[Jessinthewilderness]

We all know doctors can sometimes not know much about concussion or
PCS. I posted a few days ago about bumping my head on an open window sill - the bump happened Monday and i went to the doctor yesterday, friday, as I’m still having symptoms (headaches, blurry vision, feeling really out of it, exhausted)

He did a simple test where he looked into my eyes with a light and checked reflexes. He said that i didn’t receive a concussion with the bump, but would he have been able to actually detect it 4 days later by doing these tests? Should i just trust his judgement and continue on with life as normal even though i have these symptoms? I’m confused how i can be feeling like this 5 days post-bump if it wasn’t a concussion.

[Jessinthewilderness]

i'm now 7 days post-bump and can't even get out of bed without feeling dizzy and nauseous. i'm also so foggy with awful headaches. what is happening to me? how can the doctor diagnose me as no concussion but i still have these symptoms? anxiety surely cannot be this powerful

i'm so scared. i had to miss work again today and i just started a new job and this cannot be happening.

[Jomar]

The brain & your emotions are very powerful..
https://www.neurotalk.org/traumatic-...-disorder.html

[Jessinthewilderness]

I've seen that linked before and there's no doubt in my mind that I do have that when I bump my head. However, the other times, the symptoms have not been this bad and have gone away in 2-3 days. This time, I can't even get out of bed and feel absolutely awful 7 days later.

Do you think that the doctor would have been able to diagnose a concussion 4 days in if I actually had one?

I'm just scared because I can't miss any more work after today and have to go back tomorrow and my job is 99% on the computer. My neuro can't get me in until Wednesday at 230 but I'm scared she's also going to listen to my symptoms and just tell me concussion. It seems the symptoms just keep getting worse day by day.

The doctor would have been able to notice one when he saw me, right?

I hate the unknown with concussion.....

[Jessinthewilderness]

Also...doesn't sound like an impact that could have cause a concussion though, correct? no immediate symptoms other than anxiety, slow moving and hit forehead on a plastic window ledge? i even did it once more (lightly) to convince myself that it wasn't hard - i'm not likely to do that and hit it again on purpose if it was a concussion force, right?

I'm just questioning why I would still have worsening symptoms a week later

[Mark in Idaho]

Jess, Rather than seeing a neurologist, can you get an appointment with a therapist who can help you with your anxiety? Your mind has memorized symptoms from the past and is replaying them as your anxiety increases.

Yes, the neuro will likely just diagnose concussion. There is very little the neuro can do except refer you to people who can help you endure. You may benefit from a vestibular and visual assessment. That can be a cause of dizziness.

You should be spending your day upright, not in bed. You need to be doing things during your day to keep your mind active with low stress tasks.

Feeling dizzy or even nauseous when moving from bed to standing up is not a big deal. I've lived with that for 2 decades. I learned to move slowly when getting up. Once up and settled, I do fine.

[Jessinthewilderness]

Thanks, Mark. I did vestibular therapy with my last concussion and it helped tremendously so I’m hoping to get another referral on Wednesday to start that up again.

I have to go back to work tomorrow and 99% of my job is on the computer. I’m going to take breaks as needed at least every half hour, but how detrimental will this be to my recovery, whether it’s a concussion or just a setback? I’m really concerned as it’s a new job, my dream job I’ve always wanted, and i think a lot of my anxiety is coming from messing this all up now.

[Mark in Idaho]

I think you should try to find a CBT therapist who can help you redirect your mind when you get these anxious feelings of "What is happening?" and worse.

You appear paralyzed by your own anxiety.

CBT, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. Retrain your mind to respond properly.

I've been through the tough times but I could always function to a good level by working in short shifts then changing to a second task then back to the first.

Taking extended time away tends to reinforce the anxieties because your mind does not have productive things to consider.

Are you using any nutrition to help your brain better tolerate stress? The vitamins sticky has a regimen that has worked great for me. B-12, B-6 folic acid, D-3, Omega 3 fish oil.....

[Jessinthewilderness]

The vitamin sticky helped me a few years ago when I had my first and second concussions. I currently am still taking all except for the folic acid, so I'll add that back in. I also just re-upped my omega 3, so hopefully that begins to kick in.

I agree, my anxiety is at high levels. I've been going to a therapist for about two months now and she specializes in CBT - it's helping a little at a time. I'm seeing her tonight so it'll be good to talk with her about this.


You just see so much about how you need to take time off work, time away from screens, etc. Today was tough even driving to work and I'm here, staring at my screen. I'll be sure to take short breaks, but I'm scared that this is going to set me back. One step at a time.

I just turned 26 and it's terrifying to me that I feel like I can't do as much with my friends, can't be out and about, can't function "normally." Finding a new normal almost requires taking the time to mourn your old life, and that's the stage I'm back at right now.

I'm sick of being looked at as the friend that's always "sick" and has to cancel plans. I'm scared of letting people down, and letting my employer down. I have to sit down with my new employer this morning and explain to him everything I've been through in hopes that he understands when I have to take breaks or take it easy.

It's so easy to get into the "Why me?" and as each day has passed, and I haven't felt any better yet, it's terrifying to me. I wish that I could take time off work to focus on healing, because I know that would be best for me - but I just can't. I feel so lost.

[Mark in Idaho]

You have already taken too much time off. The No screens and time off work is unfounded BS. Your brain needs to be moderately stimulated. Moderate screen time is fine. Moderated work is fine.

The No Screens is more about video games and fast paced or flashing image TV and such. Put the smart phone down except for 5 to 10 minutes an hour. Use ear plugs in noisy environments.

Reduce stress. A common 26 year old social life is very stressful. The ?music? of your generation is very stressful.

Sitting at home is like stewing in your own juices. It does not help.

Learn to know when to take a break. If you need to reread a line of text, switch tasks for a few minutes.

Simplify your computer screen if you can. Reduce visual clutter in your work space. Reduce sound clutter. As I said, ear plugs can help.

You talk about struggles in generic terms. What are some specific events that have triggered you to exhaustion or other struggle?

"I'm afraid this is going to set me back." Your FEAR is going to set you back.