PCS and the flu
 

Hey guys,

I'm 3 months post concussion and I caught a cold or flu recently and it's floored me. The flu symptoms aren't so bad, except that my brain has turned to goo since it began.

I'm so mentally... confused and disoriented? I'm sooooooo mentally toast. I wish I could explain myself clearly: I'm hardly aware of my surroundings and... hard to form sentences, etc. I can't hold a conversation or decide on anything.

Is it the flu that's aggravating it? It must be, right? I'm not this bad normally, I'm usually 10x better.

Is there anything special I can do to help myself through this? Or is it just hardcore rest with a blindfold for a few days??

When I felt my throat get sore I never imagined my thinking would get so awful. I'm a little impressed I was able to write this so clearly :)

Are you taking any flu medications? Most of them are sedating, so they can really add to the brain fog.

Also, are you staying hydrated? That is paramount for us even when we are healthy. When we are sick, it's even more important. I got a stomach bug a couple of years ago and had to go to the ER. (The doc said I made the right call, and that due to my brain issues, I should never hesitate to get IV fluids if I'm sick).

Anyway, like any other injury or sickness, your body uses energy to fight off the bug/flu. So what may make the average person feel run down for a few days, may leave you down and foggy for a week or longer. It sucks, but that's how it seems to be. (I had a cold this fall that it took me almost a month to finally feel "my normal")

I have noticed that taking Airbourne everyday to prevent getting sick has really helped not only keep me well but also has given me some energy.

Yeah I'd say the flu is definitely adding to your symptoms because of the congestion, and also the head cold aspect of many flu's share some similarities (though not nearly as intense) with concussion symptoms.

All you can do is treat it the same way you treat any flu, rest, hydrate.

Sudafed could give you some relief from that extra sinus pressure also.

Its been 2 days and its already improving a bit. I didn't think about water for some reason. I drank a glass right after reading your replies :)

I had a flu a few weeks after my incident.

It was dreadful, literally did not come out of a dark room for days.

So...

I'm 90% over my cold, was feeling way better when tonight I started feeling nauseous and projectile vomited for the first time in my life.

I know that this is a serious sign in a fresh concussion, but since I hit my head 3 months ago... I don't have to worry about it, right?

Happened 20 minutes ago, I think I feel better now.