[cyclist569]

Hello all,

Today my dog was sitting about 5 feet behind me while I was sitting at my computer and barked loudly through the screen door in order for me to let her in. This wouldn't ordinarily be a big deal, but I'm somewhat sensitive to sound. My immediate reaction was to jump and I've been a nervous wreck ever since. I feel extremely depressed now and I'm hoping I did not sustain my fourth concussion. Is there any telltale signs of a concussion? Is this just my nerves?

All help or guidance would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks so much
-Will

[Mark in Idaho]

This likely just set off an adrenaline reaction. Get some quiet time and a good sleep and you should be better. PCS makes adrenal reactions rather extreme.

With time, this will pass.

[cyclist569]

Thanks Mark. You do a lot for people on here to help them get through. I let time blow off and actually ran 25 minutes for the first time in a long time, and I feel pretty good.

I've been really curious about your situation and I was hoping you wouldn't mind answering some of my questions. I hope I don't offend you by any of these questions, but I think about post-concussion syndrome and this forum in specific every day.

You've been living with pcs for 50+ years correct? At any time over those 50 years have you woken up and decided to at least attempt the things you use to enjoy? At the same time though since you've been battling pcs since you were 10 has this lifestyle been all you've ever known?

My final question is not meant to offend or insinuate anything what so ever I would just appreciate greatly if you could answer it with complete honesty. I'll transition into telling you a little about me personally; I've always been a mild-hypochondriac. I've never reacted good to stress and I believe a big part of the way I 'am today is due to my period of extreme stress a couple months ago where I had aphthous stomatitis (mouth ulcers) due to the stress of the time. I'm just simply curious and I hope you don't take this question the wrong way; have you had hypochondriac tendencies?

As I said before I think about pcs almost every moment of every day and the thought of living as long with pcs as you have scares me to death. These questions are simply the ones that have stayed on my mind that I hope you won't mind answering.

Thanks so much Mark
-Will

[Caroljean Nako]

Originally Posted by cyclist569

Hello all,

Today my dog was sitting about 5 feet behind me while I was sitting at my computer and barked loudly through the screen door in order for me to let her in. This wouldn't ordinarily be a big deal, but I'm somewhat sensitive to sound. My immediate reaction was to jump and I've been a nervous wreck ever since. I feel extremely depressed now and I'm hoping I did not sustain my fourth concussion. Is there any telltale signs of a concussion? Is this just my nerves?

All help or guidance would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks so much
-Will

Yes you will be easily startled. I have found some humor in it. My husband tells me to shut my eyes when we drive in traffic. But then I startle to any quick movement. Tell your Dr, it is easier to deal with when you can control some of your stress. I hope you feel better now. There is much more information out there for us. Caroljean✴ I hope I can be of some help.

[Mark in Idaho]

My life has changed in steps. I was highly accomplished as a student before my injury at 10. I had lots of friends. After that injury, my grades became erratic even though I still maintained high grades. I lost most of my friends due to the changes in my personality. I became confused by others. Neither I nor my family understood this except that my mother lost her 'sweet little boy.'

I was assaulted and pummeled in the head the summer after 5th grade. My grades roller coastered again.

I did OK during 7 and 8th despite a concussion from wrestling. I entered 9th grade taking all honors classes and even challenging honor Algebra 1 and succeeding. I ended up taking sophomore geometry and jr-senior level Spainish 11. I was very successful grade wise.

My sophomore (10th) year fell apart. I played soccer and we suspect I was concussed heading the ball. My grades tumbled. I started having absence / petit-mal seizures. My memory failed me under any level of stress. Despite pleadings from my doctor, my teachers gave me no assistance nor accommodations. This was 1970-71. I struggled through 10th and mostly regained my academic skills for 11th. I took SATs and scored 650 math and 510 verbal. My verbal skills have been a struggle as verbal skills require a quick and functional memory. I did not take any math because the advance teacher was my neighbor and not a pleasant man.

I breezed through most classes that did not require lots of memorization. I had to work hard at memorizing. I took the SAT again my senior 12th year. I scored 700 math and the same 510 verbal. My math skills had improved without any math course.

I graduated with honors intending to study to be a dentist. I struggled under the stress of living on my own. Second semester I suffered a concussion and very high fever and my pre-dentistry goals were over. I almost flunked out. My memory was useless. I started taking Junior college small business courses and got started with my own business. I had 7 employees at one point but the stress was not good for me.

I sold the business and tried to simplify my life. I also got married and soon was expecting our first. We got ripped off by a real estate developer and the stress put me into a cognitive stupor. This is when I found a doctor who got me started with vitamin and supplements. He had me back in shape in 8 weeks.

I learned I needed to have a low stress career so I worked to keep employees at a minimum. I started a remodeling business that did not require employees and did quite well until my injury in 2001. My wife needed to drive me to customers. That lasted 5 or 6 years before it took to much of a toll on her. I had to apply for Social Security Disability.

I had a high stress event in 1998 that caused me to need paroxetine to control looping thoughts, things like a stanza to a song, the spelling of a word or other mundane things. To this day, I need to avoid any auditory stimuli that includes repetitive sounds / words. We moved away from high stress California to Idaho because of this struggle.

I have lived a low stress life ever since until recently. This past year, my stress has skyrocketed due to a problematic neighbor who has filed false criminal charges against me. This stress has required that I go back on meds. I am living moment by moment while I seek medical help.

Anything others have posted, I have likely lived through. I have had chronic head aches that lasted 6 months. I have poor memory skills so I can not read fiction because I can not keep track of the characters.

Lately, I have bouts of spaghetti brain were all of my thoughts get jumbled up. The mental anguish that goes with that is horrible. Meds (Klonopin, a hated benzo) are helping.



But, life goes on.

Your life can to. You just need to discover your strengths and limitations and build a life within those parameters.

My best to you.

[cyclist569]

Thank you for responding. I was afraid about how you my might have perceived my questions and curiosity.

I guess I've still got life in my brain for a reason, but I don't really have a life at the moment. It's just crazy to me how I could lose so much of myself with one fall. I wasn't even knocked unconscious. I've got to think I'll get at least 75% of myself back. I just have to. I went from being healthier than 90% of the population to unhealthier than 90% of the population within a matter of a few months.

When I heal from this I will be the greatest ever. I will never look back and I will make up for every hour, every minute, every second lost.

And If I'm still like this in 5 years I'm going to get on my bike and just ride and ride.


-Will

[russiarulez]

Originally Posted by cyclist569

I guess I've still got life in my brain for a reason, but I don't really have a life at the moment. It's just crazy to me how I could lose so much of myself with one fall. I wasn't even knocked unconscious. I've got to think I'll get at least 75% of myself back. I just have to. I went from being healthier than 90% of the population to unhealthier than 90% of the population within a matter of a few months.

When I heal from this I will be the greatest ever. I will never look back and I will make up for every hour, every minute, every second lost.

I have the same feelings as you do, I used to be able climb mountains even when I was out of shape and was into sports all my life. One punch changed all that, even though I didn't lose consciousnesses, a year later I'm still not back.
This is definitely a life-altering experience for me, I already made peace with the fact that I will probably never be able to do the same activities I used to.

[cyclist569]

I haven't come to terms with much, other than the steps I need to take in order to heal. I don't want to come to terms with a thing. I will heal from this and the second I submit to this is the second I won't.

[Mark in Idaho]

Another way to take on the task of recovery is this.

Accept where and how you are right now. Learn to work and live with your current condition. This will lower your stress level. Then, you will likely start to regain little bits of your old life. As this happens, slowly your old life sneaks up on you and you have recovered great strides. Don't focus on what you can't do. Focus on what you can and keep moving forward.

[cyclist569]

Thank you so much. I'm printing out your post as I type.