Multiple concussions
 

Hi!

I'm a 26 years old girl from Norway. I've had multiple concussions in the past. Five years ago I fell off my horse and was unconscious for several minutes. I recovered completely. A year later I hit my head at the bathroom floor and the concussion symptoms was back. Two weeks after that I hit my head in the roof of my car. At that time I hadn't yet recovered from my second concussion, and I had post concussion syndrome symptoms for about 8 months after that - ringing in ears, loss of concentration, terrible headache, nausea, could not read books, computer etc. After this I almost completely recovered. However, I persisted to be extremely sensitive to any bumps when driving etc. I never hug anyone because I tend to get psc symptoms if they accidentally "hit" my head to hard. This may sound crazy, but my head is extremely sensitive. After these incidents I usually recover after about one or two weeks. But not this time.

One month ago I was driving with someone who drove on a hole in the road. This made me dizzy and all my symptoms came back. One week later I had a similar experience when an elevator I took had a hard "jerking" movement. After this I have been extremely annoyed with psc symptoms. I have ringing in my ears, dizziness, loss of concentration, irritability, terrible headache (impossible to describe) etc. I am so frustrated and afraid the symptoms will persist for monts or years. What do you think my prognosis is after these last incidents? I just finished my law degree with extremely good results and I want to work, but right now I can't even think. I am so afraid for my future, and I will rather die than have these symptoms. I don't know what to do and I am so depressed about how things have turned out. I will be extremely thankful for any advise. When can I expect my symptoms to cease after these two last incidents? Can I risk to have these symptoms for years? I know I will still be very sensitive and I try my best to avoid hitting my head, but I just want these symptoms to go away.

Sorry for my poor English skills. I hope someone could help because I'm so afraid and frustrated. Thank you in advance.

You have explained things very well.

However, what care have you received?

What testing have you received? What specialists have you seen or received care from, and what medications have they tried , or are you on (if any)?

Are you receiving any therapy?

Secondly, on these forums there are links for some very helpful sites for perusal to information that may help; as well as a link to a Vitamin/Supplement thread that Mark has started that is very helpful, providing nutrition support to the brain injured...... seems we all need quite a bit of this type of support which is not always provided through Allopathic physician recommendations - they aren't always into supplemental care, nor very aware of its usefulness for the most part.

One very good link for information, in my opinion is Brainline.Org , read through and see what you think.

Many others may post and offer other links and advice. We are all here to help each other..........

Best wishes........... :grouphug:

Your first step is this one, welcome.

Multiple concussions
 

Thank you so much for your reply and good tips. I haven't received any treatment or therapy (a little acupuncture which didn't help that much). I've visited many doctors (the health care system in Norway is free and usually pretty good), but they say they can't help me. All they can say is that I have to rest. However, I do nothing else than resting.

So sorry to hear it
 

Hello Girl from Norway,

Welcome to NeuroTalk -- this is a good place.

I don't know much about problems from multiple concussions. I've had about 2 in my life so far and the most recent one was 3 months away.

I've been learning from this board that though I may heal, it seems once we've had head trauma, we are more prone to it -- just like what you wrote about. And life may now be learning to live around the things that trigger it-- just as you did and do.

Someone else pointed out the vitamin stickie at the top and I am a believer in nutrition. I follow the regimin posted there and added supplements to it.

Tell us anything more you want about your symptoms etc and more people here will weigh in.

Sincerely

pm

I would recommend that you arrange an appointment with a Neurologist/ Physiatrist and a NeuroPyschologist for evaluation of your needs.

Neurologist/Physiatrist for ongoing care and medication needs, if any; and directed care to therapies; and NeuroPsychologist for thorough evaluation of any depression associated with the concussion/pcs and cogitive issues... and recommendations of follow-up for therapy.

These are the usual practical needs with your current concussion/pcs complaints.

Have you been experiencing any vertigo, tinnitus, vision difficulties that seem to accompany you current complaints or are situational? Let your future care giver know about those also, even if they do not ask - many practitioners are not fully up-to-date about Concussions/PCS care and give those answers you have already received, and we as patients usually have to educate them as we go for care.

Best Wishes.......... :grouphug:

Thanks again. I will contact the specialists you mention. I feel so frustrated. I am so afraid my symptoms won't go away this time. Yes, I have tinnitus etc. I have vision issues, but mostly in the form of "slow" vision. I feel sleepy without any energy. I also have a hard time talking fast.

Thanks for all your help.

Poetrymom: Thanks a lot for your reply. Do you heal from your multiple concussions, in the form of being symptom free if you are careful so you don't get more traumas? I know me head will be extremely sensitive for traumas the rest of my life. However, I wonder if I ever will be symptom free this time? If not, I don't know what to do.

Healing
 

Hello again GirlfromNorway,

The first concussion I had was when I was 9 or 10. I hit concrete pavement from swinging on a rope swing in our garage. I healed completely from that. I had forgotten about it until the damage showed up on my MRI.

I am now 48 and got a mild concussion, tBi -- brain injury, from the car accident in Feb. I had bed rest for about a week after that, felt better, then all my symptoms -- dizziness, sound and light sensitivity, fatigue, came back. I had to let work go for the rest of the year and then I started to really rest and feel better.

I feel better, but I know I am not recovered. I still get tired, and have some issues with sound / noise, and being around a lot of people can be really tiring for me too.

As for work again, well, I want to, but I know that I have to handle stress differently and maybe I will have a career change. I don't like to think of that, but it may be a reality for me. It remains to be seen.

I have hope that I will continue to get better, but it takes time, as you know, and no one can say how much time is enough. I try not to let that aggravate me.

I know you are really upset about your symptoms coming back and I don't know why that happens either. I know there are other, really experienced people here who will weigh in with their insight.

In the meantime, really try to take care of yourself -- meditation, a hot bath, any healthy thing you can do to feel better is important.

Sincerely,

pm

Norway Girl,

I had a significant head injury back in November and had all the classic PCS symptoms and needed 4 months off work and a phased return to work.

I am now back working 33.5 hours a week, but need an SNRI medication called Cymbalta to prevent headaches which I am plagued with, and it also acts as an antidepresant.

It doesn't work for everyone, but having recently gone off Cymbalta, I know I need it to function and to do my job properly. There are other SNRI's or SSRI's which can help some people, but you would need to discuss the advantages and disadvantages (and there are a few) with a doctor first.

Depression and pain are common symptoms of PCS and there are some medications out there which can cure both in one pill.

Before your Dr visits try to objectively list your symptoms. Categorize them as follows physical: I.E. headaches, vertigo, ... Cognitive: language issues, slow thinking, confusion... Psychiatric; any issues like anger, anxiety, fear of re-injury. Frequently whiplash accompanies concussion injuries and can be overlooked. Be sure to ask your Drs about this. Unresolved C-spine issues can cause ongoing symptoms.