MVA January 21/17
 

Hi. I'm new to the forum. I was diagnosed with PCS. I have found difficulty dealing with several symptoms. Headaches for sure. Ringing in my right ear. Sweating & flu like symptoms. Anxiety. And the list goes on. i feel like the more time that goes by people expect me to have "healed". As frustrating as things are with this injury I wish I could put it behind me. I have weird over stimulation break downs. Kid crying, tv blaring, phone ringing in a medical office made me have to leave and wait outside. I forget things and get frustrated easily. I'm beginning to show signs of depression. I have brought all this to my docs attention. He has referred to a psychologist. Not only is the healing process slow but so is insurance / medical system. I am now suffering from anxiety attacks and I feel like they are from the stress of the injury itself ... any words of encouragement would be welcomed !

Tobagurl71,

Welcome to NeuroTalk. Sorry to hear of your struggles.

You are not alone and your symptoms are real. Most of us have had similar experiences. It helps to accept your limitations, especially sensory limitations and take steps to work-around them. Trying to push through usually only makes things worse.

Get some foam ear plugs and keep them handy for waiting rooms, stores, and other sound intense areas where you have to be. Mack's brand of ear plugs are good. I always have a pair nearby, just in case.

I have to avoid some places during noisy times, restaurants, etc.

The anxiety attacks can be from the trauma (PTSD) and/or they can be from your brain struggling to tolerate the many sensory stimulations in a normal day. The latter is very common. Some of us have learned how to see the very early signs of over stimulation and remove ourselves to a quieter environment to prevent the crash. For me, the first sign is a need to focus harder, either visually or auditorily. Or, suddenly becoming very aware of many distinct sounds/voices rather than a mixed cacophony.

Few doctors have much help to offer. Headaches may respond to upper neck therapies. Most MVA's include some form of whiplash. Any head impact has a neck component to it.

Have you been prescribed any meds ?

Check out the Vitamins sticky at the top. It has lots of good information.

Please feel free to tell us anything. We have heard it all. Many doctors will think a symptom is odd and we will say, "Oh yeah. Lots of us have that."

One of the most important needs you brain has right now it quality sleep at normal times. That is when most recovery happens. Avoid daytime napping if it causes you to not sleep well at night.

My best to you.

TG 71,

Boy does your trip to the doc sound familiar! It took me quite some time before I could tolerate the noise and motion of public.

The things of life we took for granted..didn't even know our brain was doing for us can be thrown out the door with some head injuries. Like noise.

If you can learn to monitor wheat affects you you can learn to alleviate some off the bad effects such as Mark's earplug suggestion...I highly recommend them also.

You aren't nuts and don't let any doc tell you it is all mental, they don't understand.

Be patient as you will learn to work around problems and your brain will settle down.

Bud