Hi Everyone,

Couple of things, I am 3.5 years post my concussion still having some symptoms.

Are there any diagnostic tests I should do? I have had a CT scan of brain, MRI of whole neck, X rays of neck. Everything has come back clean.

Should I get an MRI of my brain? (Seems like if they found something there is nothing that could be done because I am functioning well and would not want to risk brain surgery)

Or a lumbar puncture? (This seems like a good option because I feel like I always have pressure in my head)

Also something I am really struggling with is when my head gets bumped (even very slightly) I am worried I did damage (even though I know it is impossible that I did any damage). How do I get over this? I am so sensitized to anything touching my head. For instance a volleyball lightly hit me in the head yesterday and I am still worried about it. I know that in about another day I won't even really think about it.

Thanks for the help everyone!

Nex1,

Welcome to NeuroTalk. Your experience is so common. Many have the same struggles. It is good that you realize your anxiety about head touches are not based in reality. Getting the thoughts under control so you don't react will be a great benefit.

You don't say what symptoms you are experiencing other than a sense of pressure.

X-Rays and MRI's of the neck will not show the subtle upper neck injuries that can still cause symptoms.

Some more information about how you suffered your concussion and your current symptoms will help us help you.

What have you done to try to reduce your symptoms ? Any diet changes ?
How is you sleep ? Any changes ?

An anti-inflammatory diet may help. Many see benefit from the vitamin regimen in the Vitamins sticky at the top.

Hey Mark thanks for the quick response! What do you believe are the best way to get those thoughts under control? I usually make a list such as:

1.Head bumps do not equal concussions
2. I did not experience any concussion symptoms after getting bumped
3. I have let my anxiety, depression etc get the better of me before and every other time it was never a concussion

Do you have any other strategies? I have seen therapists before and recently moved so I am looking to see another one.

I suffered my second major concussion (may have had 2 or so minor ones while playing contact sports) snowboarding. I was unconscious for about 5-10 seconds max as I had friend behind me. Unfortunately no helmet on.

Current symptoms: Light sensitivity, constant pressure in head, minor vestibular issues (get a bit dizzy when playing volleyball, badminton etc). Difficulty remembering, difficulty concentrating. And a general feeling of just being off

Mental Symptoms: Depression, anxiety, low tolerance for stress. I know that when my anxiety depression and stress get away from me it can make me feel very very symptomatic.

I have developed TMJ from stress and anxiety (wear a night guard while sleeping).

Overall I am doing okay, no one knows that I am going through what I have been except for my mom. My friends wouldnt really have any idea. However I am still suffering everyday. I am very worried something has been left undiagonised, I keep thinking there may be something I can do for a "quick fix", like something that has not been looked into yet. I guess I am just worried that there is something that I have not looked into yet that is doing damage to my brain over time.... (probably my anxiety talking)

I feel like a lumber puncutre could put my mind at ease, or is this too drastic of a measure?

Nex1,

It sounds like you have quite an anxiety issue or maybe even an anxious personality. These can make very minor PCS symptoms much worse.

A lumbar puncture is an extreme and unnecessary procedure. It has some risks, too. In my opinion, the risks are far worse that any remote possibility of finding a problem.

What would you expect a lumbar puncture to show if it had a positive result ?

How would a lumbar puncture put your mind at ease ?

It sounds like you have not made much of an adjustment after your prior concussion experiences and PCS. Snowboarding without a helmet is very risky, even if you did not have a concussion history. Volley ball is a contact sport, spikes to the head, head to the floor, head to a knee, head to head and more. If you get dizzy playing a sport, you need to stop. Playing with any symptoms goes against everything the experts say.

Your difficulty remembering and concentrating can be PCS OR anxiety or both. Until it is professionally assessed, you should try to not consider these as real. It is very difficult to self-diagnose these because the anxiety of paying attention to these can cause them.

You did not say how you got your concussions except for the snowboarding. btw, Short term loss of conscious has little bearing on severity of concussion.

It would be good to know your age and gender. I won't assume either.
Are you taking any meds ?

Did you look at the Vitamins sticky at the top ?

Hey Mark,

First off I am 26 Male (concussion happened Feb of 2012). Previous concussion was Feb of 2010 (snowboarding hit my chin I was wearing a helmet took 2 weeks to feel normal). Had 1 playing lacrosse (2 days felt normal), 1 playing football(2 days felt normal). Not on any medications, and yes I have looked at the vitamin sticky this is not my first time here or talking with you! I forgot my previous username however.


Yes I feel I do have an anxious personality. I have always been an anxious person, but it got a lot worse after my concussion.

I actually have made a large adjustment after my 2nd major concussion. I always wear helmets now (it was a mistake before and I have wanted to kill myself over it). I no longer play Lacrosse or Football or any contact sports or anything that can risk getting my head hit.

As for the volleyball league I play in it is kind of like a beer league so it is competitive but no overly so. We play on sand, there is 6 of us so it is quite crowded very few to non existent collisions with own team mates. Spikes from other team are not very hard and I can easily get my hands in front of my face to protect it. Incidence rate of concussions in college level volleyball is 0.09 per 1000 athletic exposures (almost the same as baseball). I have to have this tiny bit of risk in my life or I may as well just be bubble wrapped and stay in my room!

As for my memory yes you are probably right, who would you suggest to see to get properly diagnosed? I have seen 2 neuro psychologists... I feel it was not that beneficial for me mostly talked to me about cognitive behavioral therapy. But yes I believe my depression, anxiety, and stress make a big impact on my memory.

As for the lumber puncture I think it may show I have an elevated CSF pressure in my brain, it would put my mind at ease because I could point to something and say see this is why I am feeling like this. And if they find a high CSF pressure are they not just able to drain some fluid and this would help me feel better?

Thanks for the answers. Helps a lot.

If you have high CSF pressure, a puncture would usually show some quick relief but if the cause continues, the pressure would return within a short time. But, there are symptoms of elevated CSF pressure that you don't appear to have.
Intracranial pressure - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Have you even found a neuro willing to do a puncture ?

A NeuroPsych would need to do at least a minimal battery NeuroPsych Assessment. 4 hours of testing would usually be required. Trail Making, WAIS II, Wechsler Adult Memory, and an MMPI-II would often be the minimum.

Volleyball risk may be low but if you are dizzy, those risk factors change. Most return to play assessments consider dizziness a serious risk factor for a repeat concussion so you should be careful about playing while dizzy.

How is your sleep ? Do you fall asleep easily and wake easily ?
Sleep could be a big contributor to your symptoms. Proper sleep can make a big difference in how the brain handles fluids.

Hmm thats is true, ya according to the wikipedia article I don't really show any of the symptoms other than when I bend down the pressure gets worse and it feels like my head is always pressurized.

No I have not found a neuro willing to do it, I have actually not even seen a neuro yet. I have been assessed by several doctors though that have done neurological exams on me. I have also seen a neuro ophthalmologist and she did not find anything.

My sleep quality lately has been pretty poor.. Must by why I am more symptomatic lately? I fall asleep easily but I am waking 2-3 times a night sleeping a total of about 7.5 hours sometimes once I wake up it is hard to get back to sleep. It dosent feel like I am getting in a deep sleep. I am out of work right now too and just applying for jobs so I have added stress of having no income (I do have savings that can last me awhile however) and the thought of starting a new job.

Thank you for calming my anxiety down good Sir, I am going to try to not think about it.

If you are struggling to get good sleep, the most important step to take is get up at the same, proper time each day. If you sleep in some days, that will disrupt sleep patterns. Some of us need a snack before bed. A couple hundred calories of a complex carb or carb and protein can do the job. For me, it is cheese and crackers or crackers and peanut butter.

If you get caught in anxious thought, it helps to find a thought distraction. Light reading, TV/videos, and such as long as it is not stimulating can distract the mind from the anxieties of the day. Making notes of unresolved issues that need addressing the next day helps the mind let go of that issue.

For some of us, proper sleep can be a task that needs effort. It is for me.Poor sleep can and usually does lead to a horrible day.

Hey everyone,

So I have had a couple concussions. After the last one I get back in Feb of 2012 I have not fully recovered from.

Since that concussion I am very sensitive to if something hits me in the head even if it is no where near the force to give me a concussion I will always question did I just get a concussion?

I am an anxious person, and the anxiety is enough to give me a bad headache and make my neck and trap muscles tense up. I can almost make myself believe I did more damage.

Since Feb of 2012 this has probably happened at least 70-80 times. And then I give it a couple days and realize nothing happened.

My question is how can I get over this crippling anxiety and if I have a minor head bump not spiral down into I got another concussion?

Thank you for all of the responses!

Get help with your anxiety and make sure you are not consuming anxiety foods (caffeine, MSG, artificial sweeteners or intense sugars.) Taking B-12 and other brain health supplements.

For me, It would be helpful if you did not start a new thread with each question so we can read your other posts to better understand what your circumstances are. I have very poor memory functions so I do not remember what your other posts say.