Are my head injuries a cause of concern?
 

Hello all, First let me say i am happy with my like and have no severe issues. I have a full time job a wife and 2 kids. All the recent talk concerning long term effects with concussions I often questions the occurrence of concussions through my childhood to college football based on a few symptoms. I am a 27 year old male, no drugs, alcohol or tobacco. My biggest concern is my personality changes. At times I am outgoing and other times i don't want to talk to any one. This can change a few times a day. I have been light sensitive since about 16 and often have headaches. I will list my history of head injury

-I played running back and safety from ages 7-24. Which is youth,high school, d3 college and a year of semi pro. I was a very aggressive player and almost every game leave with a severe headache. I only went to the hospital twice for concussion symptoms. I was admitted and diagnosed with mild concussions after displaying symptoms.Once was in 2005 and the other in 2010.

-Snowboarding without helmet and wrecking on ice about 6 times.(age 17-22)

-wrecking dirt bike with helmet twice(age 11-12)

-falling from top of tractor trailer and landing on asphalt, back of head first.(age8)

-accidentally hit in forehead with bat that required 8 stitches, week later wrecked bicycle and landed head first requiring stitches to be redone.(age9)

I have never been fully diagnosed with a concussion but would often toughen up and not say anything. I am not looking for someone to diagnose me but more for an opinion if i should look further into medical assistance. As a child/early teen i remember been very fun and outgoing. Now i am often told i am grumpy and not social. That is what bothers me most. I don't think anything is wrong with me but my increasing mood changes make me wonder. Since having a family i have toned it down a lot and have had no head injury since age age 22. What do you guys think? Thank You.

Travism,

Welcome to NeuroTalk.

From your head injury history, it is highly likely you have suffered many more concussions that you have counted. Plus, you have a lifetime of sub-concussive impacts. This leads to Multiple Impact Syndrome which is basically prolonged PCS or even lifelong Post Concussion Syndrome. Your personality struggles are likely with you to stay.

In my experience and understanding, the only things you can do now are two fold.
First....Take good care of your brain. This means brain oriented nutrition like the vitamins and supplements regimen in the Sticky at the top.
Second.. Learn some behavioral strategies. You don't say but I would expect that you have a tendency to over-reacting when you are in these shut down modes. Many of us tend toward outbursts in these situations.

How long do these shut down periods last ?

They can be indicative of a sort of seizure like event. I struggled with these during my high school and college years. They can also simply be a retreat due to overload or over-stimulation. Reducing your stimulation levels and exposure can make a big difference.

You may want to check with your college to see if the recent NCAA concussion settlement can help direct you to some specialized care. I would highly recommend it. I struggled through my 20's and 30's without help then the world came crashing down in my early to mid 40's. You may find your struggles increasing as you get older and approach your 40's.

My best to you.

Mark, Thanks for the info. I never really over react. If things bother me I keep to myself. The low times usually last a day or two where i don't really want to do anything . I haven't convinced myself yet of any long term brain injury but think i have enough to at least talk with a doctor.

I also think at times i am overloaded with everything i have going on and it could be stress related. I am an owner of a small business with about a dozen employees, I am general contracting the build of our new house, love my kids to death but they are still 3 and 1 years old and a lot of work and also try to be the best Father and Dad possible to my family.

Again, thanks for the info. I didn't want to go to the doctors only because I have feel bad for myself and nothing is wrong with me.

These periods sound more like a simple PCS overload. The brain slows down or needs to be removed from stimuli for a while while it rests. It's a sort of defensive reaction. Your best bet will be learning to moderate stimuli and stress. I expect that as you get older, you will find you have less tolerance for for stress and excessive stimuli. And, get started on a brain health vitamin regimen. Your brain will need it in the future.

You could tell this all to a doctor but there is nothing they can do for you. The most they can do is try to help you with the head aches. You probably already have your own ways to deal with them. The head aches and light sensitivity are prime evidence of PCS.