[kimik21]

I guess I posted this in the wrong place the first time. Here it is in the right place! :P

Hi! My name is Kim and I've kinda sorta been following this forum for a couple weeks but I finally got my account to work tonight. Anyway, I'm about to hit nine weeks post fall on Sunday. I fell down some stairs one rainy day and the post concussion syndrome that followed forced me to take a medical leave from college. For a while I was in a really dark place, but I'm finally starting to pull out of that and feel at least somewhat like myself again.

I have a LOT of questions right now. First of all, I went to see a neurologist a week ago. He has some sort of "headache clinic" and I was referred to him from a family doctor. He seemed to think that my fall triggered migraines that I already had a tendency toward getting because of family history but hadn't until that point.

He sent me away with a lot of medication. I can't help but feel that he's only trying to mask the pain and nothing else...well, all of the medications are making me feel uneasy. I never took any--except for a couple doses of tylenol--after the fall. I just finished a week of prednisone (steroids) and now I am taking mobic/meloxicam (nsaids) for two months.

I also have some "rescue medication." I guess my question is, is it normal for a neurologist to just prescribe a lot of medicine for post concussion syndrome patients? Will I be okay once I've taken all of it? (and what about all those scary side effects/warnings?) Should I seek another neurologist (even though it took a ridiculously long amount of time to get to see this one)?

And is struggling with this injury still, well, normal or should I be worried?

I might add that right now I feel loads better than I did a couple weeks ago. My headaches are finally manageable and I can do some normal things and things I enjoy. I've just started to ease back into reading a little bit, meaning I can read a few sentences at a time. I'm sure you can tell that writing is quite a struggle.

I mean, I can get words out, but it takes a lot of time, patience, and concentration to write something that's kind of comprehensible. More questions: what will help my symptoms that medicine can't? e.g. concentration, memory, sleep abnormalities, and so on? It feels like my grasp on everything right now is just so unsteady. Is feeling like I'm losing my mind most of the time normal?

I've learned that getting back to normal will only be a story that time will tell, but is there anything I can do to help for now? I never know what I'm capable of in a day and although I'm so grateful to be able to get out of bed recently, my current condition is agonizing. Is just being able to think without getting burdened too much to ask for? How can I cope with the endless thoughts? Is rest the only thing I can do to help?

I apologize if my rambles made absolutely no sense. Any and all feedback you have is greatly appreciated.

[Mark in Idaho]

kimik,

Welcome to NeuroTalk. You have found a good place for support and to meet others who have gone through the same experience.

From what you describe, it sounds like your neuro is the same one I saw some years ago. He had a head ache clinic and a propensity to try various meds to "See if this helps."

What you are experiencing is quite normal. Pain is about all a neuro can try to treat. It is likely that you also injured your upper neck. It can cause inflammation and muscle spasms that can magnify the Post Concussion Syndrome symptoms.

The medication is just to treat the pain symptoms or maybe some anxiety or depression that are common with PCS. There is no 'cure' medicine for PCS. You brain needs time to heal as much as it can. Even the prednisone is just a temporary treatment.

The only proven treatment is quiet rest and good nutrition. An over-stimulating environment and/or sleep struggles will magnify your struggles. For many of us, getting good sleep requires discipline. Quiet rest means minimal cognitive and physical stimulation. Quiet walks and simple music in a visually simple environment will be a big help and should be the limit of your activities.

You should also avoid caffeine, alcohol, MSG, artificial sweeteners, and high fructose corn syrup. Moderate amounts of natural sugar is OK. Stevia and monk fruit sweetener are also OK.

I have a "vitamin supplements" thread with my regimen that was prescribed to me by my doctor decades ago. The injured brain needs to purge the toxins from the injury before it can start its healing process. Proper quiet rest and good nutrition often takes up to 2 months to see improvements.

If you have tenderness against the bony areas behind your ears, you likely have injured your upper neck. Ice this area as often as possible. 15 minutes on, 30 minutes off for a few hours at a time. You can fill a zip lock baggy with 1 part isopropyl (rubbing) alcohol and 3 parts water to make a flexible ice pack. Cover it with a dish towel to make it more comfortable.

Anytime your head aches, ice your upper neck.

It would help if you listed all the meds you are taking. Some may be counter to concussion recovery. Not all doctors understand these things.

A referral to a Physical Therapist who does myofacial release may help. Some chiropractors can help.

Tell us where you are and we may have some referrals for you.

And, try to relax. Anxiety about your current condition and your future is common but counter to helping your brain heal.

My best to you.