Differentiating PCS symptoms with other causes
 

First off a little background knowledge. I am a 20 years old male. This was my first and only concussion. Physically fit, exercised daily. Healthy diet. History of clogged sinuses and occasional headaches. Have a sore uppar molar tooth sensitive to temperature. I am a huge fan of the beach, surfing, bodyboarding, skimming.

Alright so on May 23rd, i was playing football on the beach with my friends. I went to tackle one of my friends, and chin went into his shoulder when i tackled him, causing a whiplash like effect. I didn't lose consciousness, just felt lightheaded for a few minutes. Two days later, the concussion symptoms came on. Felt in a daze, headache, fatigue.

After about 6 weeks I was feeling normal and began to exercise again, no weightlifting, just running. All of which felt okay. I retuned to the beach a week later. Skimmed for about 30 minutes and felt okay. On my third trip to the beach i had figured everything was okay, so i went surfing for about 2-3 hours. Didn't hit my head, but got the usual shaking of being in the water. later that night my symptoms started to return. The dazed feeling and headaches felt about the same as when i first got the concussion.

So i assumed i had returned to full activity to soon, and went back to taking it easy. And i have been taking it easy ever since. From late july (when symptoms returned) to this day. Symptoms have subsided since then. I have a few headaches here and there, but the only troublesome symptoms lthat is a real bother is the dizziness (didn't appear after itnitial injury) and a feeling of tiredness throughout the day. The dizziness also gets worse when i ride in cars. No pain on bumps or anything, just seems to get worse with the motion.

So here's where my questions come in. On my MRI it showed i have a maxillary sinus infection. (no surprise to me the way my sinuses have been lol) I know sinus problems can also cause the same symptoms I'm experiencing, and I've also heard anxiety can. And not to mention, ever since i got a filling on a tooth in march (not a cavity btw, very small filling) my head had been more frequently hurting, maybe off bite? But anyway, my problem is, differentiating what symtptoms are caused by what lol. I know the initial symptoms were from the concussion and the symptoms after surfing were from consussion. But after 4 months of rest, I'm curious if my sinuses or anxiety is getting to me, and that the concussion is healed, but I'm worried that sinus or anxiety symptoms are actually still PCS symptoms.

I'm very tolerant of pain and headaches. And tolerant of other inconviniences like clogged sinuses. But I'm extremely fearful of permanant brain damage and not returning to a normal 100% lifestyle. (which in my mind is just NOT an option whatsoever lol) So I'd appreciate anyone's input. For example, if i was told 100% that all my symptoms were now from sinuses, i know that mentally I would feel SO much better and be back to normal life by tomorrow. It's my own fear that these are all concussion symptoms that worries me. Because I have already went back to fast once. And I don't know if my fear/anxiety could actually be causing my dizziness? Like I'm stuck in a symptom cycle lol.

Sorry for the novel lol I just didn't want to leave anything out. Thanks for reading and any help would be greatly appreciated!

Solo,

Welcome to NeuroTalk. I have good news and bad news for you. The good news is with time and proper rest and nutrition, you should get much better. The bad news is brain injuries never heal 100%. You may be able to return to 100% of your previous life activities but you will always have some residual damage and occasional symptoms, especially when under stress.

You need to slowly return to activities of the past. Do them at a lesser level then wait to see if symptoms return the NEXT day. There is often a day lag between the over-doing it and the return of symptoms.

Get that sinus infection cleared up. They can be miserable. My wife was treated on and off for years then had maxillary surgery where they found the bones around the sinus had been eaten away by the infection. They physically debrided and cauterized the remaining infection.

Maybe a Neti Pot will help with the healing. The toxins are so close to brain blood flow that they can cause neurological problems.

Solo...

Well, first off Mark is right about the infection. Does the dr have insight to what is causing the infection?

By your age, your adenoids have probably shrunk, but a side view X-ray would show if your adenoids are blocking the drainage. My younger daughter had her adenoids removed and it was amazing. She had been sick for 2 yrs. It changed our life.

She also uses a Neti Pot. They are super easy.

Take are,

Fear and anxiety
 

Hello!


Mark is right about our brains, but with proper rest and care, you can definately get better, and maybe you can return to previous activities. But that is just going to be down the road for some time.

I find that any big emotions and especially fear and anxiety, make symptoms worse. They just do. So, reduce the stress in your life and even if a previous activity like surfing was a stress free activity, it may be too overwhelming now.

I just OVERdid it less than a week ago by going to a concert. It wasn't the lights and sound --- I did have my ear plugs, but it was the whole event. It really left me brain tired on Sat, Sun and Monday. I had no idea that would happen, but it did.

Hang in there. You will find your limits as you go along. I would suggest you try more gentle exercise like walking.

Sincerely,
pm

You may want to get your neck checked out. I had my neck worked on by a chiropractor - not a lot of cracking, just slight adjustments and gently stretching the muscles of neck and shoulders -- and my sinus issues and headaches and fuzziness really improved.

And this for someone who's had sinus infections since childhood.

Here's my homegrown recipe for dealing with sinus infections (I fought one off last weekend):

1. A big glass of water with 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda (NOT baking powder) dissolved in it -- to cut the acidity in my system

2. Two cayenne-garlic capsules that I get at CVS -- to help clean out my digestive tract

3. Apply pressure to 3 points on my face -- one between my eyes, one under each of my eyes -- where it hurts, I press. My sinuses begin to drain after about 15 minutes. Not sure why, but it works for me.

In general
Cut down on processed sugar and "cheap carbs" -- processed sugar "gunks me up"
and carbs like bread make me feel terrible after the initial sugar rush has passed

Good luck and stay safe