Hi, I'm 4 months out with PCS. I have lingering symptoms but the most profound is my intracranial pressure. Doctors say it's due to cerebral spinal fluid not flowing and draining properly in the brain ventricles.
I have tried cranial sacral therapy. Some days it helped, other days it made it considerably worse. I feel like I'm walking around with a bowling bowl on my head and it's so bad all I can do is lie down. I'm going into a huge depression over this as most of my other symptoms, vestibular, dizziness etc are finally
very slowly easing up. I also wonder if the pressure is causing permanent damage in the brain or how long it can sustain it?
Light exercise does not exacerbate the pressure but lifting heavy objects, heat,walking up steep stairs and overstimulation increases the pressure. Some days it fills like my head will explode!
Any thoughts on how to reduce this other than chiropractors?

If you truly do have increased pressure from cerebro-spinal fluid, a spinal tap will relieve the pressure and give you instant relief. In some, the pressure does not return. Ask your doctor about this.

It sounds as if when the pressure is reduces, the normal drainage system sometimes starts to work properly again. Perplexing .......

Thanks Mark! Anything other than spinal tap you can recommend? Seems kind of last resort? Also, anyone know how can I know for sure it is ICP? How is it diagnosed?

Other than a combination of other symptoms, a spinal tap is the only true measure of ICP. A spinal tap can provide a few hours of relief. Steroids can provide some relief. Acetazolamide is often prescribed to attempt to get relief.

Considering that you are not experiencing serious headache issues, trying a steroid treatment would be worthwhile.

Many of us live with some level of pressure like feeling. We just learn to go on with our lives.

[I feel like I'm walking around with a bowling bowl on my head and it's so bad all I can do is lie down. I'm going into a huge depression over this as most of my other symptoms, vestibular, dizziness etc are finally ]

Did a dr mention the cranial pressure aspect??
Possibly could be injured/spamsed neck muscles?
Head can weigh 8-14 lbs-- that is a lot if not balanced on spine - and if neck muscles are a issue..
Have you had any expert PT assessment for neck muscle injury and trigger points?

I get this pressure when I sleep in the wrong position and it just causes my head to pound, I know its not a fix but in the short term I will take a hot shower and let the water just pound the back of my neck and top of my head, it seems to help somewhat...

Jo*Mar, I was sent to a concussion center by my doctor. They really just did an initial evaluation but do not treat symptoms. They referred me to a PT for cranial sacral therapy. The therapist said the pressure was due to imbalance and improper draining of cerebral spinal fluid.( ICP) and the therapy would help balance that flow again. The cranial sacral manipulative therapy seemed to help when just done on neck but when he worked on my head, I went home feeling horrible (worse than I had in months) and felt as if I had regressed. I felt so bad that day and next I could not move or undress myself. Haven't been back. I think there may be a neck connection. Would a MRI or Xray of neck help, do you Know? What are trigger points in neck?
MVTBI, unfortunately hot showers increase the pressure :-( but thx!

trigger point info -
http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/thread125577.html

Did you call the place you went to and tell them the neck work was fine , but caused problems when he worked on on head?

Good communication is very important with treatment providers , it is how to get the best results..
But if they get defensive or argue , and don't offer to try something else...that is not the place to stay at...find a better place that works with you and adjusts the treatment to what works for you..