[tydurden377]

So I find my symptoms relapsing from small things:

3 weeks ago I drank and the next 4 days i had my symptoms return (expected)

but after that my schedules been like this:

right after my symptoms are gone after drinking, i accidentally hit my head with a pillow - I was picking it up on one end while the other end slaps my head lol. I thought nothing of it until my symptoms returned. 2 days later theyre gone

but then Im walking through my yard and a very small branch (twig) brushes my head, and my symptoms come back and are gone 3 days later

Then Im blasting music in my car, and my friend decides to turn it all the way up, and then my symptoms return after the blasting of the music

and now Im recovering from that now pretty much

Im planning on going on a trip this sunday, should I go or postpone?

This is extremely annoying and frustrating

[SuperElectric]

Hmmm, I can't see how a pillow or a twig can do anything to bring on PCS, I would say it's psychosomatic i.e. you expect it to have an effect so it does. Either that or it's a coincidence with symptoms that are naturally coming and going.

[tydurden377]

Thats what I thought. The thing is the symptoms go away after about 3 days and then Im back to normal. I can actually feel the symptoms - emotional, somewhat spaced out, and then a few days later im good like nothing ever happened weird.

Can an increase of anxiety resurface the symptoms? Like if I got really anxious after hitting my head doing something and got extremely stressed and anxious afterwards? Thanks

[SuperElectric]

Yes, I would say getting worked up and anxious can bring your symptoms back. One of the most insidious traits of PCS is anxiety, however, once you are aware of the triggers you can develop strategies to cope with it and overcome it. PCS makes us over sensitive to stress and stimuli. That's why both CBT and meditation/relaxation techniques can be effective.

[Mark in Idaho]

Ty

SuperElectric is dead right. These return of symptoms are anxiety. Anxiety can cause you to remember past symptoms to the point that they are real. Increased blood pressure and pulse, racing thoughts, etc. can mimic real PCS symptoms.

The loud music, even before your friend cranked it up, tells me you are not serious about allowing your brain to settle down. The physiological effects of loud music serve to increase your anxiety. That is why your generation likes loud music. It's like drinking a Red Bull or Monster. It stimulates your brain. That is the foundational basis for anxiety.

Your choice. Drink and blast music and you will pay the price. That price will include the irrational thoughts like a pillow can cause an injury.