I'm really just at my wits end with this horseshit. I don't know what to think anymore. I was doing so great for a few months, now it seems like the winter all over again. i'm starting to see those purple spots in the corner of my vision all the time now (worse at night when looking at headlights), memory has been a little bad, random stomach aches. However my dizziness has been getting a little better since i started doing my exercises again.

I still don't have headaches anymore, I just mentally am not good right now. I go into bouts of depression because I think this will never end. I will be on the computer and type a sentence, and then look back at it and it won't make sense. This is recent.

I went to an ENT last week to see if my ears popping were a result of PCS or eustachian tube dysfunction. he said "the dizziness i believe is still from the concussion., the popping however is your eustachian tubes and seasonal allergies. I can't accept that answer because my whole life I have had allergies, but they have never made my ears feel full.

I just feel helpless. I am leaving for college in two weeks for my freshman year, and i can't even imagine making it through with this. My anxiety and hypochondria are at an all time high right now. I need some advice

It sounds like you need to talk to a doctor about getting started on an antidepressant/anti-anxiety med. You do not want to start one when away at school.

Have you been using a antihistamine to help with your allergies? It should help dry up your ears.

Have you talked with your colleges health service to see if they can help you prepare for school?

Are you going away to college or staying home and attending a local school?

What kind of activities do you do in an average week? How much sleep are you getting? What kind of stress is there at home? How is your diet?

I don't think you are close to taking on a normal schedule and lifestyle. Your brain still needs more quiet rest and you need to get control of your anxiety and hypochondria.

If it helps, I believe the best concussion neurologist on the east coast in Dr Robert Cantu in Concord Mass.

I get about 8.5 hours of sleep per night. A typical day for me consists of waking up at around 9:30, then I eat breakfast. I do some stuff around the house for a little, nothing strenuous though. Once 430 rolls around I go to work which is a valet parking job. That's my only really exercise I do. However every other day I still do my exercise bands cuz I still don't get headaches while I use them. However, i do notice that the ear fullness and aitplane feeling gets worse with exercise. After work I go home watch tv then go to bed.

As far as the college thing, I don't have a choice. College starts the 24th and I can't control that. It's just annoying because some of the feelings I used to get just randomly started up again. I live in Pittsburgh and I understand the allergy season this year is brutal but I have a hats time believing this is the culprit.

I get about 8.5 hours of sleep per night. I have a very normal life with a good family at home. They all to say to me that I need to "get out of my own head" ad stop having constant negative thoughts because I've worried myself sick. A lot of people seem to say that but I truly believe this is very real feelings and emotions. A typical day for me consists of waking up at around 9:30, then I eat breakfast. I do some stuff around the house for a little, nothing strenuous though. Once 430 rolls around I go to work which is a valet parking job. That's my only really exercise I do. However every other day I still do my exercise bands cuz I still don't get headaches while I use them. However, i do notice that the ear fullness and aitplane feeling gets worse with exercise. After work I go home watch tv then go to bed.

As far as the college thing, I don't have a choice. College starts the 24th and I can't control that. It's just annoying because some of the feelings I used to get just randomly started up again. I live in Pittsburgh and I understand the allergy season this year is brutal but I have a hats time believing this is the culprit.

Hello,

Before my pcs, I had only occasional mango allergies from our mango tree and would get flu like symptoms from msg. Now, I get horrible throat swelling, cant breathe allergies from random cosmetics products and accupuncture (weird, I know). I ate some msg by accident one day and turned grey pupils dilated and felt like I was going to pass out. I also had the throat and tongue swelling. Long story short, I seem to be a lot more sensitive now, but some Benadryl usually does the trick. Do you take Benadryl?

I just wanted to give you a note of support. I know what TBI is and some of the problems associated with it. The stress facing college when you are not up to snuff just adds to the anxiety. Do you have a buddy or friend in person that you can talk to? NT of course will be here for you. Sometimes having someone in your ballpark near you helps. If you can just take a deep breath, and maybe distract yourself, just a little at a time. Something you enjoy for the few minutes or an hour, that is possible to do. Sometimes, it helps to step away from the problems, just to take a breather. I went to college a long time ago, and I remember how hard the work was. If you are not ready for this fall semister, can you postpone it for one semister? Better than to waist money and not do what you know you can do. I hope others will come by just to reassure you that TBI can and does get better for many people. I hope you find a few moments of peace today. ginnie

Allergies show your immune system is struggling. This struggle takes resources away from your brain. I used to have disabling allergies that would hit me at the change of seasons. It would take me down for about 3 weeks 4 times a year, sometimes longer. Getting my nutritional regimen maximized has reduced my allergy struggles to a few days at a time. I almost never use any allergy meds anymore, even here in Idaho where the pollen count can skyrocket. I use to be on prescription strength allergy meds.

A lot of allergy issues are a combinations of allergens. We can often tolerate a few at a time but no more. I learned how to moderate the mix 30 years ago. As my body got stronger, I could tolerate more. For example, I am allergic to all melons, some apples, grapes, strawberries, broccoli, cauliflower, and a bunch of other foods plus some airborne pollens.

If I limit the total mix, I can be OK. If I have not been exposed to too many, I can enjoy melons and strawberries with just a few minutes needed for my body to adjust. I might have a sneezing fit and watery eyes for 1/2 an hour be fine. The ragweed and ryegrass will impact me mildly if I am healthy.

Learning to take care of our bodies will make drastic improvements in our health in every area.

Some of us will do better in areas of the country where the weather, pollen, particulate matter, humidity and such are more tolerable. High humidity can be a struggle for some. What use is a good job if your life is miserable due to the environment and a stressful community?

Just my experience. I have live in New Hampshire, Connecticut, and various places in California before moving to Idaho 12 years ago. I moved to Idaho for the lower stress and safer living conditions after being assaulted twice in San Jose. When I go back to visit family, I remind myself of why we moved.

So, we all have some choices we can make after we learn how to identify the causes and solutions.

My best to you all.

penguins,

You said, "As far as the college thing, I don't have a choice. "

Actually, you have lots of choices. If you are commuting from home, you can arrange your schedule and activities to best support your recovery. If you are living on campus, it may be a bit more difficult to reduce your stress load but you still can.

College is for an education first. The fun and games are a distant second. Getting lost in the fun and games will be counter for your long term recovery and well being. Getting a strong understand of how your body is tolerating your environment and activities will benefit you for your lifetime. There is no way you can ignore it without paying a price.

I know it is tough to go from an aggressively active life to living with PCS. But, with a few changes, you and anybody can do it and live a full life.

It is all about making good choices.

Thanks mark. I did have another question. What does a clear brain MRI rule out concussion wise? Does it rule out brain tissue damage?

As I understand it the common MRI are 1.5 tesla which is only good to the macroscopic level. To truly see better requires microscopic level 3 tesla MRIs which are out there but are less common.

The 1.5 tesla just can't see small enough detail for the damage to show.