Brain Continues Recovering...
 

One of the things my neurologist has mentioned is that the damage from a concussion is measured by the initial hit, or any other sub-concussive hits.

I am wondering that since I was able to recover from my latest subconcussive hit (including use of alcohol as a sub-concussive hit), but had several full setbacks due to overstimulation, latest one about three months ago, would the brain continue to heal, albeit at a slower pace now?

The last time it took me about 45-50 days after my setback to start feeling any change and improvement in thinking. But, after immediately overstimulating I have not felt change in the last 80+ days. I know it's stupid to put any kind of timeline on this stuff because all it does is lead to higher anxiety, but would love to know the answer to that question posed in the previous paragraph, as it would really help ease the anxiety despite these terrible headaches. I guess I should mention that I have been dealing with my last sub-concussive hit in July 2015, and have been going in circles of recovery and setbacks since then.

I would not gauge recovery by your perception of thinking. I would consider your headaches and indicator. Thinking can be affected by many things, anxiety and depression being at the top of the list.

I disagree with your neuro's statements, he is only partially accurate. Concussion is a process, not a single moment event. There are a number of variables after the impact that change outcomes and recovery time that are not impact or sub-concussive impact related. This knowledge confuses the experts as they expect to see a linear correlation between impact forces and injury. .

Thanks Mark, that makes sense.

My neurologist also mentioned that recovery from setbacks continues regardless of how little stimulus the setbacks may have needed. In my case I am worried because my most recent setback came simply from watching tv n loud sounds for a long time back in November and I have not felt my headaches improve from that in the last 85 days. By my neurologist's logic, regardless of how fragile the setback may have been, the brain will continue to replete the damaged cells, albeit at a slower pace after each setback. Does that logic make sense?

You and your neurologist are trying to make too much out of too little knowledge. Stop trying to micro-understand. it is not possible. Even the experts don't understand.

Personally, I don't think your current struggles are related to TV and sounds from 85 days ago. Something else is at play. Maybe guilt anxiety over "Why did I subject my brain to that stress ?"

I have had many over-stimulation and over-attending setbacks. Most were expected because I knew the price of a certain stressful activity. I never took longer that 2 weeks to recover. But, I knew how to let go of the event and left recovery happen. Many get so wrapped up in a memorized anxiety that they never let go of the event. It can be sort of like you need to mourn the event and get over it and go on.

What are you seeing the neuro for ?

What is he doing for you ?

Mark I'm glad your setbacks are so short lived. Mine were not. I've had this injury for over 10 months now, and starting in July each setback has been progressively longer as I have had difficulty stringing together good days. Please don't try to pin everything to anxiety. I know a lot of symptoms for a lot of people, including myself are driven by anxiety but each person's brain injury is obviously different. But, when I'm asking a pretty general question, there's really no need to stress your personal opinion about how my anxiety is probably driving my slower recovery. I hope you understand why something like that is pretty annoying to read.

I do thank you for all the great help and answers you provide here, they have been very helpful over the last few months. I am seeing Dr. Cantu in Boston. He's pretty much just overseeing my overall recovery. cognitive therapy. Neuro-psych examination. Taking anti-anxiety medication as well.

I've read Dr Cantu's writings. He is a knowledgeable doctor and has some opinions that are not followed by some other experts.

But, my point is to not over-evaluate everything. Over-evaluating and over-treatment can be detrimental to recovery. Some doctors and some patients believe that unless they are doing something, things will never improve.

What else was going on in your life around the time of the excess TV and sound ? Any illness/fever, emotional trauma, family events, job stresses, change in meds, diet or nutrition, medical or dental procedures, etc. There are lots of variables.

Some will be very frustrated and reactive to the idea of something so benign as TV and noise can set them back so much. The initial setback is totally physiological and sometimes, the extended setback can be a subconscious memorized response. The doctors are often not as experienced in this phenomenon and even reject it because it goes against logic but the neuro-rehab therapists deal with it daily.

A neuro-rehab therapist addressed this issue specifically at our last brain injury support group because it is one of the most troubling aspects of brain injury recovery. When I see the improvements in many of his patients, what he says is even more credible.

It has nothing to do with the thought process of the patient. They are not weak or anxious. But, the subconscious brain can overpower the best intentions until specific protocols are taken on. Tracking or just being aware of the prolonged symptom can sort of create a rut that is hard to escape.

A common issue is sensitivity to light and sound. Reacting every time out of fear can reinforce the symptom. But, that same person can be focused on something else so strongly that they enter an environment with bright lights or loud sounds and do fine as long as they are occupied with the dominant task at hand. The dominant task can occupy all the processing power that would often be directed toward reacting to the light or sound.

I am not saying this is your case, just that this is the case with many who struggle.