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Traumatic Brain Injury and Post Concussion Syndrome For traumatic brain injury (TBI) and post concussion syndrome (PCS). |
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07-27-2013, 07:02 PM | #1 | ||
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Hi,
My name is Lynn. I was in a car accident 6 months ago. I sustained a concussion, whiplash, tinnitus and cervical radiculitis. I have been diagnosed with post concussive syndrome and see PT 3x/week for vestibulo-ocular reflex deficits and cervical neck therapy. I have symptoms of lightheadedness as well as dizziness to varying degrees on a daily basis. I also experience intermittent headaches and nausea. I am married, a mom of 4 busy teens, work part time and am anxious to get back to my normal routine. Currently I am on a LOA from work. My neurologist is encouraging in that he feels my symptoms will subside with rest and therapy. I am frustrated in the time it is taking to recover. If anyone has any insights please share. Thank you for listening |
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07-27-2013, 08:11 PM | #2 | ||
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Hi Lynn,
I had a car accident 4 months ago and suffered a concussion, cervical neck sprain, rotator cuff injury and contussions to my head, also in PT and vestibular therapy. You are definitely not alone with feeling frustrated, therapy and rest....we need to do it but it is frustrating as we just want to feel better right now. I also get terrific headaches. Others here I'm sure will have some good advice as this is new to me too, hang in there. |
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07-27-2013, 08:56 PM | #3 | ||
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Hi Dagma1...Thank you for your response. It's so frustrating recovering from this type of injury. I can't believe it's been 6 months already. On a good day when you feel like you can push yourself and do more it backfires! I was driving to work and entered an intersection going about 40 mph. I had the green light and a lady turned without warning in front of me. I t-boned her car and hit the light post and then a tree. I am lucky to be alive. Thank goodness for seatbelts and airbags (all of them were deployed). I was instantly lightheaded and dizzy and had numbness and tingling in both my upper extremities. The seatbelt gave me a large deep bruise over my left upper chest. I have had constant ringing in my ears since the accident. My symptoms get worse when I drive, do computer work, am fatigued or stressed. I drink once in a great while and when I was out the other night with friends had 1 drink which felt like I had 5! I do a series of 12 exercises 2x per day to help with my vestibulo-ocular reflex deficit and whiplash. I can't wait to get normalcy back in my life! Thank you again for listening. I'm sorry you are going through this as well. I appreciate feedback or advice for recovering from PCS.
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07-28-2013, 01:01 AM | #4 | ||
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Is there anyting that you do or that anyone does that helps? I can't sleep b/c the ringing in my ears is horrible. |
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07-28-2013, 10:35 AM | #5 | ||
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Hi TZandme,
Were you in an accident? Do you see a neurologist? I sometimes sleep with my bedroom ceiling fan on low at night to help with the ringing. During the day it might help to turn the TV or radio on low but I know you had mentioned you were sensitive to sounds It's hard to believe it takes so long to recover from a concussion. Every day I wake up feeling the same. I fear I will never recover. I have 8 more weeks of time off from work. My job involves a lot of multitasking as well as high level cognitive functioning. I am dizzy and lightheaded every day to varying degrees. When I'm working on the computer and trying to concentrate and process information my brain goes into shutdown and I become increasingly dizzy and lightheaded. I find it difficult to talk with my family about how I'm feeling. I look fine. Unfortunately they can't see inside my brain. I wish I had a tangible picture to show them what is wrong like an X-ray from a broken bone. I was doing my vestibular exercises yesterday. It was the oculomotor:saccades. I was using 2 pencils. You have to hold the targets 12 inches apart and move your eyes quickly from target to target for 20 seconds. My 20 year old son was watching me and made a comment...."can't decide which pencil to use mom?" I have to say...it made me laugh! This has been a big test of patience for me. I was feeling a little better the week before last and pushed myself with my exercises. It backfired last week and I went backwards...ugh! I'm sorry you are still feeling like you are. I guess we need to continue to rest I just joined this forum yesterday for support from others with similar situations to mine. It is helpful to know I am not alone Good luck and please keep me posted on your progress. |
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07-29-2013, 04:14 AM | #6 | ||
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Hi Lynn,
Who knew that going back and forth between 2 pencils would be so hard !! I'm doing that too, actually my therapist just started me doing it again after a break as it was too difficult to do, it still feels like my eyes are bouncing up and to the right while I doing it and I get pain/pressure behind my eye balls, not fun. I have to move my eyes back and forth soooo slowly but I'm told it'll get better. I cannot track an object properly. You're right, we look fine so it's hard for others to understand. How is your balance? Have you "walked the plank" as I call it? walking heel to toe...I sway from side to side. It'll all get better, keep on truckin'...(I know it's soooo upsetting and frustrating some days) keep coming on to read/write, it does help to know you are not alone, hugs... |
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"Thanks for this!" says: | Lkas4 (07-29-2013) |
07-30-2013, 01:25 AM | #7 | ||
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07-27-2013, 09:13 PM | #8 | ||
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Welcome to Neurotalk-this has been an incredible source of support and information for many.
I got rear ended last year, and I have had many similar symptoms including convergence insufficiency (headaches from reading, hard to watch moving objects, etc.) The horrible truth is that each concussion is unique. It is hard to put a timeframe on each recovery. Finding the right doctors with pcs experience is important-but even then they are often at a loss in terms of recovery timeframes. I found that I have perspective looking back in 3 month timeframes-I can see how far I have come in some areas, and how much more I have to go in others. For me, headaches, neck pain and migraines still plague me (as does the vision and vertigo), but icing the neck, sleeping on buckwheat pillows and ensuring rest and quiet help. Also, there is a vitamin thread by long-time veteran Mark from Idaho has been really crucial to recovery. Eating healthily and limiting caffeine is important. I know others will contribute their tips. I am on leave from work and have 3 boys-so prioritizing my self-care has been difficult but crucial. Best of luck!
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The event: Rear ended on freeway with son when I was at a stop in stop and go traffic July 2012. Lost consciousness. Post-event: Diagnosed with post-concussion syndrome, ptsd, whiplash, peripheral and central vestibular dysfunction and convergence insufficiency. MRI/CT scans fine. Symptoms: daily headaches, dizziness/vertigo, nausea, cognitive fog, light/noise sensitivities, anxiety/irritability, fatigued, convergence insufficiency, tinnitus and numbness in arms/legs. Therapies: Now topamax 50mg daily; Propanolol and Tramadol when migraine. Off nortryptiline and trazodone. Accupuncture. Vitamin regime. Prism glasses/vision therapy. Vestibular therapy 3month. Gluten free diet. Dairy free diet. On sick leave from teaching until Sept. 2014. |
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"Thanks for this!" says: | Mokey (07-30-2013) |
07-29-2013, 09:20 AM | #9 | ||
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Sorry to hear about your accident. I am nearly at the 6 month mark too. My accident was as simple as slipping on a tiled floor resulting in pcs.... I too find it very frustrating that this can take so long to heal, & find it difficult to understand! I wish I could have a little picture of my brain & know what's going on up there!! My symptoms are a little different got really bad nausea to begin with but that has thankfully subsided. My headaches are daily at the moment but I have just returned to work which I don't think has helped to much. I use computers at work & have to deal with the public as I am a travel agent, it's been tough. I love my job & also was very eager to get some sort of normalcy back in my life. I also get really anxious & emotional, do you have any issues with your emotions? & yes I guess rest is the answer but just how much does one need. |
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07-29-2013, 03:43 PM | #10 | ||
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Hi Mark in Idaho and Travel!
It's so comforting to hear from others experiencing PCS. Good advice to make more spaces in my paragraphs. I was getting a headache previewing my post before submitting it because the sentences were so close together. I have been using heat on my neck...I will definitely try the ice. By the way what's a sticky? I have experienced some nausea but not bad. I just hate feeling like I just got off a carnival ride all the time. I get relief from PT but it lasts a few hours. It's this vicious cycle of "get the neck feeling better so I can do the vestibular exercises and get more dizzy again!" I have been taking Ibuprofen to help with the pain and muscle spasms in my neck. I have a muscle relaxant but I'm afraid it will make my dizziness worse...ugh! I hope you all have a good day! Thank you for your support and ear. |
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