[Musician]

Hi Guys,

Newbie here. I suffered a concussion 3 weeks ago, didn't think much of it, was working, though I needed fewer hours. Five days later, I tapped my head on my way to work and that silenced whatever buzzing I had in my head for a week. I was barely able to return to work.

Today, I had a long day, just being up on my feet, and then I wanted to go shopping, and realized I needed to stop because I felt weak on my feet. I didn't shop and went home. My girlfriend, who was half asleep, went to stroke my head, and I asked her not to. A few minutes later, out of a force of habit, she did it again, and maybe because of my stressful day, I felt like I got another concussion. Her touch was super light, but my head was probably sensitive.

Do you think it's another concussion? Maybe it's just PCS? 3 concussions in 3 weeks is scary, because I am afraid of getting even more brain damage. For about 10 minutes, it felt like my second concussion, and my body started to burn, I was sort of gasping for air, and my mind went glassy again. I'm a little better now, an hour later, but I'm afraid I'll have to miss work again tomorrow, and I will have sustained even more brain damage. I'm really scared of the permanent cognitive and physical effects.

On the bright side, I have a 2 1/2 week vacation coming up starting the day after tomorrow, so I can rest. Wish I could do something more with it that just rest, but that's life.

[Mark in Idaho]

Musician,

Welcome to NeuroTalk.

It sounds like you had an anxiety attack. Your fear about touch to your head likely set you up for such a reaction. You may have a sensitivity to touch but that touch was not physically traumatic. Sometimes, one jerks or tenses in response and that can make things manifest.

Many with concussions fail to recognize how much stress can cause symptoms to get worse or return. You need to work at reducing stress and anxiety. Further, you need to not get caught up with a 'I damaged my brain' thought process. It will only prolong your recovery.

Read the sticky at the top about Vitamins. It has some good info about brain nutrition, especially nutrition that helps one tolerate stress.

My best to you.