Relapse because of overstimulation and stress
 

Hello everybody,

Things were going pretty good but now I have relapsed.

Last week was busy but I didnt think much of it because I have done pretty well for the last couple of month as long as I get a good night of sleep, eat healthy and stick to my routine of walking etc (and dont bump my head).

Friday I went to a dinner at my employers home. I was there for 7 hours talking to my colleagues, and there was music (not that loud). Things were going well but I noticed that my head was feeling worse around 11 pm and went home. I was home in bed at 1:00 am.

The next morning I was not good and I tried to realx as much as possible, but I had 18 family members coming for christmas dinner (my grilfriend invited them and basically made everything). For 5 hours there were in my apartment and there was a lot of loud noise. At some point I noticed that the noise had changed - and that is normally not a good sign. Noises that normally is to loud for me, wasnt bothering me but I was having a small headache.

My family left but my brother had forgot his phone. It was ringing and I took it to my ear, and the volume when he spoke was very high so it imediately got pain in my ear (I have a big problems with loud noises - especially when close to my ears).

Since then a lot of the concussion symptoms have returned. I have pain in my ears, I cant concentrate, my head feels like a cotton ball, I have a tension headache, feel dizzy and nauseous and very sound sensitive.

I fear that this is not one of my normal setbacks that usually takes 4-7 days but that this is a full relapse. I fear that because I had stressed the system with music, staying up late, been very social for many hours etc, then my brain could not tolerate the loud noise when my brother said "Hello" in the phone very close to my ear (I know it sounds silly).

Last time I had a relapse because of a loud noise to my ear was new years eve and it took me 4 months to get better, but this was also only 1 month after my concussion (november last year).

So I had hoped that because the concussion was so long ago, and because I had gotten so much better and could tolerate so much more - that this couldnt happen.

I hope the above makes sense and my question is, should I expect a full relapse? Have you tried something similar - how did you handle it, and how long before it got better? How is it that this keeps happening? And what would you do now, if you were me? I am working full time which makes it all very difficult!

And a warning to everybody! Christmas is coming, which is nice, but remember not to overdo things, although it is tempting - you risk ending up like me!!!

PANIC!!!!! Help please!
 

Panic, panic, panic!

I went outside to move my car. I backed slowly out of a parking space, but had not seen that there was a lamppost, so I backed into it. There was a bang, and the car was shaking, but I was backing slowly, so I do not think I made a whiplash motion - perhaps I hit my head lightly on the neck rest. I am wildly nervous now and totally panicking! Can such a accident constitute a new concussion or neck injury?

There is only a very small scratch on the bumper. Perhaps I made a very small whiplash when I hit the lamppole/post. Like when you brake very suddenly. I can feel that my neck muscles is tighting up.

I think it is all over now. I cant see how I should be able to get through this one more time. I will loose my job. And my girlfriend is set to give birth to me second child in one week!!

I am so out of it!

You can and will make it out of whatever setback you might have had. If the anxiety is weighing on you please seek professional help immediately. Things will get better.

I am sorry to hear that you are not feeling good. I understand what you are going through. I think most of your symptoms are from anxiety. I am the same way and if I was in your situation I would probably panic too.

If you want you can write me a private message, if you feel like talking. Since I am in Germany, I am on the same timezone.

Anja

I don't know what the answer is, but wanted to let you know that I had the same sort of setback 6 months after my concussion. I am still feeling dizzy every single day and it has been 2 months since this setback. I am finally learning to accept it and live my life as best I can until this passes. Hang in there! As I've learned on this forum, please get you anxiety under control and do whatever you can to limit overstimulation and stress while you recover, no matter how slow the recovery is.

I think 7 hours of talking above music was a bit much, even before I had PCS it would have tired me out! I think there is always the danger of doing too much when you start to feel better, we try to make up for the time we've felt crappy. With a few easy days you will be on track again, try to relax as much as you can and stay positve.

I think your most likely spot on Super E.

Bud

A whiplash type injury that you describe could cause a concussion, even if there was no direct contact with your head. The rapid back and forth motion can shake things around pretty good some times.

If you didn't have a headache or dizziness afterwards though then you probably didn't get a concussion.

As far as recurrence of symptoms, the most critical thing is to allow enough time for complete healing to occur. The thing that we hear most commonly is when an athlete returns to play too soon after a brain injury, the brain hasn't recovered fully, and things only get worse. Sometimes MUCH worse. (see "second impact syndrome")

The good news is if you just allow enough time to pass without overstimulating your brain, you will make a full recovery and relapse is less likely. That means no strenuous activity, no TV, video games, or loud music. It often means time away from work/school and we tend to get impatient!

Getting back into the game too early, or resuming activities too soon, are the major reason for incomplete recovery. It's not often a relapse so much as a brain that's never fully been given the chance to heal.

Good luck and our best wishes for a full recovery and congratulations on your upcoming new addition the your family. Have confidence that you WILL get through this!