Hey everyone,

My name is Albert I'm 22 and this would be my first time writing on NT. Last March I was training for my boxing match and suffered two concussions a week apart from one another. Not knowing about the symptoms I went to the doctor and was told they were indeed concussions and was told to stop fighting and rest for a few months. Fortunately, the symptoms healed within two weeks. 4 months later I returned to the gym and trained for a full week(no sparring) just working out. The following Monday I was hit with PCS. The symptoms were strong pulsing headaches early on but more around the throat and behind the neck area. Today, 6 1/2 months later I feel I'm almost fully healed, only when I jog, or lift anything heavy I feel the symptoms returning. I feel like it's just fogginess, but I still feel that little pulse when lying down around the neck. Throughout these months I did research and learned it could be a neck injury c1, c2, as both hits were on the right side of my head. I went to the Chiropractor for a month early on and didn't see much success. I also went to an acupuncture and nothing either. I take Vitamin B-12, Magnesium Malate, Fish Oil, and Coconut Oil and do feel a little better but nothing significant. When I do neck stretches I do find some relieve. I'm starting to think this may be more of a neck injury. I've been researching about Prolotherapy and it sounds like this could be a solution but I'm not sure. I'm in my final semester of college and prior to this I was a volunteer fireman. I want to return as soon as the semesters over but not in these conditions. What do you guys think? Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Albert,

My first advice is to stop fighting. Your brain has been injured and likely will continue to be sensitive to any impacts. Prolotherapy will not help. The upper neck needs time and gentle therapy. I bet your chiro was doing the 'twist the head and pop the neck' adjustments. These are too aggressive. It will help if you learn some ways to sleep and rest while maintaining good neck posture.

You are vague about what symptoms you are still having. More explanation would help.

Hey Mark,

Thanks for the replies! As difficult as it was, I have decided to stop boxing completely, it was my hobby and my passion but it's not worth it at these costs. In terms of the symptoms the first 2-3 months were major headaches, fatigue, dizziness and very sensitive to noise. The chiropractor was the usual neck popping, but he did do some upper neck massages, but I didn't feel a lot of difference. Now I just feel the pulse from the headache when I lie down. One other point in March when I was fighting I weighed 152IB, last month I was 182. So now I'm eating a lot more healthier and have lost 4 pounds in the last couple of weeks. Yesterday I had a 4 mile walk and didn't feel any symptoms when walking, only when I get back home I feel foggy and a bit dizzy. This usually happens after my walks. But this morning I felt great. I think the only time the symptoms return are after light exercise, nothing major just fogginess and dizziness. I think you make a great point with posture, I do find myself slouching more in class and when I sleep I'm constantly turning to find a comfortable position. What do you recommend at this point? Again, thanks for the reply!

I suggest you find a way to sleep without turning over. Flat on your back with a pillow that supports the sides of your head but not the back will allow you neck to stay straight. It takes work but the end result is worth it. If you do find the need to sleep on your side, you need a pillow that will support your head in a straight position.

I also suggest you get some foam ear plugs. Wear them when you walk. They will cause the impact of your foot plants to be obvious. Then, work on a stride, foot plant and such that reduces the impact to your head. Often, an activity will not manifest in symptoms until after the activity. You may need to find better shoes. Light jogging on your toes will be better than walking where you land on your heals.

Read the sticky at the top about vitamins. Up your intake of B vitamins and Omega 3 fish oil. B-12 plus a B-50 complex is important. Good food will not provide enough of either for an injured brain.

I bet you have used up your brain's reserve capacity that is used for healing from impacts. With good brain nutrition and no more impacts, you should be able to return to normal safe activity levels in time. Your next concussion will likely be much worse. Getting drunk will also not be tolerated by your brain.

I tried sleeping in a straight line last night and woke up a little stiff but it's probably just my body getting used to it. Overall I feel good tho.

I'll definitely try the ear plugs this week and stay on top of my supplements, regarding the fish oil do you recommend double dose and what's your opinion on whey protein?

Why are you taking whey protein ? It is basically a body building supplement.

I don't think you can take too much fish oil. Research is done with people taking 20 grams a day or more. Take as much as you can afford and your system will tolerate.

Mark, i have been reading a lot on the web that whey protein is one of the crucial suppliments we can take after a concussion as it contains branched chain amino acids and its good for the recovery. i am a vegetarian so i cant eat pork. i was thinking to order whey from amazon. Do you think its worth it ?

Albert, did you end up trying the prolotherapy?