Can Post Concussion Symptoms return years later?
 

Our son was in a car accident August 2010, beginning of Junior year HS. Knocked unconscious for a few minutes and had a mTBI. Symptom persisted for more than a year, headaches, attention, short term memory, neck and back, etc. He was held out of sports for more than a year. Multiple neuropsych, missed 30 days of school, but his grades were still good even though it took way longer to study. 14 months after accident the neuropsych tests showed some recovery and he was released to play basketball again (not soccer) his senior yea rod HS, even though he was not back to 100% in out opinion.

Fast forward to 2nd semester of Freshmen year college 1 1/2 years later. His college grades slipped from his regular scores of mid 90's to mid 70's. He does not drink, smoke or do any drugs, pretty clean kid. He is very determined and is going for Computer/Electrical Engineering. At first we thought, ok, tougher classes just work harder. But, he kept complaining of forgetting facts he knew and dumb mistakes. Had testing done in early April, 2013. Attention and short term memory were way low. Was prescribed attention meds and scores returned to mid 90s immediately.

During the following summer we took him off the meds and he had multiple cognitive testing done including returning to the original neuro-psych doc. All of his scores were significantly down. This included 4 different doctors and 4 different types of tests. The original NS and the concussion doctor said cognitive issues can't be related to the original accident, these symptoms are highly unlikely to return. Everyone pointed to emotional/psychological issues, see the psych doctor. We completely disagreed, but had him see 2 psychologist, both tell us there is nothing wrong with him

Please help, why did his cognitive symptoms return. Could it have come as a result of the intensive study required for difficult college courses. He continues to take Concerta and Straterra 1 full year later.

I went through this same struggle. Every little stress situation caused a cognitive crash. I believe this is all related to his past concussion. I would encourage him to start a vitamin and supplement regimen like listed in the Vitamins and Supplements sticky. It will hopefully help him tolerate stress.

He may need to change the way he studies. Rather than intense study sessions, try to study in short sessions repeated many times. Repetition repeated over time is much better than repetition over a short period. He wants to try to get memory issues past the immediate and short term weak areas.

I wonder about the long term effects of his meds. Learning to study and take tests without them will be a good skill to have.

My best to you both.