Hi,

In the middle of March 2011, I bumped my head getting out a small aircraft, a Cessna 172. I didn't blackout or lose consciousness. I got a headache and took an Advil.

Two days later, I experienced my first migraine headache while playing soccer. Because of my migraine symptoms - numbness in right hand and face, slurring of words and difficulty even thinking clearly, I went to the hospital the next day.

I've had a cat scan and MRI and both were negative. The neurologist thinks I was experiencing all of the classic symptoms of a migraine. He ordered the tests just because it was my first migraine.

However, about 4 or 5 days after the migraine episode, I started experiencing a mild dizziness - not vertigo. I have it almost every day since.

My lightheadedness is mild - I can still drive and work (I'm an engineer) and I'm experiencing no other symptoms at all. If I keep my head still (like working on a computer or watching tv), then it "goes away". However, if I turn my head quickly, look up/down/left/right then I feel dizzy.

I have had bloodwork and an EKG which both were fine.

I have been going to a physiotherapist since the beginning of June 2011 for vestibular rehabilitation. My balance has been getting better, however, I still feel the same level of dizziness (5 out of 10) all the time.

I feel more dizzy while at a busy mall (like Costco) or when in a car stopped at a light or in traffic.

I'm going to see my family doctor tomorrow on the referral of my PT in hopes of getting referred to a different neurologist (one that specializes in concussions vs. the one I saw who specializes in strokes) or an ENT (Ear-Nose-Throat specialist).

I have been to a chiropractor, but after a few weeks of no improvement, he suggested that I stop treatment for a while to see if it makes any difference. I haven't been to see him in over 2 weeks. I don't feel any worse.

I also have an appointment booked with an Osteopath who practices cranial massage to see if that makes any difference. I had wondered about seeing an acupuncturist, but my PT also does acupuncture and she didn't think that would help.

I'm 27 years old, non-smoker and I don't drink.

I live in Calgary, Alberta, Canada - if anyone has some suggestions on a good concussion neurologist or ENT or any other specialist to see, please let me know.

Thanks.
Dan

So sorry you are having migraines. I started having migraines when I was young but then developed a different kind of migraine/migraine-like headache after my concussion. Mine have now gone away except for after very long bike rides (4+ hours). If I don't ice my neck right after I will get a terrible, throbbing headache.

I also had balance problems and vertigo. Again, very likely related to the neck injury.

I flew to Buffalo to see Dr. Leddy at the University of Buffalo concussion clinic. He is the one that cleared me to get back on my bike and sent me off to physical therapy for my neck. Here is a detailed post: http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/post775819-12.html

I'm not saying your problems are caused by a neck injury, but it's definitely worth looking into. Good luck!

Chitown, did you find the advice you received at the UB clinic helpful? Have you been able to address your neck issues since then?

I find it odd that there is next to no anecdotal information on this board about the UB clinic. If it is as successful as they claim, you would think that word would get around.

That is precisely why I went. There seemed to be little here talking about the concussion clinic there. I figured if I went and documented it I could feel a little better about sitting on a couch for two months. Maybe it helped someone?

Unfortunately they did little to help me other than correctly diagnose me with a neck injury and tie my remaining symptoms to that injury. That was very valuable to me but did not leave me with an opportunity to try the full rehab program.

I was told to by Dr. Leddy at UofB to get a therapist who could work with upper cervical neck injuries, which is apparently easy to find. I of course only heard, "you won't have a setback if you do stuff." So I just started going right back into my routine.

Exercise resumed. I went back to work full time. Stopped taking elavil/amatryptyline. I still had problems sleeping, some minor vertigo in the mornings and headaches after working out, (definitely neck related, see ice pack remedy above). But knowing I could just ignore it all without making things worse made my life about 1000 times better.

I scheduled an appointment with my main doctor to tell him about my trip to buffalo and to help me find a therapist. By the time I got there two weeks later pretty much everything had cleared up except the sleeping. Which is now mostly normal unless I sleep with my neck in a bad position.

Interesting - did you have a good impression of the clinic staff? I'm guessing the answer is yes, since they helped correctly diagnose your injury.

Yes. There is a PT named Scott. He's seen hundreds of people and put them through the tests. To be honest, seeing someone with that much experience was pretty much worth the trip for me at least.

And Dr. Leddy seems competent. He had someone take my history and then give him a summary before he saw me and she got it wrong. So that was a bit annoying but didn't really have an impact on my visit.

The facilities are a bit old and out-dated, like a really old high school.

But overall it was a pleasant visit.