I'm finding that my days are gradually getting better - I'm at the point where for much of the day, I have minimal or no symptoms, at least when I take it easy and stick to light activities only.

But my evenings and nights have been somewhat of a different story. Some evenings I start to felt a bit of instability - not a full-blown triggering of symptoms, just an intimation of the headaches/wooziness I initially had. This feeling is more noticeable if I'm working closer to my physical/mental limits during the day. However, it seems to recede after I lie down for a half hour or so. I'm also still having unusual and/or vivid dreams, with not a lot of continuity between dreams. Finally, I seem to be waking up once or twice at night, sometimes with a mild headache and/or some anxiety about the injury. I might switch on the light, go to the bathroom, read a little or go online briefly. This seems to help me settle down. Then I'll go back to sleep, typically waking up for the last time around 7 or 8 am. Once I'm up and about, say by 8:30 or 9, I seem to feel better, and, for the most part, this improved state seems to hold throughout the day, unless I overdo it.

Does anyone else notice a similar pattern (ie, better during the daytime, with some regression and/or anxiety at night)? Is there anything I can do to mitigate the down cycle and promote rest and healing at night?

Also, my naturopath mentioned that there is some evidence supporting the use of melatonin to help people heal following a concussion. I know some people use it to help them sleep. Any thoughts?

I have the same pattern. I wake up a little rough around the edges. As I ease into the day some of the symptoms will abate and I usually feel pretty good in the early afternoon. As the evening approaches I'll start feeling a little worse; it's like a ghost of the headache I had at the very start.

That said, this is leveling off now and things are more constant.

I tried melatonin last night, (I have the same sleeping issues as you), and it didn't help. I've heard it can take a night or two to kick in so I'll keep trying.

greenfrog,

You need to relax and let your brain heal. When you feel this sense of imminent symptoms, it is likely your body saying to take some time off and rest.

You are over-analyzing this. You are very early in to recovery.

What ever research your naturopath is referring to about melatonin does not show up in online searches. Melatonin is used to help with sleep to facilitate healing. It is not a magic drug for sleep. For some it works but for others it just causes a short nap then waking up with a struggle to get back to sleep.

Sleep for a PCS subject requires good sleep hygiene. That means developing a routine that settles the body down prior to going to bed. Proper food intake and a lessening of stimulus starts many hours before bed. You need to find what works for you. Everybody is different.

Hope this helps.

My best to you.

Melatonin caused me to have horrible nightmares every time I took it.

It worked very well to help my oldest daughter with sleeping problems (not pcs related).

I'm happy for you that you're seeing improvement during the day, progress is good!

Melatonin is helpful for me, I've used it for years (before the head wonk). I've had the best results with a time-release formula. Not all the brands are the same, some I've tried didn't help me at all. It isn't very expensive, you might want to try a few other brands. I also started taking an herbal sleep formula, it seemed to help a little with the staying asleep part.

Recently my neurologist (not your run of the mill ordinary type) had me try taking a low dose of natural progesterone. I've had a noticeable difference with the waking up during the night problem, I'm sleeping more deeply.

This is just meant as some more information, everyone is different and the same things don't work for everyone.

I'm the opposite but i work during the day and get all sorts of fatigued, then at night I relax and feel much better. Take it easy. Just go with it. Sounds like you are resting and getting better. Great that you can take the time to do that.

Don't worry too much about it other than keep resting until it simply goes away! : )

I feel better at nights than during the day. My day time for the past 2 years was terrible with dizziness, fatigue, brain fog etc., I wish it is opposite since I have to do lot of things during the day (I guess most people do).

I feel the worst first thing in the morning, the 5 mins after I get up from resting(not napping), and right before I go to bed.

Greenfrog....i think you and i are fairly around the same injury date (about a month ago). This is definetly my pattern, i can handle the majority of my day, running errands, light exercise, etc. By night, my vision starts to get granulated or pixalated, like im in a fog, headaches, pressure in my ears, and extreme fatigue. It comes and goes during the resting period, but it wipes me out. im starting to listen to my body and rest more than i was before, but yes, days are way better than nights!