[AlyssaMarie]

So in May of 2013 I hit my head and was diagnosed with my first concussion. However, being an athlete since the age of three it was not really my first, it was just the first one that took awhile to go away so I reported it. Recovering from that concussion was long and painful. I still was trying to get cleared for the upcoming field hockey season in that August and ended up with another concussin. This one was different. I black out and I haven't had any relief in the symptoms. That concussion occurred in August 31, 2013.

The school year was awful and it was my junior year, so let's not even talk about how painful the SATs were. Whenever I try to read my vision either blurs or I get double vision and my headache always intensifies. I missed some school, but it was hard ending my sophomore year early from a concussion and then getting a new concussion after only three days into my junior year. I tried to hide the concussion but my friends noticed and reported it to our athletic trainer. I was upset at the time but I'm glad they did now.

I still have a headache almost 24/7 and when I wake up tbs unbareable. Electronics also increase my symptoms (writing this is not fun). I get dizzy a lot and have memory issues. Light and noise are not my friends right now.

My biggest concern is my difficulty with eating and was wonduring if others experience this. I get nauseous a lot. I also never feel hungry. I make my dad's lunch and every time I do I'm almost gagging. I've lost a lot of weight and people have been concerned. I went to the my family doctor recently and broke down and told him about the eating. He said that when people suffer from a chronic condition they are more likely to become depressed and he thinks I'm depressed.

I just want to know if my difficulty with eating since I got this concussion is normal and if it will ever go away?

[Mark in Idaho]

AlyssaMarie,

Welcome to NeuroTalk. Sorry to hear of your struggles. I went through PCS struggles as a sophomore and junior.

Have you had any blood work done ? Hormones/thyroid and such can cause strange symptoms. Doesn't your school have a concussion specialist for you to see ? A family doctor is often the least experienced with concussion.

The stomach has extensive numbers of nerve endings. It is not uncommon for neurological issues to cause these nerves to be overly sensitive. Sometimes, an anti-anxiety drug can help. It is easy to try a short term use of a benzodiazepine drug such as Klonopin or Xanax to see if it resolves or lessens the problem. Xyprexa is a drug that is sometimes used to stop weight loss and even help with weight gain. For me, it just stopped my weight loss.

Be aware that antidepressants can be a problem at your age, especially SSRI types. Many PCP's are quick to prescribe them.

It would give a lot of us comfort if your mom was involved with these questions. She can set up her own NT screen name and discuss your care.

Please keep in touch. We are here for you.

My best to you.

[AlyssaMarie]

Thanks Mark.
I have seen a sports medicine doctor and now I'm seeing a neurologist. I have been on anti-anxiety and anti-depressants. However, I did get blood work done and was told my platelets were low. I was sent to a hematologist and was taken off my meds because the hematologist wants to make sure the low platelets are not a side effect of my medication.

Thank you for responding and I'm glad to my symptoms are not abnormal.

AlyssaMarie

[EsthersDoll]

I also think your eating problems might not be caused by general "depression" - I generally think too many Dr.'s jump to a diagnosis of "depression" before determining other causes.