Hi Kayc
 

I had my I suppose you could call it most debilatating bang on the head 8 years ago - hit my head on a hanging basket and about a month after that hit my head on the door frame getting into a taxi. I thought I had got over the first one ok but I don't think I had and ended up with symptons like yours.

Initially I tried to work full time but found that I couldn't read, concentrate etc and felt like my brain was screaming. The doctor at the time did not believe me and said that he knew about people like me as he used to work for an insurance company - then came the I must be going crazy thoughts.

Eventually I saw a well known psychologist - she put me off work for a month and then I went back an hour or 2 a day. About 2 years later when I was pushing myself to work about 5 hours which I found terribly terribly tiring, I became dizzy and fell and was ko'd. Stitches in my face etc and was back to 3 hours a day eventually building up again - was being forced up by our Accident Compensation People. Not long after this I had the feeling that I was going to die, my husband rushed me to the doctor and my blood pressure had gone sky rocketing and was rushed to hospital. I was really really lucky I didn't have a stroke.

So about 3-4 years following I was back to 3 hours a day. This still left me exhasuted - weekends were recovery time, social life very very limited and was like an existence I was hanging on to. During this time I was still bumping my head which of course didn't help.

Only testing I had which showed anything was a QEEG - according to that my brain is speeding in one frontal lobe and not doing to much in others. I am also meant to have a major learning disability.

2 yrs ago - so must have been into my 6th year I was fired by a client - (I am a legal executive) it was because of our fees not quality of work, but it was just the final thing - I had a total melt down and have not been back to work since. I admit that I knew I had been hanging on by a thread for so long and I think the "firing" with my mother dying 6 months earlier was the last straw for me.

I do have a better quality of life now if I keep to my strict routine. I can work around most of the memory and concentration issues, but I still have the fatigue - I have to rest from 11.30-12.00 each midday regardless of where I am or what I have been doing, then I need to sleep for an hour each afternoon say 3-4p.m. If I don't do that I can't sleep at night and then life is not good for days. If I am out I will even sleep in my car if I have to - always have a pillow and blanket in it!

With exercise I find that I can do a fast walk for 5-6 miles anything more and I will get a shocking migraine with unending vomiting - and the end result injections to stop it all. I can't jog as it is too jerky, cardio and stretches has been ok at the gym.

So have I got better? Yes I think I have - but I think most of my improvement is from learning to live with it and not pushing myself too hard. It was really hard to come to terms with the fact that by pushing yourself you actually became worse. I know I have the wrong personality type for this injury!

I still find myself unable to sustain a lot of stress - it is like it just draws a blank in my brain. I also think I am a nicer person, the old Lynlee was a very fussy, picky perfectionist who was a know all and expected everybody else to create perfection as well. I am somewhat more compassionate but do get annoyed when things aren't done properly!

What I do know now is: who my real friends are, you want die from dust or a dirty car or weeds in the garden

What I wish I had done is - got the best help sooner, and taken more time off work sooner and rested when I needed to instead of fighting it so hard for so long. - but then everybody was telling me that there was nothing wrong with me - trust yourself - only you will know when your need rest and when you make sure you get it! The absolute best thing is REST and avoid over stimulation - nose and music.

I keep telling myself - peace - calm - relax!

The boys will be able to be a lot more technical. My next thing will be trying LENS neurofeedback.

I have been told by Barry Waller (one of the Canadian specialist in PCS/Sports recovery) that it is not likely that I will be any better, my psychiatrist has told me that this is as good as it gets, I have repeatedly searched around for anything that will keep me awake all day and tried a couple of drugs - legal - and they have resulted in shocking headaches. Only one thing has made me feel normal and that was the 2 days on morphine when I had the terrible blood pressure headache. I still keep hoping and looking for the day when I will be able to stay awake all day.

So good luck - it is early days yet - maybe your could try taking 6 months leave from your work and then slowly ease back, one on one tutoring? I know others would disagree with me and say persist, I just know with me if had stopped working earlier I feel I would be a lot better now.

Lynlee

Lynlee, you have put it so, so well. I, like you, would have been so much better off if I had taken the time in the beginning. Now 4 years later, I resigned from my job last month because of all my issues and the problems at work, I'm taking the time, I don't push myself...nor do I beat myself up for not being able to do more. I too ended up in the hospital, with what the doctors described as an extreme anxiety attach (I thought I was having a heart attack). My blood pressure before the fall in 05 was always around 120/60 - this year it was up to 191/110 now I'm on blood pressure meds...too too much stress and my mind cannot deal with it.

Your explanation was superb!!! Thanks for your insight!

Melek

Post concussive syndrome
 

I suffered a concussion in a car accident May 2, 2009, (got rear-ended sitting at a stop light) without hitting my head on anything. The impact was great enough to give me a concussion (neurologist said it's like adult shaken "baby" syndrome. The symptoms did not set in right away--over the course of 2 wks they worsened. I was off work 2.5 months due to my symptoms: personality change, couldn't do much as I would get dizzy, slurred speech, running words together or mixing them up (which at times were funny but still disconcerting), short-term memory loss, and a whole list of other symptoms. I could tell anyone off and not feel bad about it, which was weird as that is NOT me at all. I gave a credit card company an earful when they tried to raise my interest rate to 19% or something like that--it worked, they didn't do it! So on the upside, my concussion has made me a lot more assertive...and I like it!

So it's been 7 months since the accident and I'm still experiencing some symptoms. My neurologist told me it might take up to a year to get better. I've accidentally bumped my head 3 times on various things since then and each time some of the symptoms worsen. It's frustrating but I still feel I'm getting better...just a setback when I bump my head but is short-lived. I also was/am seeing a specialist in molecular medicine (only 5 in the US) and he's here in Indianapolis where I live! He prescribed Piracetam for me--which helps improve brain function and help the brain to heal quicker. I'm a believer!

I'm 55 and went back to college 3.5 months after the accident and only 1 month after returning to work (less than full-time). I asked my neurologist and he said it would be great for me to go to college (I was to go back in June or July but due to the concussion I couldn't). I thought he was nuts but using my brain more, it has healed a little quicker (exercising the muscle he says is good--brain is a muscle of sorts). I nearly have a 4.0 GPA so something must be working. I still have some memory problems....I still cannot remember much for the 2.5 months I was off work. I know I saw the last Harry Potter movie...but can't remember it at all except for one small part. It's weird not being able to remember.

So I'm hanging in there and hopeful I will fully heal in time.

Post Concussive Syndrome symptoms continue!
 

It's been over a year since I've posted on this forum. I had a car accident nearly 2 years ago, diagnosed with Post Concussive Syndrome. I still don't feel like myself. I still have memory issues, which really bothers me. I went back to college (more about that later) as neurologist said it would help my brain heal (that was August 2009). I'm 56 years old, still going to college all the while working full-time and being a single mom of a 17-year old daughter that thinks I'm crazy for thinking I'm still suffering from PCS.

My question: Is it possible for me to still have PCS symptoms? The ringing in my ears from the accident never went away and is so loud has become annoying. I read material for college, put the book down, pick it up a day or two later and don't recall reading any of the material. This is so frustrating!

Anyone out there who can tell me that it's possible my symptoms are continuing? Oh yea, I suffered a bad fall last August and hit my head, and just 2 weeks ago was in another accident--got "T-boned" on the driver's side. I feel like some of the PCS symptoms have worsened again...is that possible?

Very sorry to hear about your experiences. I pray that no further accidents occur. I am so glad I don't drive. Maybe you have to drive, though-

I think it is possible. I've had minor bumps & shakes in the past 6.5 months-

Mark will know for sure.

PWood,

You are likely suffering from Multiple Impact Syndrome. I have been going through this since 1965. Each time I have suffered a head impact, the symptoms come back. It gets worse each consecutive time.

I am to the point now where I get serious symptoms from very mild impacts.

Your fall and recent T-bone are likely to have caused a return and even increase of your symptoms.

Have you ever had a neuro-psychological exam? It will help you understand your struggles. It sounds like you have visual memory dysfunctions.

It has been ten years since my last injury. I can watch reruns and remember seeing the movie or episode before but not remember the ending. I have serious reading limitations even though I am very high functioning to most observers.

At your age, you might benefit from a good hormone assessment for bio-identical hormones. Memory issues can be hormone related. Women's International Pharmacy has a referral link at https://www.womensinternational.com/..._referral.html

You will likely be surprised what good hormone balance will do for your brain. The Big Pharma hormones do not work in quite the same way as the original formula that the body likes.

Wow, I took too long in thought. Got distracted. My screen-saver came on and I forgot that I was writing a response. The perils of PCS.

Hope I have been some help.

My best to you.

Mark, thank you for your comments. I was diagnosed with the PCS from a neurologist after the car accident 2 years ago but is that the same thing as neuro-psychological exam? Glad to know it is possible for my symptoms to come back--my teenage daughter says it can't be that (she's a doctor you know--ha-ha) so she doesn't believe me when I tell her I still don't feel quite like myself...still. It is frustrating to recall how I use to be and how different I am now--I know I cannot change the past and need to accept where I am at today.

Also, I have been on bio-identical HRT for 2.5 years and works well for me. So not sure my memory issue is hormonal but appreciate the suggestion. In fact, I see a molecular medicine doctor (one of few in the U.S. and he is only 15 mins from my home...I really feel blessed he is so near). I love doctors who fight the root cause of an issue instead of putting a bandaid on it!

By the way, great scripture on your post!

PWood,

A Neuro-psych assessment is done by a neuro-psychologist. It takes a minimum of an hour if it is a short assessment but most will be up to 5 to 8 hours. Your neuro can do a MMSE (Mini Mental State Exam) during an extended office visit.

Have your hormones been checked since your concussions? How about D3, folate and B-12?

Glad to hear your are on Bio HRT. Your balanced progesterone has helped limit your concussion severity. Low P leaves the brain susceptible to greater injury.

At least your daughter's comments are from a non-MD. There are plenty of M.D.'s who will say the same thing. If you get a neuro-psych assessment, you can show the report to your daughter.

It helped my wife better understand my condition. I had my first at one year post injury and a follow up by a different Neuro-psych Psy.D. with almost the same results. I figure my condition is stable. I live as if I will not improve.

The important thing is to understand that there are plenty of work-arounds and accommodations to minimize the limits to your daily life.

I was treated by an ortho-molecular psychiatrist almost 30 years ago. He taught me a lot of how to care for my injured brain.

BTW, That scripture is how I make it past my struggles and frustrations.

My best to you.

uh
 

2 years this week

20, male, had it two years. Its gone, 100% symptom free. I worried myself into such a deep depression, never thought I'd get out, never. Tried every treatment i found, EEG's (LENS), neuro meds, chiro, acupuncture, psych...didnt do much. And then finally it lifted by itself. BTW, don't bother with the statistics, useless in my opinion. You can get better.