Concussion symptoms without the headaches?
 

Hello everybody,

For about two weeks now I have not suffered from any headaches with the exception of one day (within those two weeks). Prior to these two weeks I have had headaches much more often. Yet I still have foggy thinking (spaced out feeling), dizziness, trouble concentrating, some anxiety, and sensitivity to light pretty much everyday. Is this normal? Has anyone else experienced concussion symptoms without the headaches? Does this mark a significant step in the recovery process?

I believe much of my headaches in the past can be attributed to exercise. It was about two weeks ago that I decided to stop doing anything physical except for walking/light yoga.

Any insights? I know headaches are one of the main concussion symptoms and for me not to have them for two weeks but still have other symptoms just has me wondering what the heck is going on.

Getting relief from head aches is a good sign. It may mean your brain is getting better at regulating intracranial blood pressure. Reducing your brains need to regulate pressure allows it to heal and get better at regulating pressure.

There are plenty of people who rarely have head aches yet deal with cognitive and memory issues on a daily basis. I went years without chronic head aches until 18 months ago when I banged my head. Now, they are almost a daily occurrence.

Count this as a single improvement. Continue to moderate stress. In a month or so, you may try to increase your work-out load. If the head aches return, reduce your work-outs by 10% lower pulse or a similar effort metric than the pulse that causes the head aches to return. Then, slowly increase workout effort but stay under your head ache threshold.

And, enjoy being head ache free.

My best to you.

My 24/7 headaches subsided as well, but I still have all ofmthe other complaints, and headaches still come but not as in the first year. I rejoice when I don't have a headache. Dealing with those on top of everything else is tough.
Had a bad one last week but I knew it would pass and it did (4 days later!)
Hang in there.

It looks like PCS affects everyone differently, and recovery is also different for all. Headaches are one of the last symptoms that I still experience, they are normally caused if I exercise or do too much in work. My neuropsychologist told me that when symptoms come and go or go away altogether that this is a sign that you are starting to get better. From my experience this is true!

Good news!
 

It's great you are not dealing with daily headaches. I was like that before my last car accident, so I can't give you an example of a natural progression from there, but after that accident, my headaches were due to a neck injury, but a week and a half after my neck injury was fixed by my physical therapist, my cognitive symptoms lifted. I think those headaches were impeding my cognitive function, but that that wasn't the only cause. I still have my struggles but my headaches lifting were definitely a sign that things were going to start getting better at a faster pace. Rest should be your number one priority but getting outside and going for walks could help lift your spirits! That's important for your recovery too!

Thanks everyone for the encouraging words. It's very comforting to hear that others too are having some symptoms without 24/7 headaches. I'm going to take it as a sign that I am getting better. I was just a little confused because I thought headaches were one of the last symptoms to go, so I was having that fear of maybe this is how I will be permanently (I hate when I think like that). But right now I feel at peace with the current situation and I accept it. Hopefully I continue to make progress and some of my other symptoms will begin to lift with rest and a low stress lifestyle.

Tpont,

Where did you get the information that head aches are the last to go ?

There is a lot of worthless info about concussions out on the internet. Even doctors often have this bad info.

Count your self blessed that you don't have daily headaches! But yes, PCS affects everyone differently. I am also wondering about if headaches are the last to go? For myself my only symptoms are light sensitivity and chronic painful headaches everyday:( But they seem to be improving the past week.

Good luck to you.