Finally glad I have found others in my boat, I have never had something quite like a severe concussion before and it is hard to deal with when people around me have never experienced it.

I am a 22 year old female and a little over a month ago I suffered a severe concussion while at work. I work as a chef and I slipped in the freezer while carrying a 50lb box of meat and fell backwards smacking my head on the metal floor and had the container fall on my head aswell. My coworker found me unconscious and then 20 seconds later I regained consciousness. When I woke up they helped me up but never told me I lost consciousness. He went and talked to the manager and sent me home after I complained about my back hurting from it and I was to return in a few days. When I arrived home I slept immediately(not knowing I had suffered such a bad concussion). When I returned I knew something else was wrong, I felt like a zombie, and this is when they finally was informed of my loss of consciousness and I immediately went to the doctor and was only given 1 week off.

I returned a week later feeling worse then ever and within 2 days I was vomiting uncontrollably. I went to the ER and was told I suffered a severe concussion. I had a CAT scan and it showed some damage and my doctor said that since my manager did not inform me that I lost consciousness and never provided me with an ambulance, I will have a much longer healing process. I have not improved at all since the ER visit and because of that they said it could be upwards of a year or longer until I can return to work and a normal life style. This is all because of my work places negligence.

I have been put on Amitriptyline for my chronic headache, erratic mood changes, migraines that I have been getting, around 3 a week that last an entire day with pain level of 9-10, and that I am unable to sleep for more then 5 hours.

I am now being harassed by my work, as they are trying to force me to begin modified duties. I am on workplace insurance and my work keeps saying "since we pay into the insurance then you should be working, you should tell your doctor to allow you to work soon" I have never experienced so little concern for my health, any time I try to explain my condition my general manager cuts me off and says "I don't need to hear it". They keep trying to pin the fall as being my fault.

Has anyone experienced this with their work place? I have a good lawyer informed on the situation and is prepared to press charges of medical negligence and withholding of information if things become progressively worse.

Also people who are on Amitriptyline have you experienced being me irritable then before? How do you cope with the not being able to leave the house for long? I am able to be out for a total of 1 hour before experiencing the beginning of a migraine.

patientzero,

Welcome to NeuroTalk. Sorry to hear of your fall.

I hope you attorney is skilled at going after your workplace insurance company. Head injuries are difficult to claim. At least in your case, the CT Scan shows an injury.

You don't say where you are. Knowing your location, country/state, etc will be helpful so we know what kind of workplace insurance you have.

Amitriptyline is a common prescription for symptoms like yours. All of your symptoms are common to concussions. Your loss of consciousness (LOC) does indicate a brain trauma but there are many who have the same or worse symptoms who never loss consciousness. Your LOC is not something that has a definitive meaning regarding the severity of your injury. Many who suffer LOC do not suffer the severity of injury you have suffered.

I suggest you not get wound up about how your work handled your injury at the time. Most people are clueless about concussions. What is important now is the diagnosis, treatment, and follow up care you need. You are not ready to return to work. There is no reason to be communicating with work. Maybe your attorney can stop that contact and harassment.

Do you have access to a neuro rehabilitation hospital or clinic ? They are a good start. Plus, you likely have a subtle upper neck injury that needs care. More on that later.

So, please tell us where you are so we can understand how to help you get the care and support you need.

My best to you.

Patient zero

Welcome, sorry for your work place accident. My husband had a very similar situation at work. Fortunately his employer and workers comp did not deny his injuries we are just 7 weeks in.

Mark is very helpful with suggestions and a great sounding board and full of resources. Concussions/pcs are very unknown and no 2 are the same.

Anyone giving you time frames seems they could be rushing or misleading perhaps not intentional but more just lack of knowledge.

Try and rest and stay focused on you getting better.