[Tia in Va]

My daughter had several mTBI while playing soccer from age 14 til 17. She is now playing D1 soccer and is almost 20. For three years she has been suffering from persistent headaches (4-5 times per week, impacting her ability to complete normal daily activities), and anxiety requiring Zoloft and prn Buspar. This anxiety is a complete 180* change in her previous easy going personality. After much research I believe these symptoms are long term effects from her multiple mild concussions. But I'm unable to find any information on how or if these symptoms can be treated. Any ideas??

[Mark in Idaho]

Tia,

Welcome to NeuroTalk. Sorry to hear you daughter is doing so poorly.

Who is allowing her to play soccer while still symptomatic with head aches? Is she heading the ball during practice or during games?

It sounds like she is not getting proper concussion management. She needs quiet rest which includes limited academic effort.

Your question about her symptoms being long term is impossible to answer at this time. Until she has given her brain an opportunity to heal, nobody can say much about her symptoms. She is still suffering from her last concussion.

She has a very difficult decision to make. Her decision will likely effect her for years to come. If she continues to traumatize her brain with things as simple as a light heading drill, she may be setting her future in stone.

The studies of the long term effects of head injuries from soccer consistently show the long term risks.

Has she had a full NeuroPsychological Assessment (NPA) ? She really needs one. They go far beyond the Computerized NeuroCognitive tests common to sports teams. The NPA report will give you both a good idea of her current condition. Then, she can make decisions based on true informed consent.

Feel free to ask anything. There are lots of good people here.

My best to you both.

[Tia in Va]

We were instructed to wait two weeks after the last symptom before she could play again. And we followed that to the best of my ability each time. As you know we are completely dependent on her honesty about her symptoms. So when she began complaining about headaches we didn't associate it with her previous concussions. She is being treated for migraines, which we have a family histoRy for. Then the depression and now her anxiety has been attributed to the stress of life changes and going away to school. Now that I'm learning about long term effects of repeated concussions a light bulb has gone off! I will definitely be pursuing a neuro-psych eval this summer when she comes home. To stop playing is a no brainer. But I'm desperately hoping to rid her of the anxiety and headaches she is living with. But I'm not finding anything that gives me any hope for that.

[rmschaver]

Tia< Mark gives excellent advice. It is hard to tell from so short a post what advice to give. What treatments or diagnosis has your daughter had so far. Are there any other symptoms that are present. Multiple symptoms are a hallmark of head injury. Think memory, sleep irregularities, mood swings, anger issues, dizziness... Maybe it is time for you and your daughter to investigate the many implications of head trauma and its long term impacts. Is your daughter even interested in hearing some of this info. It can be frightening and overwhelming but try to remember worst case scenarios get the publication. Still if what you say is an indication of her health. Maybe a adjustment to her physical activities is in order.

[Mark in Idaho]

Tia,

If she is struggling so with head aches and anxiety, maybe she needs to take some time off school. Waiting until next summer just postpones recovery. At this stage, I doubt a summer break will be adequate at helping her recover very much, especially after a semester of anxiety and head aches. Anxiety is the enemy of concussion recovery. The toxins that anxiety causes to collect in the brain only make symptoms worse.

She should try to start a low stress lifestyle. She should also get started on a brain health nutritional regimen. No caffeine or alcohol, etc.

Check out my thread Vitamin Supplements.

My best to you.

[Tia in Va]

Thank you both! We will definitely be looking into a neuropsych assessment. I don't want to overlook any possibilities.