Worsening head pain
 

Hello all,

You have no idea how much this forum has helped me. I fell almost 12 weeks ago and was diagnosed with PCS. I haven't posted before, but when I could stand reading I would come here and be encouraged. I started a vitamin supplement, kept a journal and had hope because of everyone here. Thank you!

Now I have a quick question. Over the past week my dizziness, vertigo and irritation have gotten better. The pain in my head has gotten worse though. Mostly I've just had headaches and when it's bad it's become more migraine like. The pain this last week has been different though. I've noticed that it is more of a stabbing pain directly where I hit my head.

Has anyone else experienced this? Should I call my family doctor?

Thanks!!
Jen

Hi BugJen,

Welcome. I'm so glad this forum has helped you and that you are recovering well!

If it were me, I would probably call my neurologist and check in. I do that when a new trend of something significantly problematic sets in. This thing goes up and down and changes in quality. I haven't had anything dramatically new arise except when I have reinjured myself, but I would not be surprised.

Glad you have come out of the woodwork. :)

Julie

Hi Julie! Thanks for replying.

I actually don't have a neurologist. I saw my regular doc after the fall and then 2 weeks after that. They diagnosed me after doing some simple tests and told me that rest was the best medicine.

I've suffered from headaches and migraines most my life, especially after a car accident in my elementary school years. I've never been to a neurologist and have always controlled it by ibuprofen and migraine meds.

From what I understand they can scan my brain and tell me that yes there is damage there, but then nothing much else they can do?

Well, the neurologist is a specialist in the brain, so s/he simply knows more about it that the GP. A GP can probably treat a basic concussion fine. At the point where you begin having additional or changed symptoms or complications, you might want to thinking about looking for a neuro. I doubt they would scan you. They would have done that right after your injury if there was a question. It's more a matter of having more experience and knowledge in the area. While rest is usually the main course of action, sometimes there is a call for other modalities, such as vestibular therapy, that a GP may not think of.

My GP had already referred me to a neurologist for my migraines because they were such a significant problem, so I already had her when I hit my head. Having the relationship established made it a lot easier. But if you can get a recommendation from someone for a good, compassonate, competent neurologist, then yeah, I'd recommend it.