Traumatic Brain Injury and Post Concussion Syndrome For traumatic brain injury (TBI) and post concussion syndrome (PCS).


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Old 03-24-2011, 11:42 AM #1
oaklandrichie oaklandrichie is offline
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Default 5 months post-concussion: sudden symptoms

Hi Folks,
I'm 40 yrs old and I've had 2 concussions recently. The first one was in 11/09. I hit my head on the concrete while skateboarding and loss consciousness briefly. The second one was in 10/10. I knocked heads with another skater, but didn't lose consciousness.
After the second one, I started feeling like myself again after about a month. I didn't take any time off work, but I tried to take it easy. I quit skateboarding, etc.
I really felt normal for all those months after the concussion, but now, 5 months later, I'm having concussion symptoms, and they actually seem worse than right after the accident. My symptoms are dizziness, fatigue, poor motor skills, no libido. It feels like I've got a terrible flu, although the normal flu symptoms aren't present.

Has anyone else experienced anything similar? How long did it last? What treatments have been effective?

I'm going in for a CT scan today.
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Old 03-24-2011, 01:42 PM #2
just not right just not right is offline
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Default Was in car accident didnt hit head

It took about 6 months for me realize that something wasnt right. Saw neurologist for headache and fatigue,it took Dr 3 0r 4 more visits and other symptoms like dizziness,concentration problems, fogginess for Dr to actually label it PCS. My symptoms seem to go in a 6 week cycle,dizziness for a while then concentration problems and so on. Symptoms real came out after 6 months or so, That i noticed. Car accident was aug 0/8 still have symptoms.

Last edited by just not right; 03-24-2011 at 02:05 PM.
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Old 03-24-2011, 02:55 PM #3
Mark in Idaho Mark in Idaho is offline
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There are a lot of reasons why symptoms can show up so late after the original injury. Illness or any immune system compromise would be first on my list. A cold, the flu, allergies, a period of high stress from work or relationships, getting drunk, etc. can all put stress on the brain. Even good stress such as happy events, can cause the brain's stress load to increase. Attending a concert or other high stimuli event can cause a serious crash.

The progression of a concussion usually peaks within 2 to 3 months. But every injury is different.

The best treatment is the same as all PCS. Good nutrition, low stress, good rest, etc. Avoid more than a single serving per day of alcohol and/or caffeine.

The CT scan will probably be negative, as will most imaging after a concussion.

There are no ways to prognose a time line for recovery.

So, be easy on your brain. It has had if share of trauma.

My best to you.
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Old 03-24-2011, 03:59 PM #4
oaklandrichie oaklandrichie is offline
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Default

Thanks for sharing your experiences and advice.
You know, the night before it started, I did go to a concert AND had my share of drinks. At the time, I assumed it was the worst hangover I ever had.
Now, I'm off alcohol and caffeine. I can't imagine what either of those things would do to me now.

JNR,
Do your symptoms vary in intensity each 6-week cycle?
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Old 03-24-2011, 07:30 PM #5
just not right just not right is offline
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Default yes symptoms change in intensity

I was feeling good for a couple of days and then all of a sudden got worst dizziness of my pcs. Seems like came out of the blue. Cant wait to see whats next wahoo
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Old 03-25-2011, 07:27 AM #6
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Hi Oakland - sorry to hear about your PCS issues. I skate too as well surf, paddleboard, mountain bike - you name it, if it involves being outside, I'm on it. But I've had to put that on hold for a while. A couple of months ago, I fell a bunch during a week of cross country skiing. Never hit my head, but apparently my brain didn't like the jarring from hitting the ground and I have been experiencing PCS symptoms ever since.

To answer your question, my symptoms are pretty static but will spike if I drive for more than 10 minutes. For some reason, I'm really sensitive to the jostling you get riding in a car on urban streets.
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Old 04-07-2011, 02:53 AM #7
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After 2 weeks of PCS symptoms, I'm starting to feel normal now (although I've got a cold now). I'm about 80% recovered now. I still get dizzy and nauseous when over-stimulated, but no more headaches, and the general fatigue is gone.
This is interesting, because it took me about two weeks to "recover" from the original accident.
I'm so happy to have my balance and motor skills back. It's good to know this craziness can't go away if I get enough sleep.
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Old 04-08-2011, 08:37 PM #8
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Red face Hey, Im a newbie after auto accident

Quote:
Originally Posted by oaklandrichie View Post
After 2 weeks of PCS symptoms, I'm starting to feel normal now (although I've got a cold now). I'm about 80% recovered now. I still get dizzy and nauseous when over-stimulated, but no more headaches, and the general fatigue is gone.
This is interesting, because it took me about two weeks to "recover" from the original accident.
I'm so happy to have my balance and motor skills back. It's good to know this craziness can't go away if I get enough sleep.
My reply: I didnt catch the whole story for U oakdale, but I can related to the symptoms . Great to hear you have your balance and motor skills back.@

I was in a rear ender crash and am now almost 2 months post concussion/back and neck strain. The worst part is the confusion and slowness in thinking. Am getting massage/craniosacral treatment, just started, it seems like its doing something good at least. But the times everyone talks about for recovering is a little scary. I keep thinking Im in this for 3 to 4 months as a Dr friend told me, but want to speed it up if possible.

Hope you continue to be well!!
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Old 04-08-2011, 10:57 PM #9
Mark in Idaho Mark in Idaho is offline
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vinman,

Your doctor friend had no medical basis for his comments. There is no way to predict the time frame for recovery. There also are no ways to speed up recovery other than to keep stress to a minimum and rest and good nutrition to a maximum. Each injury is specific to that person and can only be compared statistically. There are statistical probabilities but that is all. The great majority of concussions do not cause symptoms beyond the first few days. Those that last longer have time spans that defy logical assessment.

Remember that statistic are mean. The statistics say that vaccines save lives. But, those statistics are meaningless to those who lose a loved one to the fatal consequences of a vaccine.

The crossover symptoms between whiplash and concussion make it very difficult to prognose with any sense of accuracy. Tendon, ligament, cartilage and other soft tissue injuries can take long times to heal with may complex interactions.

There are two schools of thought regarding soft tissue injuries that do not require or respond to surgery. The most common is to heal through range of motion, stretching, and strengthening therapies. This can take quite some time as it can be two steps forward and one step back.

The other is rest the tissue until it has healed, then work to recover the range of motion and strength. This takes a lot of patience and discipline. I have had more luck with the second. Some injuries only heal with the second. The brain only recovers by the second process. Stressing it only prolongs the healing process.

Physical Therapists tend to follow the first process. They also tend to get impatient if they do not see progress. This ends up putting an uncomfortable burden on the patient, in my experience.
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