Hello,

Backound: I have had iirc 13 concussions and 2 tbi's. I used to be able to name them all but no longer can. My last concussion was a little over 10 years ago and forced my retirement from sport. I am fearful I have CTE and discovered this site. Will be getting NPE soon.

I have began having severe issues with noisy restaurants. I literally can not think and must have people repeat things in order to hear what they are saying. I also get very disoriented.

Dose any one have this issue as well?

I am also dealing with night terrors. Not nightmares. I can not recall them but wake sopping wet and frequently screaming.

Any on else have these?

Thanks

I sometimes get them. I was just prescribed gabapentin and ambien to see if that helps at night time. Welcome to the board

Floyd,

Welcome to NeuroTalk. You have quite a history. What you are experiencing is not uncommon.

CTE is difficult to diagnose except by autopsy.

It is more likely that you are approaching your 40's or older. This is when Multiple Impact Syndrome rears its ugly head. My symptoms hit me hard at in the mid 40's but have mostly remained at the same level ever since

I am surprised you have not already found the usefulness of foam ear plugs. They will reduce the background sounds in noisy restaurants and such while still allowing you to have a conversation.

By NPE, do you mean NeuroPsych Assessment (NPA) ?

Please feel free to tell us more about your struggles. There are lots of good people here.

My best to you.

Thank you for the responses. I am 48. My down slope has really increased this past year. Severe memory issues, headaches, insomnia, all of the standard stuff. I mistyped and meant NPA. I had a full blown one (7+hrs) after my last serious concussion 10 yrs ago. Obviously am very scared about what my future holds.

I have tried ambien but do not feel like it helps with sleep that much. My night terrors have been increasing in intensity and frequency.

While doing research on this stuff I learned about sub concussions and have had literally 200+ of them.

The research into sub-concussive impacts focuses on athletes who suffer 600 to 900 in a single football season.

At 48, you should get started on a brain health nutrition regimen. The Vitamins sticky at the top has my recommendations based on what a doctor taught me decades ago.

Have you had a sleep study ? Night terrors can be tied to Sleep Apnea.

It will also be good for you to start learning work-arounds and other accommodations. If you deteriorate later in life, you will not be able to learn these needed skills.

Taking steps to reduce stress and anxiety will be very helpful. Stress is very hard on an aging brain.

I had a sleep study for apnea (oxymitry) cant spell. And it came back normal...which I found to be shocking.

In terms of the sub concussions here is the deal. I was on the US skeleton team (1 man face first bobsled not to be confused with luge). Going around big sweeping curves you can pull around 3 g's of force. During my last season when I would get to the bottom of a good run I would wretch hard, see stars and be dizzy. I attributed it to just getting old and not being able to handle the force as well (sub concussion right??)

please explain work arounds and other accomidations


Thank you so much for your insight

I taking Neurontin and ambien for night terrors. the dosage on the Neurontin was justed upped so I will let you know how it works out . I will keep trying new medication until I wake up without tthem

Your experience on the skeleton is not a sub-concussive impact. You are putting your brain under high stress. The momentary but sustained G forces push your blood around in your brain. This can cause problems. If there is vibration involved, that can make it worse.

Work-arounds and accommodations are ways we accomplish tasks by different means that the usual. Memory tricks, word finding tricks, etc.

btw, There is little value to identifying the cause. Treat the symptoms and avoid future trauma. Worrying about 'Did ..... cause CTE or such' is a waste of anxiety.

Thanks my man I appreciate it. I frequently cant wake myself up - sometimes I can hear myself screaming which does wake me up.

Mark in Idaho,

If the g's are not sub concussive events yet I wretch hard (I generally vomit when I am concussed) what were they in your opinion? There is a lot of vibration involved as there are "no shock absorbers" on the sled. This is quite a rock and roll sport and was banned from the Olympics for decades because of how dangerous they felt it was.

Most tracks have about 20 turns or so with more than 1 big sweeping turn where the g's are extended for a while. Speeds are approx. 80mph. My final concussion I hit the roof of turn 9 in Placid (remember head first) Woke up in 12 didn't know where I was - then rewoke in the finish and vomited all over the place. I couldn't see straight for about 3 months

As I type this I feel myself welling up. I am really scared. Was I getting concussed almost every run during my final season? I had 3 documented that season.

Thank You