[Galaxy1012]

OK so I am more than 7 months into PCS. One of my main symptoms is sensitivity to road bumps and potholes. It feels like my brain shook inside my skull when I ride over a speed bump or a pothole. Or it maybe partly psychological because I observe it way too much when driving and stressing over every bump I come across.

Obviously every doctor I meet rule it out by blaming it all on anxiety. I want to know that will it be wise if I just let go of the uncomfortable feeling and move on and not worry about these bumps? I have no problem with my driving otherwise and my concentration is perfect.

Leaning forward helps but I just want to make myself deliberately experience these bumps so that I get used to them and forget about the anxiety overtime . I am just 28 and I have my whole life ahead of me and this sensitivity is a serious threat to me and has affected me in many ways emotionally. Is it a good idea to just ignore the feeling and move on ? I fear of making matters worse and setback my recovery by doing so. It seems the more I worry and try to be cautious the worse this problem becomes. The other solution is to give it some more time as I have a feeling that this seems to be improving somewhat with time. Please advice

[Mark in Idaho]

I suggest you try to reduces the impact forces when you can and just accept them as part of life when you can't. When I experience a single bump, I just try to ignore it. When the road gets rough, I lean forward and try to reduce the impact forces.

I think your doctor is right. Your anxiety is making them worse than they are.

So, take reasonable precautions when you can and try to accept them when you are caught off-guard.

My best to you.

[Hockey]

How did you get your TBI? Is there a possibility that your neck was also damaged?

I was severely whiplashed in an MVA and left with an unstable neck. Road bumps bother me, too. I find it helps to stabilize my neck with a cervical collar anytime I have to do something that involves my being shaken or jostled.

Just be mindful that wearing a collar, while driving, can implications with some car insurance policies. I only wear mine as a passenger.

[Galaxy1012]

Originally Posted by Hockey

How did you get your TBI? Is there a possibility that your neck was also damaged?

I was severely whiplashed in an MVA and left with an unstable neck. Road bumps bother me, too. I find it helps to stabilize my neck with a cervical collar anytime I have to do something that involves my being shaken or jostled.

Just be mindful that wearing a collar, while driving, can implications with some car insurance policies. I only wear mine as a passenger.

Hello, I had an argument with my dad and banged the top of my head against a concrete wall HARD . I immediately felt numbness in both my arms and legs which went away in a couple of days. Then I had light and sound sensitivity, tinnitus, felt disoriented ,constant tiredness and sleepiness in the following week.

I had to resign from my job in a week after the incident because I couldn't stare at the monitor for long and couldn't tolerate the vehicle honking and sunlight outside , felt a little nauseated and exhausted throughout the day. I had no idea what was going on with me and the constant tinnitus made the situation worse.

Its been 7 months and doctors have no clue whats wrong with me and they keep telling it its all in my mind, although one neuro officially diagnosed me with PCS and told me that there is nothing wrong with me and its all chemical imbalance and anxiety after the impact. My MRI was negative as expected. I have no stiffness or any problems with my neck whatsoever. I have no idea what I am gonna do next as this is really messed up badly

[Mark in Idaho]

You said, "I have no stiffness or any problems with my neck whatsoever."

This does not mean you do not have a subtle injury to your upper neck. Your numbness suggest that you did have a more serious neck injury. Improvements do not mean you are completely healed.

[Galaxy1012]

Originally Posted by Mark in Idaho

You said, "I have no stiffness or any problems with my neck whatsoever."

This does not mean you do not have a subtle injury to your upper neck. Your numbness suggest that you did have a more serious neck injury. Improvements do not mean you are completely healed.

Mark,I have always suspected the subtle upper neck injury. When I bring it up to doctors, they tell me its not possible as my neck seems completely normal with no problems at all. Everytime they send me back home telling me its my anxiety and prescribe antidepressants. So I have decided to do something for this problem on my own before taking it to the next level and searching for a good chiro which is sort of rare in my country. I have some questions

1. If I have a subtle neck injury, what are the hints I can look for in my neck area ? Maybe I am overlooking something unusual with my neck because it feels so normal ? Any trigger points ? I remember you suggesting someone to check the stiffness behind the ears . I do feel something stuck in my lower throat at times and this feeling comes and goes. More details in this will be much appreciated.

2. How do you connect the numbness in limbs with the upper neck injury. I apologise for my lack of medical knowledge and will greatly appreciate if you can explain me how they are connected.

3. Before I hunt for an appropriate chiro, can you suggest something I can do on my own at home to help with the upper neck. I usually sleep straight and keep a good posture. I have started massaging gently in my neck area. Can I use the icepack as well ? I bought a bottle of curcumin pills but have not taken them yet. Its been 7 whole months. Do you think my neck would still be injured if this is the case ? Can this problem correct itself with reasonable precautions without medical intervention?

4. Can light and sound sensitivity occur because of such subtle upper neck injuries ? is it possible ?

Many thanks

[Mark in Idaho]

I don't know what direct connection between a subtle upper neck injury and light and sound sensitivity could be. I know that we must do what we can to cover all the bases. It takes time with good postural discipline to see improvements. Some need the help of a specialized chiropractor to treat the subtle upper neck issues.

As Lui pointed out recently, we also need to let go of our anxieties to allow our brains to settle down. It takes time which means lots of patience.