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


advertisement
Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 03-31-2011, 09:39 AM #1
kayseeah kayseeah is offline
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2011
Posts: 21
10 yr Member
kayseeah kayseeah is offline
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2011
Posts: 21
10 yr Member
Default Is it Post Concussion Syndrome or Post Traumatic Migraines?

Two months ago, I was involved in a car accident where I hit my head twice. I has a headache afterwards and some neck pain but no other symptoms. About six weeks after the accident, I started to develop really bad headaches at the top of my head, nausea, dizziness, blurry vision and sensitivity to light (to the point of wearing sunglasses indoors!) My physiotherapist was convinced that I have post concussion syndrome so I went to see a neurologist, but he said that it can’t be PCS because the symptoms didn’t occur until 6 weeks later. He told me I have chronic migraines (my symptoms have lasted about a month straight now) and told me to avoid some common triggers and see if it gets better. He also told me that it’s okay for me to exercise, but my physiotherapist says not to do anything but rest. I don’t know who is correct here, and whether it is safe for me to workout. I feel light-headed and like I want to vomit almost all the time. I have not had an MRI done. What should I do? The neurologist told me he doesn’t have to see me again since he doesn’t think there is a brain injury. But my symptoms are daily and not going away and it has now been 2 months since the accident
kayseeah is offline   Reply With QuoteReply With Quote

advertisement
Old 03-31-2011, 10:58 AM #2
just not right just not right is offline
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2011
Posts: 51
10 yr Member
just not right just not right is offline
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2011
Posts: 51
10 yr Member
Default

im no doctor but i think its pcs. I was in car accident and i dont think i hit my head but i still got a concussion. Didnt have any symptoms til about 6 months after accident(or that i noticed). 2 and half years later still having symptoms. My symptoms are dizziness,fogginess,headaches,nausea,fatigue,and concentration. Maybe find another doctor.
just not right is offline   Reply With QuoteReply With Quote
Old 03-31-2011, 11:14 AM #3
Mark in Idaho Mark in Idaho is offline
Legendary
 
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Somewhere near here
Posts: 11,416
15 yr Member
Mark in Idaho Mark in Idaho is offline
Legendary
 
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Somewhere near here
Posts: 11,416
15 yr Member
Default

It is not uncommon for PCS symptoms to be delayed like yours are. Either way, you situation is the same. You have headaches. The rest will be good and avoiding head ache triggers is important. Limit caffeine to one serving per day. Try to keep you blood pressure down to safe normal limits.

A CT scan would be appropriate if your head aches get very intense.

Exercise is OK if you can avoid triggering symptoms. This means your limit in pulse rate should be lower that your exercise target from pre-PCS. It is likely that your exercise limit is quite low. Maybe just a brisk walk or some low intensity spinning.

If you start to sense any symptoms during your exercise, stop. Note the level of intensity and use it as a limit for the future. You want to stay below that limit with a good margin of error. If 120 bpm is the limit before symptoms, then stay below 110 bpm or even 100 bpm.


Hope this helps.

My best to you.
__________________
Mark in Idaho

"Be still and know that I am God" Psalm 46:10
Mark in Idaho is offline   Reply With QuoteReply With Quote
Old 03-31-2011, 11:25 AM #4
postconcussion postconcussion is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2011
Posts: 216
10 yr Member
postconcussion postconcussion is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2011
Posts: 216
10 yr Member
Default Pcs?

I'm sorry to hear about your accident. Sounds like you're getting mixed messages. I'm no doctor either but sounds like you may have PCS.

First off, concussions don't always show up on MRI's or CT scans. They could both be negative and you could have had a severe concussion. Those test are mainly looking for an acute bleed in the brain. Just because it isn't bleeding doesn't mean that there has not been trauma.

Your symptoms show that you do have effects from trauma. Did you have migrane headaches before your accident? If not then I would have to say its PCS.

PCS symptoms don't always start immediately after trauma. Those that you mentioned I have had. This is really serious. Please go to a DR. that takes you seriously. You could have a long healing process and it is very important that you know so you don't reinjure your sensitive brain.

I experienced headaches that were both tension and migrane from my accident. Everyone is different, and to be honest my neurologist didn't explain it very well to me at first. Most people have a combination of these types. This is important to the doc because pain medications may be given related to what type of headache you have.

Also, don't exercise at all. Especially until you know what is going on. You will feel awful after and may cause more damage. It's hard not to do anything active but just wait.

There is a head injury survival download somewhere here on the site.

Best advice- you have to rest as much as possible and go to another doctor to get better medical advice!

Best Wishes.
postconcussion is offline   Reply With QuoteReply With Quote
Old 03-31-2011, 05:09 PM #5
ShellyK ShellyK is offline
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: California
Posts: 75
10 yr Member
ShellyK ShellyK is offline
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: California
Posts: 75
10 yr Member
Default

I will repeat what others have said: I am not a doctor, but it surely sounds like PCS. That neurologist doesn't sound like he knows much about PCS.

I had migraines before my injury, but NOTHING like what I have now. I am almost 14 months post injury, and I still have headaches.

Did the neurologist give you anything to help with the headaches, besides telling you to avoid triggers?

They usually like to put you on medications that can help prevent the headaches. I have tried half a dozen of those medicines, and they all make me nauseous. Some of them also make me dizzy and more tired than I am already. But I am very sensitive to medications, and if they could find one that works for you, it could relieve your headaches.

There have been some studies done on vitamin B-2 (riboflavin) helping migraines, and I am trying that now. It seems to be helping to make my headaches more manageable, even though I still have them. You can google migraines and vitamin B-2, and you will get lots of information.

But there are other natural products that you might also want to look into like Petadolex (a purified form of an herb called butterbur). Also, some people have found relief using CoQ10.

I am also considering botox injections if nothing else helps.

I surely hope that you get some help for your migraines. They are so disabling! One thing that helps a little is an icepack on the back of the head before or during a migraine. (15 minutes on, then as needed)

The ice is supposed to slow down the pain signals (or something like that). I know that it helps along with medicine.

Exercise is probably the worst thing that I can think of doing when I have a migraine. But if you go to a physical therapist, they may be able to give you specific exercises to help you.

Good luck. Let us know how you are doing. I really do know how horrible those migraines can be.

I have also found cranial sacral physical therapy to be helpful for my headaches. But you have to find someone who is really good at it.

ShellyK
ShellyK is offline   Reply With QuoteReply With Quote
Old 03-31-2011, 06:28 PM #6
Mark in Idaho Mark in Idaho is offline
Legendary
 
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Somewhere near here
Posts: 11,416
15 yr Member
Mark in Idaho Mark in Idaho is offline
Legendary
 
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Somewhere near here
Posts: 11,416
15 yr Member
Default

The web site for the TBI Survival Guide is www.tbiguide.com
__________________
Mark in Idaho

"Be still and know that I am God" Psalm 46:10
Mark in Idaho is offline   Reply With QuoteReply With Quote
Old 04-01-2011, 08:02 AM #7
kayseeah kayseeah is offline
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2011
Posts: 21
10 yr Member
kayseeah kayseeah is offline
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2011
Posts: 21
10 yr Member
Default Thanks!

Thank you all for your responses.

I was also very confused by my neurologist because the symptoms do seem like PCS to me, but he was absolutely sure that there’s no way that is what I have or that I even need an MRI. I had tension-type headaches before my accident (most likely due to some disc issues at the back of my neck), but never a true migraine with any nausea, dizziness, blurriness or sensitivity to light. All those symptoms are new.

I have been very frustrated with the way that doctors don’t seem to take this seriously. My family doctor is away until the end of April, and when I saw her stand-in, he banged on my knees and elbows with the rubber mallet and told me there’s no way it’s PCS because my reflexes are fine and told me I have the flu of all things (???) I’ve been getting mixed messages from everyone, but do feel that PCS is very likely.

The neurologist advised me that being on birth control pills could be triggering migraines, so I stopped last week and so far my headaches have actually been worse. I find the things that help are: drinking lots of water, physiotherapy for my neck, staying away from sunlight (not really something I can turn into a lifestyle!) and placing a heating pad at the back of my neck. But that is very temporary and the symptoms usually come back within a few hours. I have researched feverfew as a possible relief, but I’m worried because I have low blood platelets (always have) and I don’t want anything that could increase risk of bleeding. I will look into a B2 supplement. Right now I am taking a B12 supplement, but that’s because my numbers have always been low. It’s not helping with the symptoms.

My main concern right now is the exercise, because I have some weight to lose, and I don’t want to wait for possibly months before my symptoms go away. But I also don’t’ want to make my situation worse. Do you think light exercise such as elliptical, bike, yoga, stretching, squats, lunges, etc. are okay for me to try? I like the suggestion of giving it a go and seeing if my symptoms get worse, but that might be hard to tell as I’m dizzy and have head pain to start with. I would love to run, but that sounds like it would shake my head around too much. Any advice you can provide me with would be great!! (Until I see my family doctor at the end of April and hopefully she can refer me to another neurologist and for an MRI!)
kayseeah is offline   Reply With QuoteReply With Quote
Old 04-01-2011, 08:20 AM #8
mrsD's Avatar
mrsD mrsD is offline
Wisest Elder Ever
 
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Great Lakes
Posts: 33,508
15 yr Member
mrsD mrsD is offline
Wisest Elder Ever
mrsD's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Great Lakes
Posts: 33,508
15 yr Member
Lightbulb

Welcome to NeuroTalk:

For oral B12 supplements, the best results would be from using methylcobalamin (available inexpensively online) and taking at least 1000mcg (1mg) on an empty stomach daily.

If you are really low in test results, 5mg daily instead.

Using other forms, eating with it, or not taking enough will be much less effective.

MethylB12 is the activated form, and works best. It does not cost more than the synthetic older version called cyanocobalamin. Some people cannot convert in the body to the methyl form, and so see failure with cyano.
__________________
All truths are easy to understand once they are discovered; the point is to discover them.-- Galileo Galilei

************************************

.
Weezie looking at petunias 8.25.2017


****************************
These forums are for mutual support and information sharing only. The forums are not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment provided by a qualified health care provider. Always consult your doctor before trying anything you read here.
mrsD is offline   Reply With QuoteReply With Quote
Old 04-01-2011, 09:40 AM #9
Mark in Idaho Mark in Idaho is offline
Legendary
 
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Somewhere near here
Posts: 11,416
15 yr Member
Mark in Idaho Mark in Idaho is offline
Legendary
 
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Somewhere near here
Posts: 11,416
15 yr Member
Default

kayseeah,

Your doctors are clueless about concussion. They seem like they were trained in the dark ages. Their reasons you cannot be suffering from PCS are signs of their ignorance. Reflex tests are meaningless as is the comment about six weeks post injury. Reflex tests might show a positive result if they are repeated at least a dozen times or more. This sometimes causes neurological fatigue with the resulting positive response.

An MRI is almost sure to be negative. Unless you have disabling headaches with other concurrent serious neurological symptoms, you will likely be just wasting time and money.

A fasting/low calorie type of diet with proper nutritional supplements (B-2, B-6, B-12, niacin, Omega 3's, folic acid) may be more tolerable. The brain can survive on low calorie consumption by using the ketones from the liver.

You neck condition may be a leading cause of your headaches. Continue to get treatment for your neck, including some light traction is possible.

Keep in mind that the vast majority of doctors are clueless about concussion.

There are two drugs that are sometimes used for PCS headaches. Amitryptiline (Elavil) in small (10mgs) doses and cyproheptadine (Periactin) if you can tolerate it. For me the Periactin causes serious depression.

Hope you find some relief. I live with headaches and know how they can effect your daily life.

My best to you.
__________________
Mark in Idaho

"Be still and know that I am God" Psalm 46:10
Mark in Idaho is offline   Reply With QuoteReply With Quote
Old 04-01-2011, 12:20 PM #10
kayseeah kayseeah is offline
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2011
Posts: 21
10 yr Member
kayseeah kayseeah is offline
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2011
Posts: 21
10 yr Member
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Mark in Idaho View Post
kayseeah,

Your doctors are clueless about concussion. They seem like they were trained in the dark ages. Their reasons you cannot be suffering from PCS are signs of their ignorance. Reflex tests are meaningless as is the comment about six weeks post injury. Reflex tests might show a positive result if they are repeated at least a dozen times or more. This sometimes causes neurological fatigue with the resulting positive response.

An MRI is almost sure to be negative. Unless you have disabling headaches with other concurrent serious neurological symptoms, you will likely be just wasting time and money.

A fasting/low calorie type of diet with proper nutritional supplements (B-2, B-6, B-12, niacin, Omega 3's, folic acid) may be more tolerable. The brain can survive on low calorie consumption by using the ketones from the liver.

You neck condition may be a leading cause of your headaches. Continue to get treatment for your neck, including some light traction is possible.

Keep in mind that the vast majority of doctors are clueless about concussion.

There are two drugs that are sometimes used for PCS headaches. Amitryptiline (Elavil) in small (10mgs) doses and cyproheptadine (Periactin) if you can tolerate it. For me the Periactin causes serious depression.

Hope you find some relief. I live with headaches and know how they can effect your daily life.

My best to you.
Thank you for the help, Mark. I appreciate it! Yes, it does seem that my doctors don't know what they are talking about. I am hoping that my family doctor will at least take me seriously, but I have doubts. I think the MRI, for me, is just more of a "peace of mind" request, and I don't think an unreasonable one considering the extent of my car accident. (I'm actually surprised that nobody gave me a head scan right after! My car was totaled.)

Do you, or does anyone else, know the best TYPE of exercise for me to try right now? I am getting married within a few months and really want to look and feel my best.

Thank you.
kayseeah is offline   Reply With QuoteReply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Post Concussion Syndrome aunt5 Traumatic Brain Injury and Post Concussion Syndrome 32 02-18-2016 05:19 PM
Have post traumatic concussion syndrome bdh1 Social Security Disability 8 09-27-2010 03:00 PM
My Post Traumatic MSW Syndrome Post.. PolarExpress New Member Introductions 8 01-24-2008 02:14 AM
post concussion syndrome Toadally New Member Introductions 3 04-29-2007 05:02 PM
Post Concussion Syndrome/Traumatic Brain Injury sah7474 New Member Introductions 2 04-28-2007 09:04 PM


All times are GMT -5. The time now is 04:01 PM.

Powered by vBulletin • Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.

vBulletin Optimisation provided by vB Optimise v2.7.1 (Lite) - vBulletin Mods & Addons Copyright © 2024 DragonByte Technologies Ltd.
 

NeuroTalk Forums

Helping support those with neurological and related conditions.

 

The material on this site is for informational purposes only,
and is not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment
provided by a qualified health care provider.


Always consult your doctor before trying anything you read here.