interesting case of PCS need advice
 

Hi,

Sustained a concussion back in January 2019 playing ice hockey. Most symptoms went away but the only one left is low grade headache 3/10 pain scale. Nothing else. Nada.

Visited a neurologist 2 months ago and she said that there was a 99% chance I don’t even have PCS and that all of my headaches are caused by anxiety and not the concussion.

She even thought my headaches were “fishy” for a variety of reasons. Throughout all of the last 8 months, I scored a 1420 on my SAT, maintained a 4.0+ GPA, played fortnite until 1am on weekends screaming at the TV with my friends, went out with friends every Friday and got extremely drunk and went to parties, and consistently made 2 hour drives to go fishing on the weekends and wade a creek all day with my friends, and during most of these activities the headache all but dissapears. I have never once had to limit myself because of my concussion.

Yet, I still have headaches almost daily during school and after. They usually start about 3 hours in.
Also, when I exercise my headaches don’t increase during the actual exercise but rather after the exercise is done. The headaches aren’t bad enough that I can’t function they are about a 5/10 on the pain scale.

What I am asking is do you guys agree with the neurologist and think I’m just anxious?
I have my senior season of ice hockey coming up in a month and as of right now I can’t play. Should I get off of this site and get my mind back focused on the ice???:):)

Have you considered the possibility that your headaches might be cervicogenic? This could explain why you don't have any other symptoms. Trying some relaxation / icing of your upper neck might be worthwhile.

Also, I don't want to frighten you, but if I were in your situation I would seriously think of whether the pleasure from playing hockey is worth the (substantial) risk of another concussion and potential PCS.

Also, I don't want to frighten you, but if I were in your situation I would seriously think of whether the pleasure from playing hockey is worth the (substantial) risk of another concussion and potential PCS.[/QUOTE]

My neurologist said that as much as she hates brain injuries and high impact sports, that she wants me to play hockey again bc she thinks it’s all anxiety.

What’s interesting is that last weekend I got in a car accident when I was rear ended and my friend got his first concussion ever and I don’t know if I got a concussion but my head seriously hurt for a few days but a week later I’m back to the full functioning self. Haha maybe the concussion helped wash away my anxiety. I just don’t understand it seems the majority of athletes get better in 2 weeks and the small minority who don’t end up with extreme suffering. I am in the middle of all of this because I have barely suffered at all.

Good suggestions all around. I was also gonna say if school is the specific trigger, maybe there are fluorescent lights there that could be the culprit, in which case blue light filter lenses could calm it down, although i'm far from an expert. Of course it could be the cognitive exertion of school as well, although that's great to hear that it hasn't held you back from performing well.

Echoing Vania though - I can't speak much for your anxiety but I can say youre making ME anxious with your eagerness to play hockey. While sports are great and all, I'm quite concerned that all it would take would be one more blow from a hockey game and then you'll be another person on the forum with myriad symptoms. Maybe others might feel differently, and it's ultimately your call but I wouldn't take the decision lightly, and I definitely see a lot of people on here who had an innocuous first concussion followed by a devastating secondary concussion.

I fully agree with all this.