Hi All,

Great support forum here, thanks for all the answers thus far. I have a critical question (or maybe a few questions) that I'd really like help answering. Let me give a brief background and then ask the question.

Right before Christmas (on the 23rd), I took a hard fall in basketball. Someone jumped over me, landed on me, and forced us both to the ground. I shielded the majority of the fall with my forearms, knees, and shoulders, but still hit the front/side of my head. I remember the incident, was not unconscious, and continued to play for about ten minutes before the gym closed.

After this, despite feeling fine, I decided to go to the Urgent Care just in case. I went and did some neurological testing and they determined I was fine and was free to do whatever I'd like, though they recommended taking it easy.

I had an Alumni event that night and decided since I was feeling fine, I'd have a few drinks and see how I felt. That translated into me having 5-6 drinks and getting much drunker than usual. When I returned home, I had a small panic attack due to how drunk I was (slurring, etc., this never happens to me) and I took .5 MG Alprazolam (Xanax).

The following day I felt a lot better and drank a few beers and watched a football game at a friends house. That night I was fine and it wasn't until Christmas day that I began having piercing headaches, nausea, and some small cognitive issues (not having the right word, etc.).

At this point I began to freak out and realized it was possible I had a concussion. Since then, I've taken it very easy on my body, have not exercised, have not had any alcohol, caffeine, MSG, or any other substance that I believe would impact my body in a negative way.

My biggest question and frankly something that I am scared to death about: Could me drinking 6-8 hours following a concussion and then taking an Alprazolam have had a major impact on my brain recovery process and caused permanent brain damage or permanent lack of recovery?

Once again I must stress I did not black out, did not hit my head directly, and was not given an immediate concussion diagnosis. Since then, my PCP has diagnosed me with a concussion simply because I have had symptoms the past two weeks of headaches, nausea, irritability, and some depression.

I work in finance and have an extremely intense job that requires 80-100 hour work weeks on a regular basis. I am currently working but am not all there and wondering what I should do and what my options are.

Thanks for all of your time and consideration, it is very much appreciated!

Swift,

First, You said, "Once again I must stress I did not black out, did not hit my head directly, and was not given an immediate concussion diagnosis. "

This has no bearing on anything. As has been said before, "If you have seen one head injury, You have seen ONE head injury."

There are many concussion with no contact with the head. The whiplash alone can cause a myriad of concussion symptoms.

I doubt you did any permanent damage by drinking after your concussion or taking a benzo while drunk. I bet you have gone down that road before. The damage to your brain from alcohol is history, not a current issue.

Did you set back your recovery? Maybe, but you were only a day or two into your recovery. You will never see a difference. You are still very early in your recovery. You don't even qualify for a diagnosis of Post Concussion Syndrome. That does not start until 6 weeks or more after the concussion.

It sounds like your biggest struggle will be stress. Work stress and your own personal anxieties. You need to get serious about brain nutrition. Your brain needs to be strengthened against stress. You also need to take some serious steps to reduce stress and anxiety in your life. Your employer may need to take steps to reduce stress in the workplace to prevent stress based Work Comp claims.

So, stop stressing out. It will kill you.

My best to you.

Thanks for the response. So essentially your thoughts are that while I may have delayed my recovery, I have not eliminated the potential to recover?

I disagree with the stress factor. So many doctors attempt to use that. To be frank with you, I'm not stressed. No family, no children, comfortable financial situation. I don't think stress is a factor here.

Anxiety on the other hand, especially with regard to this condition, is certainly an issue.

Is there anything I should or should not be doing? I have no choice but to work (10-14 hour days, mostly in Excel), but am able to take frequent breaks and clear my thoughts.

Drinking? Going out? Sleeping a lot? Sleeping a little? Exercise? I try to exercise and I generally get bad headaches. I used to be a three sport athlete and played a Division I sport. Now it is hard to work out without crazy headaches.

Also what are your thoughts on Amantadine?

if you're worried about having PCS that is stress and anxiety right there, you also said " I work in finance and have an extremely intense job that requires 80-100 hour work weeks on a regular basis. I am currently working but am not all there and wondering what I should do and what my options are" sounds like a major stress to me, you may not have it in you personal life but if you're concerned about not being all there for your job that's definitely stress, not too much you can do about it besides remind yourself you can only do what you can do right now. I'm assuming the xanex was your script so you probably had anxiety and stress prior to the fall, which I think is pretty typical for any human who strives to accomplish great things which it seems like you have done in life, just remember that any stress or any anxiety will make the symptoms worse. They are on the frontline for creating headaches and then causing them to snowball so to speak, if you feel a headaches coming on or any symptoms go for a walk or do whatever creates that mind clearing zone for you for a few.

As for things you should/ should not do drinking is probably a good one to steer clear of for a while, going out is fine but it depends on how you go out, loud bars with a ton of things going on or clubbing is definitely not going to help you but going out with a couple friends to a quieter more relaxed setting is the best thing to do if you cant resist at least doing something. Exercise from what ive been told can go either way, light exercise can be healthy however if you over do it by length or intensity it can hurt your recovery tremendously. As for sleeping I'm not sure, I'd probably stick to your normal, maybe allow for an extra hour or so if you need to.

Right now though just take things easy, avoid loud, intense places and don't overexert yourself and also try not to worry about PCS as much, over thinking it right now is counter-productive.

Wish you well on your recovery and hope this is a short phase for your symptoms.
good luck-

Thanks. I'm more worried about the long term damage of alcohol immediately following the concussion, and the subsequent lack of mental recovery.

I cannot wrap my head around complex equations that I once was able to do. This does stress me out because it literally 'hurts' or is 'blocked' when I try to think about complex subjects. Simple thoughts and observations like 'The Sky is Blue' or 'I am cold' have little stretch on the brain.

I am so scared!

swift,

You are definitely stressed out. Anxiety is the most severe stage of stress. Being 'so scared' is the extreme point of anxiety.

You should be taking time off for quiet rest. There is no way to recover without quiet rest. No drinking, no partying, no exercise, and minimal work.

You sound like a Type A personality. You need to be in control. This is counter to recovery from a concussion. You need to find a way to relax and let your mind let go. I would not be surprised you use alcohol to achieve this state in the past. No more alcohol.

You should find a doctor with experience with concussions to direct you to help. You need this help. ER's are not much help except to rule out life threatening issues. An Urgent Care clinic may help.

Let us know more about your symptoms. There is good help here.

My best to you.

Thanks Mark. I'm not sure what you mean by this:

I went to the Urgent Care following my small spill and was cleared and deemed fine. The only reason I consumed alcohol that night is because I was drinking socially at an Alumni event and the doctors told me this was fine as I had passed every test they gave. I do not use alcohol regularly and certainly do not need alcohol to relax and let my mind go.

Thanks for your help. Is recovery still possible if you continue cognitive activity? I really do not have a choice but to continue working, but I guess my question is does cognitive activity actually RESTRICT recovery permanently?

I was in the club of "I have no choice but to continue working." Well, let me tell you, you DO have a choice, and your concussion may get you to realize it by force.

Best case scenario, cognitive work will delay your recovery. Worst case scenario, cognitive overwork will make your symptoms worse. This is what happened to me. I ended up being off work for an entire semester (I was a teacher) and still have not been able to go back full time yet.

Hi and welcome. Your accident was just a couple of weeks ago, which is quite recent as head injuries go, and significant improvement should be expected.

I doubt that the alcohol after the injury would cause any incremental long term damage, but that said continued alcohol use can delay your recovery. I’d suggest quiet rest and refraining from alcohol until your symptoms have improved.

TBI and alcohol use:


http://www.msktc.org/tbi/factsheets/...c-Brain-Injury


http://www.tbicommunity.org/resource...Spring2008.pdf

Best to you as you revover.

Thanks for the kind words and information.

Is there any set time before someone wakes up and says 'Wow, this has been past standard time of recovery'?