Hi all,
I am new to this forum. I thought my symptoms had pretty much dissipated, but am finding that they still linger, almost six months after a car accident. Things like, still having problems sifting through a one-on-one conversation when other people are nearby and talking; sensitivity to loud sounds, stumbling over saying some words when I am tired.

The first day, I had some nausea, dizziness, and especially noticed problems understanding whether the nurse was asking for my zip or area code, and which one it was... then it was hard to pull the right word out. I rested some, but didn't get much followup. Also had distortion of vision, such as walking down a hallway and the perspective was way off... looked like one of those mirrors in a funhouse because it narrowed so severely. I think I just got scared and wanted it all to go away.

My car accident happened out of state, I was at school for a week (master's program), and just kept going, and then I didn't really rest until I got back home. Of course they say don't make any big decisions after a concussion, but I had to get a new(er) car! ha

Also still having problems with my neck and a jaw that pops out of place, but that is different than the concussion symptoms. Any thoughts/ideas/feeedback would be helpful. We have healthcare nearby, but not very sophisticated, mostly just a county hospital.

Hi,
Welcome! Have you been to a neurologist? I found this was a good place to start for me. He recommended Neuropsychological Testing which has been very helpful so far. I am still undergoing the testing but it looks like it is going to give me a lot of answers and direct me to the type of treatment that I need.
Have you had an MRI? I am so sorry you are suffering these symptoms. Hope you get feeling better soon. Others will come along and offer more advise.
Brain

Hi and welcome. The symptoms you describe are consistent with post-concussion syndrome. Your experience of symptoms six months post trauma is not unusual, all brain injuries are different and they heal on their own schedule.

You will find lots of good information here. In general, rest, good nutrition including a healthy vitamin regimen, and refraining from alcohol is recommended. Asking questions and giving some more details on your medical care to date will allow other forum members to share experiences that are close to yours, and give advice that have worked for similar symptoms.

Best to you as you recover.

I was told by my doctors that post concussion is not a brain injury but a head injury. It is a semi-perminent condition but many people who experience it think it is a brain injury. A brain injury has to be confirmed on a CT or MRI, this isn't the case with PCS.

I'm sorry but I don't understand what your doctor is talking about. A concussion is most certainly a brain injury:

From the Brain Injury Association of Canada,
"Mild Traumatic Brain Injury (mTBI) is also known as concussion. "

Ontario Neurotrauma Foundation,
"Concussion/mild TBI (mTBI) is the most common form of traumatic brain injury."

Center for Disease Control and Prevention,
"What is a Concussion?
A concussion is a type of traumatic brain injury, or TBI, caused by a bump, blow, or jolt to the head that can change the way your brain normally works. "

Maybe he's thinking that Post Concussion Syndrome is not caused by a brain injury because it is not confirmed on CT or MRI but then what is causing it? I don't understand his logic. Sorry

CC

That is interesting mouse. I know mine is a traumatic brain injury because it does show damage on an MRI. Also, I am still having severe problems and my injury happened in 2006. With some 5-7 concussions before that. I am still not able to drive or work and have very limited activities. I know mine is possibly permanent. I have both diagnosis of TBI and PCS. I was wondering about just having the post concussive syndrome though. Do you think this is a permanent kind of syndrome like chronic pain that becomes a chronic condition that you have to manage? Or do you think it is possible to completely heal with no symptoms at all after having been diagnosed with post concussive syndrome?
Let me know what you guys think.
Brain

I honestly don't know! I am coming upto my 4th month of Postconcussion Syndrome and both my doctor and neuropsychologist have said I have a significant head injury but not a brain injury. I have had severe light/noise sensitivity, chronic headaches\migraines, chronic fatigue, tinitus, pain in eyes, teeth, sinus and facial pain. Numbness, fuzzyness, hypersensitve hearing, motion sickness, insomnia, wave sensations through body (tension). In the first 2/3 months I had these problems on a fairly constant basis.

Currently instead of headaches I have head pressure occasionally, numbness, tinitus rarely, milder noise/light sensitivity, ear ache, eye pain occasionally, blurred vision, concentration problems, occasional fatigue, and occasional wave sensations through body, exercise intolerance and improving insomnia. On occasions I have felt normal for 5 minutes or so, without symptoms. All of the symptoms are coming and going, so I am therefore told that this is a sign that I am in the process of recovering from PCS. If I do recover it isn't a brain injury but a temporary condition?

Mouse,
I think that your improved symptoms is good news either way. I think it shows that your still recovering. I am at a point and have been for a long time that the symptoms remain the same. Some good days and mostly bad days but it is a constant. With you having such improvements in areas I think there is great hope for you. I am hoping for 100 percent recovery for you. Do you feel like your old self or do you feel like a totally different person? I do not remember who I use to be. I am having to form a whole new identity.
Keep up the progress! I am pulling for you.
Brain

I agree that it is a type of brain injury because the functioning of the brain is affected, however I am told that I do not have a brain injury because the CT scans I have do not show any brain injury.

I'm with CC on this one. Very odd counsel from your doctors... sounds like lawyer semantics to me... but that's what we all come to expect with the sheer volume of misinformation out there.

Back to topic:

Welcome to the forums Kbenson! Six months post injury you say hey... I'm at 4 months myself and still experiencing many symptoms. You will find great info here if you browse around. It's not all in one place because as you can see, conversations take on a life of their own even within threads. That's ok, because we're all learning from one another. I guess there's an ebb and flow in many threads.

One thing that stands out from your post is master's program! Quite something to have an injury during such an intense time. Are you finished schooling and now working or are you taking time to rest?