Post concussion symptoms ??
 

For the past 5 weeks, I've been experiencing what doctors are calling post concussion syndrome. Back in December, I hit my right temple area twice within a few weeks. I didn't really hit my head that hard, just enough for my temple to be sore for a few days. About a week or so after hitting my head the second time, on Christmas day, I had a dizzy spell that lasted just a minute. I ate something and it went away so I didn't think anything about it. on Dec. 29th, while walking around in Hibbetts, I had another spell of feeling a little disoriented, which went away after a few minutes. On New Years Eve night, while at my sister in laws house, I began to fell light headed and disoriented. I woke up the next morning, feeling the same way and was very scared, not knowing why I was feeling this way. I went to the hospital and had a CT scan, which came back as normal. The ER physician told me I had probably suffered a minor concussion, which could cause the symptoms. He said the symptoms should go away soon, within a few days, but could last longer. A couple days later I still had the symptoms of being severely disoriented and lightheaded. I went to my doctor, who referred me to get an MRI. I got the MRI results, which came back fine. The severe symptoms lasted about 8 days, then one night I started to feel a bit better. The next day after I woke up, I started to feel better and after being stuck on the couch for 8 days, I went out with my family and was able to eat again, which I hadn't done in nearly a week. For about the next week and a half or so the symptoms would come and go throughout the day, normally I would be fine in the morning and day, then in the evening for a few hours I would have them. I went about 2 or 3 days with no symptoms, then 2 days with them, then I went about 2 weeks, with no symptoms. Although my symptoms seemed to be gone, I still didn't feel 100% and felt as though I wasn't as happy as I was prior to the symptoms. I had become depressed and developed anxiety constantly asking myself why I didn't feel as good as I did before. I tried taking Amitryptiline for a few days, which I had been prescribed during the first few days of the symptoms, but didn't help. This only made me tired so I stopped taking it. On a Sunday February 2nd, about 2 weeks after I had been without symptoms, I felt the lightheadedness come back. The next day I went to my physician and was prescribed Welbutrin for my depression. The symptoms have continued to last as its now Feb 8th, with them coming and going sometimes. I am now on anxiety medicine due to worrying about never getting better. I am a 28 YO Male, perfect health, no medical history and use to live a very happy stress free life, loving each day. I now haven't been truly happy and in a good mood since December and feel very hopeless. I have a good job that I don't want to lose and have already had to take off from for 2 weeks because of these symptoms. I have an amazing 2 year old son that I haven't been able to bond with like before because of feeling like I do. I have lost interest in my normal activities and have lost my appetite. Is there anyone who has experienced anything like this or have any recommendations for me.

Caleb,

Welcome to NeuroTalk. You found the right place for concussion info.

Your flat affect (emotions) is not an uncommon concussion symptom. It can be very frustrating. Wellbutrin is an odd med for PCS depression. Amitriptyline is more common or nortriptyline or an SSRI or SNRI.

Even though you may not feel connected to your son, he will only understand your presence, not how you feel internally. If you must, interact with him by habit rather than feelings. You will both benefit.

Some of your symptoms sound a bit like PTSD. I suggest you get a referral to a psychiatrist for medication help. Personally, I am strongly opposed to PCP's prescribing anti-depressants without a psychiatrist's follow-up.

Wellbutrin is an atypical anti-depressant and likely just a shot in the dark by your doc.

I think you should get a home blood pressure kit and take your BP and pulse whenever you have any symptoms. Your dizzy spells may be linked to an unusual drop in BP. The wrist kind are OK but the BP kits that go over your upper arm are better. They cost $15 to $30.

Also, read the Vitamins sticky at the top. You may benefit from taking L-Tryptophan and L-Theanine, 2 times a day.

Please feel free to ask us or tell us anything. You can help many of us by putting a double paragraph space every 5 lines. Many of us struggle with vision issues so following a long paragraph is difficult. I pasted your post to another ap so I could reformat it.

My best to you.

Thanks Mark, lately my symptoms have been like they were before when they started, they last for hours and all day sometimes. I tried Amitriptyline but it

made me sleepy, even through the next day. My symptoms seem to resurface after I started taking the anti depressant again, can they cause

disorientation that last so long?? im thinking about stopping it to see if the symptoms stop.

A normal dose of Amitriptyline for PCS is only 10 mgs, maybe 20 for some. It should be taken at night.

As I said, it is not common for Wellbutrin to be prescribed for PCS depression. Meds are very individual in how they effect one. Maybe something different will do better. I am taking Celexa (an SSRI) and Xyprexa for some of the same symptoms you have.

Start the vitamin regimen and see how you do after a week.

btw, PCS symptoms duration vary from person to person. For some, it lasts for months until they find the right combination of rest and activity.

My best to you.