Hey, figured I'd share an update on my recovery and maybe spread some hope

So far I've not seen a neurologist yet although it's scheduled (October 8th) and a follow up with my regular doctor (October 2nd) I've started therapy this week (session was just more so about background information and things like that) and went a saw a chiropractor today, he said my hips were off an inch and my back was out along with an intense amount of swelling/tightness and he said my neck was about 3/4 of an inch off and twisted/tilted

I've been prescribed Lorazepam for anxiety, and having started taking vitamins (B12, B50 complex, C, E and Fish, Flax & Borage Oil includes omega 3,6,9) and taking Melatonin and Benadryl at night

I've been trying to limit screen time and overdoing with physical activity, past two nights I've gotten 9+ Hours of sleep and the past two days have been relatively good caught myself almost being back to my old self yesterday

The bad thoughts are not there as much and I'm doing a better job of being able to redirect them to something else, so I'm pretty happy on that

I'm still having headaches all day but I've learned to live with that, nausea comes and goes it's almost more like a gag type nausea, the loss of balance and weak legs are there every now and then, the back and neck pain should start going away with visits to the chiropractor, I'm still forgetful but it seems like it's progressing though, math seems extremely hard for me to do and it's frustrating because I was a kid in high school who skipped advanced math classes and still got A's, my reading is strange like ill misread a lot of things and they don't even make sense, my vision is still kind of strange but I need to wear glasses but don't have the money for a pair right now and can't do contacts because I have extreme fear of people touching my eyes or getting close, my mind seems to be random a lot through the day like I'll remember random things out the blue, sometimes I'll lose a thought and then pick up on the thought an hour later while on another thought, and does anyone else hear stuff that stresses them out through the day? Like when my one year old niece cries it instantly stresses me and later on if I'm stressed or having high anxiety I get the cry or whatever it might be in my head. Also it seems like my brain wants to make connections to everything I see and won't let go until I can make a connection. Also I just get random words popping in nonstop too

I've also kind of become extremely impulsive at times, like if I'm frustrated with someone the words shut the **** up can come out pretty quick before me even realizing what I've said

My mood swings are still their although I don't think they are as bad and aren't as frequent but I'm 19 so I figure hormones can be playing a strong part too

One of the harder things for me right now is learning to accept this lifestyle the fact that I just can't get up and do anything I want and that my body needs rest and the fact I can't be this outrageous risk taking kid I was before not being able to play sports or video games is hard and trying to find new things I like, I'm good at and won't overstimulate is a challenge and it doesn't help the fact that if I can't get it on the first try I'm almost dine with it like my anger wins and makes me quit

I've also been talking to myself in my head a lot more just daydreaming up conversations with people, friends, family, doctors, etc. I think it might be due to loneliness because all my friends are in college and only one is close enough to visit and he does when he can and the rest of my family is kind of busy

One concern I have is, I can't sleep in my bedroom just absolutely cannot sleep there and it seems like when I'm in the room my anxiety just gets high and I'm on edge, that was where I was at the very first night when my most severe and first panic/anxiety hit me so could it be that or am I making too far of a stretch or could it be with my personality change I'm not comfortable in a tighter smaller room

So that pretty much sums it up so far on my short time dealing with this, started August 11th, I feel like I'm noticing small improvements which at times is satisfying but sometimes irritating

And also just for a fun question what keeps you all fighting through to the next day, is it hope that tomorrow will be better, is it family or friends, God? Whatever it is I would like to hear!

Sorry for the length but it's something about writing all this that makes me feel just a little bit better

I'm very glad I read this post, you might find comfort in the fact that I am experiencing very similiar things. I am 17.

After I hit my head, I found calculus, and other advanced science/math courses still quite easy for me, but English is a completely different story. I have a very hard time comprehending what I read, and it is very annoying.

You will improve, don't worry, it just takes time. Just don't isolate yourself at home, which is what I did.

What gives me hope is living for another day. Being there for my little brother's HS graduation . Spending time with my supportive family. It's process. I feel much better than 6weeks ago. Everyday is process. Eat healthy don't drink alcohol. Eventually you'll see that light at the end of the tunnel.


By the way dose off Benzo meds as they rough on the brain. If you're having panic attacks at night - sleep with close family member or close friend. Don't isolate yourself from everyone. Stay close with family or friends. I know I feel much better when I'm around my family. Keep yourself busy by going out with family members or friends ex. go to Barnes and noble or library to read books.

The things that keeps me sleep at night are l-tryptophan and l-theanine supplements both which are amino acids that calms the body.

Keep us updated with your process. Hoping you speedy recovery.

94MTM,

Can you give us background on your story?

94MTM,

You said,

<I'm still having headaches all day but I've learned to live with that, nausea comes and goes it's almost more like a gag type nausea, the loss of balance and weak legs are there every now and then, the back and neck pain should start going away with visits to the chiropractor, I'm still forgetful but it seems like it's progressing though, math seems extremely hard for me to do >

You should be limiting math challenges.

<and it's frustrating because I was a kid in high school who skipped advanced math classes and still got A's, my reading is strange like ill misread a lot of things and they don't even make sense,>

You should also be limiting reading. When you find your brain struggling to do a cognitive task, it is telling you to stop and take a break. Don't wait until you mentally crash. At the first sign of struggling to do the task, take a break.

<my vision is still kind of strange but I need to wear glasses but don't have the money for a pair right now and can't do contacts because I have extreme fear of people touching my eyes or getting close, >

It sounds like you need some serious help with your anxieties. Benzos are rough on the brain, even worse on an injured brain. I highly recommend you get serious about vitamin supplementation. Read the Vitamins sticky at the top. It takes 4 to 8 weeks to start to see improvements. It will also help if you learn to moderate your environment to reduce stimulation.

<my mind seems to be random a lot through the day like I'll remember random things out the blue, sometimes I'll lose a thought and then pick up on the thought an hour later while on another thought, and does anyone else hear stuff that stresses them out through the day? Like when my one year old niece cries it instantly stresses me and later on if I'm stressed or having high anxiety I get the cry or whatever it might be in my head. >

Try the L-Tryptophan mentioned by Arty. L-Tryptyophan can make a big difference, especially with anxiety issues. I take 500 mgs 3 times a day. The injured brain get chemically confused and these amino acids and other substances get way out of balance.

<Also it seems like my brain wants to make connections to everything I see and won't let go until I can make a connection. Also I just get random words popping in nonstop too>

These are anxiety issues. Once you get vitamins and supplements going, your brain will be better able to deal with these issues.

Anxiety and stress are the worst things for concussion recovery. You need to maker stress reduction a priority. Avoid being around crying children. Avoid talkative people. Avoid multi-person conversations. Find a music track that is boring yet relaxing. You do not want music to stimulate. It should sooth.

It will help if you can find a simple task or activity to stay busy with. Tasks that are manually oriented are very good. Your brain can not get over-tasked if it is just directing your hands. Learn to play the guitar, tie fishing flies, learn to sew or knit / crochet. Yes, knitting and crocheting is commonly used by high pressure athletes to help them settle their nerves.

Finding that mind settling activity / task will serve you for a lifetime. Your anxiety appears to be deeply ingrained. Learning skills to deal with your anxiety will serve you better than most other skills you will learn. Concussions just make anxiety worse. Concussions never heal completely. It is not uncommon for you to be even more sensitive to stress issues after suffering a concussion.

btw, It will help if you slow down your typing. Stop and reread your posts every few lines. Your thoughts appear to never end and get stuck without pause. This is a skill you will benefit from learning. While you are at it, add a double paragraph space every 5 lines. It makes it much easier for those of us with visual struggles to read the posts. These are all common symptoms of concussion. Learning to recognize these challenges and develop skills to overcome them will be tough but worthwhile.

Sorry for the fire hose of information. Dealing with anxiety was one of my biggest challenges when I was your age and recovering from a concussion. Your struggles are near and dear to me.

My best to you.

Thanks for the advice And input everyone

Arty, I was suing flag football on August 11th and took an elbow to my face and had a severe headache and was nauseated afterwards didn't pass out but continued to play

Went into deep depression and major anxiety for the next 2 weeks and I started feeling like my old self again so I decided I would play again, well bad idea I took a couple of elbows to the face and a knee to the neck and it I returned back to how I was the past 2 weeks


Went to the ER and had a CT said it was clean and I had PCS, told me to follow up with my regular doctor, went and saw him two days later and he said I had a concussion along with PCS, and started me on a dexamethasone to try to reduce any swelling if still there and temazepam for sleep

About a week later I found myself in the ER with severe suicide thoughts the ER doctor was of no help he said he's never heard of anything like this coming from a concussion, but they brought in a counselor and she said she isn't familiar with concussions but did some research and said it was common if you hurt your frontal and temporal lobes, so the ER doc dismissed me and said to take my temazepam twice a day

Couple days later went by and I was told by my regular doctor I shouldn't have been taking it twice a day (30mgs by the way) and also I quit taking the dexamethasone like 4 days in because it made me feel even worse

Also I'm starting to think I may have had another concussion not too long before those two I was at lake in June with some friends and were jumping from a rock about 10-12 feet and I was doing flips and the way I came into the water I smacked my face and it whipped it back and had the normal symptoms severe headache, tired, wasn't fully there, and somewhat was wanting to throw up

So there's pretty much my background

Hey everyone figured I'd update on my recovery process again

First, I've started therapy to try and help with the anxiety and depression, I've only had one meeting and it was all background info stuff, I go back Wednesday and kind of excited as I find talking helps a lot for me and I can tell my mom is getting somewhat tired of listening to me and I've never been comfortable talking to my dad and my brother has been a jerk this whole process

Secondly I have my neurology appointment Tuesday and kind of nervous for the fact I have a bunch on to do during the appointment and don't know if it'll be all day or if they will break it up in several days

I've also seemed to switch moods in depression, as I was your stereotypical depressed person, the sad not wanting to do anything person, now it seems I've switched to a more aggressive and angry out burst type of attitude, for example at dinner my 8 year old niece said "look nana I ate all my fries" and I about responded "you're ******* 8 you don't need to be congratulated on eating your food"

It doesn't end there I've got a really bad habit of just telling people to "shut the **** up" I've never really ever talked back to my parents but it seems like I'm doing that more too, I've also been quick to criticize and point out flaws but when I get called out it seems I either respond angrily or breakdown

I feel terrible for doing these things and saying these things and thinking some too but I just don't know exactly what I can do besides pull myself from the situation

My memory seems to be getting a little better with time, I'm somewhat able to remember a chore told to me by my mom when it's not written down

The intrusive thoughts aren't there as much and don't take up nearly as much of the day as they used to, the randomness of my thoughts and flight if ideas seems to be settling down too

I'm having issues adjusting to this lifestyle right now, as it's frustrating to me as before this I was never at home, always in the move doing stuff and with friends now I'm at home "resting" and accepting the fact even when I do get better I'm still gonna have to give up certain things in life like contact sports and I probably won't be able to go to parties with my friends not that those are the most important things it's just I've always had a head strong personality and it frustrates me I'm not gonna have you "average" 19 year old life

My fatigue only seems to appear on mental tasks for example reading, tires me but if you ask me to mow 3 yards it won't tire me at all

I do have trouble staying focused as you can probably tell from this post lol but even that is getting better

Sometimes I'll zone out through the day and I'll lose all thought and kind pose all awareness of my surroundings it last probably about a minute and I've noticed that I get this weird feeling in my stomach before it happens and I'm generally tired afterwards I don't know if it means much or it's just my brain trying to tell me to relax and it's tired

Thanks to all who read and respond, it's been a tough fight for me thus far but I think I'm starting to finally break through some

And I'll update after my neurology appointment and tell what my neurologist has told me