[Sportsfan444]

Hello everyone. I received my fourth concussion 6 weeks ago while playing in my college hockey game. As a senior, it has already been difficult dealing with the stress of moving on from the game. This concussion has only added stress and anxiety, as the recovery process has been slow. I am still experiencing symptoms, and I wanted some advice from you guys. I have slowly started to go on 30 minute walks, and just resumed classes this week. It has been good to get out of my dark dorm room, as that has been depressing in itself. I have refrained from using alcohol, but have gotten back into chewing tobacco, as it helps me focus while reading and studying. I just wanted your opinion on this, as it is always useful to hear from others. Thank you for the help!

[Mark in Idaho]

Sportsfan444,

Welcome to NeuroTalk.

I am confused about your question. Anxiety is common with concussions.

What other symptoms are you experiencing ?

Were you in a dark dorm room on purpose ?

If you are asking about the chewing tobacco, maybe you could tray a nicotine patch. I have met different people today who have a family who are fighting oral/salivary gland cancer. Neither are having a good time.

I would suggest caffeine instead, even though caffeine is not recommended while recovering from a concussion. Or, maybe a prescription for low dose ADHD meds.

[Sportsfan444]

Thank you for your response. I was wondering what people thought about getting out of a dark room and continuing everyday life in order to make progress and get back into a daily routine. Although I first I understand it is wise to stay in a dark room and rest as much as possible, it has made me a little depressed to be alone all the time.

Although my headaches have been slowly going away, I have developed a nervousness to be in public, as it sometimes is too loud for me. I also fear that I may reinjure my head(getting bumped into, tripping and falling) so it has been hard to be out in the public for long periods of time. Does anyone have advice for this? Thank you!

[Mark in Idaho]

The dark room idea is not recommended any more by the experts. Even those that that do, only recommend it for a few days.

It sounds like your extended dark room environment may have set you up to be very sensitive to outside environment. Sunglasses and wide brimmed hats work well in bright sun. Foam ear plugs help when there is too much sound stimulation. First, just try an ear plug in your left ear. This works many. If the sounds are still too hard to tolerate, use ear plugs in both ears.

Mack's brand are good ear plus and widely available.

Anxiety about another head impact actually makes you more likely to suffer another as anxiety increases lack of coordination problems. Go out when crowds are light. Try to avoid areas with too much visual and auditory stimulation. Stay away from the ice and such risky environments and you will be fine. Be real. How often have you tripped and fallen in your life (off the ice)? Trips and falls are rare.

It will really help if you try to get on with your life by reducing the risky activities and enjoying the non-risk activities. No booze and places where drunk people are.

Give yourself time to get back into your life and you will be fine.

Have you tried any neck therapy ? Many headaches are caused by subtle upper neck injuries. The neck will not usually be symptomatic but muscle spasms from the neck can cause headaches. Excessive bed rest can put a strain on the neck as one tosses and turns.

[DrewDigital]

Overdoing it and a couple neck injuries contributed to my decline. Stoping the antidepressant is when my head got really bad because of the withdrawal effects made it worse. The withdrawal effects included dizziness, vertigo, hallucinations, flashing lights, electric shocks, tremors. Nine months later I still have all the effects just not so bad. I stepped the antidepressant down ten percent a week and still had wicked withdrawal effects.
Joe and JudyAnn, when did you start taking your antidepressant?

[Mark in Idaho]

Drew,

I added L-Typtophan as I decreased an SSRI I was on at max dose for 14 years. Now, I use L-Theanine, 5-HTP and L-Tryptophan to take the place of the anti-depressant. I am much better this way.

Your side effects were extreme. Which AD med were you on ?

[seth8a]

Originally Posted by Sportsfan444

Hello everyone. I received my fourth concussion 6 weeks ago while playing in my college hockey game. As a senior, it has already been difficult dealing with the stress of moving on from the game. This concussion has only added stress and anxiety, as the recovery process has been slow. I am still experiencing symptoms, and I wanted some advice from you guys. I have slowly started to go on 30 minute walks, and just resumed classes this week. It has been good to get out of my dark dorm room, as that has been depressing in itself. I have refrained from using alcohol, but have gotten back into chewing tobacco, as it helps me focus while reading and studying. I just wanted your opinion on this, as it is always useful to hear from others. Thank you for the help!

I also began to chew tobacco during my recovery. (I had quit some time before). If there is anything you can do for yourself that will help you in the long run it is to quit the dip. You will recover from your concussion, but recovery from oral cancer is iffy and can require horribly invasive surgeries. I quit after a month . . . and was much happier for it and I swear my recovery came along faster. Give yourself time and you will be fine from the concussion. You may never recover from oral cancer if you get it. The worry about the dip will just make your anxiety worse.