[Scarlet_Pimpernel]

Hi, this is my first time posting here and I was driven into opening this account due to my own fears in regards to the recovery process.

This past Saturday I hit the back of my head pretty badly against the wall right after I woke up. I have a very nitid recollection of both the accident and the hours afterwards. Soon after hitting my head, I got out of the bed and noted no symptons other than a tension headache and that I was incredibly sleepy, as well as unable to keep focused on my reading because it made extremely tired. Prior to going to the A&E I went to my university's library to get a couple of books and whenever I was trying to read them I felt incredibly light-headed and nauseated. So nedless to say, I went into a complete and utter freak out, specially because I had essays to hand in on the 8th and still hadn't finished them out.

Following my decision to go seek medical advice, I was actually forced to undergo a 4-hour long wait to see whether or not there was something. Mind you, I had no scans and not X-Ray, just a responsive and cognitive assessment, which turned out just fine. The only diagnose I got was a very mild concussion and to take paracetamol and drink water as often as I could. Moreover, I was told that I didn't need any doctor's note because it was really something extremely minor. So I paid no notice and the day after I suffered my accident I went back to work, as I had to give in my essay or else risk getting it capped down to 40%.

The only weird thing I noted is that not only I had a killer headache, but my ears were clogged. Moreover, I was getting extremely tired and as ridiculous as it sounds, it was harder for me to type even though cognitively I was doing fine. I actually jumped up and down the day after the accident, which worries me because I don't know how it may have affected my recovery process. It has been 3 days and I'm extremely worried that just because I have delayed my recovery process I won't make a full recovery. I know I'm getting better because I can put my thoughts down with much more clarity and thanks to my age, but I'm terrified of the repercussions that may've happened for not taking care of myself. While I'm drinking a bottle of water per day, I've hadn't make any changes to my diet nor cut down on anything. Moreover, sometimes when I am typing I've noticed I make more errors than before, and it terrifies me because my dream in life is to do Graduate Medicine and the fact that I've suffered this drawback may put a threat to it, because what if I get PCS and never recover the capabilities on which I prided myself before the accident?

Moreover, being it an extremely mild concussion (I didn't lose my conscious and I have an extremely good awareness of the accident and these past few days), do you think I can still get back to a 100% and just forget this as an anecdote of something that happened whilst I was at university? I just hope the fact that I've had to delay my recovery isn't going to leave an imprint on it. Please, give me some advice. I am still using my computer frequently and I don't know if I can still do something to reverse my lack of care in the first few days. I'm only 22 and I have already suffered enough to go now and lose my capabilities over something this petty and ridiculous.

[Mark in Idaho]

Scarlet Pimpernel

Welcome to NeuroTalk.

Quite simply, you are getting anxious about your future a month or 2 before you have any evidence to be concerned about any prolonged symptoms. 85% recover within the first 6 weeks without any intervention or special protocol.

If you want to do the best for your brain, read the Vitamins thread at the top in the stickies. It has the do's and don't's and a good regimen for maintaining brain health.

If you are planning on medicine, getting some understanding of your leanings toward anxiety will take you a long way. The stresses of med or graduate school will be enough stress without adding to it with unfounded worry. Jumping up and down has no bearing on your recovery.

Your typing struggles can be due to your anxiety and distraction/loss of focus.

Slow down for a few days, avoid caffeine and stressful activities and tasks. Get good rest and in time, you will see improvement.

[Mokey]

Stay off the computer. No cognitive activity at all. omega 3 supplements; rest with quiet.....
Maximize your chance of a complete recovery.
Ask your professors for a timeout.. Consult the accommodation people at your university,
Completely acceptable to not have deadlines while you are recovering from a concussion.
Good luck!