Post Concussion - Vibrations
 

Just wondering if anybody has any idea what could be wrong. I'm a healthy 33 year old male. I have no issues working out and eat healthy. 4 years ago I received 4 concussions in the span of a year. Ever since then I routinely will find myself re-trigger concussion symptoms with any sort of vibrations. Using a power tool can bring it on. I was standing beside a manhole when the lid was dropped on the ground. The vibration from the dropped lid made me feel like I was drunk. Very foggy feeling as well as pressure in the front of the head. Also any light bump to my head will also bring on the foggy feeling as well as a pressure headache. The only relief is lying down and resting. I've been to neurologists and doctors and can't get an explanation. It's happening a couple times a month and may have to look for other employment as I work in law enforcement and don't think another hit would be a good thing at all. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks

Tucker13,

Welcome to NeuroTalk.

I have an idea what may be happening but need some additional information first.

How long has this problem been going on ?

When the manhole cover was dropped, did it startle you ?

Do the other vibrations or bumps startle you ?

Have you checked your blood pressure when you get these symptoms ?

How many other concussions or head hits have you suffered in your life ?
Do you spar or do hand to hand combat training ?

Did you play sports in school ? What position? Any head hits or concussions ?

Have you endured any traumatic episodes in your job or otherwise in the past few years ? Has your concern for your personal safety on the job changed in the past few years ?

Have there been any other struggles, challenges, or big changes in your life in the past few years ?

The manhole lid didn't startle me. It fell and I was left with a foggy feeling and headache. The vibration headaches have been an issue for the last 3.5 years. My 3 year old daughter has tapped me in the head playing around I am left with the same feeling. If say a 1 out of 10 on the force scale. I played hockey and boxing growing up. Have had atleast 5 known conclusions from those sports. Life is great otherwise. I do have safety concerns on the job as I consider that one good knock to the head and I could have major long term problems. My blood pressure is great and I have no problem jogging which is strange because you would think the up and down motion would bring on symptoms. It just seems to be light hits to the head and vibrations will cause me symptoms.

Tucker,

I asked about your blood pressure when these symptoms manifest. Many have healthy BP but can spike easily. Have you checked your BP and/or pulse when you are symptomatic, especially at the beginning of an episode?

Do you go to the range ? How does that noise and shock wave affect you?

From what you have said about your history, I think your job risk and concern are valid, especially if you have a three year old and want to be totally available to her.

btw, How old are you ? How long have you been in law enforcement ?

OK, the manhole cover did not startle you but did you expect it to drop ?

The PCS brain can develop sensitivities to stimulus that do not make sense to the average person. I'll tell you more about this phenomenon later.

i have never checked my blood pressure during an episode. That's good advice and I will try to check it next time I have an issue. I don't go to the range, I work in a open setting prison so there are no guns. I'm 33 and have been in law enforcement for 13 years. I did expect the manhole lid to fall. I was watching it and did not think it would be an issue but the vibration definitely brought in an episode. Thanks for taking the time to help.

So, you work in corrections. We have had at least 2 prior NT members who have suffered bad concussions from assaults as corrections officers. You have a different set of risks compared to a cop.

Sound can be a trigger. It is for many. PTSD can cause your symptoms. It can be triggered by sounds or other sensory stimulations. Many corrections officers struggle with PTSD in various forms. Concussions and PTSD combine synergistically.

What happened 4 years ago when you got 4 concussions in one year ?

Concussion 1 was a hit in hockey. (20 days in bed)
Concussion 2 - 6 months later felt good, started boxing again, took a left hook (4 days in bed)
Concussion 3 - 1 month later, hit head on door frame (2 days)
Concussion 4 - 1 month later, hit head on Olympic bar (1 day)
Never had an issue at work. My workplace is for the most part but pretty tame. Lower security level inmates finishing up their sentence. I really enjoy my work. Have a lot of fun and laughs. So PTSD is not an issue. You are right sound is definitely a trigger. Was told by a neurologist that I have PCS and will have it for life, physio won't help, you just have to watch your triggers.

Your doctor was right. You likely have Multiple Impact Syndrome. This is when the brain has been injured to a point past its ability to use 'reserve' capacity to recover. My neuro says I likely have a similar condition.

Your time in bed could have been a cause for PTSD. The frustration of being disabled by a hockey injury can do weird damage to the brain. PTSD can be a very strange and insidious condition.

Sound sensitivity can be very troublesome. Many of us learn we have to be very protective of our ears. Some docs say this can be corrected by exposure training. Subject your ears to the various triggering sounds over and over. Same goes for head contacts. The reaction is a sort of anxiety reaction. The brain has memorized a response to a trigger. PTSD makes this triggering mechanism a hair trigger.

You can start by wearing foam ear plugs to experience the sounds where you visually experience the sound, too. Over time, the brain stops reacting to the sound because the ear plugs have reduced it and the ear plugs can be removed to learn a new level of exposure.

It took my years to desensitize my brain to sounds.

An interesting test would be an auditory evoked potential test (AEP). It is a form of an EEG (electroencephalogram) or qEEG (computerized EEG) A good qEEG specialist can see how you brain responds to sounds. You might ask around to find someone who does qEEDs. If you tell use where you live, I can do some research to find a clinic.

Thanks for the help. What you are saying about Multiple Impact Syndrome sounds about right. I can't seem to find any literature about it on the internet though. I see a lot of Second Impact Symdrome which we both know is something completely different. If you could direct me to any literature on it that would be much appreciated. Also any vitamin protocols that you would follow? You seem very knowledgeable about this and I very much appreciate your time. I currently go to a Concussion Clinic so I'll ask about the tests. Thanks

Read the Vitamins sticky at the top. B-12, B-50 Complex, Vit D, fish oil, magnesium, and all of the anti-oxidants are the most important.

You wont find Multiple Impact Syndrome mentioned. There is really no treatment for it. With all of the push of neuro-plasticity, nobody wants to discuss the permanent conditions. But, there are lots of things you can do to minimize symptoms. We can learn new ways to do things and new ways to learn.