[Teacher28]

Hi Everyone,

I am a 28 year old male from Canada. I was hoping for some advice about how I can heal from my PCS.

Background

I got my first concussion when I was 16 years old while playing baseball. While running for a ball I dove to catch it and dove straight into another players leg. I broke his leg and knocked myself out for about 10 seconds. The only symptom I had from this was a headache for a day or so.

Fast forward about 10 years and I received another concussion from a skiing accident. I was sliding down a very small hill and knocked my head off of a pole(it was covered in protective padding). For three days following this incident I felt nauseous and my head felt off.

Ever since that day I have been getting small bumps from time to time that have caused me to have a recurrence of symptoms. The only two symptoms that I seem to be having are nausea and brain fog. They usually only last about a day.

Recovery

I have been doing research the last few days trying to outline a recovery plan for myself. As of right now I am trying to get as much rest as I can and eat extremely healthy. My diet consists of fruits(lots of pomegranates)/veggies/fish/flax seed/eggs and a few other things.

My question is: What else is there I can do to ensure I recover from this? I do not want to have a concussion every time I lightly bump into a doorway.

*I am currently taking fish oil as a supplement. I tried to do Mark's vitamin regimen but the first day I had some sort of a reaction. My face started burning and my whole body turned red. I think it may have been a Niacin flush but I am not sure.

Concern

I have two main concerns. First, that I will never heal from this. Second, that the anxiety I am having will never go away. I read on a few posts that anxiety can cause symptoms similar to concussions and I am wondering if maybe that is what is happening to me.

For instance, last night I was with my girlfriend and she pulled my head in towards her and when she grabbed my head I instinctively tightened my neck and when I did this she pulled harder and my head came forward.(Not super hard, she is only 110lbs) I instantly began worrying that this might have caused a concussion and went home and went straight to bed. I got a good night sleep but when I woke up at 5 I could not get back to sleep and I began to get very anxious. Throughout the day I was very sick to my stomach and then eventually began to feel a little off in the head. After work I had a nap and now I feel great. No symptoms at all. So now I am left wondering, did I have a concussion or was it just anxiety.

Anyways, this is getting far too long, thanks for listening!

[Mark in Idaho]

Teacher28,

Welcome to NeuroTalk.

The flushing was very likely from the niacin. It will become less as your body gets used to it. But, that skin flushing is good for your skin. It will help heal a sunburn much faster than normal.

You need to tell your GF to not ever manipulate your head like that. She did not cause a concussion. You may have a sensitive neck. Such action can exacerbate a subtle neck injury/instability.

You are likely putting too much focus on these bumps thus causing anxiety that makes what would normally be almost benign symptoms to be more pronounced. Some of us have just had to learn to live with these little return of symptoms situations.

Your nausea and brain fog from such mild bumps do suggest anxiety or maybe vestibular issues.

If they persist, you may want to get checked out by a vestibular therapist.

My best to you.

[Teacher28]

Thanks for the reply Mark. I have been busy the last few days so I have not had the chance to respond.

If I were having vestibular issues what would the symptoms be? I am having a really stiff neck lately as well as a weird feeling of lightheadedness. I had assumed they were from the anxiety.(I went around for a few days holding my neck very still trying to make sure I did not bump it)

I have also decided to begin doing some meditation and some yoga as well. Have you ever tried meditation Mark? The research seems to suggest it is great for the brain.

Anyways, thanks for listening again.

[Mark in Idaho]

If your neck is stiff and sore, you need to seek treatment to restore normal function. Vestibular issues can cause dizziness that can manifest as nausea.