A not-so-brief introduction
 

Hello all,

Wish I didn't have to post here, but am sure glad I found this site. My story is as follows:

Exactly one month ago, I hit the top of my head very hard, in a moment of self-inflicted stupidity (I jumped up and hit my workout bar which was screwed into the door frame). The impact of the trauma went straight down my head into my neck and spine. I didn't black out, but my vision did go black for a second. Immediately after, I had all of the normal symptoms of a hard head knock: headache, pain on the head (no bump), etc. Later that day I was feeling better and decided to go jogging.

I later developed my most disturbing symptom either later that day or the next (can't remember): my ears were plugged, like I was in an airplane. They went away after that day, but reappeared a week later (maybe because I tried to return to working out?). Since then I've had good days and not so good days regarding the pressure in my ears. Sometimes it feels so heavy that I feel like I have tunnel vision and will pass out, other times I barely notice them. Along with the pressure is almost always fluid running down the back of my throat, which drains into my stomach/lungs as I sleep, giving me an awful cough, and suppressing my appetite. Oddly, the symptoms do subside greatly when I am laying down or sleeping.

My other symptoms include: intermittent headaches (hardly ever severe), a feeling of unsteadiness, but not full-blown vertigo - more like I'm less confident and agile on my feet. Also brain fog, noise sensitivity, restless sleep (always wake up before the alarm in a panic), difficulty concentrating, and difficulty focusing my eyes on objects, especially moving objects.

I had a CT scan done in the ER two weeks after my injury and it showed no bleeds. A week later I went to an ENT and he gave me antibiotics and a steroid nasal spray. Both the neurologist and the ENT seemed unconcerned.

I currently live in mainland China which is making things more difficult (I don't speak the language, and finding western specialists is not easy or cheap). I am a school teacher on contract, so taking time off from work is not a realistic option at this point. I have been watching my lifestyle choices though (no alcohol, MSG, caffeine, sugar or artificial sweeteners).

Anyway, thanks for reading my ramble... I'd really like to hear from others who share my symptoms (especially the ear pressure thing, as it is driving me nuts).

It does sound like it could be a sinus infection, on top of a head injury. When you hit your head, things swell up, making drainage of anything in the head more difficult. try alternating heat and ice, look up the vitamin thread here (it was bumped to the top recently), and remember to take it as easy as possible. I'm sure some of the more veteran member here will have more advice!

Balance Issues
 

When are you suppose to come back to your original country?You might want to look into a vestibular therapist for the balance issues etc.A vestibular therapist helps if you did knock your balance off.I wish the best to you.Acupuncture could help you possible while abroad.

I hadn't ruled out a sinus infection or allergies, but the fact that I have no other symptoms (ie, runny nose, itchy eyes, etc) makes me think otherwise. Plus, the symptoms appeared so close to my injury that I feel like it cannot be coincidence. If the symptoms persist I will attempt to get a scan of my sinuses to check, though.

This is not my first hard hit to the head, but it is the first that created symptoms that have lasted a while... the ones in the past I've shook off pretty easily. I've been on Google the past month self-diagnosing myself with everything and anything imaginable... :confused:

I'll be back in the US in July... so I'm still a few months off. When I do get back I'll be uninsured until I can find another teaching position, so my best bet may be to try and find care here. I am going to try to investigate acupuncture and therapeutic massage. When my headaches first appeared, I was able to control them with self-massaging my neck (many of my headaches radiated upwards from my neck).

If anyone has any advice on my symptoms, and what I should be asking for from a doctor if/when I go to visit I would appreciate it greatly. The past two times I've gone I've been brushed off (very frustrating), and I want to make sure I'm getting the proper scans and diagnostics done!

Have you been assessed for a CSF leak?

Count,

Is there an American compound anywhere near ? My cousin worked in China and lived in an American compound with full American services. His compound was for the petroleum industry.

The spinal fluid leak is a valid concern. You may also have injured your upper neck. Try icing your upper neck.

I suggest you plan ahead and arrange for health insurance to start upon your return. You should be able to apply for Blue Cross or something else online with overnight mail for signatures.

I was wondering abut CSF leak... but doesn't it usually manifest outwardly? I just figured that my sinuses were overproducing mucus in my ears from the trauma... However, I may mention the CSF issue when I do see another neurologist. It was a steady drain in the back of my throat, but now it is mostly only when I pop my ears that I feel some drainage. The pressure has waned a little (but still there often), but it has left me with a sense of heaviness and sensitivity in my ears when not feeling the pressure.

I can access a Chinese neuro. It is just the mental aspect of navigating the Chinese healthcare system which is overwhelming to me.

Mark, about the insurance... will they cover my doctor visits considering that it happened prior to getting the coverage? If so I can apply now and try to use it here in an expat hospital...

Thanks for all of the help and advice so far!

Obamacare has stopped the insurance companies from considering pre-existing conditions.

We had a poster here long ago (Vini) who had a CSF leak into his sinus. One way they fix them is clog them with the patient's blood so it clots.

I will definitely make sure to mention this when I see a neuro.

The new healthcare provisions sadly don't take effect until January 2014, according to the wiki. Anything from now till then will have to be out of pocket (thankfully I saved a lot here in China!).

I will be using this thread to update my progress. Thanks to all for the help and support. :)

Dear CountNomula,
Welcome, sorry to hear about yr predicament. To add to the above info, I do know that if you get the feeling that the floor will move away as you walk this is a concern to neurophysio's. You describe above the unsteadiness you now feel and a lack of confidence.
This can be a symptom of the neck spinal area becoming detatched. It is most common in rugby when a player suffers a head on collision. In your case a head up, but it's still the fact your neck took a full on blow.
What you need is an MRI looking at the soft tissue and tendens in your neck to see if they have shifted or are unstable.
Good luck.