*admin edit* my head pain is so bad. *admin edit*

I fainted in May and hit the front of my head on a concrete floor sustaining a concussion. 3 weeks later, I fainted again and hit the back of my head on a window sill. Each time there were no warnings that I was about to faint.

I've lost my job because my FMLA has run out. I've seen cardiologist and neurologist and am scheduled to go to rehab specializing in post concussion syndrome.

I am taking Topamax for head pain (started yesterday) and Tramadol or tylenol for intermittent pain. I'm dizzy, nauseous, cranky, light and sound sensitive, have trouble with conversations and can't drive. I am pretty miserable.

I've been searching for a place to come and talk to other about their progression in healing from concussions and it looks like I've found it!

Other than staying locked in a dark, quiet room, have you found anything else that helps with the headaches? I think if I can just get the headaches to go away, I'll be able to work on everything else. I went from being a happy, joyous, outgoing person to a recluse. I want my life back. I am a young 60 !

Thanks

welcome to neurotalk, you'll come to the right place. Here all of us have been or going through the same symptoms u r ur not alone! First off u must find out why u r faiting there is a whole host of reasons, speak to ur gp asap and get the bottom of it u dont want to hit ur head again, as concussions become comulative, and take MUUUUUCH longer to recover from. ur symptoms r classic pcs. symptoms. U need to relax rest ur brain as much as possible, i know its boring, but all of here have had energetic lives before our injuries, but we need to rest and recover because the brain takes the LOOOOONGEST to heal. Try listening to relaxing music, meditation, relaxing in a warm pool or going for light nature walks. Eating healthy is important and talking supplements are also important, the vitamin regimen is posted at the top of this forum. try not to let
ur symptoms get the better of u i know its not easy, getting worried and worked up about it will make it that much harder to recover. Speak to ur gp about physio therapy, message and vestibular.

Ur injured so now its time to heal.

ED

First, sorry to hear about your experiences. I have an older family member who was fainting for no apparent reason, and it turns out they needed a pacemaker. Had it "installed" and now they're doing *much* better. The docs all thought it was vestibular, but it was related to electrical impulses in the heart.

Sorry to hear about your job. That sux.

I, too, had problems with intense headaches for years. What finally helped was seeing a network chiropractor - they do gentle adjustments that help regulate the autonomic nervous system, instead of the "bone cracking" standard issue stuff. I am on a very strict diet -- minimal junk food, as little processed sugar as humanly possible, lots of natural foods and NO grains -- which has helped me with the fogginess and given me a much needed mood boost. I do light exercise in the mornings to warm up for the day, and that helps, also. But if I push myself too hard, the headache returns for a few days.

It's just something I have adapted to. I have to work, I am the only breadwinner in my household, so I have to make it work.

I have hear that Topamax can help with headache. I would not know, because I am way too sensitive to meds, and they often make things worse. Hang in there - it can get better.

Thanks for your response. I am being evaluated by a cardiologist for the fainting. I am now wearing a heart monitor.

It has helped me to read some of these posts as I can now see that my symptoms are pretty much like everyone here. I think I was in denial that I had PCS, but today I now realize that it is what I have. Even the neurologist telling me this did not make it so for some reason, but reading post after post of the same symptoms I'm having has done it for me.

I will do my best to relax more. Thanks so much.

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The Topamax may work to prevent the migraines (they are diagnosed as migraines, yes?). If not, there's a lot of relatively new drugs to try. Triptans like Imitrex works for me. I also get good results with Dilaudid. You'll have to work with a good MD or neurologist to find out what works for you.

Hello windsweptlady,

Welcome to NeuroTalk. This is a very good place.

Check out the vitamin thread and think over your nutrition. I know that in itself is not a cure all.

Find ways to reduce stress in your life. I know it's very boring to be on brain rest, but it is needed. Listen to audiobooks, but try to limit screens and visual stimulation.

Hang in there for the better days to come. PCS is a life changer, there is no doubt in my mind about that. But recovery is possible. It just is not like getting over a broken bone or a virus. The book Brainlashed by Gail Denton helped me understand PCS as well as this place.

Here's wising you well,

poetrymom

Hi Kenjhee,
They have not diagnosed the headaches as migraines yet, but they surely must be because of the pain level. I've had 3 doses of the Topamax and I still have a headache, but it's somewhat diminished.

Thank you for your reply!

Thanks for your reply. I am beginning to realize that part of my issue is not realizing how much stress I've been under to force myself to get better so I could get back to work. I've lost my job now, so that particular stress is gone.

I'll check out that vitamin thread. I've located a book on Amazon about nutrition after TBI and I may buy it. I'll check out Gail Denton's Brainlashed book too. Anything that will help!

I seem to need a lot of sleep lately. I'm just trying to go with the flow.

Hi Windswept Lady,

I'll bet your local library has that Gail Denton book and if not they could get it for you and for free. (I love freebes!!)

It was hard for me to see how much stress I had too when I tried to be well enough to return to work last spring. The whole work question on top of having headaches IS stressful.

So sorry you lost your job.

Yes, sleep as you need to. Listen to your body and keep track of what various meds do to you.

There are many good people here so keep asking questions.

Sincerely,

pm

Cymbalta worked brilliantly for me.