Hi,

I am a 23 year old female who is a graduate student suffering from my second concussion. I got this concussion last Tuesday at my university while taking a mandated health/ PE class for my degree. I was hit hard on the top of the head with a basketball. My symptoms appeared 24 hours later with dizziness/ nausea. Wednesday evening my head and scalp began to throb. I began slurring my words on Thursday and my motor function was not where it normally is. I went to the doctor and later the ER where I was diagnosed as having a concussion.

It's now Monday and I still am in pain. My motor skills are bad. I'm too afraid to drive and taking care of my basic needs is difficult. Even writing or reading is challenging. This is my second concussion since 2010 and I also have a preexisting condition of migraines with vertigo. When can I expect to feel better? My schooling is at stake so I have been extremely anxious and upset. Any suggestions would be helpful.

runnergal13,

Welcome to NeuroTalk. Sorry to hear of your injury.

There is no way for anybody to predict how long your symptoms will last. I suggest you contact you school's disability assistance office to get assistance with slowing your project timelines while you recover.

You are still very early in your recovery. Getting some quiet rest will improve your recovery time. Any assistance with daily responsibilities will be helpful, like finding someone who can help you will transportation.

Anxiety is the enemy of concussion recovery. Finding support to reduce anxiety is of great importance.

Nutritional efforts can be useful. Check out the sticky thread at the top about Vitamins.

I think I am being redundant but, for the long term, I suggest you explicitly refuse to participate in contact sports. It appears your brain is very sensitive to impacts. Mine is very sensitive to impacts. I can cause problems shaking my No.

Please try to be patient. Get quiet rest and things will get better.

My best to you.

Sorry to hear about your injury. Can you give us some more info on your 1st concussion?

Mark thank you for the tips. My university is working with me this far and I decided it would be best to take some time off. I am feeling a little better but still anxious, my head still hurts, I'm still dizzy, and I still have fatigue.

I got my first concussion by walking into a garage door as it was going up. The symptoms were much less severe.