Dealing with symptoms - NEED INSIGHT
 

Hi everyone,

I'm new on this forum and would like to get some insight and hear some of your thoughts on what I have to say.

I'm 20 years old, got my first major concussion about 6-7 years ago. It was really rough because it was mainly PCS rather than feeling the symptoms right away.

My second one occurred 2 years ago, wasn't major but I definitely still felt the effects of it. Symptoms didn't last too long which I was thankful for.

Finally, my third concussion happened in November 2016. This one felt different from my first two. The main symptom I had was severe pressure in my head, I do suffer from chronic migraines which I know adds to the extent of my symptoms. But, these symptoms have stuck with me until this very day. Not to the same degree as the first month after the injury, but I get headaches and migraines every single day. Tylenol doesn't help, nothing does.

I would simply like to know if anyone else has suffered from these exact symptoms or if anyone has something to say please feel free.

Thank you very much for your time

bugeyedfatwalrus,

Welcome to NeuroTalk. Sorry to hear you are suffering.

I'm confused. Did your chronic migraines pre-exist your concussions ?

[I would simply like to know if anyone else has suffered from these exact symptoms ]

What symptoms besides your headaches ? Do you mean just the severe pressure ?

How did you suffer each concussion ?

What kind of diagnostics and treatment have you received ?

Have you tried anything besides Tylenol ?

Max dose Tylenol combined with max dose aspirin can be very helpful. My doctor recommended this combination to me. Excedrin is Tylenol, aspirin and caffeine. The caffeine should be avoided in most cases, especially with PCS.

Have you done any icing, especially the back of your head and neck ?

Have you had any treatment for a upper neck injury ? Most concussions include subtle trauma to the upper neck. This will not show on imaging. It is usually just strain and bruising that causes inflammation that can lead to muscle spasms and headaches.

I've had chronic migraines since I was about 10 years old and the main symptom I deal with is the pressure in my head.

I don't really have any other symptoms besides light headedness but it's not very prominent.

Each concussion was suffered while playing hockey, the most recent one I was cross checked in the back of the neck and fell rapidly to the ice. I was wearing a helmet but the blow to the front of head did create a pretty bad bruise, let alone the damage to my brain itself.

I have gone through CBT (cognitive behaviour therapy), did all of the basic concussion tests.

Unfortunately there's not much else I can take besides Tylenol because of the medication I have to take for my migraines. Excedrin is one of the medications I know I definitely can't take.

I have iced and all that jazz, nothing works. This has been going on for over a year and it's driving me crazy!!!

Up until this last concussion my headaches and migraines were under control, I seem to be slowly going back down the hill.

Do you have tenderness to touch if you press on the bony areas behind your ears ? The whiplash effect of a body check injury can mess up the upper neck and throw the brains blood flow system out of wack.

A Physical Therapist or upper cervical chiro can often help. You would want somebody who knows how to do gentle therapy, gentle traction and mobilization of the cervical vertebra, to help the cervical vertebra to settle into proper place and strengthen. It also requires learning to sleep with good head and neck posture.

Have you tried any dietary changes ? There is a diet called the anti-inflammatory diet. Some have found it very helpful.
Google 'anti inflammatory diet migraines' You will find a lot of information and testimonials.

I don't feel anything when I press on the bony part behind my ears.

Another thing I should mention is that I suffer from IBS which is a digestive issue, as well as general anxiety disorder. The anxiety and the migraines in a way control my life. I don't even have time to go see a doctor because school is so overwhelming.

A negative result from touching the bone behind the ear is good but does not rule out upper neck issues.

IBS is not always a digestive issue. It can be a neurological issue that manifests as a digestive issue. Plus, the intestines have the highest density of nerve receptors in the body. Anxiety often sets them into overdrive. I struggled with IBS symptoms for a few years after my most recent injury until I found a doctor who diagnosed TOS (Thoracic Outlet Syndrome) and he directed me to a physical therapist who helped me minimize the TOS.

I have a cervical rib at C-7 and moderate injuries from C-6 to T-3 and some others that interrupt nerve signals to the esophagus and gut. I have a rib that likes to dislocate at the vertebral end that messes with my gut. I fractured a rib at the same time as a concussion injury in college that has been an on and off problem ever since. It healed crooked and puts strain on the rib to vertebral joint.

If you have been taking a beating on the ice, you may have some vertebral issues that need addressing.

Many with PCS find a full load of a challenging course work makes their PCS much worse. The stress of school can make life miserable for someone with PCS.

Are you taking any meds for your anxiety ?

What migraine drug are you taking ?

Are you taking any other drugs ?

I take 100mg of Sertraline at dinner time plus 50mg of trazodone 30 minutes before bed.

The Trazodone was prescribed to me a week ago to help with some anxiety issues I've been having.

I also take Symbicort for my asthma issues.

You should read the Vitamins sticky at the top. B-12, D3, magnesium w calcium, a B-50 Complex or other source of folate and the rest of the B vitamins such as a multivitamin for stress and a good dose of anti-oxidants, C, E, should be your minimum.

You can strengthen your immune system and maybe help with your asthma.

Most anti-inflammatory diets are also good at helping strengthen the immune system.

Chubby walrus,

Are your new headaches similar to your pre-existing migraines or are they different? Are they linked to light and sound sensitivity? Does thinking exacerbate them?

Once I hear from you I'll put some thoughts out there for you as I think your headache issues may have some similarity to mine.

MM

@Mark in Idaho I don't think I can take any more pills.
I'm so tired of taking the ones I am now, it's so frustrating to constantly have to remember to take them.