[RiWi]

Hi all,
I've been a lurker for about 5 months now and decided it was time I join in. Apologies if there is a proper thread for introductions but I can't bear to scan more than a few pages of threads.
I was diagnosed with PCS in the beginning of April after an auto accident. I had a window of significant recovery for much of June only to relapse on July 8. Symptoms include headaches, visual snow, sleep disturbances, anxiety/panic, agitation/restlessness, fatigue, sensitivity to noise, ringing in the ears, difficulty with memory, and others I'm sure I'm forgetting.
Coping with my symptoms after the relapse has been pretty difficult but I generally find info here that eases my struggle a bit. Perhaps just knowing I'm not alone helps. So, thanks everyone for sharing your journey.

[ginnie]

Welcome to Neuro Talk. Glad you found this site. You will make a few friends and for sure there is help here. It's OK to Lurk, we are here anytime you have a need. I hope your condition improves. ginnie

[rmschaver]

This forum is a great help to me. I find solace and affirmation here. It helps me with counting my blessings. I learn about my injury and best of all every once in a great while I feel I contribute. The last one I miss the most from the time before my injury.

Hope you feel better soon.

[Mark in Idaho]

RiWi,

Welcome.

What have you been doing to help your brain recover? Was there a trigger on July 8 that could have caused your relapse?

Are you aware of all of the recovery protocols used by many of us?

[RiWi]

Hi Mark,
I've been working and doing a lot less since the injury and allowing myself to rest when I need to. I just started working with an acupuncturist and a chiropractic neurologist, who has been adjusting my neck and giving me eye exercises because I just haven't made the amount of progress I would've liked to since the relapse. Both my acupuncturist and naturopath are working with me to establish an herbal/supplement routine to get my anxiety and sleep under control. I had been using ativan on my bad days to get me through. However, my md has recommended that I avoid benzos and instead try buspar . I'm not able to commit to an every day rx just yet.
I'm also careful with what I put into my body. I've seen a correlation between eating sugary things and bad days. Lots of avoidance while I recover.
My md hasn't really helped much up to this point- just the old rest and take it easy approach with the added rx for anxiety. I have a follow up in 2 weeks at which point if I'm not feeling better she'll refer me to neuropyschology.
I did have a trigger when I relapsed. I had gone for the afternoon up to a higher altitude on a very hot day to visit some friends who were camping. The thought didn't cross my mind prior to the trip that the altitude could have a negative effect. I had been feeling better for somewhere between 4-6 weeks. I did still have tinnitus and visual snow but had gotten back to my pre-injury life for the most part. On the car ride home I could feel that I had overdone it and sure enough by the next day, all of the symptoms I had experienced the first time around started popping up again.
I've read bits and pieces of what a lot of you do. I continue to read past posts when my brain will allow it.
On a positive note, I just had my second night of non-medicated sleep! It's a struggle to allow myself to toss and turn and not resort to meds but I know it'll get easier each night.

[eyeonvision]

I'm sorry, I have visual snow too and it can be very hard.

Originally Posted by RiWi

Hi all,
I've been a lurker for about 5 months now and decided it was time I join in. Apologies if there is a proper thread for introductions but I can't bear to scan more than a few pages of threads.
I was diagnosed with PCS in the beginning of April after an auto accident. I had a window of significant recovery for much of June only to relapse on July 8. Symptoms include headaches, visual snow, sleep disturbances, anxiety/panic, agitation/restlessness, fatigue, sensitivity to noise, ringing in the ears, difficulty with memory, and others I'm sure I'm forgetting.
Coping with my symptoms after the relapse has been pretty difficult but I generally find info here that eases my struggle a bit. Perhaps just knowing I'm not alone helps. So, thanks everyone for sharing your journey.

[Mark in Idaho]

RiWi,

I would caution you from letting the chiro do the twist the head and pop the neck adjustment. It can be far too aggressive for a head injury. There are less traumatic upper cervical adjustment modalities. Plus, ice your neck after an adjustment.

What herbal/supplements have you been trying?

Rest is helpful but it is best for it to be quiet rest. Limiting stimulation, both at work and home will give your brain the best opportunity to recover.

Altitude can be problematic. What is your normal altitude and what altitude did you visit? Did you drive?

It will likely help you a lot if you can find a sleep position/condition where you do not toss and turn. Tossing around can be rough on a relaxed neck.

I have learned to take great care at setting up my sleep environment so I can lay down and fall asleep. I do not get in bed until I am ready to fall asleep. I use a recliner to relax until I zone out and am ready to go to bed. I am careful to wear comfortable clothes and use comfortable sheets. The PCS brain struggles to let go to allow sleep if it senses odd tactile and other sensory stimulations.

Notice how I use 2 paragraph spaces between paragraphs. It is a big help for me and others who struggle to find the start of the next line. 5 or 6 lines is the maximum paragraph for many of us. We don't care about proper grammar/paragraph formatting.

What kind of work do you do?

I would not expect your MD to provide much worthwhile help or treatment besides meds for a few symptoms. If you continue to struggle, some blood work can help to see how well your body is absorbing nutrients.

Using an acupuncturist, naturopath and MD to treat your concussion symptoms can cause some conflicts. Be careful mixing different doctrines.

I hope you can get back to your previous recovery track.

My best to you.