My comments still stand. Anxiety causes an excess of brain processing, even if it is spinning it's wheels, which can make it difficult to do conscious cognitive thought. The concept many of us have used is we need to 'Stop to think." We need to shut out all stimulation and let the brain settle down so we can focus on the task at hand. The flow of toxic chemicals from the anxiety can mean it takes a while of low stimulation to get the brain back to normal. Those of us who have times when we need to put a high load on the brain will have more struggles with this. I find I lose the ability to do multi-step processing in my head so I need to use pencil and paper until my brain settles down.

Even if you smacked your head into the refrigerator frame, I doubt there was enough force to cause an injury. It would take quite a smack to generate any substantial forces.

btw, Having the freezer on the bottom creates a whole new set of usability issues. Bottom freezer draws are much easier to use that hinged door lower freezer compartments. Side by side doors tend to solve these issues a bit better but then limit the dimensions of items that can be laid flat in the freezer section. We've bee fighting with a freezer on the bottom for years and have been trying to find the best layout. They all have their limitations.

As they say every concussion is different. But I cannot relate to you as far as concussions go.

However I can relate to your anxiety. You seem to have alot of anxiety. I would see a doctor for that. I notice the things you've said like"my brain is processing at a slower speed" and "a badly injured brain"

What does that mean and how are you measuring that ?

I think you need alot of help with anxiety. Good luck.

Bobbyr,

I have been seeing a doctor for my anxiety and insomnia since 2008, the year my mom passed away rather suddenly. I know it is an issue and I do try to manage it the best I can. It is an ongoing process to control. However, I think anyone who has been through things that I have, PCS being the latest, would have a certain level of anxiety. I am prescribed 1 mg of lorazepam up to twice daily for when I feel a panic attack coming on. I am pretty honest with my emotions and have noticed an increase in anxiety since I bumped my head.

Those phrases are pretty self-explanatory. I am measuring my brain's ability by seeing how long it takes me to complete an assignment or how long it takes to study one page of notes, etc. There are quantitative ways to do this and I have noticed that I am not at full speed, because my times are higher. In fact, I was so dizzy the other night I couldn't get past one question so the time was infinite for that trial.

Badly injured brain, well I know that my brain is messed up. Anyone who is sensitive with their mind, body and soul can tell when something is off. More relative, anyone who has damage from a concussion knows this feeling well.

I would appreciate some constructive words, not blanket statements without any solid basis. Still, thanks for your input.

Of course i dont have any solid basis. Im not your doctor and I dont have your medical history. Im just a dude online trying to level with you.

Anyway you made the deans list with "a badly injured brain". I would say youre on your way to recovery. But if you want to dwell on PCS and so forth thats your call. You can share your emotions about PCS with anybody who will listen but constructive words are unlikely to change your condition. My suggestion is to let PCS run its course and for you to live your life.

Been struggling with intense PCS symptoms since Friday. Today I woke up with sharp headaches. The symptoms are as bad as the first couple weeks after the original concussion. I'm losing hope and am pretty sure I will have to withdraw from classes. This is extremely depressing. It will be 5 months since the first concussion on 3/2/2015. Not sure where to turn to or what to do. I feel like I'm going to lose my grip on reality.

Danny, I'm so sorry you're having such a difficult time.

Is there any chance that you can do a part time load for a semester even if you have to cut it back to only one subject? You are under a lot of pressure and some of that may be self-imposed. You're young. You will get better. It's just that you have to ride through this overwhelming period of time the best way that you can right now and it sounds as if you need some support in real time to do that.

Our university year is just starting here but I'm not sure where you are in relation to the semester. I gather you have a census date at the beginning of each semester the same as here and you can withdraw from subjects before that date? Is that time passed? If for some reason your results for a couple of subjects are not as good as you need then it should be possible to do other ones later on to make up the grades. I know that's possible here where I live.

Please remember that these things happen to many students and for other reasons besides head injury and concussion. My daughter had to change her whole education plan due to a series of serious illnesses. She's on track now, but it's just taken longer than it would have under different circumstances.

It's easy for us to type here and say "what's another semester" or "what's another year" as long as you are well and able in the long run but we do understand your overwhelming frustration and probably some anger at what has happened to change your plans.

Please go to see your doctor or another professional. Talk to student services if you need about what is happening so that at least they have a record and they may have staff here available for support that you are unaware of at the moment.

If you had broken legs and needed traction for 3 months you wouldn't be able to continue at the pace you are doing right now. Same goes for other illnesses. The important thing is to get help for your symptoms that are occurring today... now.

Thanks for your reply Lara,

I am currently enrolled in part-time at university but even that is way too much at this point. I have barely been able to have a conversation or get out of bed since Friday evening.

As far as withdrawing goes, the way it works is I have until the 3/6 to decide if I want to withdraw without any permanent effect to my record. I'm leaning towards this option, but the problem with this is I would lose all my tuition money that I have paid (thousands of dollars) and it would probably negatively affect my financial aid down the road as well. After a certain point in the semester you cannot get a refund.

I am trying to stay positive and just rest accordingly. For now the headache has settled down after taking amitriptyline. I will be seeing a neurologist tomorrow. I'm not sure how helpful it will be but it is important at this point.

All the best to you for your appointment tomorrow!

Im sure everyone on this forum understands the anger, depression, and other negative feels cause by a pcs. Ill try my best to not talk about those factors. My current and prolonged symptoms since my initial accident are: Headaches, Migraines, Dizziness, Extreme Sensitivity to head movements, Inability to do any physical activity that cause an increased heart rate, Sensitivity and symptom inducing from electronic screens, Sensitivity and Symptom inducing from lifting heavier objects, and finally Minor Cognitive impairment. CT scan and MRI show no abnormalities.

I received my concussion early April of 2014. I was teaching my friend how to snowboard and when i wasn't paying attention, I caught an edge and was thrown in the air and landed on my butt. As soon as I landed hard on my butt I also felt an intense whiplash and literally felt my brain bounce back and forth in my skull. Ive had a concussion that has lasted me for 3 months with a full recovery a year prior. With that being said I know exactly what a concussion feels like and I knew I had a concussion instantly after the snowboard fall.

I went home and tried to dislodge the fact I had just gotten a concussion and drank a beer. After that beer my head was hurting so much I laid in bed for the next 4 days. Still feeling awful, I returned to work. My at the time was a Snowcat operator (ski hill groomer) and just took 2 extra strength tylenols everyday for two more weeks until the ski hill closed for the season. The last day of grooming my snowcat had a mechanical fault and the emergency break turned on out of nowhere and I slammed my face head into the windshield... Surprisingly enough I only felt a bit more concussed from that.

As the skill hill closed and i went into my summer job I did not take any time off of work. I took it easy, but my job was still physically demanding. I was still trying to ignore my concussion because it seemed to be getting better and all of the symptoms I described above were not very bad.

As I continued working from April - September, I did a number of unintelligent things to stunt my recovery. I went skateboarding a few times, drank alcohol twice, did a number of hikes, and smoked marijuana. When September came, my symptoms were out of control and I had to quit my job. I have not worked since Sept2014 to the present. I have felt that I have improved since September, but at the same time I feel like I have not. I haven't done anything to worsen my symptoms since September, but in the months of December and January I had several panic attacks and numbness to parts of my brain and certain body parts. I went to the hospital each time and stroke was fortunately dismissed from the doctors.

So here I am going into march now, getting closer to the one year mark. I feel like i have improved and again not at all. I believe I start neurophysiotherapy in a month. Well see what happens. Im merely writing this as a way from dying of boredom. Since I am an extremely physically active person this pcs/tbi has been very hard on me. If anyone has any opinions or help feel free...

Acsiky,

I'm sorry to hear about your struggles with symptoms. Your story is a cautionary tale about providing the right rest in order to recover. It actually helps me with a huge decision I have to make. I think that if you continue to rest your condition will improve. Three months is not that long for recovering from a traumatic brain injury so you should try and be patient and give it some more time. I can relate to what you said about feeling better but not all at the same time. It really is an uncomfortable feeling.

It might be useful to start your own thread to discuss your daily struggles. You are welcome to post here too, just thinking it might be helpful to have it all in one place.