Traumatic Brain Injury and Post Concussion Syndrome For traumatic brain injury (TBI) and post concussion syndrome (PCS).


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Old 04-17-2014, 11:56 PM #1
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Default Can someone help me identify this symptom?

6 months ago I face-planted and hit my head without my fanfare. A week after that I had my first ever panic attack.

I'm trying to put a name to or identify a symptom I've been having for months now. It's basically my inability to visually focus on a object. My eyes start to cross and my vision goes blurry.

HOWEVER....it's psychologically driven, not medically driven. It's almost like a forced-trance...where you stare off into space for 20 seconds and kinda of zone out. I know it's psychological because I simply close my eyes, shake my head and everything returns to normal. What's most scarey is that I tell myself not to do it, yet it do it anyways....I feel like a space-cadet.

I don't know if it's caused by the head trauma, or the anxiety I've experienced the past few months. It just feels weird and I'd like to put a name to it so I can discuss with my doctor.

Any thoughts?
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Old 04-18-2014, 10:48 AM #2
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Quote:
Originally Posted by QWERTY02 View Post

I don't know if it's caused by the head trauma, or the anxiety I've experienced the past few months. It just feels weird and I'd like to put a name to it so I can discuss with my doctor.

Any thoughts?
For the vision issues I'd suggest seeing a neuro-ophthalmologist. Rather than putting a name on it just describe the symptoms. Are you seeing a neurologist or physiatrist now? They would likely be able to refer you.
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What Happened: On November 29, 2010, I was walking across the street and was hit by a light rail commuter train. Result was a severe traumatic brain injury and multiple fractures (skull, pelvis, ribs). Total hospital stay was two months, one in ICU followed by an additional month in neuro-rehab. Upon hospital discharge, neurological testing revealed deficits in short term memory, executive functioning, and spatial recognition.

Today: Neuropsychological examination five months post-accident indicated a return to normal cognitive functioning, and I returned to work approximately 6 months after the accident. I am grateful to be alive and am looking forward to enjoying the rest of my life.
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Old 04-18-2014, 12:57 PM #3
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This could be mental fatigue. I had this too and got better with time and rest. Will return if overstimulated several days in a row or if I have like 1/2 drink of alcohol which is all I tolerate.

You described it exactly like I used to. It has died down after 6 or so months. I used to get it really bad while driving.
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In July 2013 ran into a metal bar at a playground, remained conscious. CT normal. Headache subsided after a week. In August woke with thunderclap-type headache in right side of head, right eye was droopy. Ever since had electrical-type pulsating all over when falling asleep and during sleep. Strong muscle twitching occasionally. Chest pain in heart region, front left neck region, and left shoulder. Strong heartbeat noise in head and occasional weird noises in ears. Taking Gabapentin to control nighttime nerves. Other symptoms: anxiety attacks, goosebumps, fine motor coordination problems, sleep apnea, headaches/migraines, fatigue, unclear thinking.

Update as of Jan. 2015 - almost all symptoms gone except for some tinnitus. Taking good care of myself except sometimes when I overdo it.
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Old 04-21-2014, 05:48 PM #4
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Yes- See a neuro-opthamologist before assuming it is psychological.

I experienced this often. In fact, family members would talk to me and tell me my eye's were doing "that weird thing" again where they weren't looking at the same place. I hated it. I hated wanting to look into my boyfriends eyes to see reassurance, to only lose focus on his face.

Vestibular Therapy and Vision Therapy helped me to retrain my eyes to work together better. Various exercises focused on retraining my eyes to focus on the same spot and how to change my focus without losing focus on the object.

However, brain power still plays a role. I'm 3 years out, have completed vision therapy, etc. But when my brain is really struggling, for example when I am stressed out and trying to do too much, my eyes will feel "off" again. Usually some rest, especially decrease in screen time do the trick.

See a neuro-opthamologist. They can provide an accurate diagnosis and provide you with ways to retrain your eyes.
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What Happened: On 3/8/11 I was stopped waiting to merge into traffic when I was rear ended by someone doing 45 mph. I walked away from the accident, to fall into the pit of PCS 5 days later... (I have had 2 previous concussions, but neither developed into PCS.)

Symptoms 3 Years Post: Physical: migraines, infrequent vertigo, neck and back pain (from accident), tinnitus, visual field deficits in left eye, problematic light sensitivity, (including visual seizure activity), noise sensitivity, EXTREME fatigue, semi-frequent disrupted sleep cycles,
Cognitive: semi-frequent Brain fog after cognitive strain, limited bouts of impulsivity, unable to concentrate for more than short periods of time without fatigue, word finding problems, slowed processing speeds, impaired visual memory;
Emotional: easily overstimulated, depression, anxiety;

Treatment so far: Vestibular therapy; Physical Therapy; Vision Therapy; Vitamin Schedule; Limited caffeine; Medications; attempting to limit stress and overstimulation; Yoga; Cognitive Therapy
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Old 04-21-2014, 07:43 PM #5
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Your visual problem may be convergence insufficiency caused by the concussion:

http://www.sarasotaretinainstitute.c...vision-part-1/
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Old 04-23-2014, 12:06 AM #6
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In addition to or instead of a neuro-ophthalmologist, you may also want to see a behavioral optometrist. They can and will test for convergence insufficiency and other problems caused by your eyes not working together properly.

You can get referrals at http://www.braininjuries.org or http://www.nora.cc

You may be able to hold your eyes correctly for some time, but the effort required to sustain it may be too much for you to do it all the time. Vision therapy could strengthen your eyes and eliminate or reduce the moments in which you slide out of focus.
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mTBI and PCS after sledding accident 1-17-2011

Was experiencing:
Persistent headaches, fatigue, slowed cognitive functions, depression
Symptoms exacerbated by being in a crowd, watching TV, driving, other miscellaneous stress & sensory overload
Sciatica/piriformis syndrome with numbness & loss of reflex


Largely recovered after participating in Nedley Depression Recovery Program March 2012:

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Eowyn Rides Again: My Journey Back from Concussion

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Old 04-23-2014, 01:51 PM #7
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I had the same thing and unfortunately still do to some extent over a year later.

My eyes felt as though they were shaking and actually they were, went to OT and vestibular therapy which helped.

My husband still tells me I stare in to space.

When I'm tired or stressed it's worse.

Hope you feel better..
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