Am I missing something
 

Hi tbeam,

I don't experience the popping or tinnitus you describe. However, everything else you detail sounds a lot like PCS. I've experienced pretty much all of the things you describe, and continue to in some cases. At 22 months post-concussion, head pressure remains a problem, particularly during exercise or over-stimulation, but it's much better than it was during the 1st year.

PCS involves a wide variety of symptoms affecting our physical, physiological, and mental functioning. Things that were never an issue pre-concussion(s) suddenly become significant daily challenges, such as depression, activity intolerance, social interaction, cognitive processing, etc. That is, all the things you could do before now have a tremendously negative impact on you.

Getting appropriate medical care really important during the first year; the earlier the better. Learning how to live with your new self for the short-term is key, so that you give yourself the opportunity to heal and avoid stressful life. Of course, that's easy to say, hard to do.

In the end, know that you're not alone... many of the this community have or are going through similar situations. For me, this community has been highly helpful and educational, and put me in a better position to play an active role in my recovery.

MM,

What do you consider to be appropriate medical care ?

Other than pain management, there has not been much I have seen doctors do successfully. They may confirm a PCS diagnosis and prescribe meds for anxiety but what else ?

The non-medical care is more important.
Vision behavioral optometrist
Vestibular assessment if dizziness is an issue
chiro and/or PT for neck issues
Anxiety CBT, etc.

It's simple Mark, I consider it all important and what is "appropriate" changes depending on the various sequelae/comorbidities that present for a given individual. However, considering chronic headache pain is typically at the top of the issue list for people with PCS, pain mitigation through pharmacological intervention/interventions is important, as are interventions geared at alleviating anxiety, depression, mood disorder, sleep disturbance, etc. In particular, if pain is not effectively controlled it reduces one's ability and willingness to seek help for many of the other significant issues we face. And considering that effective headache control is, for me at least, very difficult to achieve, it may take several MD/alternate specialists to do this.

I would say the above issues are at least of equal importance to vision, balance, tinnitus, etc. that so commonly plague the PCS'd. Of course, this might not always be the case.

In the end, it takes a lot of experts to get the care we need. In my region, doctor's, chiro's, psychiatrists, etc. are considered to be part of your "health team"... so, getting a good "health team" in your first year is important.

You are fortunate to have a health plan that allows such broad care. I find most of it to be a challenge to find and even harder to justify.

I can't read your post because the lines are so close together. The bold print doesn't help either. If you write around three sentences and then double space it more people will be able to read it and help you. Thanks!

Yes, public health care certainly has its advantages. However, the problem of finding someone who actually understands PCS has been an all too frustrating experience for me...

I have observed those that have a public health care system tend to struggle even more. The delays to be seen can be a big obstacle.

Very few have ever found a doctor or team that truly helps. Many fill the appointment schedule and bill the health plan without much benefit to the patient.

I often notice the frustration of people who are busy with treatments and therapies but are not seeing improvements. The question remains as to whether this treatment level helps or overloads the patient.

Tried to space it a little to help people that are having a hard time reading it. Is there any chance the inflammation and head pressure could be bad enough where surgery is needed?

Ive had PCS and brain fog before but after the third concussion it has been so severe. I read another post where a woman ended up getting surgery despite living with the PCS for a little while and the surgery to relieve pressure was what she needed.

What tests would I get done to see if this is the case?

Also thanks for the posts before. Everything helps.

The double space every 4 or 5 lines helps but the large fonts makes it very difficult to read.

I'd just try to find a doctor who has a clue what this pop may be. I've never heard of anything like it.