Starting to Get Pretty Scared
 

I've been suffering with PCS for around 3.5 months now from a motorcycle accident in May/13 and then a fall in my home on Aug/13 (I'm only 27). It has gotten slightly better, but I still can't go to restaurants, or anywhere with loud background chatter. I get dizzy spells and end up having to leave. The tinnitus then gets worse following an episode.

Went to a restaurant last night and it was quite loud, with dim dining lighting. Within 10 minutes I was getting anxious as I felt the dizziness coming on. It seemed to get progressively worse. I forced myself to finish dinner (hardly said a word to anyone the entire time), but then had to wait in the lobby until everyone was finished, as I felt quite dizzy/faint. I wouldn't describe the dizziness as a spinning sensation, more feeling out of sorts and a slight dizziness/vision issue that then causes nausea sometimes and feeling light headed, but not intense to the point of passing out. It comes and goes and I go through periods of feeling somewhat normal if I'm at home. I have been avoiding leaving my house too often due to this.

Does anyone have similar symptoms? Has anything you have done helped you? I have been going to physio for 3 months now (2 days per week) for neck manipulation and general releasing tension of muscles in neck/back and initially had helped a bit, has stopped doing much. My neck was injured in the fall and I believe that I got whiplash and is still quite stiff/sore 3.5 months later. I have been x ray'd and no signs of bone issues. I do have an MRI to review with my GP this coming Wed and hoping that provides some answers. I have been prescribed SERC, but after reading reviews, not confident it will do much for me. I will be giving it a try nonetheless within the next couple of days.

I have also been taking Flax seed oil daily and a multi vitamin supplement containing high levels of B, magnesium, etc. Also have been taking high doses of ginger supplement for dizziness. Effectiveness doesn't seem to be great anymore.

I work in a field with client meetings and constant face to face interaction and fear losing my job over this, as I have not been able to attend a meeting for 3 months now. I sympathize with anyone going through what I am! It's terrible.

Yes, most of us have experienced these problems. You should expect that every time you push your brain's limits that you will need a week or two to recover. You can not be in these environments if you want to recover in the near future. You will be making obe step forward then a step backward.

It just does not work to challenge your brain like you did.

The physio is not for your brain. Your brain needs quiet rest.

I forget how much B's you are getting but you also need good amounts of D3, etc . The whole regimen is needed to help the brain tolerate stress much less recover from your concussion.

Hopefully, feeling scared will cause you to be more cautious before you go out again. I have had to cancel my dinner order and walk out of restaurants.

Do you take ear plugs with you ? You should always have them in your pocket.

Your MRI will not tell you anything helpful. Your brain is injured at a microscopic level. The doctor can not help you get better. You are in charge. You need to be consistently easier on your brain. No pushing it, even infrequently.

Many here have tried push through and after a year of frustration, finally gave in and slowed down and saw improvement.

My best to you.

Much of what you describe sounds familiar. I pushed through for years and I paid the price. So did the people closest to me who had to deal with my anxiety and frustrated emotional outbursts due to the stress and disappointment that I couldn't do everything I used to.

I was a real bear to live with, till I backed off on my social activities. I generally don't go to restaurants anymore, and I usually bow out of company functions because all the activity puts me on edge, which sets me back for days afterwards.

Over time, I've learned how to find a balance -- show up to make an appearance at work functions, then excuse myself because of "another commitment."

Interestingly, when I use the "another commitment" reason -- as in, a commitment to myself and my well-being -- it puts me in a positive light. Folks see me as being super engaged and in-demand. So, my leaving early is admired, rather than resented.

Sometimes, it's all in how you frame things.

Whiplash and TBI symptoms are totally separate. Effects of Whiplash are from muscles spasming and locking to try protect bones from sliding out of alignment. TBI, as someone wrote here, is more from the brain being bruised from impacting with your skull, which affects neurological/nerve functioning. Sorting out whiplash symtoms won't affect your brain function, or lack thereof, other than possibly helping relieve headaches. An MRI can't tell you how long it will take your brain to recover from impact trauma.

I am taking a Herbalife supplement for anxiety called Tang Kuei. It's combined with chamomile and is working nicely. Also Arnica tablets help with internal inflammation. This is my second concussion in 3 months from mountainbiking. The first one I found the Arnica really helped. My second concussion/accident 5weeks ago is much worse as I lost consciousness and am having memory and many other issues. I had forgotten about the Arnica untill today! I am constantly spacey, dizzy or just zoned out!

From what Ive read there is no way to know how long ones TBI symptoms will last for. I've been feeling really anxious because I'm desperate to "get back to normal". But I'm learning there is no way to force that to happen. Every time I go out it takes me 1-2 days to recover. My whole nervous system gets totally overloaded by all the noise and movement. I was supposed to go to a restaurant the other day and ended up having a huge panic attack instead. So now I'm pretty much just staying at home. Its very frustrating but a good lesson in patience! I guess one just has to trust that slowly slowly things will get better. And even if they don't I'm just really thankful that Im still alive!
I had hoped to go back to work next week but am now off for another month. I just can't handle being around and interacting with of lots of people, which my job requires. Its totally exhausting. I don't know what I will do if I'm not ok by Jan as can't take more time off! It helps to know that there are so many people out there struggling with the same stuff though. There are thousands of us. You are not alone!

Whiplash often has a TBI component. The brain gets whipped inside the skull. I have suffered a concussion from whiplash. In fact, I have suffered a few concussions where I never even hit my head.

Good to hear that Arnica is working for you. It shows the power of the mind to believe it can get better. Did you know that most Arnica Montana dilutions equal a single molecule in an Olympic size pool. Probability says you would need to consume 75,000 gallons to have a better than 50-50 chance of getting that molecule.

Read the Vitamins and Supplements sticky at the top. It has some good links at the bottom.

My best to you.

Gradual return to work a good idea.
 

Don't overdue; be clear on your limitations and save your energy for what counts. Pushing through is old school stuff. The world has changed. Noise canceling headphones work but shorter commitments and a plan are what you need.