8 months post concussion thoughts?
 

Hi all, I originially found this site while just looking online for people experiencing the same thing as me but finally decided to post myself!

A little history, got my first concussion in April 2014 during a lacrosse game. Took a knee to the helmet. I felt foggy and kind of depersonalized for like a week and then was fine and played within 2 weeks. All was well.

In september 2014 I got a second concussion by taking a helmet to helmet hit in lacrosse practice. This time the foggy/depersonalized feeling lasted 1-2 months. I had lingering dizziness and vertigo for a couple months but a concussion specialist that i saw said that could've been due to cervical reasons so i saw a chiropractor which helped.

Got cleared to play in january 2015, even though I was probably only 85-90% better and took a small helmet to helmet hit (not too hard) and felt totally out of it, thought I was having a panic attack but turns out it was another concussion.

Also ive had anxiety and ocd my whole life as diagnosed by a doctor.

This third concussion in january is still having lingering effects i believe. Felt foggy/depersonalized for months, in april 2015 the concussion specialist finally told me that I would not play lacrosse again (probably for the best). They upped my dosage of celexa from 20mg to 30mg. Had been on celexa since freshman year in college. Was on 15mg of paxil since 9th grade before that.

At that point it was the end of my last semester of college and all of my friends were partying pretty hard. For the last month of college I drank a lot and pretty often, especially the last week. That definitely made things worse for a couple of weeks. Then I graduated and moved home which I think heightened my anxiety and maybe some post grad depression since I was moving away from all of my friends and my girlfriend still had another year of school.

I saw my doctor who prescribed me ativan which I took 1-2mg of as needed at first but turned into almost everyday for like 2 months. I'm convinced that that made things a lot worse. My cognitive symptoms were much worse and I felt like everything was a dream. Stopped ativan on August 28th so Im 6 weeks clean after a week long taper. Also had splitting headaches while on ativan that have stopped for the most part since stopping.

Im wondering if the ativan really set me back? Also should mention that I can lift weights and do cardio without it making any symptoms worse. That's why im wondering if me not feeling like myself right now and kinda of still foggy and stuff could just be from my anxiety?

I started taking 600mg daily of turmeric 4 weeks ago, I take fish oils twice a day, multivitamin, and B12. I've tried acupuncture like 4 times and see a therapist. I am looking into doing some LENS treatment i don't know if anyone on this site has heard of or had success with that?

My doctors tell me that I should give myself at least a year or two to fully recover but I feel like i've gotten worse since like april or may and am wondering if maybe that could be because of the ativan or anxiety?

Overall just looking for some positive support and positive thoughts. Thanks all!

lacrossefan,

Welcome to NeuroTalk. Your situation is very common.

Your anxiety/OCD is going to keep PCS symptoms front and center until you find a way to get past anxiety/OCD. CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy) can be helpful.

Stay away from LENS. Of the many who have tried it over many years of NT, only one claims it helped. Some say it made things worse. It is not FDA approved for treating ANY medical or psychological condition.

Benzos like Ativan have a poor record. SSRI's at such a young age are also problematic.

I don't see what current symptoms you are struggling with.

How can we help you ?

Great to hear from you Mark. I know you have helped a lot of people on this site. I should've mentioned that I have been working on meditation and CBT. Interesting take on the LENS. I'm glad I asked.

Currently I just don't feel like myself. Headaches, fogginess, some depersonalization, memory is also bad. So is it possible that Ativan made it worse? And is it common that I can still workout if I have PCS?

Also I work In a warehouse doing supply chain management. I wear earplugs there. I work 3 days a week, 14hr overnight shifts.

Anything else that I could do to help that I'm not already doing? Thank you!!

Lacrosse,

For some people 6 weeks is not much time for post withdrawal on any benzo.

1 week withdrawal sounds like a typical dr prescribed withdrawal and can be brutal on some.

The symptoms you describe sound like typical post withdrawal symptoms.

I am not saying that is your case but it most certainly could be up for consideration.

Bud

You should not be working out if you continue to have headaches or other PCS symptoms. Mild effort to support good brain blood flow should be the limit. If your headaches go away, then your workouts should be limited so that they do not trigger headaches or other symptoms. Headaches from working out can be delayed by a half day or so, so keep that in mind.

No caffeine, no alcohol, no MSG or artificial sweeteners. Read the vitamins sticky. It has all the information.

Moderating your stress levels and activities is helpful.

Hi LAXfan
My daughter has had issues with PCS and migraines. Last spring she did a study in New Orleans with Dr Harche...I think through LSU. Here is his web site and you could call his office in case the study is still going on.

http://www.hbot.com/news/lsu-miles-s...ussion-problem

She definitely benefited from the treatment. If you end up in the study, please feel free to PM me and I can give you advise on how we did our lodging. The treatment is free if you are in the study:).

Good luck,

Thank you all for the support and ideas. I don't know if going down to New Orleans is in the cards for me at the moment but I appreciate the thought!

Also thanks bud for the insight on Ativan recovery and how long it can take. Maybe a lot of this has to do with that!

My cousin mentioned going to a chiropractic neurologist since his friend went to one after multiple concussions in hockey and that seemed to help. Anybody have thoughts or experiences with a chiropractic neurologist?

Thanks to all and happy healing!

From what I can see, it looks like you need to watch your activity output. If you push too much your brain will let you know. Other than that, you seem to be moving in the right direction... hopefully it continues!

Chiro neuros can be helpful for some and a waste of money and time for others. Nobody can say in your case. The various Carrick trained clinics can have their own modifications of the Carrick protocol.

14 hour shifts may be too long for your struggling brain. Is there any way you can work shorter shifts ?

Unfortunately I can't work any shorter shifts. I'm just lucky that it's only 3 nights a week. I think I will curb my activity and rest more to see if that helps. Exercise has just always helped me with my anxiety so it's hard not to do that. Thank you again all you all are great support!