Three monthes in and feels like I can't take much more
 

I'm 15 and male. I jumped off my balcony onto my trampoline and hit my knee into my chin blacked out for a couple of seconds. Thought it was nothing continued training (I'm a very serious cross country and track runner). Now here I am my headaches still last most the day. I need medication just to sleep and at this point am really depressed. I'm incredibly out of shape in comparison to what I was three monthes ago my heart rate used to be 44 in the morning and is now about 91. I haven't hung out with my friends in several weeks and am about a month behind in schoolwork and tests. It's really hard to watch my straight A's become C's. If I was able to run none of this would matter. My dog died two days ago and I'm visiting my uncle on his deathbed next weekend. Some of my friends have been supportive but most of them think it's funny or that I'm milking my concussion to get out of doing work. They think concussions only last a week or 2 and that they aren't serious. They make fun of me because of how stupidly I got my injury and because of that I made up a slightly different story for my parents and Doctor. I got so depressed the other day that I did some self harm, nothing serious but still stupid. I think I did it for attention but it happened. I'm not really suicidal but I've thought about it. I know it would be stupid and wouldn't solve my problems. Maybe some of my friends got to me or maybe I was sick of being cooped up, but for New Year's Eve I got really drunk at a party. I've never been drunk and I did some really stupid stuff and said a lot of things I regret. I starting crying at the party which is really embarresing. One of my friends drove me home and she's been helping me a lot the past few days she wants to get my a councilor. I'm not sure how the drinking will affect me long term but my head definately Feels worse.

Pheonix3,

Welcome to NeuroTalk.

It sure sounds like you have a solid case of Post Concussion Syndrome. But, you also may be suffering from a neck injury that can be contributing to your headaches. Also, maybe some TMJ inflammation.

Do you have a concussion clinic in your area ? That would be a good start. And, tell the truth about your injury. It may have been a bonehead move but it is the truth and it is the past. It is more important for doctors and your parents to fully understand how you got hurt. Did you video it and put it on YouTube like most your age do ?

Stay away from alcohol. Caffeine, too.

talk to your school about getting some assistance. You may need a longer time and quiet area for exams and tests. Hopefully, they understand how to help a student with a concussion. A concussion clinic would also understand. Your school's football coach or trainer should know where a concussion clinic is.

And, go to a counselor. have you parents make the contact, not a classmate.

btw, There are quite a few distance runners, past and present here. I was an old school miler, 2 miler and cross country runner. I was of the era of Steve Prefontaine if you have heard his name.

Please stay in touch. there is a lot of help and understanding here.

My best to you.

Thanks I sure do know who prefontaine is he's and idol of mine. I'm seeing a neurologist and the school nurse is helping me with tests and such. It's stressful though because I know the material but can't take the test and by the time I take the test I will forget the material. My friend has the video and is been showing everyone which makes me feel so stupid. The story I gave was that I jumped really high into the air and came down really hard which caused my knee to hit my chin which I assume is just about equivalent.

I had the same testing problem. Just the stress of the test on the desk in front of me would cause my brain to freeze up. I was a big upset to classmates who routinely copied off my paper. I could just about recite the test after the test paper was collected. I dropped a half a grade point from freshman to sophomore year. I recovered for my junior year but still struggled in college when things were stressful.

I saw Pre win the Pac 10 cross country championship at Stanford in '73. He beat Kip Keino by about 20 seconds. I was at San Jose State with Coach Don Riggs. San Jose State was know as speed city and also had some weight men. Lots of Olympians trained at our track. We did not compete in NCAA meets due to Title 9. I ran in the San Jose Invitational but was having shoulder problems so I did not do well.

I was a 9:12 2 miler in high school. I had a concussion over-stimulation zone out at the State Cross Country Championship and never could get going. I should have been in the top 3 but finished 27th 3 second ahead of a runner I beat by 20 seconds a weak earlier. He ended up coaching at Dartmouth. I tore my medial meniscus first meet of my senior track season so I watched the State 2 mile champion finish in 9:30. Chronic shoulder bursitis ended my competitive running a year later.

I encourage you to work on learning a soft foot plant. When you can get back running, wear foam ear plugs so you can hear your foot plant. Then between shoes and running form, you can reduce that impact up your spine to your neck and head. You could use an elliptical exercise machine to try to maintain some conditioning without the pounding until you can return to running.

Phoenix,

I would encourage you to talk with your parents when things are tough and if they have any doubts they can feel free to write me with a private message.

Some concussions can be tough for awhile, DO NOT lose heart, you will get better.

I am 56 and had been running for 39 years when my injury occurred 20 months ago. I run 1 day a week now and have found running on an incline on the treadmill takes the jarring out.

You were hurt a lot less than I and are quite young, two really big things in your favor, so hang in there, be patient and you will return soon. I did not say it that way to minimize what happened to you, just to say that if I can bounce back I know you will.

Bud

Get 504 plan and and hang in there
 

Hi there

So sorry to hear of your struggles. For school, get your parents or you canask about a 504 plan because of the pcs. Your neuro can write a note too explaining that you need the extra time on tests and probably reduced homework. Your school counselor should know what this is and you need it. I am a teacher so I know you need this 504 plan and I think most states have this.

It's hard to be so young and invisibly injured, but injured you are. There are groups on Facebook about PCS too and I think there was one just for teens. Check that out. It might help you to find people of your own age suffering from this too and you can get ideas from them about coping etc.

You are early in brain recovery. I know 3 months is a long time in ways, but the brain heals slowly. I hope you can find ways to reduce stress in your life in order to facilitate brain healing.

Hang in there! Read the stickie about PCS and hope. Recovery is possible.

Take care!

Poetrymom

Hi Phoenix,

Like the others, I'm sorry to hear your enduring this. At 3 months, that's a very difficult time in the recovery process. Your mind goes to dark places, and depression is something that is almost unavoidable. Once it sets it, things get worse. To avoid that, as Bud suggests, ensure that you talk to people, counsellors, psychologist, etc. so that you can make it through this period in better shape.

Also, do know that things get better than where you are now. It's insufferably slow at times, but just know that it will.

As an aside, my entire life my heart rate was around 40-50. Since my accident, however, it is usually 80-90 bpm at rest. Disconcerting, I know.

Hang in there.

Hang in there Phoenix!
 

My son is also 15 years old and suffered a concussion in football practice at the end of August. He is still experiencing symptoms and I know he has some of the same feelings you do. Like you, he is a great student and competitive athlete (baseball / football) We have tried nearly everything to get him "back on his feet" but so far, he is still having issues. He is clearly better, but by no means is he 100%. He just spent his entire Christmas break catching up on past-due assignments, and had to miss out on many social opportunities with friends. I feel for you as I have seem first hand the doubt and suspicion of friends, teachers and coaches. It seems that everyone expects concussions to "heal" after a few weeks, and anyone who has one that lasts longer is looked at with a suspicious eye.

I'm sorry this has happened to you. Please remember, you are still VERY young and have your entire life ahead of you! Several years from now this difficult period will be a distant memory. I will pray for your complete healing and hope that you, and my son, will return to your normal activities this year!

Bwhiteii,

Tell your son to not let the doubters get to him.

I have never dealt with such a sneaky and difficult thing in my 56 years. I walked by the mirror many times in the recent past and wondered if I was faking it, I looked ok. I have often thought that this has to be a very difficult thing to deal with at a young age.

I'll add him to my prayers.

Bud