[DazedandConfused86]

Hey guys! Sorry I haven't gotten back to your replies on my last post. (The one about speech difficulties, iirc.) I'd reply to you each personally -- it's what decent people do, right? (; -- but sometimes, I just need to vent on here, see what you suggest, take your advice, and then... let things be.

I got a rather nasty(?) knock while swimming a couple days ago, and I'm... errghhhhh! I'm starting college in less than a week, and I'm praying it didn't make things worse. (Or permanent.)

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Backstory: May 7th, 2015. I tapped the front, back, and sides of my head, several times, against a hollow wall... after a fight with my dad. Obviously, I didn't get knocked out! Didn't "see stars", either. No bruises, no bumps. But it was hard enough to give me a rather nasty, week-long headache...

That headache was a pulsating kind. It would crawl around in my head, and then fade away for a few minutes... only to start back up again. Yet somehow, I was able to write several college application essays with this persistent headache - presumably, my cognitive skills and memory weren't impacted.

I'm not 100% certain if that (stupid) self-injurious headbanging was a concussion? It was never checked out by a medical professional-- so that's that. Come May 14th, my headache was gone... and then I started worrying about possible "delayed" symptoms. Every time I'd stutter, or lose my temper, or feel overly tired, I'd ruminate over that possible concussion. :/

^^^ Sorry to keep repeating my sob story in every single post I make!
I'd put a condensed version in my signature instead, but I don't post here that often. I actually try to stay away from this site... and only lurk if I need reminders on brain health. When I seriously need to get something off my chest, that's when I post.

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Which brings us to...

August 14th - three days ago - I was swimming in the ocean. I should mention it's like my own personal therapy. In fact, I was going through a crappy depressive spell for about a week leading up to the 14th- and usually, taking a dip completely relaxes my mind and body, even if just for a few moments.

The waves were rough. And boy, I love it rough! Except, that day...

One came up and knocked me off my body-board (smaller and softer than a surfboard). I was tossed around underwater, and then... the back of my head, neck, and shoulders crashed into the sand.

Didn't pass out - thank god! I immediately got out, and tried walking it off. Didn't feel disoriented - just a little shook up, and a little "out of it". Vision was okay, memory was alright (I repeated my social security number in my head to make sure - LOL) my only problem... ONE NASTY HEADACHE. This happened around 6pm - and when I got home, I slept from 8 pm to 7 am.

Since that day, I've been having off-and-on headaches the kind that feel like my hair's getting pulled - and I have short hair, so it's definitely not a "ponytail headache".

I've been doing regular neck stretches (which seem to help!) and popping Fish Oil pills like a junkie. (And D3's, B-12's, Magnesiums at night, drinking decaf Green Tea, etc.)

But I'm still worried about this, you know? ): I've been having some weird cognitive-related symptoms - but they predate my "wipe-out" on the 14th, so that complicates everything!

I could expand on them in another post - I'm getting pretty long-winded here.

[Mark in Idaho]

If you did do temporary or even permanent damage, what can you do about it ? Will worrying about it help you get through school ? Will it change your symptoms ?

You have far more important things to be busy with. Focus on the things you can have an impact on like being ready for school.

Sand has quite an abrasive impact. Your head ache could just be skin and the layers beneath the skin that have been traumatized by the sand. Lots of nerves in those layers.

I suggest you consider whether you can afford the rough waves.

[donniedarko]

Hi Dazed,

Sorry to hear you're feeling upset. In my opinion, considering the motion was underwater and the impact area was sand, I would say it wasn't a concussion. If anything you may have hurt your neck.

[Bud]

Dazed,

This head stuff is a funny world...last Thursday I thought I ducked down far enough to walk under a wing at work and didn't, I hit pretty solid against the trailing edge and didn't think much of it.

That same evening while swimming I was closing in on the wall and a wave bounced back and hit my head...talk about a jump! It sent a wave of panic through me before I realized it was just a swimming wave bouncing off a wall. I was a bit ashamed of myself.

Just proved to me how odd anxiety really is, totally irrational thinking.

Bud