This is my first post. I am desperate to talk to people who have the same problems as I do.

I slipped on ice and fell backward hitting my head on concrete in November 2011. MRI and CT scan both came back fine. I was told at the hospital I have a concussion. You'll be fine in a week. Two weeks later no improvement... back to hospital and was told I have pcs and will be fine in a couple of weeks.

Year and a half later.... still headaches exhaustion memory problems, intolerance to light and noise. Can't go to the store or anywhere really because flourescent lights too bright... I get head pain confusion, can't think properly, word finding problems.

I went for an EEG because the neurologist thinks I might be having absence seizures. LIGHT TORTURE!!!! Anyway I'm waiting for the results. That was yesterday morning. I have felt like heavy and limp exhausted since the EEG. Almost like being drunk or doped up. I don't drink. I'm not doped up. Anybody else feel this way after an EEG?

I take effexor and clonazepam for anxiety and depression but have been taking them both since before the concussion. I'm scared I will never be like I was. I feel "stupid" a lot. I can't clean the house, cook, and be energetic and busy like pre-concussion. I feel like people don't understand. There are no support groups here.

Thank you for ALL responses.....

MUMZY,

Welcome to NeuroTalk.

Clonazepam and concussion will leave you fatigued 24/7. The Effexor should take care of the anxiety issues. Maybe you don't need the clonazepam. I was on it and know how it makes the day miserable.

There are many other things you can do to help recovery. Check the threads "Vitamins" and "NeuroEndocrinologist"

What other things have you done to help with recovery ?

What symptoms do you have besides fatigue ?

My best to you.

I have PCS and would give you this advise:

Listen to your body if you need to rest, so get plenty of quiet rest.
Avoid too much TV and computer.
Avoid exercise until ready.
Wear earplugs.
Fatigue and headaches are a sign you are doing too much.
Wear sunglasses or hat in the supermarket.
Do things when you feel best e.g mornings.
Keep a diary to discover what triggers symptoms.
Try to avoid triggers.
Concentrate on the things you can do and avoid the things you cant.
Gradually increase your activity.
Do not worry about symptoms - this only increases them.
If you need it get a suitable anxiety/painkilling medication.

I also slipped in fell but in oct of 2012. Workers comp case, so the first four months they kept on telling me I would get better and I didn't. I didn't start to get help til month five.

I worked way to much the first five months. Not full time but almost. Before injury I worked two jobs. About 50 hours a weeks, one as a fitness instructor.

Now I have started a concussion rehab program with vestibular rehab. I only go once a week. But they did a lot of testing to find out what is wrong, where I am at and what I need, RATHER than just guessing and sending me home.

I have learned to ACCEPT that this is a serious injury that isn't going away next week. I need to change my daily schedule. My therapist came up with the bright idea of trying two days of work and then one day off. Part of my problem is that I love my job and I want to be there every day. I am a high school art teacher. I will sacrifice my personal life for my career.

I am also trying lots of work around s. I think that's what mark calls them. I ordered lots of cool sunglasses, wear earplugs, turn off most of the lights, quit doing things that don't need to be done...

I also eat incredibly healthy, take supplements and don,t drink alcohol.

This last week what has helped most is just trying to let go. Let go of the anger. Let go of the past... I signed up for oprahs 21 day free meditation challenge and they send you a thought of the day. It just helps me to stay positive. My students at school are absolutely amazing! But it is also so sad that SO many of them have also had concussions!

Symptoms: I usually feel like I have a really bad hangover. Funny thing is, I hardly ever drank because I never wanted to waste a day on a hangover. I am having a peaceful morning, I usually can't type this much because I also have lots of visual symptoms too.
Hang in there
Su

I have been dealing with concussions since October 2010 and I've had three since the first one. By some miracle, I have gotten a lot better recently, so recovery is possible. My pcs symptoms got much worse after concussion #2 in December 2011, but I didn't really understand what was wrong with me and didn't rest or seek help. When my pcs symptoms helped to cause my August 2012 car accident, my husband confronted me about my symptoms. I sought help and took disability leave from work. I have been off work for 6 months, and I am doing MUCH better. My only remaining symptoms are related to vision problems due to the multiple concussions, and I am now doing vision therapy for that. I still have Light sensitivity and dizziness when I make any quick movements. It has improved since I first had the dizziness. Originally i felt like the whole world was falling upward! So though i still can't dance, ride a bike, or swing on a swing with my daughter, I can function pretty well. I even vacuumed last week, which was a big deal to me!

Rest is the best thing you can do. I know there are financial issues involved, and you can only do the best you can do. Don't push through the symptoms. Slowly up your activity levels. Take care of yourself. Here is the post I made recently on the hope and healing thread: http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/thread78902-6.html

Good luck!

Since we all have changes in our central nervous systems from our concussion or concussions we all respond to different medications differently. Example I was on xanax before my concussion and only concussion and after the xanax made me hyper now on valium I am no longer experiencing anxiety/panic.Before my concussion a valium would make me depressed.

You cannot say something will keep a person fatigue because it did yourself.
Everyones story is different some people might have 10concussions and some might had one.

Yes benzos have pros and cons just like every medication on the market

I also used to be a fitness instructor... who are you seeing in the cities for your vestibular rehab? Would love to connect.

My point to MUMZY about taking clonazepam was related to taking it with the Effexor. Effexor is a strong SNRI and should be able to reduce the anxiety. If it is inadequate, there are other SSRI's and SNRI's that could be tried. Taking a benzo plus the Effexor is a good excuse for fatigue. The Effexor alone can cause somnolence (sleepiness).

Benzos are often prescribed because they are faster acting and can be used as needed. Effexor takes longer to get full benefit and needs to be taken consistently. Often, doctors that prescribe these psychoactive drugs are GP's or PCP's and not psychiatrists. The goal is to settle the patient down.

Thank you for writing! I work in a high school with students who have special needs. I have not been able to work since the concussion. I too love love love my job! I miss work but could never handle the noise or flourescent lighting, even with welding goggles and hat. I can't even handle the noise from the tv for very long in the background when the husband or kids are watching so earplugs go in lots!

I still have no idea when I will be better, but I can read longer now, no vision problems other than the light sensitivity. Having six kids makes for an already busy life. My husband does all the shopping and most of the cooking. I am finally able to do the laundry and vaccuum. I bath the baby and clean up her toys. that is about it. I am always exhausted and have to nap for 2 to 3 hours everyday. How are you doing now?

Hi Mark, and thank you for responding. Reading is hard so I don't come on
often but I read your posts.

First of all, I was taking effexor and clonazepam for years prior to the concussion because of depression and anxiety disorder.

I only take a half of a milligram twice a day. That's only one milligram a day.

It is because the effexor wasn't quite enough, but upping the dosage gave me bad headaches.

It never made me tired I was a very active person working full time in a high school and have six children.

The two oldest boys were going through some rough stuff in their early teens which caused the depression.

I've always had anxiety since childhood.

I started taking all of the vitamins you suggested the first time I read your post.

I also have light and sound sensitivity, short term memory problems, brain fog, slowed cognitive functioning when tired or in busy environment.

No therapy now just rest and time they say. No vision problems anymore.