Shortened lifespan?
 

As of last week I seem to be getting left hand tremors, I read that it is indicative of mild neurological damage. My injury was complex, as I was hit multiple times (assaulted twice by two different people in the same night). Somebody suggested that the second guy punched 30 years off my lifespan.

What do you guys think? Are there any medical evidence? Hopefully medicine for TBI will improve in the near future and I will get whatever therapy is needed to restore my brain.

PorscheTarbo,

Welcome to NeuroTalk. No amount of punching will do much more damage than your drinking. More brain cells are injured and killed by getting drunk than the common concussion.

It sounds like you need to be seen by someone who can give you a very thorough assessment of your neck. The trouble with your left side is likely related to a neck injury that was part of the beat down.

My best to you.

I am not a heavy drinker. I drank a couple times after the concussion but I have cut out EVERYTHING (weed, drinking) to focus on recovery. I do not feel like I have a neck injury. The tremors came on as of last week, which is a long time since July. If a neck injury were the cause of the tremors...then wouldn't it show up a lot sooner? Tremors are indicative of mild neurological damage, evident by the fact that it began months after the initial injury.

Did the tremors start before or after your went back to the gym? If after, it sounds to me like the strain from the heavy lifting could have something to do with it... just a guess.

As far as lessened lifespan, I have been researching the heck out of head injuries since my fall, which as now four weeks ago, and I have not found one mention of a shortened life expectancy due to PCS. People with PCS may be at a higher risk for tragic results if they get hit in the head again, but I haven't seen any evidence that having PCS makes us more likely to die young.

I am a very experienced lifter and know how my body works. This is not due to lifting weights.

I fear it may be Parkinson's set on by many blows to the head that night.

Sorry... wasn't trying to imply that you didn't know how your body works. I was simply offering up a suggestion. Hopefully it's not Parkinson's. Best of luck to you.

Just because you don't think you have a neck injury does not mean your body is not responding to a neck injury that has no noticeable symptoms. Inflammation in the neck can cause nerve dysfunction. I have had carpal tunnel syndrome for over 20 years. It gets worse when I have strained my neck, upper back, shoulder and / or elbow. There are many ways to trigger nerve dysfunction.

I get hand tremors from time to time. They increase with stress. I can have hands as steady as a neurosurgeon then not be able to hold steady for every day functions. Just trying to remember the times when my hands commonly tremble caused my right hand to have fine tremors.

I can usually relax out of the tremors.

My best to you.

Tremors can be pretty disconcerting, especially if you're an experienced fitness person, as it seems you are. I get tremors when I am overtired and stressed. They generally get worse with worry, but they get better with rest and a regular schedule. Sometimes when I am talking to someone and getting animated, my left hand will begin to tremble and shake.

I used to lift religiously and was 150% into fitness for years, so I also feel I have a good sense of my own body. Tremors -- especially when they come out of the blue -- can be worrisome. I've also got weakness in my left hand. I've been hit in the head more times than I can remember -- assaults, car accidents, falls, sports injuries -- so maybe that's what causes it, maybe not.

You may want to check with a neuro about it. I haven't done so, because I'm leery of them after some really bad experiences -- and (full disclosure) I'm also a little concerned that they might "find something" that I don't want to deal with. I've made a pact with myself that if they ever don't go away after good rest, good food, and regular exercise, I'll seek medical attention, but for now, just taking care of myself and not worrying about it is my #1 approach.

Oh, and by the way, a certain medical condition that's supposed to shave 30 years off your lifespan runs in my family. One of my grandparents is now 102, and the one who had a "full case" of the condition just passed away last year at age 98. So...

There has been research about stroke shortening people's lifespan, but from what I've read, the folks who were impacted had lower quality of life which contributed to their premature demise.

I believe that focusing on full recovery and seeking out the best that life has to offer, will add years to our lives. I've seen that work, even with hardship cases.

No need to say sorry, u were simply offering a suggestion.
I find that for myself and alot of other people the tremors come with stress and go away when you relax. Howcome? If a neck problem is causing my/your issues, why would decreased stress affect it? The fact that stress levels directly influence the tremors makes me think it has something to do with the brain, and not neck nerves.

I'm waiting to see get into rehabilitation, I will ask him and report back with results.
I believe every time u get angry u shave years off your life:):)