Hello All,

I am new here, and I must say that I am kind of relieved that I found this site. Before I go into my story, I just want to let everyone who reads my post to know that I am not looking for sympathy. With that said, I'll get right to it.

Last Wednesday, I was slipped and fell in my bathroom when I was getting dressed, hit right side of my head near my temple and landed on my shoulder. I blacked out for a bit and when came to immediately called my husband. He was concerned since he himself has suffered from more than one concussion. I didn't go to the ER at first because we both wanted to see if the headache and other things that were going on would pass, about three hours later they had not so I went in. After a CT scan and an x-ray on my shoulder, I was diagnosed with a concussion and a dislocated shoulder, was told that I was very lucky that I was only going home with a concussion and sent home with ibuprofen 800, a sling for my arm and the instructions to rest.

After two days, none of the over the counter meds were working and the pressure and pain in my head kept building, I was also unable to sleep for long periods of time and had trouble falling asleep even though I was tired. Finally by 3:00 in the morning the pressure and pain got so intense I was throwing up and had tears pouring down my face because I couldn't lay down, close my eyes or do anything without my head feeling like it was going to explode. Now I am used to having sever migraines, and this was nothing like that. I of course got very scared and went to the ER where they performed another CT to check to make sure that everything still looked okay. The Dr. this time told me that everything still looked ok, but that I had post concussion syndrome and that I should see a neurologist and was given pain and anti-nausea meds.

This is where my problem begins. I have no medical insurance, ours was supposed to start on the 2nd of this month but hasn't yet. I am supposed to see a doctor that I cannot afford since my husband and I have just moved into a new apartment, and even as I am writing this my head feels like it's in a vice and my stomach is rolling. I was doing fine on the pain meds for the first couple of days and was able to get some rest, however this morning I noticed that after taking them, the pain and pressure comes back a hour or two later.

I live in Virginia and was wondering if anyone knew of any programs that might help me find a neurologist that works with low income/uninsured patients. Also I am wondering if there are some things that have worked for others that I might be able to try just until I can get in to see a doctor?

Any information or tips would be apperciated

MY understanding is that 4-6 weeks is what it normally can take to recover from
A concussion, and you are still well within that. I think its far to early for a PCS diagnosis, but someone correct me if I'm wrong.

I think what you need is total rest and some drugs to help with the pain. What did they give you? I wonder if you can get anything stronger?

I just wanted to clarify, when you said you were used to severe migraines, do you mean the kind where you're vomiting and shaking from the pain? Because what you described having sounds just like a severe migraine to me. If its different, how is it different? That said, is the head pain constant or does it ever go away?

I'm sure people who have had more severe head injuries will be able to give you more tips to recovering. I also can't help you with what doctor to see, but I wish you the best of luck.

Chrysse,

Welcome to NeuroTalk. You are at a good place.

Your ER visits and CT's should give you confidence. You are very early in your recovery. The CT and 2 days or so is an excellent time to show and damage that is slow developing. If no damage shows now, you should be OK. UNLESS,

If you have any numbness on one side of your body, slur your words, have unequal pupils, can not smile evenly, or an excruciating head ache, etc, get to an ER immediately. This is a very rare circumstance so do not try to over analyze every little pain or twitch.

Right now, you need quiet rest while abstaining from bad food, caffeine, MSG, artificial sweeteners, etc. Read the Vitamins thread in the stickies at the top. It has some helpful links. It will help to ice your neck, especially your upper neck. Do this as often as possible. 15 minutes on, 30 minutes off. It should help somewhat with your head aches.

Please tell us more about yourself and your struggles. There are lots of helpful people here.

My best to you.

Hi Chrysse. You might call the brain injury association of Virginia to see what resources may be available to you.

http://www.biav.net/

Best to you