Speed Bumps and PCS (Reality Check Needed)
 

Hello, everyone. New to the forum, and this is my first post. A brief background on my history of concussions...

First concussion back in 2016 after hitting my forehead very hard on a tower fan while bending down in the dark (stupid move, I know). GP diagnosed me with concussion. Second one in August of 2018 after hitting the top of my head on the roll up door of a moving van. Third one in January of this year after hitting the top of my head very hard on a windowsill while shifting positions on bed. Doc also diagnosed me with a concussion. Most recent one about 3 weeks ago after hitting the top of my head against the wood frame of my couch (and this after hitting the back of my head very hard on a metal frame while shopping at Costco a week prior).

Was starting to feeling something resembling normal when today I foolishly went over a speed bump too fast. Now my head is reeling and my anxiety is through the roof. Hurts to look up, bend down, etc. As someone who often goes to the worst case scenario in these situations, I’m concerned I’ve once again given myself a concussion. These repeated head blows, especially so close in proximity, can’t be good. Immediately felt intense cranial/sinus pressure commonly felt after my prior concussions.

Trying not to worry, but it isn’t easy. Is it possible to aggravate/get a concussion from going over a sharp speed bump too fast, especially while recovering from a recent concussion? The jolt was pretty intense.

Reality check needed...

I'm not a doctor, and I don't know your situation or symptoms, but given that you have had repeat "concussions" from head bumps that are significant but would likely not give others a concussion, it might be worth seeing a migraine doctor to see if you are experiencing migraine attacks triggered by head trauma. This is a common thing that is frequently misdiagnosed by run-of-the-mill neurologists (happened to me). By the way, you don't need to have a traditional headache to have migraine, you can have a whole host of other symptoms (including dizziness), and the symptoms can last far beyond the acute phrase of the attack.

Others on here will probably tell you that you can also get neurological symptoms from a panic attack, which is true, and you might be experiencing one after your most recent incident. Its possible for you to have both a migraine attack and a panic attack at the same time. Its going to be impossible for those of us online to really know what the trigger for your current symptoms is.

BUT, when your adrenaline inevitably subsides, if you are still having your typical symptoms and your doctor says, "You can't get a concussion from going over a speed bump," (which is true, by the way). It's worth it to explore migraine treatment.

Best of luck!
BW

Thank you for the reply. I’ll definitely look into migraine attacks. I’m also wondering if what I’m dealing with is associated with somatic symptom disorder. I often immediately hyper focus on the worst case scenario after any head bump. Last night I bumped the side of my head on the headboard of my bed and am already worried I’ve given myself another concussion. My ear hurts and I have a headache on the side that I hit.

Something I have been wanting to know and never got a clear answer on is frequency of concussions and any subsequent heads bumps soon after the initial injury. My doctor told me that the more you hit your head or get concussions, the less tolerance you have for future head bumps. That even a relatively minor head bump can be serious. I’m curious to hear thought on this.

Thanks again.

Just wanted to say Hello.:)

Maybe look into proprioception issues...might be why you are having so many bump issues..

[Decreased proprioception is when there is a reduction in the sense that tells the body where you are in space, it includes the awareness of posture, weight, movement, and limb position in relation to our environment and according to the other parts of our body.]

proprioception disorder - Google Search

proprioception test - Google Search

handsomerube,

You have been told some bad information. Your doctor is not giving you the best information. Head bumps usually are NOT concussions.

Your somatic symptoms disorder comment has merit. Many who focus on every little event in life develop somatic symptoms.

When your GP diagnosed you with a concussion, twice, he likely was just using your subjective complaints and charting ICD S06.0 as a starting point in case you develop physiological symptoms.

None of your 'concussions' since 2016 sound like they were concussions. They sound like possibly sub-concussive impacts, at the worst.

Your posts sound like Concussion Anxiety Syndrome. You, like many others in the past decade, have been told that concussions are a serious risk and can lead to CTE and other devastating deterioration. You get startled by a head bump and that startle starts your mind racing. You notice sensations that you attribute to a concussion. More likely, those sensations are just anxiety.

A real concussion will manifest an immediate cluster of symptoms during the first seconds.

Many get startled by the bump can connect it to the dreaded 'concussion' and start LOOKING for symptoms. When you look for symptoms, you will find them. Do not trust those symptoms that you look for.

btw, Mayo Clinic online has been posting poor information about concussions for decades. Only 5 years ago, Mayo claimed you had to lose consciousness to get a concussion. They are slowly getting more accurate information but have a long way to go.