Mark in Idaho

I ended up on this sight after a google search into my anger issues and how it may be related to my long history of concussions. I have played almost every "main stream" sport as well as skateboarding, bmx and Motocross. Most of my concussion problems were a result of my bmx and motocross activities.It should be noted that I have always worn top of the line very high dollar helmets such as Arai and Shoei. These helmets have been tested as the best in the world.

Anyhoo, My first concussion that I can recall came before I was 10 yrs old (cant remember exact age). I was reported as briefly losing consiousness and being confused for the remainder of that day and tired for two days. I have since had 6 additional concussions where I have either lost consciousness or had short term amnesia, confusion, sleepyness, etc... I have only been to the hospital to be "officially diagnosed" with a concussion once but I also had two broken bones (wrist, collar bone) so the Doc's concern was on my bones and not my head.

My last concussion was 7 years ago and I was knocked out for a reported 2-3 minutes. I have no recollection of any of the events of this day or two days after except from what I was told by family and friends after the fact. I was reportedly severly disoriented, forgetful, vomitting, unbalanced, sleepy, and bla bla bla, yet no one saw it fit to take me to a doc. I was obviously too out of it to take myself. I reportedly forgot i had just eaten and would continue to eat new plates of food at a cookout that afternoon until someone stopped me after my 6th cheesburger and 4th brat (extremely high volume of food for me....or anyone for that matter)

My concern is that I have sudden out bursts of anger for no apparent reason. These outbursts started about a year after the above final concussion and have steadily gotten more easy to set off and more frequent. I have not seen a specialized doctor about these issues in particular but have discussed this and my other symptoms (headaches, becoming easily dizzy, poor initiative with anything but running, blurry vision at times, trouble concentrating and forgetfullness.) with my general practitioner and my eye doctor (blurry vision). I have had blood tests and extensive eye testing done with nothing being found "abnormal". My dizzyness is so easly triggered that I can not even stand next to a merry go round while I very slowly push my children around it without getting extremely dizzy and nauseous.

These outbursts result in only me yelling and then realizing myself or I have told my wife to remind me there is nothing to be mad about. I then take a minute or several to tell myself its in my head and I am able to move past and am then in a great mood for the other 98% of my day but I tend to have an outbust one to two times a day. I have read it is common to have anger problems as well as a long list of other symptoms and that these symptoms can last for several years or life.

I was very interested in your "Brain Healthy Diet" and take a multivitamin and fish oil daily...since starting these about a year ago I have seen improvement, but want to try other ideas as I am only 30 years old and am worried about what my future holds as far as dementia and the like. I know I laid a ton of info out there but I do not want to spend thousands on a neurologist when from what I have found or heard there is not a whole lot that can be done to help what I am experiencing.

Thanks in advance,
Aaron from Illinois

Aaron,

Welcome to NeuroTalk. You experience sounds familiar.

You were misguided when you attempted to rely on the best helmets to protect your head. Helmets do not reduce concussive forces by much. Their primary goal is to prevent skull fractures and the splattering of grey matter on the ground.

Read the thread Vitamin supplements. My suggested regimen is much stronger than a multi and fish oil. Most multi's are just a bit better than worthless. A good high strength supplement regimen will take about 2 months to see worthwhile improvement. You also need to stay away from caffeine and some other excito-toxins that stress the brain.

You are likely very sensitive to sensory overload. Too much visual and auditory stimuli can cause a fight or flight reaction. Other than sedating meds, the only way to control these is to proactively limit these excessive stimulations. Foam ear plugs can be a good start.

You may be able to get an assessment at a neurological rehab facility. A GP or PCP will not be much help with PCS issues. Most neuros are not much help with PCS issues. A Neuro Psychological Assessment may help or a NeuroPsych Doctor (PhD or Psych.D.) may have a therapy regimen than can help you.

Don't overlook upper neck injuries. They can contribute to dizziness issues and other physical issues. You do not need to have a sore neck for your neck to be causing problems. Every concussion has a neck injury component.

Watch the YouTube video series "You Look Great" at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x9Xso...ature=youtu.be
Check out the TBI Survival Guide at www.tbiguide.com
Read the article at http://www.brainline.org/content/201...u-to-know.html

Your wife should be a BIG part of your support system. She can notice the early signs of trouble and gently pull you away. You both need to understand that these outbursts are your injury acting out. You can take steps to limit the risk of these outbursts.

Tell us more about the whens and wheres of you most common outbursts and maybe we can find a trigger. Tell us about any and everything you remember from the environment when you pop.

This is just a start.

We are here for you and your family.

My best to you.

notg good my question is 24 years post tbi be followed by neurologist? Just something I have been wondering. If anyone can answer question thank you.

esgaddy,

Welcome to NeuroTalk. You have found a good place.

The reason to been seen by a neurologist is to evaluate new or distressing symptoms. What symptoms are you struggling with ?

Please feel free to tell us about your injury, yourself and your struggles. Often, you will get more support here than from a neurologist. It is difficult to find a neuro who understands long term brain injury symptoms.

You can start a new thread about your own situation by using the Start New Thread button at the upper left of the index page. This link will take you to the index page.
http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/forum92.html

I am new to the forum so forgive me if this has been asked before. I am a 40 year old and when I was 6 I had a concussion and then at 10 I had a head contusion which my parents were told is worse. Then at 11 I had a bike wreck and split my head wide open. I had noticeable effects until my mid teens such as seizures numbness spells just to name a couple. As an adult I find myself with bad mood swings and had even times thoughts of would rather be dead then deal with stress. I would never hurt myself or anyone else. I have have has a pretty good life and no family history of depression. Could it be possible these are caused by my heart injuries? I appreciate any feedback.

I suffered a head trauma trimming a tree last summer. A tree limb about 18" in diameter was coming down after I cut it and the butt end I just cut swung back my way like a baseball bat. The surgeon who stitched me up said the baseball cap I was wearing oddly enough may have saved my life...he suspects it made the impact blunt instead of shearing. I don't know. But I have ungodly headaches daily, sometimes I'm awoke in the night screaming and crying cuz I feel like I've just been stabbed in the skull. My memory seems to be that of an 90 yr old man (I'm 42)...after 4 months of physical therapy to learn to walk right again Im still not walking like I used to. I feel like I'm in a fog most of the time.

This happened last June. Its almost March now. I truly feel like I will never get better.

Cleetdog, sounds like you and I are on the same time frame. The sharp pains are unreal at times. Mine travel due to no direct impact, but that tends to make it worse to me. I never know where it is going to hurt and quite honestly it's the most terrifying thing when it begins to hurt that badly. I've held my breath many times wondering what comes next, but it's never anything. Mine don't last long, some times it's just a pin prick pain and some times it's a bit longer but never more than a few minutes at a time, though they can be repetative. I'm sorry you're dealing with that though. For me, the ibuprophen 800mg and two tylenol rapid release pills (I should buy stock in them) seem to simmer it down a lot on bad days. That and getting cold, I am much worse any time it gets hot.

cleetdog,

Welcome to NeuroTalk. Ouch, your experience with a 'widow maker' as forestry workers call them sounds horrible.

What have you been doing to help with recovery ? Melatonin may help with the spiking head aches. I think Mayo's web site explains 'primary spiking head aches.' I have had them.

Have you had any diagnostic on your neck, especially upper neck ? You may stress your upper neck when you sleep causing the head aches. Try icing your upper neck when you wake with these head aches. If it helps, it is a good indicator of a unresolved neck injury. You can make a soft ice bag by combining 1 part rubbing (isopropyl) alcohol with three part water in a zip lock baggies. Freeze it. Then you can mold it to fit your upper neck. 15 minutes on, 30 minutes off, repeat. Do this frequently.

Please feel free to tell us more about your condition. There are plenty of good people here.

My best to you.

Hello,

My husband suffered a servere concussion last April and continues to have symptoms a year after. He has ringing in his ears, sensitivity to light, difficulty with meetings at his work, trouble concentrating, driving in traffic for any length of time and the list goes on. I am wondering if anyone has more difficulty when the weather is rainy? We have had two days of humid wet weather and he his having multiple symptoms but no obvious reason for them.
Also scanning through some of these post, I noticed comments on diet. We are new vegans. Would a new diet work for him?

Thank you
Sharon

Hi Sharon,

I think diet and nutrition is an integral part of helping a brain to heal from trauma.

I was in a car accident that gave me a complicated concussion almost two years ago and I'm still suffering from lots of cognitive impairments. I'm unable to drive on the freeway or for more than a few miles at a time and only when I'm doing my best.

I understand that moral importance of being a vegetarian and/or vegan. (I've been a vegetarian on and off for many years in my life.) But please know that a recovering brain needs a good deal of protein in order to heal and a particular supplement called BCAA's. As well as all the other vitamins and minerals, especially the B's and Omega Oil. Please make sure your husband is taking all of these so his brain gets what it needs to heal as quickly and as well as possible.

I know there are other vegetarians on the board. But I'm personally glad that I'm currently not one while I recover, since it would just add stress to my life and recovering brains need to avoid as much stress as possible. (Even "good and wanted" stress is stress to a healing brain - it's like something more to think about, when it's already hard enough to think at all!) So, it might be easier for your husband to become a vegan later in his life, when his brain is managing life better.