I got my first concussion on 27th October 2014, which was roughly 9.5 months ago, and have developed PCS shortly after. I have a few questions about my current situation.

1. I'm dealing a lot better with anxiety of hitting head right now, after going to CBT for about 12 meetings, but I still have a few concerns. For example, if I sit on a chair or on my bed, I'm afraid to lean back with my head to the wall, because I'm afraid that I'll lean back too quickly, and the impact will be enough to cause another concussion (my first concussion was caused when I ran into a wall and got hit on the right side of my head).

So how can I be confident that I don't lean my head back too fast to cause a concussion?

2. Since the PCS started, I'm having a few physiological problems, such as facial sweating and significantly increased dandruff amount. I wash my head every day with an anti-dandruff shampoo, yet I still have dandruff - it wasn't like this before my PCS started.

I also have more facial sweating, and when water get into my eyes, they start burning and it really hurts. If I'm running, for example, and sweat gets into my eyes, it burns a lot and I cannot keep my eyes open for more than 5 seconds because of the intense pain. I have to wipe the liquid that got into my eye (water/sweat) with a tissue - until then, it keeps hurting.

3. My PCS made me think about something - why was I "fragile" when I get that hit to the head? I got numerous hits to the head in the past - in one of them, someone took a 5-6 kilogram backpack and smashed it into the right side of my head. About 5 minutes later, I started having a metallic taste in my mouth, which indicates a concussion, but even though it was probably a concussion, it didn't develop to PCS. I panicked a little that my eardrum might have been hurt, but that concussion from the backpack didn't develop to PCS and I don't remember feeling any of the typical PCS symptoms days/weeks later.

So why only the concussion on 27 October 2014 caused me to develop PCS, and all the hits to my head prior to it didn't cause me PCS? It makes me feel "fragile" that suddenly, one hit to the head was enough to spark PCS, whereas the previous ones were not.

I'm making progress, but I'm confused about these things so I would really appreciate any help.

Thanks,
-ProAgonist

First, in my experience, the metallic taste associated with a concussion happens immediately. I have never experienced a delayed metallic taste. And, that instant metallic taste is momentary and goes way within a few seconds.

I don't think anybody other than your CBT therapist and you yourself can convince you that leaning your head against the wall will not cause a concussion.

It takes 40 G's or more to cause a concussion. Leaning your head against the wall would not even reach sub-concussive impact levels.

Unless you are taking an SSRI or such, the sweating has no connection to PCS. SSRI's can cause sweating. Sweat has salt. salt stings the eyes.

Your problem is anxiety and refusing to accept logical truth. That backpack, unless it had a heavy solid object in it (bricks or the like) did not cause a concussion.

Hormone imbalances can sometimes cause facial sweating and dandruff.

When you shower, put the anti-dandruff shampoo in your hair first. Then do your showering and rinse the shampoo out last. The time the anti-dandruff medication is in your hair will help it work.

Mark,

Sorry, I thought that metallic taste and a taste of blood meant the same thing. I meant to say that I experienced a taste of blood in my mouth a few minutes after the hit. Maybe it was something related to my ear, I don't know.

I'm sorry if I sound obsessive - I work on it a lot and have already made some progress, but some things are just not clear to me. I don't obsess whether the backpack caused me a concussion or not - this was a long time ago and this had no lasting effect, and as you said it was most likely not a concussion. So I don't obsess over it, I just didn't understand how I dealt fine with that but not with my concussion 9.5 months ago. Thanks for explaining to me that it was not a concussion.

And yes, you are right - I'm working on convincing myself that minor bumps are not harmful, but I still have this little fear whether or not I'm moving my head too quickly when I'm leaning it against a wall; I sometimes think that I might accidentally move it too fast and get a concussion. But I'm working on it, and now, thanks to what you said, I understand that this is irrational and it makes it less significant.

Thanks for the advice about the anti-dandruff shampoo. It's just that I noticed that after the concussion, I started having more dandruff more often, especially after stressful situations. Can concussions cause hormonal imbalances that cause things like dandruff and over sweating?

So, as I said, I'm sorry if I sound obsessive or too anxious. I'm working on it and according to my parents and therapist, have done a noticeable, significant improvement. I know I still have more progress to make - I'm working on it and I'm gradually getting better (gradually reducing my anxiety levels).

Thank you very much for your reply,
-ProAgonist

Ritalin can cause increased perspiration.

Well done to you for finally going to the CBT.
I must say I'm very pleased to hear that it's been helping you!

There are many posts regarding hormonal changes post-TBI on the forum. If you do a search for posts from EsthersDoll you'll find a lot. Some are in the Sticky posts at the top of the forum.

Here is one example
http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/post1050379-63.html

I'm the one who originally commented about the taste of metal or blood like getting punched in the nose as a sign of a concussion. But, both are immediately after the impact.

Anxiety can cause a myriad of false sensations. A past sensation of metallic taste or blood taste after a concussion can return like a flashback even though there is not true sensation.

I was going through the mail the other day and a flyer showed a giant pizza cookie offered by Pizza hut. As I said to myself, that looks good, I thought I could smell fresh baked cookies. And, no, this was not a scented flyer. I smelled chocolate chip cookies. When I looked closer, the picture was a peanut butter cookie.

So, yes, the mind can do strange things. Especially when one does not make conscious thoughts to correct erroneous and illogical thoughts.

another quick thought...

the excess perspiration could be contributing to your dandruff problem.

Check side-effects of any current meds to see if there are sweating and/or dandruff types of potential reactions.

The longer you can keep the shampoo in your hair, on your scalp, the better -- within reason. Usually at 10 minutes. Then rinse. see instructions on your shampoo.

Wow! The fact that CBT has been helpful must be exciting, must give you more hope!?


DejaVu