Post Concussion Syndrome?
 

Hey all, I've been lurking around this forum for some while and thought I would post.


Ever since I can remember I have had chronic headache problems, usually caused by overstimulation (too much computer, reading, music, etc) sometimes they were just random.

About 2 years ago I was walking to school and I slipped on some ice and hit my head. At this time I thought nothing of it, and continued life normally. Throughout the next few weeks I noticed my headaches were much worse and more common, and then realized I may have had a concussion.

I then went to a physician and was diagnosed with a concussion. I immediately limited my activities with ample rest to promote recovery. I was going to the odd class at school.

I lived like this for about 4 months, and developed ear ringing. I then had an MRI done to rule out mass, which showed I had quite a bit of nasal congestion - which can also cause these symptoms.

I have been having allergies from something unknown for a long time now, and I am also in the middle of puberty so those are both alternate causes for my PCS.

I have lived as if I have PCS the last 2 years and not even sure if I have it. I get the odd headache which has always happened to me, and I still have persistent ear ringing.

I am tempted to go for a run or other physically demanding physical exercise to see if that bothers me, but honestly I am scared to.

I also get headaches from being in crowded places, which may simply be because I have isolated myself in my home for about a year now.

Thanks for any replies, I am just extremely confused.

Forgot to mention I had neuropsych testing and my memory, problem solving, and executive functioning was all well above average.

I can also focus for usually 4 or 5 hours and if I pass that without taking an hour or two break I experience symptoms.

I think that concentration span is actually above average for a non-injured person though

TZ,

Welcome to NeuroTalk. It sounds like you may have mild PCS. Have you read the Vitamins and Supplements sticky at the top. It will help your brain tolerate stress.

At your age, the brain is in overdrive as it matures and deals with changing hormones. Any stress to the brain can easily be magnified.

If you want to exercise, start slowly with a short activity to see how your body responds. Wear ear plugs so you can learn a foot plant that does not jar your head. You may have a subtle neck injury that plays a part in your head aches. Jarring from foot plants and poor resting posture can make even a very subtle upper neck injury into headaches.

With good brain nutrition and proper care of your upper neck, you should see improvements. It will take some time but it is worth it.

My best to you.

Thank you mark, I immediately tried a short faster paced walk after I read your reply.

I find that when my blood pressure increases I start to feel like my brain is going to explode, there is no pain but a very weird sensation. This may be due to the fact that I have not had a regular increase in blood pressure for an extremely long time.

I am also finding that when I do something like go over a large bump while driving, or stumble while walking I get very anxious and experience headaches. The problem is I don't know if the headaches are caused by the stumble, or the anxiety associated with worrying about if I am going to get a headache.

Please note that I have never had a diagnosed concussion.

I experience the same thing when I exercise! I have just been taking short walks around the neighborhood, but that weird brain feeling happens near the end of each walk.

I hope that you find some relief soon.

I think you should ask your PCP for a full hormone level blood panel to rule any endocrine issues out.

Sometimes endocrine issues pop up during puberty and pre-puberty because the body's hormones are gearing up for such a huge change.

Hormone deficiencies can cause weird brain fog because your brain doesn't have enough fuel: otherwise known as glucose. The feeling becomes more apparent after a little bit of physical exertion. (Hormones help your body/brain metabolize the glucose...)

I hope this makes sense.

Hormone deficiencies can also cause headaches and tinnitus.

The blood panel is quite simple and just takes an order from the Dr. and a trip to the lab. If anything weird comes up, you will be called for additional testing.

Tell the Dr. your symptoms and ask for a full panel.