As far as I know there was not any noted bleeding, no fracture and no remarkable swelling of the brain. I couldn't scientifically prove it but in the air, I had so much pressure I felt it in my eyes - I think I had to have had some swelling. By the time my BF got to the airport I was sobbing, shaking, vomiting and totally freaked out. By the time I got the CT hours later, everything was normal except for the small contusion. I was lead to believe they are just a normal part of a concussion. My BF hit his head at work last week and went to ER. Nothing showed up but he kept telling me how bad he was hurting and how he was sinning etc. In a way, although it may sound horrible, he had a brief experience into what I've been feeling and that helped. He just thought I was being moody. I'm going to call my Dr and ask about the amitriptyline and something like Elivil in the morning. I hate taking narcotics. I would not be a good drug dealer at all.

It sounds as though all the feelings you are having "in the air" are related to the pressure differential and when you land, and time passes it is resolving and has had a chance to begin to normalize for you.... and you begin to feel "better".

You have a Brain contusion, and you have a Concussion - 2 things, not 1 and that being a part of the other........2 separate things.... don't let others tell you different. A Brain contusion is a 'macro' injury - that is seen on imaging studies; concussions are 'micro' injuries - not particularly visible findings on imaging studies unless they are very special imaging studies.

You have a Contusion of Brain tissue - it will go through it's resolution separately from a Concussion resolution.

Really you need to be in touch with a Neurologist who is in tune with Head Injury care - one who actually cares for Head Injury patients, Concussions and TBI, inclusive of Brain/Cerebral Contusions. You are still early into your injury; and as you found out, you should not be flying yet.

BTW, Amitriptylline is Elavil, Mark's recommendation is spot on for a starter - its a common med used in Post-Traumatic /Post Concussive Headaches, low dose starting, adjusted up to needed levels for your particular level of responsiveness to relieve the Headaches, help the anxiety and sleep problems. There are many other meds used by different docs, so check with a Neurologist for their recommendation.

Some will/do recommend anti-seizure medications up front as they are useful for those types of headaches also, and useful against possible seizures that can occur from Cerebral Contusions also - so this is just an FYI if any recommend their use. { I take Topamax (this is an anti-seizure med), because my headaches were daily and horrendous, and I failed Amitriptylline use at maximal dosing, and there was suspicion of absence seizures - and have had no horrible bad effects using it }.

Good Luck, Best Wishes..................

Time for my meds. Rest alot please.

So my DR is out for the rest of the week.... What kind of DR do you suggest? I will just have to find one online, since shes out and cant refer me.....

My Dr is out for the rest of the week so I will have to find my own. What type of Dr is suggested? Just a neurologist??

If your Physician is in a practice group that covers for each other, they would be the ones to at the least change your medication first - ask the office about that....explain you would like to deal with that first.

While with that physician - who will most likely want to see you, you can discuss Neurologists - and it would be best to have a referral to one with experience with Head Injuries (concussions, Brain Contusion patients).

If they are not aware of any, or you are able to self refer, re: your insurance - not knowing your locale - I would recommend checking with UT, Baylor Neuroscience Centers for recommendations, even Scott & White, even those Neuro-Sensory Centers of Baylor or in Austin I had noted? - They have Neurologists, Neuro-ENT specialists also.

(Note/disclaimer: I used to work contract work in Texas in Houston, Mexia, and Commerce, so do recall some of the referral areas, or at least names of them for reference only - I used to refer to Baylor and UT quite often; just now can't recall if those are the same; Scott & White was growing so large, I don't know if its outgrown its helpfulness to its patients or not, and just become a big business now)

But, more on point, you need a Neurologist with experience in Head Injury (particularly with Concussions and Brain Contusions).

Good Luck, Best Wishes.

Welcome to Neruo Talk. I take seroquel and it does work for sleep. The common thing it is prescribed for is bi-polar disorder, or mood swings. Ginnie

If you have a contusion and concussion a neuropsychologist would be helpful. For the time being try to get as much quiet rest as possible and avoid stimulation.

Hi,

I was in a car accident on Monday, took Tuesday off and tried to work a bit on Wed, Thur and Friday, By Friday I new there was something wrong. I went to a clinic that sent me to the hospital where I first learned I had a concussion. I was told it usually takes 2 weeks to recover, so I decided to stay home and do nothing for a week more. I really wasn't any better and went to a concussion specialist. She told me to go home and do nothing for 3 weeks, no t.v.; no reading; no physical activity. I stayed in my room for 3 weeks, my kids brough me food, I did nothing but listen to the radio. I also took cyclobenzamene (sorry for the spelling) which is a muscle relaxant. I took 3 a day which keep me out of it but that was a plus because it made the time more bareable. I went 2 more time at 3 weeks intervals to be told to go back to doing nothing. I spent probably 12 weeks in bed doing nothing.

She keep promising me that I would totally recover, it just took time. She now does not promise me that, but the underlying lesson is that they really do not know.

I now go to Chiro, massage, occupational therapist and psychologist. I am getting alot of support and am improving but I am now at 14 months and still can't work.

It took almost a year for me to get a diagnosed with post traumatic vision syndrome and several other issues to do with my eye sight. I am now wearing prism glasses and doing vision therapy.

Everyone is different so you need to keep digging until you find what feels right for you. You are your best doctor and no you are not crazy we all have gone through all of these symptoms. I have had a headache for 14 months now but I feel this has a great deal to do with my vision.

I did try amitriptolene 10 mg, it did not help my headaches but boy does make you sleep.

Rest and low stress is critical.

This forum is great, there are alot of people with alot of experience here to help you.

Thank you Concussion, Mouse and Norma -

My Dr. does not have anyone filling in for her right now and she is out for her own surgical procedure soooo.... I left a msg at her office to let her know if she calls in that I did not take the Seroquel but was curious if I could try Elavil. I hope she calls in tomorrow and maybe can try that. I also looked online and started cold calling neurologists, I got a major run around. There is a Methodist Concussion Center here in Houston but they have no appointments any time soon, like not even in the next couple of weeks. I got frustrated and gave up. Most offices didnt even call me back nor could see me for weeks. Years ago my digestive system shut down from antibiotics (i got C. Diff and was hospitalized and very sick for a long time). I was having severe abdominal spasm and pain and took Nortriptyline and it helped me alot. Im guessing the Amitriptyline and Nortiptyline are similar and if she recommends it, it will help. I sure hope so....If anyone knows anywhere in the Houston area, let me know. I found a Neuropsychologist but she was in Orthopedics - thats confusing to me. I hate to just cold call someone I find online.

I went to see my nieces today because I am sick of being worthless and laying around. I explained that I had a headache (so cute because the 3 year old wanted me to show her my headache, then said she could see it) so I pretty much just sat back and watched them play. Well now I am at home, just loaded up on Soma and Norco in a dark room wishing the day were over my head hurts SO BAD!!!

Frustrated and cranky and TIRED!!! Had horrible nightmares last night and sweats. I wouldnt mind a horse tranquilizer right now.... or maybe a very large bottle of wine....or 2 Maybe I do need the Seroquel cuz I feel a bit bipolar these days....

Baylor has a clinic in Houston. Baylor Clinic - scroll down for the Neurology Service Phone number.

Memorial Hermann/UT has many clinic locations with Neurosciences around Houston - from the reading, it seems their Concussion focus is more sports related, but they have a fairly indepth Neuroscience department, may be worth a few phone calls, dependent on your location and theirs, to help you out.

I refer to Institutes because they seem to have more readily available appointment schedules than other settings for the most part when times are tight for referrals.

Sorry, no idea of the specialty clinic backlog appointment dates ......I know its a tedious process.

If necessary, and I know your doc had your best interests in mind, starting the Seroquel on her advice isn't a bad start since it has been used for sleep - the only problem is like all those meds, including Amitriptylline and Nortriptylline, it can take time for the full effect to build up.

Its just that once you start, withdrawal from anti-psychotics take time too, you just shouldn't stop cold turkey, after long term use.

I hope this is helpful.

Get your rest, try your best, my best wishes for you.

I have to go rest myself, had a bit of running around to a few appointments myself today, nearing time for meds too.