Probable concussion and really scared
 

I am not sure if I had a concussions or not.

I was putting something in the refrigerator. On the refrigerator door is a butter compartment with a cover. The cover was open. It has a sharp edge. When I was pulling out of the refrigerator the sharp edge directly hit my temple. The refrigerator was not moving fast. It seemed innocuous. Could something like this give a concussion? I thought concussions come from really hard hits.

This happened 12 days ago. 3 days after I had a headache for 1 day. It went away. I have been foggy ever since. Before the incident I had sleep problems. Slept maybe 4 hours a night. Now I sleep through the night.


For the past 2 nights when I wake up and move my neck I hear these weird noises that seem to come from the back of my neck. What could this be?

I have not been to a doctor yet but have an appointment with a neurologist today.

jwblue,

Welcome to NeuroTalk.

I would not think a bump into the butter cover could cause a concussion. The pointy pain can cause anxiety that can cause concussion like symptoms. You might want to find someone to check out your neck. I doubt the neuro will be of any help.

I was not clear.

The door was closing as I was pulling out and the corner of the butter compartment cover hit my head.

I understood how your injury happened. I still don't think it was a concussion. Did you have a dazed feeling immediately or any other symptoms ?

[QUOTE=Mark in Idaho;1140304]


Immediately after. No. Headache 3 days later but not certain it was related. Since then I have had fogginess.

As I mentioned my sleep has changed. I have gone from falling asleep in 1-2 hours to 5 minutes. My sleep has been a lot deeper as well and I know this because I have been dreaming a lot more. Unsettling dreams as well.

I am hoping that the corner of the butter cover did not cause internal bleeding since it hit my temple. It really is not the force of the blow that concerns me. It is where it it. Is anyone on this board familiar with anatomy of that area? In order to rupture a blood vessel does there need to be a fractured skull? That is what I believe I read but I am not sure about the temple area.

It is not out of the realm of possibility that this is psychosomatic. I have been known to worry about my health.

I think you are on the right track with your last comment.
It would take a very hard hit (60 to 100G's) to cause a brain bleed. The butter door would break off at much less force than required to cause a concussion or brain bleed.

Why are you concerned about improvements in your sleep ? Most people with concussion struggle to get proper sleep.

Anxiety from a bump can often cause symptoms worse than an actual concussion.

Regarding anatomy of the skull. The temple is one of the strongest/hardest areas of the skull. It has thick bone. There are nerves in the skin in that area that can be injured and painful but they are just to the skin and forehead muscles.

Others have commented in another thread about anxiety induced symptoms and how there is a need to just ignore/forget about the bump and the anxiety and symptoms go away.

You may have gotten a little minor ding to the temple, but logically I don't think it is a concussion event.

If you had internal bleed there would be some color changes in the area & under the skin.
Is there any scrape or red mark at all where the bump happened?

[It is not out of the realm of possibility that this is psychosomatic. I have been known to worry about my health. ]
This may be the main factor in this case.. :grouphug:
But a check with a MD may calm your concerns.

I got back from the neurologist today.

He seemed really knowledgable.

He doubts I have internal bleeding or concussion.

He believes my fatigue is due to a lack of sleep and anxiety. I have had sleep problems.

I am going to go to bed early for a few days and hope that helps.