[fatboy]

Hello everyone. I've recently been diagnosed with post concussion syndrome and I'm experiencing almost all of the symptoms unrelated to my vision, which is fine. I'm really concerned about mood swings, I have been going from zero to 100 instantly across the spectrum of emotions. I am mainly afraid about how easily I get angry/upset at minor annoyances. I live with my wife who has taken great care of me but I feel like a raving lunatic and I'm not sure what to do or how to handle it. I have an appointment with a neurologist in about two weeks which I am nervously looking forward to.

Sorry for the wall of text I just want to get myself talking, I'm not good at talking about feelings.

I'm terrified in general and I'm afraid to go back to work. Anything helps.

[Mark in Idaho]

fatboy,

Welcome to NeuroTalk.

Outbursts and other emotional lability is common. Often, they are triggered by being over stimulated when the mild confrontation happens. It is helpful to learn to minimize stimulation so we can have better control of outbursts.

It would be good for you to journal your outbursts to see what was happening before your outburst. Was there sounds overwhelming you, TV, music, voices ? Were you trying to do a task and not succeeding ?

Please tell us more about your concussions and any symptoms you are having ?

What have you been doing to help with healing ?

The neuro visit will not likely help. Neuros are rarely good with concussions. You may benefit from a short term prescription of a mood stabilizing drug like Zyprexa or an SSRI or SNRI.

[fatboy]

Originally Posted by Mark in Idaho

fatboy,

Welcome to NeuroTalk.

Outbursts and other emotional lability is common. Often, they are triggered by being over stimulated when the mild confrontation happens. It is helpful to learn to minimize stimulation so we can have better control of outbursts.

It would be good for you to journal your outbursts to see what was happening before your outburst. Was there sounds overwhelming you, TV, music, voices ? Were you trying to do a task and not succeeding ?

Please tell us more about your concussions and any symptoms you are having ?

What have you been doing to help with healing ?

The neuro visit will not likely help. Neuros are rarely good with concussions. You may benefit from a short term prescription of a mood stabilizing drug like Zyprexa or an SSRI or SNRI.

Sorry for the choppy writing, I was injured about a week ago. I was at a gym and a piece of equipment broke and hit me over the top middle of my head, using a 185lb weight being pulled towards me (think lat pulldown). So in order to move the 185lb weight I would imagine at least 186lbs or more of force is needed, which leaves it at getting a 186lb+ weight dropped square on the top of my head.

Before my injury I was ( I like to think) at least mildly high functioning, difficult high pressure job in a sales enviornment, lifting heavy weights 5-6 days a week and going to school in the evening. Now I can't hold a conversation or make simple decisions or drive, I'm afraid because I know what I'm capable of and I'm not sure how big the gap is between that and where I currently am, but I know it's pretty big.

I have a loving wife who takes great care of me but she doesn't quite get it, I feel confused and depressed most of the day. I'm not sure what if anything I can do to help myself heal or help my situation. I hate being like this because normally I over-do everything and my single greatest fear is not doing enough, so to be locked into a state where I can't do anything even if I want to is terrifying.

My symptoms have been almost everything on the list. Forgetfulness, bad balance, become tired very quickly, difficulty solving problems, mood swings, headaches, irregular sleep pattern either can't sleep or sleep for 12-18 hours straight, dizziness/general "out of it" feeling of being disoriented, loss of sex drive/interest in sex, just today I've noticed that my peripheral vision seems to be much worse than usual. I've learned to say "forgetfulness" first because I find myself forgetting some of the symptoms every time a new medical person asks. I had to write them down and keep the list in my pocket for doctor visits. I'm sure I forgot something, didn't consult the list.

thank you for responding, any feedback is much appreciated.

[Mark in Idaho]

Unless you are seeing a specialist to treat a single set of symptoms, vestibular, etc. , there is no need to tell them every symptom. You have a brain injury. That is all the diagnosis you need. It needs proper quiet rest. You need to slow down and let go of thinking you need to do anything but get better. Just because you can walk and try to talk does not mean you can or should do anything.

Watch the YouTube video series "You Look Great" with your wife.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x9Xso4qGdlI

Read the vitamins sticky at the top. It has lots of good information.

You want to stimulate your mind in a casual, no stress way. Playing cards, doing hand projects, etc.

You are very early in your recovery. Many who think their world has come crashing to an end at 2 weeks have great recoveries by 6 weeks. But, you need to give your brain time.

You may have suffered a subtle upper neck injury. They are almost impossible to diagnose. Pain on the bony spot behind the ears is a common sign. Good straight head and neck sleep and resting posture consistently for at least 6 weeks can help. No chin toward the chest postures.

If you have a recliner, you can get good benefit from it. Sit in it doing simple tasks. If you start to feel tired, put your head back and take a short nap.

Many do well with low dose amitriptyline or nortriptyline before bed to help with headaches and insomnia.

Nothing will slow your recovery more than you trying to be productive. You do not recovery by pushing through. This is not weight lifting where the body breaks down and rebuiilds. Your brain needs low stress with good blood flow and time to heal.

So, Go watch the video series.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x9Xso4qGdlI

My best to you.