Whats up guys,

I posted back in november about the fact that I was scared of getting another concussion from flying back home. I wanted to post a response to let you guys know what happened since then, but my health took a steep decline after that, even though I know you were trying to help.

So I'll try to keep this post relatively short but I have a feeling I'm not going to succeed. I have received 3 or 4 concussions in the past 8 months, and I haven't been able to work, or function much since August of last year. After I got on that plane, I got off with extreme dizziness, I actually fell over at the airport and got hassled by security. Worse, in the days and weeks that followed I was completely bedridden, I could barely even move. Things were bad. I slowly started to recover, but then did something stupid by trying to walk to the store (which is about a mile and a half away). I used to be able to walk 10-15 miles a day, before all the accidents. Didn't go well, by the end of the first mile I was very dizzy, I had to sit down, I started forgetting where I was, I thought I could get up and walk back to my bedroom and lay down, I didn't even realize I was a mile from the house.

December got worse. I was bedridden for most of the month, I had to stay in a dark room only allowing for a few minutes to look at my phone per day (I spent most of my time listening to audio books and podcasts). By the end of december my neck sounded like it was grinding when I moved it. I finally got x-rays and my primary doctor diagnosed me with cervical osteoarthritis and bone spurs, we thought I might have stenosis which would explain why my fingers in my left arm were always tingling so we scheduled an MRI - I got the results back and it showed both central and foraminal stenosis (mild - however).

So we started thinking, maybe all this dizziness, the neurological problems, all the PCS issues could actually be an underlying, undiagnosed neck injury. I did a lot of research on it and it seemed plausible. The car accident I suffered in October could have given me whiplash, and it's just been overlooked all this time. Well, I've now seen TWO neck injury specialists who have reviewed my imaging results and they conclude - nope - my symptoms don't line up with my imaging, and that my stenosis isn't bad enough to cause the problems I have.

I still can't walk very far, even the slight jostling of walking to the mailbox causes me so many symptoms I'll fall over, or have to immediately lay down on my back for my neck to decompress and my symptoms to start to clear up. I also can't ride in a car, the jostling to my neck causes intense symptoms. When they get severe enough, I'm so out of it I won't know where I am and I can barely even stand upright. As it is, I can't sit or stand upright for more than an hour or so a day (up to 4 on good days). My health has been in a steep decline, my symptoms are worse now than they were a month ago, and much worse now than my car accident in October.

My neck specialists think I just have a delayed PCS, which doesn't make sense. My neurologist has no idea what's wrong with me. No one seems to know. My neck hurts all the time, I get headaches when I lay down, dizziness, cognitive problems, and mental confusion when I sit or stand. My hopes of a treatable neck injury are out the window and I can't get a referral for PT because "it wouldn't be productive" (the words of the cervical specialist). I'm now taking pain killers throughout the day, and my primary wants to refer me to a long term pain specialist. She's out of ideas as well.

What do I do? I feel like I'm out of options. I'm open to any suggestions. I have no idea what to think at this point. Is this some...delayed post concussive syndrome? Like my PCS slowly improved, but then took a steep decline, but with odd symptoms that can also be directly triggered by moving my neck (specifically down or to the left)? Is that possible?

I never cause symptoms to manifest or worsen by moving my head down or to the left but if I did something that cause my head to be down and to the left for an extended period, I would develop symptoms. This position caused inflammation that interrupted blood flow. I learned to avoid such position, especially during sleep or rest. If I did not avoid this, my sleep would be restless and I'd wake up miserable.

I learned to sleep in a good posture in my recliner. I'd curl a pillow so it supported my head so it did not tip off to the side. I also would position my hands on my belly. This helped with the tingling in my left hand.

What kind of pain meds are you taking ? Are they anti-inflammatory ?

Have you tried an anti-inflammatory diet ?

I got in a mva in November 2016 I was told I had a brain concussion. I 've been to neurologist as pain is so bad. He thinks my head pressure pain could be caused from missed break in my neck, I'm due to get another cervical x Ray. I just wish someone feeling what I feel would tell me this pain is part of healing process. I can't sleep when I do trying to turn in bed my head feels like its heavy my body is like turning but feels like my head is dragging to follow. I can turn head side to side but not fully as pain like tension pull occurs I then have to turn my whole body that direction to see. You referenced your neck anything you can share to make me feel better.

bonnie,

Welcome to NeuroTalk. What you are experiencing is common. The doctors rarely understand this. I call it a subtle neck injury. It usually does not show up on x-rays or other imaging. I doubt another x-ray will show anything. Your injury is likely soft tissue that does not show on an x-ray.

A physical therapist or chiropractor can be of some help but the most important way to heal is by choosing to be disciplined with posture when resting or sleeping. If you struggle in a normal bad, I suggest you find an adjustable bed or try sleeping in a soft recliner. For me, the recliner worked wonders.

It was important for me to find that comfortable position that allowed me to sleep on my back without moving. I used a U shaped pillow to support my head so it did not roll or tip to the side. It took some effort and discipline to learn to sleep on my back. In bed, a pillow under my knees helped to keep me from rolling on my side.

A physical therapist can help with some gentle traction and mobilization of the cervical vertebra. No range of motion exercises until the pain and inflammation goes down. Not all physical therapist are good at this so don't be afraid to try different PT's.

Some chiros can help but you want gentle techniques. No 'twist the head and pop the neck' treatments. They are too aggressive for most. An upper cervical chiro may be worthwhile. Check the Vitamins sticky at the top for links to the 2 upper cervical chiro referral sites.

You should be icing your neck, especially after any treatments. Taking an anti-inflammatory (NSAID) can be helpful. Ibuprofen or aspirin work good but you have to be consistent. 200 mgs of ibuprofen 3 times a day is what my doctor recommends. I use aspirin and acetaminophen combined for any intense headaches.

Other than neck and headaches, do you have any other symptoms ?

Of course I'm not expert, but the bone spurs and positional component of your headache made me think of a cerebrospinal fluid leak. I can't post the link because I haven't posted enough in the forum, but I strongly suggest that you google "Mystery Migraine Ian Carroll" and watch the video.

Hello,

I am new here and just found your post.
I am dealing with almost the same issues(PCS/cervical issues). I have some symptoms that don't really lineup with pcs(I had a concussion when I was starting to feel cervical symptoms), which makes me believe it has more to do with my cervical problem.
I have yet to see the surgeon, but when I do, I will let you know if he thinks it's more cervical than pcs.

Cheers..

Cartpath,

Welcome to NeuroTalk.

Many people have subtle upper neck injuries that do not show on imaging and with normal diagnostic techniques.

What struggles are you having that may be related to your concussion or your neck ?

My symptoms are: the feeling of disconnect (feel like everything is a dream/hard to process info), visual (things become blurt up close), numbness in my thumbs/forearm/back/and some time shins, swelling at the base of my skull, some memory issues, and some dizziness.

It sounds like you have both a concussion and a neck injury, even a low neck and/or upper back injury. Research shows that 80% of concussions include a neck injury.

It will help if you can break apart your symptoms. Do they all happen all the time or do they come and go at various times ?

You could have some radiculopathy at C-6 causing the thumb and forearm numbness.

Numbness on the back is odd because the back has a different nerve system than the arms and hands.

What have you tried to get relief ? What have the doctors said ?
What kind of medical care do you have available ? chiropractic, physical therapist/physiotherapist, MD, DO, ?

How were you injured ? How long ago ?

What do you do, work, student, ??? Some daily lives are counter to recovery and need to be modified.

You said "My symptoms are: the feeling of disconnect (feel like everything is a dream/hard to process info), visual (things become blurt up close), some memory issues, and some dizziness. "
Common concussion symptoms

"numbness in my thumbs/forearm/back/and some time shins, swelling at the base of my skull"
Cervical injury

Have you tried icing the back of your neck and head ?

Check out the Vitamins sticky at the top. It has good info and a recipe for making soft ice packs.



When you reply, use the Post Reply button at the bottom left and it will not quote the previous post. It makes it easier to scroll through the posts.

My best to you.

Wow, thank you for the great response!

I have had an MRI which showed bone spurs, broad based disc protrusion, ligament unfolding, mild facet arthropathy , and some other issues starting in c3 to c7 (don't remember ever hurting my neck/back.

My symptoms : dream like feeling is constant (a little better on some days), other symptoms come and go (mostly with weather, or when I put strain on my body).
I have seen a nucca chiropractor which kind of helped, as well I have been starting low level laser therapy.

I have had a few concussion s over the years, and this last injury came by being struck with a 2x4 to my jaw/ear area. I wasn't knocked out (I was stunned good), but I didn't feel anything for about 2weeks when I experienced vertigo and all my other symptoms. I am a heavy equipment operator, so this has had a great impact on me. I am roughly 5 months into this (symptoms).

I should mention I am turning 40 as I have heard age may play a role with?

I did check the vitamins sticky, and that is definitely great info.