I was in a lunge and stood up under/ forward into an opened cabinet door, hitting the sharp edge of the cabinet above my eyebrow, 2/27/12 and got a Coup Contrecoup Concussion. Re-hit my head on a breaker box 3/10. Re hit the same "re hit spot" on the back of my head on 5/27. At first I didn't even think I had a concussion. I didn't pass out at all, but I thought I was surely going to be GUSHING blood, but I did not. The thing I did wrong was when I got my ice pack on the first hit was pushing the ice into my forehead. Doctors said it was a mild concussion initially, but I don't agree. I have noise, light sensitivity that has GREATLY improved. My nausea has greatly improved. My sleep patterns change constantly.

I've always had insomnia, which doesn't help. I had sleep troubles after the first hit that included not able to fall asleep at all. I would eventually crash every 3rd day and sleep 10-12 hours. After the next hit my sleeping got worse and I would randomly wake up, feeling alert. I could feel something in my head just didn't feel right, but I'd go back to sleep. I then went through a 3 week phase of only able to sleep 4 hours at a time, sleeping in 15-20min intervals. The worst part was that I'd have to get up for coaching gymnastics, but I would never feel tired. I knew I needed to sleep, but my body wouldn't crash anymore. I couldn't get myself to even nap. I couldn't fall asleep most times. Then in 15mins, I'd be awake again. I knew this was horrible for the healing, but I couldn't help it. I'd try taking my Lunesta with no help. I finally went to a Neurologist who figured I was allergic to Tramadol, which I'd been taking for a solid 2 months, about ever 2 or 3 days. Doesn't help healing if you're allergic to your medicine which made my head hurt worse and made me feel faint.

With my new horrible sleeping pattern also came spinning. I think I had it all along, but the allergic reaction to Tramadol would helpt to knock me out bc I felt so ill sometimes. When I'd close my eyes I wouldn't feel dizzy, but about 10 mins later when I'd start to feel like I was falling asleep my head would spin in different directions uncontrollably. I'd open my eyes, which was frustrating because I just wanted to sleep. I finally realized if I slept with the TV on (for light so it wasn't pitch black, so I couldn't spin, gave me bearings) I could trick myself into falling asleep. When I'd wake up in about 20mins I'd turn the TV off.

The stupid Neurologist who didn't ask questions, treated me like she didn't believe me, talked about a Nerve Block in my neck (my neck was tense for weeks bc I couldn't sleep at night), just gave me nausea pills, muscle relaxers, and a new pain pill. The new pills helped me to sleep, I suppose. I now had troubles waking up mostly. I've had horrible dreams and nightmares, also very intricately detailed dreams since my concussion (bc I can't release my creativity regularly). Dreams would wake me. Spinning still affects me.
I used to work out 6 days a week, 2-3 hrs each day. I was only about to work out once a week for 10mins for months. I had to bc my body starts to hurt from not working out, muscles getting imbalanced considering it was my lifestyle. 2 weeks ago I was able to work out longer, but still can't run, jump, shake, go upside down. I can't sing without head pain. Bumps driving hurt. Video Games and Action Movies hurt. I have trouble recalling words, speaking as super fast as I normally do. I mix up words, and the first letter of words. I've lost much of my wit, just thinking quickly.

I know a lot of these things are normal and I work as normal, just less lifting, more rest, etc. bc I want to continue with my life the best I can. I can't do a lot of normal things, but I'm trying to accept that. The ABSOLUTE HARDEST thing, which could be contributing to my PCS is dealing with my family NOT believing me through this whole thing. They didn't believe I had a concussion from how I hit my head, it seemed unfathomable to them. When I wasn't getting the slightest better after 2 weeks and got my CT scan with the results I was so happy to have proof, but still it wasn't like hugs, support, and apologies for not believing. I'll tell them, I can't do this/that bc of my head, I have this symptom, etc. and they think I'm exaggerating. I'm making it up. They haven't cared and don't accept it as reality. Part of the process is understanding my symptoms are normal. I didn't realize till 12 days ago that I've not been able to feel hungry at all since my injury, and my sense of smell can range from 20-50%. I've lost my taste a few times. It's very hard emotionally to deal with resistant and hearing whispers of them talking about me just making it up. I would never wish this upon anyone. I know yall will understand how debilitating of an experience this all is.

P.S. I took an ibuprofen for the first time tonight bc the stupid Neurologist said I should try it. I took it before my nap. Woke up with blurred vision which is my first experience with this. It's only been a few hours, but I don't like this happening this far out for the first time.