Hi friends,

im a 21 year old male,I suffered a concussion last September playing rugby, took time off, then continued to play through the fall of last year, spring and summer of this year. While admittedly i noticed my vision had trouble tracking things, and my grades dropped, i never thought enough about it unfortunately because i was still in the top shape of my life, and attending college.

In august while playing in the tournament i must of suffered another concussion beacause since then ive had a myriad of problems like:never ending dull headache then can become terrible with over stimulation, vision problems, insomnia, light sensitivity, fog, depression and anxiety and scary physical ones like loss of balance and had to withdraw from my senior year of college, losing my friends and life as i know it.

Ive been to a variety of Drs. and specialists and am undergoing some balance therapy, message therapy and cranial sacral therapy. I am taking mega men multivitamin, B vitamins and fish oils. tried various pain meds and anti ds, little relief.

What im asking for from the community is just some support or hope , do you think i to can recover to from this , has my continual playing screwed me for life? i can no longer exercise besides walks sometimes and just dwell all day on my symptoms im just scared friends, and i cant relax. i know i have only been dealing with these new symptoms for about two months, is it possible ill feel better by 6? even a year? Will i ever be able to be in a crowd of people again without a screaming symptoms? im just terrified i will not get better.
Thanks for sticking through this post if you did,

My dear friends, id love to talk to anyone whos going through this or has been through it with some relief.

Sincerely,
RJ

I understand what you are going through. I had recently gotten a scholarship to my local university due to my elite soccer skills. . Then I fainted, hit my head, and haven't been able to run since. I'm at one year.

You will improve, WHEN you recover, I recommend taking up a less intense sport
If I have any advice to give, do not isolate yourself from friends and family. And always try to get out of the house at least once.

RJ,

Welcome to NeuroTalk. Your situation is not uncommon. How you recover will be mostly up to you and how you choose to change your behavior and outlook on like.

Stress is the worst thing for recovery. You pushed the limits to the extreme and are now paying for that indiscretion. You need to find a new lifestyle and group of friends. Someday, you may be able to return to a more active and aggressive lifestyle but until you give your brain a chance to heal, it needs a much more sedate lifestyle.

I bet your did a fair share of partying, especially after a big game or win. This and the damage to your brain all combine to make your symptoms worse and longer lasting. Your diagnosis is likely Multiple Impact Syndrome like me. A comprehensive focus on getting quiet rest for your brain will do you good.

You will get much better. Nobody can say how 'close' to fully recovered you will get. You will never recover fully so get used to that. The most noticeable long term struggle you will have will likely be dealing with stress. Many hear have learned to re-invent their lives so they can find new ways to live a full life. A full life does not mean rugby or intense athletics. Many athletes have to completely drop their sport after an injury. Those who find new outlets do the best.

Since you are not in school, it will help if you can find a low intensity job or activity to keep busy with. Your brain needs mild stimulation. You also need to try to keep busy or at least busy enough that your mind does not get stuck on the stinkin thinkin.

Believe me. I know the struggle with idleness and stinkin thinin.

Find a new hobby. Learn to play the guitar (no rocking out) or find some other manual activity to do. Avoid frustrating tasks until you learn how to handle frustration better.

We all know this is a tough road. Take it one day or even one moment at a time.

My best to you.

Thank you guys for the reassurance,

Hey mark, when you say things will get much better, does that mean everything? im definitely never playing a contact sport again i just pray i can go to the store or hang out with people without being overwhelmed eventually. Do you think this is possible?

Nobody can answer your question. I have to be careful in crowds and at the mall. No Christmas crowd shopping for me. I always have a pair of foam ear plugs handy for crowd situations.

Thanks Mark

Rj

Mark is right. There is no answer to your question.
Personally, when Iam not experiencing a setback, I'm doing just fine in almost any social situation (went to the 3 cirque do soleil shows this summer - no problem). But when I have a relapse (which is quite often) - being among people is way overwhelming, can't stand being in the mall for instance, even if it's not crowded.

Thank you Marina,

It is extremly encouraging that you can go to a show of that intensity with no problems.

-RJ