Have had PCS since early Aug, 2013. Although my symptoms have improved significantly, I still deal with lingering annoyances from the trauma my head was subjected to.

I am now able to function at a capacity of being on the computer for prolonged periods (greater than a couple of hours), with minor symptoms. The main being dizziness and vision issues, at which point I stop and rest.

I have undergone 10+ months of physio on my moderate to severe whiplash and has helped somewhat. At this stage I have been off of work on disability for quite a while and my social life has dissipated to a level in which I feel like a closed off hermit and actually have social anxiety to a point now. I don't relate, or socialize with people as well anymore and often come off as miserable and somewhat hostile.

The main symptoms preventing me from working are still dizziness (usually provoked by artificial lighting, or background noises. Stress amplify this), newly acquired anxiety when symptoms "flare up" (racing heart, feeling of dying - fight or flight), tinnitus and general brain fog approx 60% of the time.

I am still highly irritable and quick to snap. I fear that this will one day get me in to a bad situation and potential for re injury. I have to get my emotions under control and not be a raging lunatic. Anyone seek counseling/physiologist for this? Any luck? I would like to avoid prescription medications, if possible as I am prone to bad side effects and generally don't like to put synthetic chemicals in to my body, unless 100% required.

Anyway. I'm hoping to continually make progress. This has been an incredibly long journey and I still have quite a bit of healing time ahead of me. I was always a contact sports person growing up and never thought that a concussion could be this life altering. Much more research and education needs to go in to the severity of concussion, sport and general well-being. My life has completely halted for over a year now and I'm still relatively young. I know that other members have been impacted for far longer and my greatest fear now is re injury.

You still have another whole year to improve a bunch and even then I believe some healing is still possible. you don't want to get injured or arrested for your temper. get help. I know others who have sought help and it has worked, I'm not sure if with or without medication, but I think both. Glad you are on computer longer. good sign. If you are being careful about avoiding another injury, I wouldn't let it bother you that much. That can be anxiety provoking.
There is a lot of good stuff being done in the realm of research but most of it points to helping in the first 24 hours to 2 months...I'm sure others will be along to answer your questions and help you out

Thanks for the reply. It's just perplexing to me as to how little doctors really know about PCS. Not one person out of the 5-7 people I have had appointments with in the medical field have been able to elaborate more on PCS than just "it takes time." I have met with GP's, Specialists, sport injury professionals, homeopathic, concussion focused physiotherapists, etc and no one really knows what's going on with me.

Seems as though each time I have a visit the time of healing goes from several days, to several weeks, to several months and now "wow, you have the worst case of PCS we have seen and it may be something that you need to live with for several years." Very comforting.

Insurance companies are also incredibly difficult to deal with when going through this. The irritability on my end doesn't help when the insurance company brushes my condition off like it's no big deal and rude about it. I'm just very fortunate that I have SOME money coming in from an insurance company, which I'm sure is more than a lot of people experience and I truly feel for those people. PCS is a terrible life altering condition and as mentioned before, really needs more attention and research. Since my injury/injuries, I can hardly watch professional sports and cringe when I see a hit in football/hockey.

I have mentioned it in previous posts, but if you have yet to try natural source Gravol (if available), try it for nausea. The only active ingredient being a potent dose of Ginger extract. It's helped me immensely and no side affects and I can be taken regularly. SERC, aka Betahistine helps when I have a "dizzy" attack and the only thing that has helped enough to keep in the event things get bad. The SERC does give me a mild rash on the face when taken however. I only take when I absolutely have to, which is usually 1-2 times per month.

randomguy,

Are you taking a vitamin and supplement regimen daily ?

It can help you stabilize your behavior.

you are right. most of them have no clue. I have done a lot of reading and understand it a lot better now. like I said you still have another year to improver a lot and thanks for the tips. It is frustrating having an injury that is not well understood. I wince at football now too

I have a fairly well balanced diet, although should still be supplementing to ensure that I am getting 100% of the nutrients that my body requires to heal. I will actually be seeing a nutritionist over the coming weeks to have some blood work done and go from there.

Some days I feel pretty stable, others I don't feel like I'm in control of my emotions and the way that I handle even slightly stressful situations and when looking back, I don't even like myself. I will probably also pursue some counseling, as my employer package included some free sessions. Not a big believer in that, but will see how it goes.

I have researched PCS quite extensively over the past year and understand that it can take a lot of time, but all of the docs seem to tell me I am one of the worst they have seen in a long time with regards to PCS, including my physiotherapist who sees a ton of people in a year for concussion/neck injury. Kind of concerning, but knowing there's others out there just like me puts me at a little ease, although sorry some of you have to go through this as well.

A well balanced diet is far from adequate for the needs of an injured and struggling brain. Hopefully, the nutritionist can convince you of the need to supplement for brain healing. She may not have a brain healing perspective.

I know that my brain struggles without my vitamin regimen. My wife can see a difference in my personality/behavior. I was started on my regimen by a doctor over 30 years ago.

Have you had your hormone levels tested?

Duly noted, Mark. I will be seeing a nutritionist with a background in treating brain injury, as recommended by my GP.

You are right in that not having adequate vit intake could not only be deterring my recovery, but causing some of the mood affects. I am going to take it very seriously moving forward. Anything to make progress.

I'm also nervous going in to the winter months, as sun is very limited here and I have been known to have a vitamin D deficiency, which never seems to fully resolve, as vit D supplements usually give me long term stomach issues once ingested. I may seek an injection this year, although fairly uncommon practice around here says my GP.

I'd be interested in what the nutritionist has to say. Other than the expensive supplements, amino acids, nootropics, etc. the regimen is a good affordable start.