[SpaceCadet]

Hello, my name is Nick. I'm 26 years old and I experienced a mild TBI in June of this year. I don't have insurance, so I'm very limited to what I can do as far as seeking professional help. I'm having some serious symptoms that are really scaring me and I'd like to talk to some people that are in the same boat as me. Before I ask any questions, let me explain what happened...

I was out drinking with a friend of mine. After a few drinks, we decided to head home. We hopped on the bus and that's the last thing I remember. I woke up in the back of an ambulance, on my way to the hospital. From what I was told, we got off the bus and before we got on the next bus we decided to stop at McDonalds. We were followed in to McDonalds by a white male and we were both hit in the back of the head, knocking us unconscious. While in the hospital, they gave me a CT scan and it showed that I had a small contusion/brain bleed and a hematoma in my left frontal lobe. I was in the hospital for 3 days before being released. They told me on the last day I was there that my contusion was improving. So anyways, I go home and I start the healing process. About a month later [July] I felt like I was 100% back to normal... So I went back to doing the things I normally do. Sometime last month [September], I started to get some strange symptoms.. I'll start with the minor ones:

Numbness in my fingertips on both hands [that went away the beginning of October], every time I bend my neck down I get an electric shock/vibrating feeling throughout my entire body, really really bad headaches on the right side of my head, random tingling in the back of my head, dizziness, my heart will beat weird sometimes, blurred vision [i used to have perfect vision, now I have to get close to something to see what it is/read it], sensitivity to bright lights and loud noises...and then the scary ones:

Horrible, HORRIBLE panic/anxiety attacks [at least I think that's what it is], where I'll suddenly go from being just fine to feeling confused, scared, lost and feeling like I'm losing my mind/going crazy..sometimes it last for 20-30 min<-that ones scares me the most because I literally feel like I'm going mad and i'm gonna stay like that... I'm having trouble concentrating on anything, I'm spacing out like crazy, my girlfriend has to say something 2-3 times to get my attention, memory problems, i'm very irritable [i'm snapping at people for small things, it's starting to effect my family].....

....and I'm sure there is more that I can't think of right now. But anyways, I've gone to see a doctor a few times and they haven't diagnosed me with PCS, they just keep saying that these symptoms are normal for someone that's had a brain injury. So here's my questions:

1. Even though a doctor hasn't diagnosed me as having PCS, from reading what symptoms I have wouldn't you think that's what it is?

2. Why did it take 3 months for me to start getting these symptoms? I literally felt 100%, then all of a sudden 3 months later I get smacked in the face with all these horrible symptoms. Is that normal? Has anyone else experienced a delay in symptoms?

3. I mentioned the scariest symptom I'm having is where I'll be feeling just fine, then all of a sudden I get this "feeling like i'm going crazy/losing my mind" spell that lasts for 20-30 min...does this happen to any of you?

4. How long have you guys been having PCS symptoms and are they getting better or staying the same?

5. For people that are having similar symptoms, what do you do to make yourself feel better? I found that going to the quietest place in the house and just relaxing, staying away from anything that's gonna stress me out helps me out a lot. I also take Hydrocodone and Flexeril together which kind of relaxes me, and take a 1-2 hour nap during the day.

That's all I can think of right now. I'm really glad I found this forum because I was starting to feel alone and lost. The only person I can talk to is my Mom, she's the only one that really understands/knows what i'm going through. Now I have somewhere to go to talk to people going through the same thing ...

[nightnurse30]

Originally Posted by nwsmith1984

Hello, my name is Nick. I'm 26 years old and I experienced a mild TBI in June of this year. I don't have insurance, so I'm very limited to what I can do as far as seeking professional help. I'm having some serious symptoms that are really scaring me and I'd like to talk to some people that are in the same boat as me. Before I ask any questions, let me explain what happened...

I was out drinking with a friend of mine. After a few drinks, we decided to head home. We hopped on the bus and that's the last thing I remember. I woke up in the back of an ambulance, on my way to the hospital. From what I was told, we got off the bus and before we got on the next bus we decided to stop at McDonalds. We were followed in to McDonalds by a white male and we were both hit in the back of the head, knocking us unconscious. While in the hospital, they gave me a CT scan and it showed that I had a small contusion/brain bleed and a hematoma in my left frontal lobe. I was in the hospital for 3 days before being released. They told me on the last day I was there that my contusion was improving. So anyways, I go home and I start the healing process. About a month later [July] I felt like I was 100% back to normal... So I went back to doing the things I normally do. Sometime last month [September], I started to get some strange symptoms.. I'll start with the minor ones:

Numbness in my fingertips on both hands [that went away the beginning of October], every time I bend my neck down I get an electric shock/vibrating feeling throughout my entire body, really really bad headaches on the right side of my head, random tingling in the back of my head, dizziness, my heart will beat weird sometimes, blurred vision [i used to have perfect vision, now I have to get close to something to see what it is/read it], sensitivity to bright lights and loud noises...and then the scary ones:

Horrible, HORRIBLE panic/anxiety attacks [at least I think that's what it is], where I'll suddenly go from being just fine to feeling confused, scared, lost and feeling like I'm losing my mind/going crazy..sometimes it last for 20-30 min<-that ones scares me the most because I literally feel like I'm going mad and i'm gonna stay like that... I'm having trouble concentrating on anything, I'm spacing out like crazy, my girlfriend has to say something 2-3 times to get my attention, memory problems, i'm very irritable [i'm snapping at people for small things, it's starting to effect my family].....

....and I'm sure there is more that I can't think of right now. But anyways, I've gone to see a doctor a few times and they haven't diagnosed me with PCS, they just keep saying that these symptoms are normal for someone that's had a brain injury. So here's my questions:

1. Even though a doctor hasn't diagnosed me as having PCS, from reading what symptoms I have wouldn't you think that's what it is?

2. Why did it take 3 months for me to start getting these symptoms? I literally felt 100%, then all of a sudden 3 months later I get smacked in the face with all these horrible symptoms. Is that normal? Has anyone else experienced a delay in symptoms?

3. I mentioned the scariest symptom I'm having is where I'll be feeling just fine, then all of a sudden I get this "feeling like i'm going crazy/losing my mind" spell that lasts for 20-30 min...does this happen to any of you?

4. How long have you guys been having PCS symptoms and are they getting better or staying the same?

5. For people that are having similar symptoms, what do you do to make yourself feel better? I found that going to the quietest place in the house and just relaxing, staying away from anything that's gonna stress me out helps me out a lot. I also take Hydrocodone and Flexeril together which kind of relaxes me, and take a 1-2 hour nap during the day.

That's all I can think of right now. I'm really glad I found this forum because I was starting to feel alone and lost. The only person I can talk to is my Mom, she's the only one that really understands/knows what i'm going through. Now I have somewhere to go to talk to people going through the same thing ...

Wow....what a story. Welcome to our site. First of all.....EVERYTHING that you listed as your symptoms happens to the majority of us. Panic attacks, anxiety...never had a problem before...now i will be at the mall and there are too many people and too much stimulation and suddenly i feel weird, like im going crazy and need to get out of there and then i can barely move afterwards.

I spaced out a lot in front of friends in the past few months and its def scary for them and for me. I also had a stutter and couldnt get my words out for awhile....when im stressed now or fatigued, that comes back.

I initially got better, went back to work 3 weeks after my injury, and saw a movie that set me off....headaches came back with a vengeance. Then trying to work a 12 hour nightshift for a week just made things worse. 1 month after my accident, i actually went to vegas for my birthday! Can u imagine! I was very medicated, very unwell, and in awful pain the whole time. I had no idea my symptoms would still be there a month after. I was told 2 weeks and i would be better.

Luckily while i was working in that short stint that i was back, i spoke to our neurologist and asked her what she thought and she was like 'why are you here?!?? you need to see me immediately!" I got better again at my 3 month mark and went back again to work....and lasted 2 months in absolute agony with horrible headaches, dizziness, fatigue, fogginess, anxiety, depression that my doctor took me out of work against my wishes. I now agree she did the right thing, but its hard to know when you need to stop and just rest.

If you are gonna see a neurologist, i would suggest knowing a little about the doctor before spending your money. Not all neurologists understand PCS like they should. They normally have a better understanding of what medications are appropriate in this situation.

Also, getting hit on the back of the head and the symptoms you describe with the tingling in your fingers and pain in your neck, i would wonder if you have any cervical issues. Have you had a c-spine series done- xrays of you neck to check for fractures or alignment issues? I would probably start there for those symptoms. After seeing a doctor and having xrays done, i would see a cervical specialist chiropractor.

Best to rest as much as you can and stay away from your triggers. I try not to drive at night because the lights bother me so much. Stay away from loud noisy or over crowded places because the anxiety is worse there.

You are not going crazy...you are healing from a brain injury. Hoping your symptoms lessen soon and you heal quickly!!

[SmilinEyesMs305]

Nick-

So sorry you are joining us here on this board... but glad you have found somewhere to get support! This is a great place!

Yes, all of your symptoms sound very much like PCS, especially the anxiety! I had the unfortunate luck of having panic disorder before I had my accident. It had been under complete control for about 10 years. Post accident its back in full force, even with the medication that had controlled it for 10 years. I'm now on a cocktail of medications to control and alleviate these symptoms.

I second what Night Nurse has said, find a neuro, but make sure they have experience with dealing with PCS! My first one told me after 3 months, that my symptoms could no longer be realted to the concussion and it was all in my head.... Since then I have found a wonderful team of doctors who have my actively working to make progress in healing.

As for the onset of symptoms, each of us has our own story as to how our symptoms developed and it seems each has had a different time table. Also, many of us have "relapses" of sorts where an event trigger a set back in our recovery. Mine was trying to return to work after I exhausted all medical leave. My one week attempt, pretty much sent me back to the beginning of my recovery and also created new symptoms,.

You said you don't have insurance. Are you a student? Many Universities offer very low student health plans. Or, if you see a neuro, you may be able to get medical assistance via disability. Are you unable to work because of the injury?

Sending some healing vibes your way! Believe me, we all know how much this sucks, so remember, you are never alone!

[greenfrog]

Welcome, and sorry to hear about your injury. I agree with both of the above posters. I'm not a health care professional, but I wonder whether a good specialist would want an MRI done at this point. In most cases (something like 85%) following an MTBI, MRI results are clear (ie, no evidence of trauma sequelae), but they can be useful in ruling out other issues.

I live in Canada, so this was an easier decision for me (the cost of an MRI and doctor consultations is covered by the state). I recognize that in other countries, cost could be a factor in deciding whether to get one done.

[tamisue]

Ditto from everyone else. I'm new here too and this place has been a welcome relief from all the craziness surrounding TBI/PCS.

Def check into disability and low cost ins. My brother in law was just diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma (he lives in SC) and is able to qualify for low cost insurance that will cover his pre-existing condition. He lost his job and had no health ins. If you are in that same situation, depending on your income-check with your local social services. Check with local free clinics, check everywhere you can. So sorry this happened to you-but everything you are describing is in line with your injuries. Best of luck to you.

[SpaceCadet]

Thanks everybody, I'm glad I'm not alone...

Do you guys have days where you wake up and feel just fine, and then all of a sudden it takes a turn for the worse and your symptoms come back? That's what happened to me today. I thought everything was okay and I was feeling better, then all of a sudden after I made lunch, I get smacked in the face with dizziness, my body feels like it's leaning to the right, poor concentration, panic attack [because of the symptoms?], coordination is off in my right arm, tingling in my head.... Ugh. It's really scary, sometimes I feel like I should call 911 ...

And about the insurance.. I'm thinking about applying for disability. They usually offer insurance. About school, yes and no. I just enrolled in Pima Medical Institute to become a Dental Assistant, but I honestly think I'm going to have to wait till I'm better to start.

Wish this would go away

[nightnurse30]

Originally Posted by nwsmith1984

Thanks everybody, I'm glad I'm not alone...

Do you guys have days where you wake up and feel just fine, and then all of a sudden it takes a turn for the worse and your symptoms come back? That's what happened to me today. I thought everything was okay and I was feeling better, then all of a sudden after I made lunch, I get smacked in the face with dizziness, my body feels like it's leaning to the right, poor concentration, panic attack [because of the symptoms?], coordination is off in my right arm, tingling in my head.... Ugh. It's really scary, sometimes I feel like I should call 911 ...

And about the insurance.. I'm thinking about applying for disability. They usually offer insurance. About school, yes and no. I just enrolled in Pima Medical Institute to become a Dental Assistant, but I honestly think I'm going to have to wait till I'm better to start.

Wish this would go away

You will definetly have days that are better than others. The simplest thing may set you off and may take you hours or days to recover. Like making lunch....the whole process that goes into initiating, planning, hand eye coordination, physical act of doing it....you are using your brain to do all that... and it can exhaust you.

Definelty apply for disability if your state offers it. Pima....if that is in California then you can qualify for disability. It takes into account what you made for wages the past year to decide what your disability benefits are.

You should most certainly purchase some health insurance because the medications, doctors visits, MRI's etc, will cost a lot and you need insurance to cover some of those. I had to apply for Cobra from my employer because i am no longer covered by the insurance i had....so i have to pay $650 for my insurance a month to keep my old insurance while im on disability.

I also would be worried about the fact that you havent had any imaging done since your hospitalization. You never said if they had to evacuate the left frontal Subdural hematoma so it makes me wonder if that is slowly growing and causing some of your symptoms. Especially if you are taking any aspirin products for your pain relief. An MRI would be a big priority of your head and neck in my opinion. It sucks that you dont have health insurance....but remember you only have one brain. Good luck to you!