Head Sensitivity Following Concussions
 

Hi guys my name is Mitchell, I'm 21 years old and live in Australia. Since the beggining of 2018 I've been suffering extreme head sensitivity to all kinds of bumps and jarring motions. This started after receiving multiple concussions in 2016 and 2017. I have full faith that this will completely heal, but for now I want to start a consolidated support group for everyone out there who is going through the same thing.
I know from experience that it is SO MUCH WORSE to go through this when you feel like you are the only one. It's not true. However it takes a lot of digging around to find the stories of other people. My aim with this group is to rectify that by having one consolidated support group where we can share our experiences, struggles and victories, as we go through this brain sensitivity following concussions. A support group like this is something I wish I found when I first started googling earlier this year.

My life has been drastically altered by this crippling condition. Many things are a lot harder then they used to be. Car rides, public transport, exercising, I even had to adjust my walking to be more light on my feet.

If you are reading this and you are suffering from this brain sensitivity, you are not alone. You are not imagining this, its very real. Drop a post below and introduce yourself and your story.

Thanks guys,
Mitchell

A small contribution: I used to suffer a lot from walking as well and I almost solved the issue by buying some cushioned shoes that are designed for people with back / spine injuries. Please see my post here:
https://www.neurotalk.org/traumatic-...-injuries.html

Also, several people reported some progress with this brain sensitivity with an anti-inflammatory diet. You can use the search tool to find these discussions.

All the best.
Vania

Great idea, thanks for sharing that Vania.

Mitch

How is your head sensitivity now? How long ago did it start?

Hi Mitchell,

I am not doing well overall but head sensitivity is the thing that has been improving the most. It started 2 years ago after my 2nd concussion and was aggravated 9 months ago after the 3rd. I think that three things helped me:
1. Time
2. The shoes
3. Managing my anxiety. I think it is part of the problem for me although there is more to it. It took me a while but after hundreds of small setbacks caused by minor events I understood that these were not damaging and that the setback would in general not last more than a few days. Now I pay less attention to it and (as a result, I think) I go quicker back to my baseline.

I hope this helps. How are things on your side?

I'm sorry to hear things are not going as well as you would like Vania. That's great that your head sensitivity has improved, what are the main symptoms giving you grief at the moment?

I agree with you big time about the importance of managing anxiety. So important! It makes the process of going through a setback less hell than it can be. I'm going ok. My main issues at the moment are my head sensitivity first and foremost, and depression. I can't wait till I am healed of this!! You realise how we take life for granted when we go through something like this.

Hi Mitchell,

Thank you. I am having headaches and cognitive issues / fatigue, basically anything beyond the dark room is problematic at the moment. But I was getting better before this relapse and I hope I can get back to this level.

I am sorry to hear about the depression. Please be confident in the fact that your head sensitivity will improve, there are plenty of people on NT for which it is the case. But I know it is hard to be patient. I wish you all the best!

head sensitivy
 

had the issue, even the smallest bump.It is sort of reliving the chock and the fear from the first impact, it is similat to PTSD really the more you fear it the worst it gets, at times though it can be realted to emotional issue, concussion is like and overload. most people with post concussion suffers from others issues as well, talk to a therapist if needed.

Hi - I have had 4-5 mild concussions spread out over the past 5 years from non-contact sports and other unlucky accidents. The most recent accident happened ~1 year ago in October-17. I still have chronic Headaches/Migraines, Dizziness/Lightheaded/Vision Issues, and Extreme Sensitivity and Anxiety. On top of the physical pain, my head has been super sensitive to light and noise, and the slightest movement or touch. My brain feels loose in my head like its rattling around every time I move, so I usually try to hold my neck still. I get anxious about things like getting haircuts, sneezing, going for car rides (bumps/pot holes), and even giving people hugs. Just the other day I accidentally drove over a curb while driving and I've been experiencing worsened symptoms for the days since.

Its amazing to me that my head does not feel like it is healing, like I have a permanent concussion or something. I live everyday in fear of bumping my head or anything that could potentially cause more harm. Not sure where to turn next. It is nice to know that I am not alone, although I wish there was a magical cure out there or a doctor that actually could help.

head sensitivity improving
 

Hi,
I am 2.5 years in since my concussion. I too have bumped my head and had a resulting symptom spike numerous times since then. I do not believe it is anxiety induced. The first time I bumped it with my thumb knuckles when pulling my shirt over my head, I didn't really acknowledge the rap as it seemed like nothing, so no anxiety, then stepped out my camper door and felt nautious because the forest was spinning. Symptoms spiked and settled down after 1-2 weeks. Same situation other times. Bump head - only sometimes resulting in intense anxiety, symptoms spiked for anywhere from 3days to 3 weeks. I used to be very sensitive, but that sensitivity has decreased over time as I heal in general. This past summer I clocked my forehead with a metal tool, and the symptom spike was very minor. I know I've seen a lot on this chat about bump sensitivity, so it's quite common, I find it very hard to accept that it's all anxiety/ptsd response.

So be encouraged, it improves, along with a decrease in symptoms. Having said that, I am still quite aware of my surroundings and very cautious. My days of playing ice hockey are over.

head sensitivity
 

I can relate to a lot of what people are writing here. I thought I was going nuts. I have to wear a hat at all times to cushion my head. I'm also very concerned about hitting my head but I have to live. I have worn a hat since the day after my concussion. Even in the house. Knit hats. Those hats with the faker and ear covers. If I don't wear one I get anxious. Like my head feels exposed.

I notice when I am in a car and my head bumps against the seat that it is sensitive. So strange. I just focus on something else. Aromatherapy has helped me. I know its not for everybody. It helps your brain refocus. I believe the olfactory sense is the fastest. I use peppermint oil or anise hyssop (dried). It also helped with woozy symptoms. I'm not an aromatherapy kind of gal either I stumbled upon it accidentally. Worth a try for those struggling.

I have the same issue as you, may a little more mild. After a couple of concussions, every time I bump my head (a bump that would normally give someone a headache) gives me a concussion for a few weeks and I have this terrible exercise intolerance for months where I can't even walk for more than 5-10 minutes without eliciting symptoms.
After exercising fine for like 6 months I recently dropped a tall hiking stick and it slightly bumped my head (very little force) and this seems to be aggravated it back up. I am praying that I won't be out of the gym another 6+ months.
I am not convinced this is an anxiety thing because I have had this happen to me, and then I forget about it and mind my day, then a few days later the symptoms creep up on me and I realize what happened. Anxiety may be related but I think it may be related to a phenomenon seen in chronic pain patients known as central sensitizaiton where the nervous system essentially programs itself to be in pain (in this case an inflammatory mess). It programs a response for itself that it thinks it will protect itself but is clearly actually maldaptive.
I also heard a theory that perhaps a prior brain injury may have caused a cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) leak (the fluids that cushions your brain). This could be why the brain is so sensitive.
Either way the best treatment I have found so far is cranial osteopathic manipulative medicine (in the US). Also anti-inflammatory supplements like fish oil and cover-three (very expensive) may be of help.
I have tried the hormone therapy, but this seemed to mostly shock my system. The only two I would recommend would be some sort of estrogen inhibitor (red supplements has natural ones just google this), or growth hormone stimulator (secretropin), I have had some success w/ these.