I'm just having such a hard time. Crying as I type this because I really don't know what else to do. I haven't been able to hang out with friends in 3 months now, and I know I'm really wearing my mom out, as she has to be the one taking care of me.

What's frustrating is how doctors always send you to a different doctor, and they all have their opinions on what it is. When they find out I have a past of depression and anxiety, they tell me to take more antidepressants and to "relax" and that stress will make it worse/ No kidding! I can't work, I can't pay for things, I can't shop for myself, I can't fill my days with anything productive and I can barely entertain myself. This is hell...it's absolute hell. I'm hanging on because I could never do the alternative as it would destroy my mother. But things just feel worse and worse as time goes on.

I stopped wanting to eat over a week ago, after a bad bout with acid reflux. Now if I eat anything it feels terrible and my throat feels like somebody is choking it. I can swallow, but it feels funny. I'm having an Upper GI done Thursday. I also might have Sleep Apnea because a couple nights ago when I was just about asleep I awoke gasping for air, something new.

Will this ever go away? I know that nobody can answer that. My newest neuro (one of the best in the city, supposedly) said he wasn't even sure it was post-concussion because he's not sure that when I fell I got a true concussion. Then why have I been told that by countless doctors.

I should also add that I've been emetophobic my whole life. So I'm afraid of vomiting. It's gotten a little better as I've gone through early adulthood but it's still there.

I've read that Meneire's Disease is progressive and often dibilitating. I'm afriad that if it's what I have I'll start getting vertigo. Then i truly won't know what to do.

Current symptoms, all happening progressivelyafter fall on ice February 19th:

-weird sensation in head when eyes are closed and close to sleep...no one can tell me what this is but it's very scary, and only happens when lying backand eyes are closed.

-daily dizziness, sometimes intense lightheadedness that seems to come from center of head

-head pressure varying in intensity...behind nose, eyes, between ears

-ears feel more senstive to pressure changes, like popping. Have on and off tinnitus. Last Friday, right ear felt very full for a few hours.

-extreme sound senstivity

-frequent headaches not helped by Advil

-unbalanced in the dark

-intense heartburn and choking feeling in throat all of the time

-worsened insomnia

-horrible anxiety and depression, bleakness

So all of that stuff and no real, true diagnosis. I feel really helpless. I feel really alone.

Hi!
I had your symptoms for about 2 weeks after my last concussion (which truly was MINOR!). This concussion however sent me over the edge. I had a previous concussion supposedly not "healed out".

You have been the same now for 3 months? What was the incident?

I really have to say one thing to you. That is about stress. Stress caused about 300% intensified symptoms for me. If your brains is injured you want to keep the activity as low as possible. Stress sets the brain to another gear that makes it much more active.

The heartburn sounds like a PURE anxiety-issue. You shouldnt worry abour that.

And this is the key...I know this is so ****ing hard but you have to try. Try to FOR NOW accept your situation and look forward.

You have to accept that it is gonna be hell for some time more, but then it will get better.

I am 2 years post-injury and just recently have I started to improve! (Getting rid of the "acutephase-hell" that I went through is not included here).

Emil

Thanks, Emil. Sorry to hear of your troubles tolo but I'm really happy that they're getting better.

My story is actually in the post right before this about the tinnitus/ear stuff.

I know you're right about the stress stuff. It just feels like when I'm finally ableto handle one symptoms, another crops up. My body is so hungry and I'm waek from not eating but if I do, I get nauseating acid reflux some of the time, and that constant feeling of someone choking me, or that a part of my throat is swollen. Doesn't hurt, just feels constricted or something.

I'm just in kind of a disbelief about this newest neurologist saying it might not even be post concussion, because I didn't fall directly on my head. But other doctors told me you can get one from hitting your neck or upper back. So I don't know anymore.

These head symptoms trigger inactivity, inactivity triggers digestive problems, digestive problems trigger malnutrition and more anxiety, and triggers my asthma, and then thisall goes in a vicious cycle and i feel isolated and notsure what to do with myself to stay distracted. And I don't exactly knowhow to treat it, because I haven't really gotten an exact diagnosis.

Have you checked this website? Excellent.

You'll need to copy-and-paste into your browser:

http://www.dizziness-and-balance.com.../menieres.html

Take good care.

Theta Z.

Thanks for the link, Theta. What is your story? Do youy suffer from Meneire's? I'm not sure if it's what I have but I'm trying to become educated about everything so I can make the best choices in my treatment. I've learned that I'm the best & only advocate for myself in this situation...

Hi Clarabelle,

I'm sorry that you're having such a super bad time at the moment. We all understand your struggle.

Do you mind if I ask what diagnostic tests you've had? A standard MRI is unlikey to show anything but maybe some blood from sheering. Have you had neuro-psychological testing? That is probably the best way to confirm a diagnosis of PCS.

Have you had a test to confirm if your saliva glands are sunctioning properly? This isn't an uncommon problem with PCS patients and can led to stomach problems like the ones you're describing.

I do hope that you will seek help for your depression and anxiety. I never suffered from these things before my tbi - and I have found them the most difficult symptoms to deal with. Concussion patients often don't respond well to standard SSRIs. Even if they work for you, medication alone is seldom enough. PCS can be a life-altering injury and you really deserve help coping and adjusting.

No matter what don't let any lazy, ignorant doctor use a history of depression/anxiety to downplay all your symptoms. YOU DO NOT HAVE PCS BECAUSE YOU ARE ANXIOUS AND DEPRESSED. YOU ARE ANXIOUS AND DEPRESSED BECAUSE YOU HAVE PCS.

Hang Tough