after 1 because I can't afford to miss work.

Weeks go by without any symptoms getting better. The symptoms I have were:

Really BAD headaches where I hit my head
Blurred vision
Feeling like I just woke up ALL DAY LONG
Sensitive to light/noise
Taste & smell weren't as strong
Lightheadedness
Dizzy sometimes
Fatigue
I became irritated the more time went on

The first neurologist acted like it was a chore to be there. I could tell she wasn't taking me seriously and that she wasnt passionate about her job. To me, that is ridiculously SAD.

I went almost a month waiting to get in to see a 2nd neurologist. He wrote me a prescription for the generic of Effexor (antidepressant) saying it'll help my headaches and wrote me some other pill I can take before I workout, supposed to help prevent the headaches.

I rested this whole month, no alcohol, nothing crazy at all, pretty much bored with my life. I'm going crazy and I have NOBODY to relate to. None of my friends can relate because they haven't had concussions so they don't know how serious it actually is. So I feel so alone and what I need more than anything is someone to talk to who has been through this. I need support and someone I can depend on. On top of everything I'm going through, I have SO much stress added on which is not helping.

Dbg1,

I hope you get better soon, you need to bear in mind that you are still very early on, and most people recover in 3-6 months. Get plenty of quiet rest, use ear plugs and white noise for noise sensitivity. Use sunglasses and hat for light sensitivity. Get migraine meds for the headaches, and if your mood is affected an antidepressant if need be. Avoid noisy and busy places, too much TV, radio and computers. Listen to your body, if it is telling you to rest, rest. I am coming upto 5 months PCS, but am recovering now by doing these things and have been cleared to go back to work now. It is a waiting game, but try not to worry about the symptoms because this only makes them worse.

Hi and welcome. Lots of folks here will relate.

All brain injuries are different and they heal on their own schedule. FWIW, your concussion is failrly recent. Rest, good nutrition, no alcohol are all positive things you are doing.

Regarding the anxiety and stress, I found mindfullness meditation, gentle yoga and massage therapy helpful. Others will contribute what works for them. Best to you as you recover.

:grouphug:

:(
 

Thanks for your reply. I hope I get better soon as well. The hardest thing for me is having someone understand what I'm going through. I feel like I'm being treated like a concussion is just something people take lightly. It's not... it's so life changing. The thing that's also really hard for me is I'm a receptionist, I am so stressed out at work because so many people call begging for their pain killers, they cuss us out, they threaten to kill themselves, I have to stare at a computer for 8.5 hours a day, make appt's for people. I can't afford to take off work and I feel like it's horrible for my recovery.

QUOTE=mouse1;968370]Dbg1,

I hope you get better soon, you need to bear in mind that you are still very early on, and most people recover in 3-6 months. Get plenty of quiet rest, use ear plugs and white noise for noise sensitivity. Use sunglasses and hat for light sensitivity. Get migraine meds for the headaches, and if your mood is affected an antidepressant if need be. Avoid noisy and busy places, too much TV, radio and computers. Listen to your body, if it is telling you to rest, rest. I am coming upto 5 months PCS, but am recovering now by doing these things and have been cleared to go back to work now. It is a waiting game, but try not to worry about the symptoms because this only makes them worse.[/QUOTE]

Thank you for your response. It's nice to know someone cares. Do you have any meditation suggestions? Massage therapy sounds like a great idea. I was also thinking about getting away for the weekend. Possibly driving to the beach(by myself) to relax for the day . :cool:

It sounds like a tough situation your in, have you spoke to your employer about it or do you have an occupational health department? I knew after returning to work for a week and a half that I wasn't capable of being there and I had a very supportive doctor who signed me off for nearly 5 months.


[/QUOTE]

dbg1,

Contrary to some previous comments, there is not normal recovery time. 85% recover spontaneously in the first few weeks. The rest can take a wide range of recovery time.

Rather than jumping into medications, you first priority should be to get the quiet rest your brain needs. If you have head aches and insomnia, amitriptyline (Elavil) in small doses (10 to 20 mgs) is the usually first medication effort. Effexor is odd as the first med.

Handling phones with confrontational patients is very counter to recovery. Try to get your employer to move you to a less stressful position while you take time to recover. Otherwise, you may become unable to tolerate the office environment.

For many, white noise is not a solution. Quiet environments allow the brain to relax. White noise still requires audio processing. Instead, you may find a music genre or even a limited number of tracks that allow your brain to focus on the known lyrics and melody and relax. It should have a quiet beat and soft lyrics. Think of soothing and maybe boring music.

When you get home, try to take time in a quiet dark room to let your brain get a rest. It will help if you can take times like this during the day.

Read the Vitamins thread . It has good information and some useful links at the bottom.

You should take ibuprofen or enteric aspirin instead of Tylenol. Tylenol can be tough on the brain. If working out causes head aches, you should reduce the intensity of that.

What med did your neuro prescribe for before your workout ?