Hello again

I went to the doctor today and he signed me off work for another week (my concussion happened over a week ago now) and prescribed me two painkillers and something for the dizziness/sickness:

co-dydramol
ibuprofen 400mg
stemetil (Prochlorperazine)

has anyone had any experience with these?

I am a little disheartened that I just got prescribed lots of painkillers and sent on my way but to be honest what more can they do!!

Part of me wants to ask for a CAT/MRI scan as my symptoms have not been improving but I think they may not take me seriously if I did ask for some reason

I think I have overdone it today as well, my vision keeps blurring and I keep coming over very dizzy all I've done is go to the doctors, post office and picked up my prescription!

Thanks in advance

i don't have a lot of experience with those meds other than the ibuprofen

But as far as the scans go, if you really feel like you want them, I would ask. I had a CT scan done (normal) and an MRI done about a month later because I was still feeling so horrible. That came up normal, too, which I have learned is the case more often than not...BUT, it will help with your peace of mind.

Take it easy today, you did a lot already this morning!

Thanks

need to get back to work soon, sick pay is stressing me out! arghhh

One should be very cautious about requesting a CT scan. They are very intense radiation exposures. 60 times the radiation of a single x-ray.

If you feel bad, it is likely that you need more quiet rest. The brain can often take quite some time to recover. Being anxious about recovery is counter-productive. The anxiety chemicals reduce the brain's ability to recover, even causing greater damage.

Recovery from a concussion can often take up to 45 days. For some, it takes even longer.

The key to recovery is quiet rest.

The drugs recommended are pretty strong. The first is codeine and acetaminophen/paracetamol. The stemetil is very strong. Its use should be limited to 2 days at a time. Both can cause drowsiness. Drugging the brain into rest is counter to helping it heal.

Thanks Mark

I did think they were quite strong drugs!

when i do eventually return to work should i return on reduced hours? i work in a clothes shop but i usually lead teams and it gets quite busy and involves a lot of running around so can be quite stressful.

When you return to work, it might be good to not be the team leader until you get a chance to see how you do in the busy environment. Once you can last a shift, adding the team leader may be OK. Be prepared to need to take a break during your shift.

Thankyou

I have to say this concussion meaning I sit around at home doing next to nothing is really not helping my depression

There are things you can do... find some crafts that don't take too much brain power.... CArds that you physically use, not on the computer. IF you can walk a bit do that. GEt outside and enjoy the breeze eve if just in a lawn chair. Audio books. Music that you know well, so it's not too stimulating....

Good luck

Thankyou

I have an appointment I have to attend in town tomorrow so I am hoping the bus journey travelling/trying to hold a conversation etc about a stressful matter will not send me over the edge

My first two weeks were the worst... Mostly because I didn't know what was going on, and didn't get any help until the FIFTH doctor I saw. A lot of doctors just don't know what to do with you.
Meds are only good to help control the symptoms, there's nothing they can give you to speed the recovery. And scans are usually just done if they suspect a bleed, which you would be in the clear by now.
Stemetil is a weird choice, typically used for nausea from chemotherapy, and used to be used as an anti psychotic. A common side effect of it is anxiety or feeling jittery, so watch for that.
I didn't rest enough in the beginning, and I think that's part of the reason the recovery has been so slow. I don't meditate, but I found some meditation and relaxation audios online to listen to, as I was so bored, and that was the most low key activity I could find that required no effort or thinking.