For those who understand...
 

Hi Everyone,

I'm obviously new around here. I can't believe that I'm posting here; never thought it would be me.

Seven weeks ago I was in a bad cycling (bicycle) crash and lost consciousness. I was air lifted to a trauma unit and kept overnight for observation after CT scans of my head and body revealed nothing remarkable. They told me my helmet saved my life. A week later it was discovered I had four fractured posterior ribs, nondisplaced, which are mostly healed. My post-concussion symptoms, however, still linger.

After the crash, the first thing I remember noticing while being trapped in the hospital (felt like an animal tied to a bag of fluids) was a loud ringing in my right ear. The tinnitus still persists, much to my dismay. After the rib issues began to dissipate, I became acutely aware of balance problems. It felt like a night from my teenage years when I had drank too much, the spinning room and lack of groundedness. This too persists. For this reason, I have not felt comfortable getting back on my bike, which isn't something I'm happy about, but don't want to crash again.

So, seven weeks out, here are my symptoms: tinnitus (loud), spinning dizziness with certain head movements (not constant), feeling disconnected from my body (especially when I walk), weird pressure in the upper part of my head that almost feels like a numb space (hard to describe), irritability, inability to handle too many things (feel overwhelmed), sleeping more, dull headache, lack of genuine emotions (feel flat), and just not feeling like myself. In fact, I feel like I'm walking around faking that I'm me.

I've had two days where my symptoms dissipated and I felt like me (except for the tinnitus), but afterward I felt horrible for days. I work full time, am a single mother, and am in graduate school. I just don't know how much longer I can hang on. Am I going to be like this the rest of my life?

I am scheduled to have an MRI/brain scan on Saturday, but I'm not sure that will be useful. According to my neurologist, only symptoms are treatable. He offered to give me a low dose of Paxil but I declined.

I know much of this takes time and some stays with people forever. I'm just wanting to connect with others who understand. Most people can relate to broken bones, but not so much to concussion issues.

I understand. Take it hour by hour...and hod on. It will improve but it can take time. Keep your sites on healing. Get the therapies you need. Get yur vision assessed by a neuro-opthamologist. I would say that is a number one priority.

Take care,
M

velo.junkie

Welcome to NeuroTalk. Sorry to hear of your accident. I started my lifelong experience with PCS after a bike crash.

No helicopter rides. Just my dad picking up my limp body and racing to the hospital. I came too talking in slow motion.

You are experiencing a common cluster of PCS symptoms. It will help if you can take a break from as much of your busy life as possible. Your brain needs quiet rest. Also, read the sticky at the top about vitamins and supplements. It has a lot of good information. Check out the links at the bottom too.

Things will get better but you need to slow down for this to happen at the fastest rate. A busy life will just prolong your struggles.

Your neck is in need of a close examination. An upper cervical chiropractor is usually the best source for good upper neck diagnostics. Many PCS symptoms are made worse by upper neck injuries that have gone untreated.

Don't worry about your cycling. When the time comes and your brain is healthy, you can always start up again. You will be surprised at how fast you regain your conditioning. In time, you may be able to tackle a stationary bike to get in shape. Until then, your cardio work-outs should be be minimal.

My best to you.

I'll second MArks recommendation about a good neck avaluation. I recently found out that many of my pain issues are more neck related that I had thought... I have whiplash, which no one ever told me about (found out by reading my insurance evaluation reports!)

I'll also second the rest part... I always tried to push harder than I should, and always landed up with setbacks!

I am now 20 months out from my fall (slipped on ice) and still experiencing symptoms, though most of the time they are quite manageable... I even went back to work... only ten hours a week, but it is better than nothing!

Thanks for your input and understanding. Yesterday I noticed that my emotions are starting to return. I spent nearly all day crying and upset over the change in 'me' and my lifestyle. While it was not fun, I am grateful my emotional part is waking up. It's one of the first times I've felt genuine emotional over my crash and all that's happened to me.

Regarding my neck... do any of you have advice for finding an adept and empathetical (okay, maybe that's pushing it) chiropractor to assess my neck? I went to one last week and when I told him about the severe tinnitus he asked what song it was playing while laughing at his attempted joke. Truly, it's not funny since I'm about ready to rip my head off at times, unable to deal with the constant high pitch tone.

And finally, should I seek a chiropractor who's adept at Epely or Semont maneuvers? And I found one in my area that does NUCCA but I don't know anything about this technique and its helpfulness.

Thanks for any input that's offered.