[JBuckl]

To give a background on my story. I have had three concussions in about three months. The first was several small concussions. I was playing football and didn't know that I was concussed. I didn't know that I was cuncussed, but I received the five small concussive hits(4 in the left frontal lobe) and one in the back left part of my brain. I healed up just fine and was playing football in about 2 weeks. I played football for two more weeks when I hit that same front left spot on my head again, not extremely hard, but obviously enough to cause another small concussion. I then developed tics, a twitching disorder, two days later. The concussion symptoms (headache, small light and sound sensitivity) seemed to disappear as I was twitching very badly. I saw a team of neurologists, and they didn't seem to think I developed the tics from a concussion. They think that I developed tics from stress and anxiety, which at the time were at a moderate to moderately low level. I then got medication for the tics and my twitching went away. My second concussion went away and I was doing fine until I was wrestling with my brother about two weeks later and bumped my head on the ground. I got a third concussion close to the first two concussions but more on the outside of the left part of my brain. I healed up in about a week, but noticed I went cross-eyed for a while. I didn't have any postconcussion symptoms after any of these minus a few headaches in the concussion spots, zoning out, and about a week and a half period of insomnia.

Then about a week or two after the third concussion I was in class, and someone bumped my head lightly with their elbow. It didn't hurt my head at all, but I was extremely dizzy and had concussion symptoms for the rest of the day.

About two weeks later, I bumped almost brushed my jaw with a guitar and thirty minutes later I noticed I was super dizzy and the rest of the weekend I had a headache and was dizzy.

Then a few days after that I got hit in the head with an extremely soft inflatable ball right in the front of the head and it has caused a whole mess of problems. The next two days when I tried showering my tic movements started acting up a ton. I became extremely light sensitive, got headaches, sound sensitive, lightheaded almost all the time, loss of focus, reduced cognitive function, and (common symptoms).

I tried taking one shower since then, about 6 weeks since the last two incidents, and my tics flared up for about two days, and I only let the water hit the back of my neck and parts of the back of head just barely.


I can't get bumped by people anywhere and especially my head. I accidentally ran up my stairs and had concussion symptoms for the rest of the night and a bit the next day. I also jumped up to get a bag of chips probably about a foot off the ground and it lasted probably about the same time frame for symptoms as running up the stairs. Some people will give me a pat on the back or something which causes some symptoms. I have to be very cautious in car rides as well. Anything that causes jolts through my head causes symptoms.

I now wear sunglasses all of the time at school, and most of the time at school. My sensitivity to light is getting better and at times I can go without wearing the glasses a while. My headaches are getting better and my brain functions very well compared to what it used to. I'm not very positive thinking though. I've lost a lot of things the past couple months, mostly playing football and track in high school and college. Sports have meant more to me than most things and losing them has been rough. That part was tough, but now my future of going to college next year is in jeopardy because I can't have these symptoms and go to college. I have suicidal thoughts when I have a set back and sometimes just when I have time to think about how good I used to have it and how hard life is and will be. I have a friend at school who also is struggling with PCS and its nice to talk about our problems, but sometimes I worry.


I've gone to many appointments in a traumatic brain injury department, seen a neurophsycologist, who is my main doctor, ocupational therapist for schoolwork and stress managment, and vestibular therapist to reduce by lightheadedness which has been reduced a lot. I've also been going to acupuncture which has helped a bit. I'm having an appointment with an anxiety therapist soon. The neuropsychologist believes that a lot of my symptoms are caused from stress and anxiety, particularly me being cautious about my head now.

I know there was a thread called Sensitive to Jolting? and recently Extreme Head Sensitivity. I can't copy and past the links because I'm a new member and haven't posted 10 times, but I know there are people with really sensitive heads and I was wondering if there was anything besides not bumping my head or getting jolts that helps.

I brought up the idea from the sensitive to jolting thread to my doc about the lymbic system of the brain being messed up in my situation and he thinks that is likely.

[Mark in Idaho]

JBuckl,

Welcome to NeuroTalk. You have found a good place with good people.

It sounds to me by your attention to detail that you are a high stress type of person. This is detrimental to recovery. If you were playing football with helmet and pads, your concussions and sub-concussive impacts would be more generalized that directed to the left frontal lobe. These generalized impacts often result in a diffuse axonal injury. There is often a concomitant injury to the neck or spine.

It sounds like you have a severe case of sensitivity to all of the sensory systems. This is usually due to an injury to the part of the brain that gates or directs the flow of sensory information or blocks it entirely. This is a common PCS symptom. The only treatment is to reduce sensory stimulation so the brain can rest and try to heal. Reducing anxiety is also important. Read the sticky at the top about Vitamins and supplements. Your brain needs stress support and the vitamin regimen is focused on helping the brain tolerate stress.

You sensitivity to head motion could be just the brain movement or it can also be related to upper neck issues. The vertical pounding from walking and running can irritate the upper neck and cause inflammation that effects the brain.

You need to get plenty of quiet rest. School should be minimized, especially any extra activities or intense projects or tests.

Knowing more about your age, location, and school objectives could enable us to better understand your situation to help you.

My best to you.

[JBuckl]

Thanks. I appreciate your help and your concern. I must ask why you help so many people though? Do you still have symptoms with using computers?

I would say after all of this I am much more anxious, cautious, and stressed. I never was before. And after the first three concussions I unfortunately wasn't very cautious nor extremely stressed.

My work load at school is very high right now. I'm trying to get caught up in school. I missed three weeks from my last incidents and I take two college level classes. I'm a senior in high school. I'm not extremely stressed about school because the teachers have been relatively nice about things, but it has been a lot of work. I'm still very behind in the one non-college level class, but I'm not too worried about it. I have a Christmas break coming around soon which will be good but until then I have a lot of studying and homework to do.

I live in Wisconsin.

[Mark in Idaho]

Don't get stressed by the 'level' of the courses you are taking. I was in college in 1973 and the entry level college courses were equivalent to courses I took in junior high. I took a quarter of college level Earth Science as a freshman.

I suggest you do everything you can to reduce your workload at school. Drawing out your recovery will be counter to being ready for college. An understanding school admin should accommodate you with alternative ways to show you have mastered the curriculum.

"I must ask why you help so many people though? Do you still have symptoms with using computers?"

I used to have problems with screen time but I have learned how to recognize when my brain is fatiguing. I then step away for a while. I do this because I know how important it is. I went through a miserable time for the 10+ years after my concussion at 10 years old. I had very little support nor information, especially after my severe concussion at 10 years old. I was discharged from the hospital after three days with NO FOLLOW UP. I had slurred speech and a severe change in personality.

Plus, I have lots of time to follow NT.

[concussedGuy]

Hey yeah I have the very extreme head sensitivity like you that sets of my pcs a lot worse. I don't have the twitching aspect of it though. It's very odd though, there are days where my head isn't as sensitive and others where if I even go to itch my head to hard I will get disoriented and set off my symptoms. I don't really know how to approach this, all I do is rest. I also eat an anti inflammatory diet and sometimes that seems to help.

Recently, the head sensitivity hasn't been as bad, but it could get worse in the future as the sensitivity seems to randomly worsen. I suggest following marks advice and getting a lot of rest and starting a vitamin regimen and eating healthy

[JBuckl]

I've tried to get my workload reduced but the teachers can't much at all because most of it is essential for earning the college credits. I'm almost caught up in the two difficult classes, but I have been pushed extremely hard.

Termed college or not, they would be difficult no matter what. The teachers are older and hard-nosed.

The easier class I am in I'm pretty far behind in but my teacher is much more understanding.

I realize I shouldn't be doing as much work as I have been, but I can't exactly control that. My teachers are pushing me and I really don't want to keep getting behind! My brain has held up very well. And I have a break coming up soon after this last stressful week of school. I've been successful and I think my cognitive function is probably at around 95% of what it used to be. Does that mean anything?

I'm seeing an anxiety specialist this week, which should help a lot. I have lots of anxiety, caution, stress about my head and rightfully so, but I know it's not all the best.

I think I should see a chiropractor soon though. Any thoughts?

[Dan Higgs96]

JBuckl,

It is almost scary how similar my situation was to yours. I am 18 and a senior in high school just like you. Football and sports was my life but were taken away from me just like they were for you.

I received 4 concussions from football, and the last one I believe I had a small one and continued to play with it for about a week, receiving sub-concussive blows which sent me on a 19 month journey of PCS. That was April or 2012.

6 months ago I shared the exact same head sensitivity you did. Someone could pat me on the back, hug me too hard, or I could barely hit my head on something and I would have concussion symptoms for 2-3 days. This was incredibly scary as I'm sure it is for you because once you get that sensitive it seems very hard to get back to your normal self.

5 months ago I saw a nuero chiropractor out of Dallas, Texas, who put me on an anti-inflammatory diet and prescribed several supplements to me. This diet, which basically consists of lean meats, fruits, and vegetables, has completely saved my life. 6 months ago I could hardly walk or ride in cars without feeling my brain shake, and now I am running and jumping with no problem.

Just like you I also have pretty severe stress and anxiety from trying to protect my head and what not. I've kept it to myself and haven't really done anything about it but it is getting much better as my head sensitivity goes away. By no means has it been an easy road to get to where I am today. I had to become obsessed with protecting my head and preventing further set backs, and I also became obsessed with following this diet ( The Leaky Gut Diet). So here is my advice to you:

Start the diet as soon as you can, get you parents involved buying the right food for you. Its gonna be hard, but it is completely worth the sacrifice to get your life back. Continue to be very cautious about protecting your head, it is essential that you let the diet do its work and not set your head back anymore. Lastly, have a positive attitude. Look at my story, know that this is only temporary and believe that you are going to get better. Find success in everyday and try to be as stress-free as possible, this helps with the healing process. Do this and in a matter of months you'll have your life back and be ready to head off to college next year.

Please let me know if you have any questions, I really want to help you out because the situation you are going through has had such a huge impact on my life and I want you to experience the same healing I have experienced.

Best of luck

[courtney.w]

Originally Posted by Mark in Idaho

Don't get stressed by the 'level' of the courses you are taking. I was in college in 1973 and the entry level college courses were equivalent to courses I took in junior high. I took a quarter of college level Earth Science as a freshman.

Mark,

You know I value your advice and your opinions; however, I have to say that what you're referring to here is very different from what the OP is probably talking about. When high school students today take "college level" courses while still in high school, they are referring to advanced courses that are designed to challenge them intensely, and these courses are typically in tough subjects to begin with. The "entry level" college courses you took in 1973 were undoubtedly far less strenuous than AP or IB courses that this person is taking. I know this with almost absolute certainty, as these are the kinds of classes I usually teach.

I agree that, generally, "college level" courses doesn't mean much... but when a high school student is taking them, unless it is a joint enrollment situation (which most are not), the classes being taken are probably more difficult than what most of us remember from our undergrad years.

[courtney.w]

Originally Posted by JBuckl

I've tried to get my workload reduced but the teachers can't much at all because most of it is essential for earning the college credits. I'm almost caught up in the two difficult classes, but I have been pushed extremely hard.

Termed college or not, they would be difficult no matter what. The teachers are older and hard-nosed.

The easier class I am in I'm pretty far behind in but my teacher is much more understanding.

I realize I shouldn't be doing as much work as I have been, but I can't exactly control that. My teachers are pushing me and I really don't want to keep getting behind! My brain has held up very well. And I have a break coming up soon after this last stressful week of school. I've been successful and I think my cognitive function is probably at around 95% of what it used to be. Does that mean anything?

I'm seeing an anxiety specialist this week, which should help a lot. I have lots of anxiety, caution, stress about my head and rightfully so, but I know it's not all the best.

I think I should see a chiropractor soon though. Any thoughts?

What kind of classes are you taking? Are these AP/IB, or joint enrollment?

What kind of credit schedule is your school on? If your classes continue in January without ending for a final grade for one semester by Friday, my suggestion is that you try to set aside a segment of time each day to work on getting caught up on school, but otherwise relax as much as you can over the break. Take a break from electronics and exercise even, as much as you can. Your brain will thank you.

As far as anxiety goes, what are you doing, if anything, to manage your time? I teach high schoolers, and I see students like you struggle all the time because they get overwhelmed by the amount of work due. Now more than ever, while you are trying to heal, you need to make sure you are managing your time wisely so that you don't overdo things but can still make progress so that you don't get even more stressed. Do try to plan plenty of breaks while doing your homework... maybe doing it in chunks will make it more manageable.

My heart goes out to you because you sound a lot like my students, and I know how much it would upset them to be in your shoes. Take care of yourself.

[JBuckl]

Dan thanks for the support and I would love to hear everything about the diet and supplements. I'll look more into the diet myself, but what if you could say the foods you ate and supplements that would be awesome! I totally believe that diet is important as I have a brother who is obsessed over his and feeds me info all the time.

I also would like to know if you got an cranial adjustments? I've been looking into that and I know a good chiropractor nearby who is big into nutrition.

I have been gluten free for about a month and dairy free for about 6 months because of the inflammation it causes to the brain (gluten). I also have been trying to avoid other grains for similar reasons due to the chemicals being sprayed on them. Grains are different than used to be. I don't know a ton about this topic, but my brother has highly recommended me getting off of gluten and another brother dairy because of the acne reaction that I used to get from dairy.

I know this whole situation is not what you wanted and I'm sorry it happened. I know it stinks. I was going to play college football and run track, still maybe can run track. I've also had many other disappointments in the past few months. But if you get some satisfaction out of helping me and other people and grow as a person. I hope that all the pain wasn't a waste. That's how I've seen it and you seem like a great person. And thanks already for giving me some guidance and hope. I was really down about my future until I read your post.