[fish85]

I am going on two months now recovering from post concussion syndrome. I know that I am still very "early" in the process of recovering, however, we all know that it's nice to get some support from people who can relate early on. Apologies for the Herman Melville novel, but I figured it would be better to tell my story.

A little background on my injury; I was assaulted (sucker-punched) in a bar for no apparent reason. I was hit in the cheek bone/mouth and do not believe I hit the back of my head when falling backwards. I do have a few minutes of amnesia when it happened, however, I do not know how much I can contribute of it to the punch or the alcohol (I was relatively intoxicated and it was around closing time).

Sadly, my friends were separated from me at the time so they were unable to witness what happened. However, I called the place back a few days later and was able to speak with a manager who confirmed that I was found in a state of shock, sitting up on the floor and that once I was a "little out of it" but was conversational with the bouncers as they walked me outside.

The day after, I was feeling a little out of it but I chalked up the symptoms to being hungover and getting hit (I had never been hit before this). My jaw hurt, however, and I had issues chewing for about a day and a half but then that pain disappeared. The biggest issue I noticed right away, was palpitating tinnitus (hearing my heart beat in my ear, on the opposite side of my face where I was hit - Not sure how this would happen from an anatomical perspective?)

A few days later I noticed that my symptoms were not getting any better. I was dealing with severe headaches (back of the head/neck), noticeably bad balance (wouldn't fall over, but felt myself swaying), dizziness, mild memory issues, lethargy and fatigue.

As I didn't have health insurance at the time (had left the work force nearly a year ago for grad school), I went to a free sports med clinic on campus (after a couple of days) who confirmed that I had a concussion and would probably be fine within 6-10 days.

After a few weeks, I was feeling really depressed (as I was used to working out 4/5 times a week and stopped completely) so I went back to the sports MD and he said I should start trying to incorporate exercise back into my routine on a scaled-back basis. I started off doing the stationary bike for 10 minutes at a time, which was pretty intense.

Leaving out a bit, but fast forward to now: I'm about 2 months out. I picked up my workout routine slowly and gradually, but majority of the major depressive symptoms have subsided. I still, however, get headaches every day, but the severity and length are much better. They only seem to get disruptive when I'm in class after an hour or so, where the back of my head/neck tighten up and I'm not able to move around to get the blood flowing.

I started doing Vestibular Therapy two weeks ago. While i've seen a lot of improvement in my ability to stand one one leg, I still find myself off balance. I've noticed (a few days ago) that I have a pretty big knot in the middle back of my neck. Additionally, when performing one of the exercises (looking up at a card raised out in front of me above my head with my head positioned downwards) I get this fluttering sound (similar to getting wind blowing in your ear / ear popping mildly) in the same ear that I originally heard my heart beat in. I'm going to bring this up with my VT this week, however, I'm assuming the sound is a twitching nerve in my face/neck that may be damaged?

My major symptoms right now include; being off-balance, dizziness, tinnitus (noticed it about two weeks out, however it has gotten worst over the past two weeks. why?), mild headaches (come and go), and I see strobing lights at night (largely from car lights / street lights). I've been able to ramp up my exercises to about 45 min a day and am able to get my heart rate up to 170 bpm without escalation of any symptoms.

Apologies for the long and sporadic novel again, however, I was wondering if anyone had any specific experiences similar to mine? In speaking with the Sports MD, he said give the vestibular therapy a try for a few weeks and if you don't see any drastic improvement he would refer me to a local ENT to get checked out (also as I had been a few weeks out at the time, he said I shouldn't rush to get a catscan/MRI as I was not an "emergency").

While I know no two concussions are the same, I am wondering how much of my balance/dizziness/tinnitus could be as a result of physical damage to my inner ear/facial nerves as opposed to strictly neural dysfunction (i.e. if i had been hit in my temporal lobe, or back of the head for example).

I look forward to being apart of this support group and helping others who are currently battling with this condition.

[poetrymom]

Hi Fish

I read what you wrote, and I can tell you that as for tinnitis, there is nothing for it. (I mean no pills or exercises you can do to make it go away) It might get better with time, and you will likely learn to live with it and adapt around it. My tin tin ear is louder when I am more tired -- and I do feel tired right now.

As for headaches, I am no expert in these at all. But if you haven't already done so, quit or greatly reduce caffeine. I quit caffeine and am better for it. Others here might address your headaches.

Are you still in school? If you are, you are using your brain a ton, and it's injured. Your symptoms are your brain telling you it needs rest.

If you have to stay in school and try to repair your brain, I am not sure how you can do that.

You are still in early days of recovery and PCS. You probably know that, but if not, just try to take comfort in that.

I am really tired, and need to log off.

Here's wishing you rest and peace.

Sincerley,

poetrymom

[Mark in Idaho]

fish,

Welcome to NeuroTalk. Your story is not unusual. The ENT may be able to address some of your vestibular issues but I think you need to have your neck closely examined, especially C-1 and C-2. Inflammation in these areas can effect almost all the other functions.

An upper cervical chiropractor may be able to shed some light on your struggles. Or, a physical therapist or the like who has excellent manipulative skills. A physiatrist (Physical medicine and Rehabilitation) may be able to help.

And, stay away from alcohol, too.

[fish85]

Poetrymom - thanks; i have subsequently (sadly) been caffeine free for 7 weeks now. I do miss a nice cup of coffee in the morning to get me going. As far as school, I have classes only a few days a week and can generally make it through; I have good days and bad days, which I think are largely contingent on how much sleep i got the night before / current levels of stress.

As far as your light sensitivity; did you ever have any issues with lights at night (ie car headlights or street lights)? I dont have pain with bright lights, but notice halo/strobing from lights (especially when i barely squint my eyes). Not sure if anyone else reading this could relate or share there experiences with this?

[fish85]

Mark--thanks for the advice. I've been alcohol free for two months now (since the injury). In regards to neck inflammation; can I have issues with my C1 and C2 even if i dont have "real" neck pain? I dont have any issues moving my neck around (especially when working out), but notice when I am sitting for long periods of time, largely in class, my neck will stiffen up with pain and hurt.

I'm not sure if it's an issue with me having to keep my head looking straight for a long time (conflicting with my vestibular issues) or blood flow issues between my neck/head. Also, I've been trying to rub out this "knot" in the middle back of my neck the past couple of days and it hasn't gotten smaller; maybe it's not a knot?

[Mark in Idaho]

Your neck stiffness and pain says you have a neck issue to consider. Many with PCS symptoms have no neck symptoms but still have a neck injury to resolve. Tenderness at the bony parts behind the ears are related to an upper neck injury. I suggest you get your neck checked out and treated.

[fish85]

Originally Posted by Mark in Idaho

Your neck stiffness and pain says you have a neck issue to consider. Many with PCS symptoms have no neck symptoms but still have a neck injury to resolve. Tenderness at the bony parts behind the ears are related to an upper neck injury. I suggest you get your neck checked out and treated.

Thank's Mark--is there anyway to check for this tenderness by myself? Or is this something I can speak with my vestibular therapist about before getting checked out?

Also, have you or recall anyone on the board mentioning palpating tinnitus issues? It has definitely gotten much better since my injury, but the fact that i'm hearing this fluttering sound in my ear when I move my head/eyes in a certain direction from one of my vestibular exercises is concerning. I'm not sure if it might be a nerve in my face/neck that is twitching?

[Mark in Idaho]

You can touch the bony part behind your ears. If this is tender, it is often due to muscle spasms due to an upper neck issue. This is not the only test but the only one you can do yourself. The head movement exercises may be exacerbating an injury in this area.

Every form of tinnitus has been discussed here. Most of us have just learned to ignore our tinnitus. Again, upper neck issues can impact the nerves in this area. Cranial Nerve VIII is the vestibulocochlear nerve. If you have inflammation near its pathway, you would likely have symptoms.

[poetrymom]

Originally Posted by fish85

Poetrymom - thanks; i have subsequently (sadly) been caffeine free for 7 weeks now. I do miss a nice cup of coffee in the morning to get me going. As far as school, I have classes only a few days a week and can generally make it through; I have good days and bad days, which I think are largely contingent on how much sleep i got the night before / current levels of stress.

As far as your light sensitivity; did you ever have any issues with lights at night (ie car headlights or street lights)? I dont have pain with bright lights, but notice halo/strobing from lights (especially when i barely squint my eyes). Not sure if anyone else reading this could relate or share there experiences with this?

Hi there

My light sensitivity was more to the fake, florecent lights in big stores. The screaming bright white color of white paper or white snow in light, and the neon greens and pinks of some colors in stores. I know I don't like flashing or strobing lights. I try not to look at that -- like if I see flashing lights in traffic.

Wearing sunglasses might help you -- but not with driving at night.

I hope this help!

poetrmom