Worried
 

Hey everyone,
I just spent hours reading posts on here... My husband was diagnosed with PCS in mid feb after a car accident in January. It seems like a lot of you here are dealing withy the same things he is so that makes me feel better but sometimes I just wonder if its something else and not PCS. Maybe that is crazy but I just hate that the diagnosis comes from basically ruling everything else out... Like there is no test that comes back positive for PCS.

Currently he is seeing his normal dr. a neurologist and a chiropractor who also works with Nero acoustic therapy. He is on nortriptyline and Valium (for sleep) and is only working part time. His symptoms are ringing in ears, cloudy head, memory problems, concentration problems, pulsing feeling in his head, head fullness, trouble sleeping and some anxiety.

Basically I am just looking for some reassurance that this is all in line with PCS... I get a little overwhelmed because while he is going through all this I am 6 months pregnant with our first baby! It's a lot to deal with and I really hope he will get better.

Thanks in advance for any replies!

Mindy

Mindy,

Welcome to NeuroTalk. The basic diagnosis for PCS or any concussion is based on any impact to the head followed by symptoms that fit in the category of concussion. PCS just means the concussion symptoms have lasted 6 weeks or more, there-abouts.

There are diagnostic techniques for concussion but they are not widely used. fMRI, qEEG, Diffusion Tensor Imaging, a new imaging system that looks at the the nerve fibers, and NeuroPsychological Assessment all will identify concussion symptoms. The problem is there is not much that can be done to effect or speed up recovery.

I am confused about his care and treatment. Either the nortriptyline or the Valium should help with his sleep. The Valium should be a last ditch effort.

The chiro sounds more focused on human potential and wellness than addressing you husband's injuries. He should not be doing the 'twist the head and pop the neck' adjustment common to chiro. The NeuroAcoustic is a human potential therapy not a healing therapy.

Read the stickie thread at the top about Vitamins. It has some good online resources and information about taking care of an injured brain. You need to help him maintain a low stress life at home and at work.

With proper quiet rest and a low stress life, he will improve and regain the ability tom live a full life.

My best to you.

Hey,
Yes the Valium does help with sleep but obviously he wants to be off of it ASAP so we are currently working on that. The chirp is very mild but he also has whiplash because it was a rear end car accident and the Nero acustic stuff is also aiding in sleep.
So far the nortriptaline is the only thing that helps during the day so for now it seems like he will be on it forever but I am sure that's not the case we just have to be patient.

Dose anyone else deal with the pulsing feeling in their head?

Thanks for your time.

I Can Relate
 

Yes I had this REALLY bad going to a chiropractor (Before I got a M.D. to diagnosis TBI).It is a horrible feeling like your head is so swollen from closed head concussion, neck injury, tinnitus that the pulse feeling is I believe from more trauma from chiropractor (this is my thoughts) and also because the head is swelled from the TBI.

I suggest to get away from the chiropractor popping neck because I am in severe neck trouble in result of this.Like I said this is from my hands on experience.That chiropractor ate up all my medical funds and put me in a worse state.:eek:

I agree with Mark that it should be helping his sleep.Now I am on valium for muscle spasms in whole upper body,neck,face because bulging in neck C1-C5....

A lot to handle!
 

Wow! This must be a lot for you to handle! Pregnancy isn't easy in normal ciircumstances, so my heart goes out to you!

Your husband seems like he has PCS, so I wouldn't worry about that. All he can really do is try to rest, reduce stress levels, eat well, and take the right supplements. Not hitting his head again will also help (lol! This has been my big mistake!) Physical therapy, brain games, theraputic massage have also been helpful for me. Read the hope and healing thread if you haven't already, and you will see that recovery is possible, but it just takes time!

I know you are worried about your husband, but I'm worried about you! Dealing with PCS can be very stressful for a caretaker, as well as for the person suffering with it. My biggest advice to you is to ask for help when you need it. There's no shame in it!

Good luck to you! Feel free to come back for support!

Thanks for all the nice comments... Just to be clear the is no popping cracking or twisting happening with the chiropractor. :)

My accident also happened in January and I am still recovering. I hit my head in a snowboarding accident and it has been a wild ride ever since. Are your husbands symptoms constant? I've noticed my symptoms get better then get worse. Sometimes they get better to the point I start to feel like myself, then I relapse again. Just yesterday I started physical therapy for balance / vestibular issues and today I feel very exhausted from the exercises. But for a non concussed individual it would probably be a piece of cake.

Do you have access to any neuropsychologists in your area? They may be able to pinpoint the areas of your husbands brain that has issues like my neuropsych did.

My advice is to be as patient as possible with your husband. I'm 26, and sometimes I feel like I'm 81 with how easily I get mentally and physically exhausted. It's very very frustrating to be so limited in what you can do, but there is not really a choice in the matter. You're lucky to have each other and have that support system close by. My best to your husband on his recovery.

Hey,
No his symptoms are not constant anymore. He feels sleepy in the mornings with some mind foggyness but feels better about an hour later. Does ok most days during the day but when he has to think a lot or concentrate on a task he gets the pulsin feeling back in his head with ringing in his ears. Also the symptoms are always worse when he lays down flat or on an ear. He ha no problems doing physical activity only mental... And he is a software programmer so it's been rough. Also the memory problems have been pretty consistent.

Thanks or your reply.
Mindy

I have also been having pulsing in my head. I notice it most when I bend over or when I tilt my head towards my shoulder. Worse some days then others, as everything is it seems.

I have not had terrible headaches but mostly dizziness and then nausea which usually triggers the anxiety. It is always worse in the morning, which I can't seem to figure out. I did get a whiplash, so I have been wondering if sleeping on my back would help any, if there has been damage to my upper neck.

From what I hear, this is a slow road to recovery for most. Two steps forward, one step back kind of road.