[vox_celeste]

Hello all,

Just over five weeks ago, at the end of July, I had an accident at home which resulted in me falling flat on my face. I hit the ground with considerable force...So much so that I fractured my two front teeth quite badly and broke my nose. I also had some swelling of my top lip and just under my left eye. My hard palate/roof of mouth/area just behind the two front teeth was considerably swollen from the force of the impact.

I initially thought that this was no biggie and that I had just broke a couple of teeth, my dentist thought otherwise and suspected a fractured palate so I was urgently sent to the maxillo-facial unit of my local hospital. Whilst there I was given a pretty thorough examination by two consultant surgeons who ruled out a serious maxillary fracture and diagnosed an alveolar fracture. My teeth were splinted and my dental papilla was sutured back where it should be.

Now, I have not been feeling right since my fall. I initially put this down to an infection I developed from the palate/soft tissue trauma (I was put on amoxicillin 500mg x3 a day for this). Unfortunately, despite the infection and swelling eventually clearing up/receding, the symptoms have persisted. I recently spoke to my GP about them who advised me to go to hospital to get checked out there. My GP suspected concussion and the doctor at the hospital has given the same diagnosis.

My symptoms are as follows:

- Derealization: transient moments where I feel like I am in a dream. Faces, people and my surroundings seem unreal/strange. This is pretty disturbing and probably the symptom that worries me the most.

- Feeling like I am tense/rigid/unable to relax

- Sinus pressure

- Postural hypotension

- Moments of lightheadedness/dizziness

- Nausea

- Cognitive deficits (muddled thoughts, lack of clarity, "foggy" thinking)

- Sleep disturbances

- Some subtle blur to visual field sometimes

- Heightened anxiety (due to the concussion or symptoms I am experiencing?)



There are perhaps other sensations I am experiencing that are just too hard for me to put into words.

I am 28 and otherwise healthy other than having a hiatus hernia (which is kicking up really bad lately so double whammy! lucky me!). I have a history of depression and anxiety (moderate; treated with SSRI and no longer a real issue)

I seem to have good days and bad days and symptoms can wax and wane throughout the day. I was advised by the medics to steer clear of alcohol for at least two months and to rest any chance I get and stay well hydrated. I foolishly had a few drinks yesterday to celebrate getting the keys to my new place and I have had an awful day today with the symptoms. I really, really hate this!

The doctors have said that it could last between 3-6 months. I start university in two weeks! The idea of being able to study/concentrate with all of this going on makes me want to cry...

I am glad I found this forum. It helps to know that you're not alone right?

TL;DR Fell on my face about five and a half weeks ago. Dealing with concussion/PCS symptoms.

[anon1028]

Originally Posted by vox_celeste

Hello all,

Just over five weeks ago, at the end of July, I had an accident at home which resulted in me falling flat on my face. I hit the ground with considerable force...So much so that I fractured my two front teeth quite badly and broke my nose. I also had some swelling of my top lip and just under my left eye. My hard palate/roof of mouth/area just behind the two front teeth was considerably swollen from the force of the impact.

I initially thought that this was no biggie and that I had just broke a couple of teeth, my dentist thought otherwise and suspected a fractured palate so I was urgently sent to the maxillo-facial unit of my local hospital. Whilst there I was given a pretty thorough examination by two consultant surgeons who ruled out a serious maxillary fracture and diagnosed an alveolar fracture. My teeth were splinted and my dental papilla was sutured back where it should be.

Now, I have not been feeling right since my fall. I initially put this down to an infection I developed from the palate/soft tissue trauma (I was put on amoxicillin 500mg x3 a day for this). Unfortunately, despite the infection and swelling eventually clearing up/receding, the symptoms have persisted. I recently spoke to my GP about them who advised me to go to hospital to get checked out there. My GP suspected concussion and the doctor at the hospital has given the same diagnosis.

My symptoms are as follows:

- Derealization: transient moments where I feel like I am in a dream. Faces, people and my surroundings seem unreal/strange. This is pretty disturbing and probably the symptom that worries me the most.

- Feeling like I am tense/rigid/unable to relax

- Sinus pressure

- Postural hypotension

- Moments of lightheadedness/dizziness

- Nausea

- Cognitive deficits (muddled thoughts, lack of clarity, "foggy" thinking)

- Sleep disturbances

- Some subtle blur to visual field sometimes

- Heightened anxiety (due to the concussion or symptoms I am experiencing?)



There are perhaps other sensations I am experiencing that are just too hard for me to put into words.

I am 28 and otherwise healthy other than having a hiatus hernia (which is kicking up really bad lately so double whammy! lucky me!). I have a history of depression and anxiety (moderate; treated with SSRI and no longer a real issue)

I seem to have good days and bad days and symptoms can wax and wane throughout the day. I was advised by the medics to steer clear of alcohol for at least two months and to rest any chance I get and stay well hydrated. I foolishly had a few drinks yesterday to celebrate getting the keys to my new place and I have had an awful day today with the symptoms. I really, really hate this!

The doctors have said that it could last between 3-6 months. I start university in two weeks! The idea of being able to study/concentrate with all of this going on makes me want to cry...

I am glad I found this forum. It helps to know that you're not alone right?

TL;DR Fell on my face about five and a half weeks ago. Dealing with concussion/PCS symptoms.

No drinking for a while. Rest as much as possible anxiety is a symptom of pcs. it wouldn't hurt to see a doctor about the anxiety and depression until you get through the tough times. all the symptoms you mentioned are part of pcs nothing unique. it will take time and is not easy but you will get better...the school thing..try it out but you might have to put off a semester. its not the end of the world although I know you would be disappointed. others will respond today with helpful advice. there's a vitamin regimen at the top that would help to follow

[Mark in Idaho]

vox_celeste,

Welcome to NeuroTalk.

It sure sounds like concussion symptoms to me. Besides getting rest whenever you can, you also need to moderate your peak activity levels. No pushing it mentally or physically. Those peaks in activity will result in those low times and delay your recovery.

Starting studies may be a challenge. Some ask for assistance from the disabilities department for lecture notes, etc.

[vox_celeste]

Originally Posted by Mark in Idaho

vox_celeste,

Welcome to NeuroTalk.

It sure sounds like concussion symptoms to me. Besides getting rest whenever you can, you also need to moderate your peak activity levels. No pushing it mentally or physically. Those peaks in activity will result in those low times and delay your recovery.

Starting studies may be a challenge. Some ask for assistance from the disabilities department for lecture notes, etc.

Thanks to both of you for your response!

Yes, I plan on visiting the doctor as soon as I arrive to let him/her know the situation and to perhaps ask for a referral to radiography for a CT/MRI just to categorically rule out anything nasty that may be going on (very unlikely I know as I have had no red flag signs or symptoms thus far and the doctor I saw at the hospital said that in the majority of cases a serious bleed would announce itself quickly).

I will also be notifying my personal tutor and lecturers.

I have been taking omega-3 and a multivitamin and mineral however I do understand that it might take time to see results from this (If I see any at all).

Thank you for the advice re: watching my activity levels. This is something I really need to watch but its going to be a challenge as I often forget that even something as simple as walking to the local store and back can exacerbate symptoms!

As far as missing a semester goes...I really, really, really do not want to have to resort to that. I am basically pre-med (studying biomedical sciences with a view to enter onto a graduate medical degree) and its really important that I do as well as I can academically. Missing a semester would be a massive hindrance (beautiful timing here, am I right?!)

Once again, thanks to the both of you for taking the time to respond to my post!

[Mark in Idaho]

A multi-vitamin and mineral will be very lacking in B vitamins and anti-oxidants.

Regarding classes, it may be better to skip a semester that struggle through that semester with sub-par grades. I crashed academically my second semester and had to drop my pre-dentistry plans due to my lousy grades.

Maybe you can audit classes for a semester so you can get a jump on the next semester. Ask the disabilities department.

It can be difficult to overcome a few bad grades.

My best to you.

[RAllen82]

I made the hard decision to take this semester off. I'm in my 4th semester of nursing school (right at the end) so it has really taken a toll, but I believe it was for the best. I tried to go the first two days. The lack of sleep due to sleep disturbances and high anxiety would have made it impossible for me.

This accident has put a lot into perspective. I have my whole life, seems only right to take some time off to heal from the head injury. I guess that is a way to make this easier.

Good luck with the path you choose!

[vox_celeste]

Hmmm, I am my own worst enemy it seems! I went out to get my RX (esomeprazole for hernia) and I was fine walking down and when I got to the chemist. As I left I experienced a weird split second jolt of dizziness/shock...Like I had an adrenaline rush immediately after this weird sensation. Shaken me up quite a bit...I am used to things like this with the hernia though and I think its related to that. As I mentioned before, the hernia has been really acting up lately.

[Mark in Idaho]

Why don't you get your hiatal hernia fixed. The laparoscopic surgery is an out-patient procedure. Do you know how to do the heal drop maneuver to help it drop back into place ? I had a hiatal hernia and could correct it with the heal drop. Stand on your tip toes and quickly drop to your heals with your knees and back straight. The jerk can cause the stomach to drop out of the diaphragm .

[vox_celeste]

Originally Posted by Mark in Idaho

Why don't you get your hiatal hernia fixed. The laparoscopic surgery is an out-patient procedure. Do you know how to do the heal drop maneuver to help it drop back into place ? I had a hiatal hernia and could correct it with the heal drop. Stand on your tip toes and quickly drop to your heals with your knees and back straight. The jerk can cause the stomach to drop out of the diaphragm .

It is something that I am seriously considering, believe me.

I have tried the heel drop move; doesn't seem to bring long term relief...Did you have to keep repeating it for a considerable length of time? Have you had the laproscopic surgery?

[Mark in Idaho]

I had to keep doing the heal drop so the diaphragm could slowly heal up. I avoided surgery. It also helps to make sure your bowel movements are not a struggle as pushing on the toilet causes or worsens hiatal hernias. Child birthing can also be a big culprit.

My mother had the laparoscopic surgery at 86 years old. Her hiatal hernia was causing pressure against her heart. Her entire stomach was above the diaphragm. It was all fixed through 5 small incisions.

If you are determined to avoid surgery, being disciplined with the heal drop procedure may be enough. It depends on how big the hole in your diaphragm has become.