Hi I'm glad I found this. On the 15th of march I was running around like crazy trying to take care of my 3 children, husband, and a friend that recently had a hysterectomy. I was standing on a chair trying to reach something in the cabinet up high and fell backwards off the chair and landed on my back, hitting my head hard on the kitchen floor. I didn't loose consciousness, but I started having signs of a concussion. I was combative, blurry vision, seeing things, feeling very drunk. I was in the ED for a few hours and the CT scans came back clear. So anyhow I just got diagnosed with post concussion syndrome. I'm having a hard time even writing this because it is taxing to my brain. I have trouble finding the right words. Sometimes I find it nearly impossible to stay awake even after 3 cups of coffee. I have intermittent headaches/(I have imitrex for migraines), I stare at nothing, ringing in ears, I don't want anyone near me. I can't seem to start a task like laundry, dinner, cleaning(I'm now a stay at home mom) I'm suspicious, overly sensitive, god I could go on. Idk if I'm even in the right place to be sharing. I'm not me anymore and I'm terrified. Thanks for listening.

Mommabear77,

Welcome to NeuroTalk. I'm sorry to hear about your fall. At 10 days post concussion, you are still in concussion recovery. Most recover spontaneously in the first 3 to 6 weeks. Those that don't are considered to have PCS. So, you have time to recover without concern for long term PCS.

It does not sound like you have been able to take a break and give your brain some time off. You need to because it is important to recovery. Caffeine is not good for recovery. Try to limit you caffeine to one serving a day.

Do you have a history of migraines? Chronic headaches for an extended period after a concussion is not uncommon. Many use ibuprofen or acetaminophen or even acetaminophen and aspirin combined. You should save the Imitrex for the strong headaches. Headaches have a variety of causes. The most treatable are those from lack of quality sleep and from subtle upper neck injuries.

Your symptoms sound to me like you are not getting good sleep. Sleep dysregulation is a common problem that can trigger some of your symptoms. You should try to maintain a routine of 7-9 hours of sleep with minimal short napping if it does not interfere with getting to sleep at night. (It usually does) Magnesium (citrate, or other non-mag oxide versions are best) an hour before bed. Some do well with melatonin. Amitriptyline in low doses (10 to 30 mg) can help with insomnia and night time headaches when taken an hour before bed. Ask you doctor about it.

A chiro who uses gentle neck techniques or has upper cervical chiro training or a physical therapist who has those gentle skills can be helpful. You are not needing serious range of motion rehab from a PT quite yet. Rather, some gentle traction and mobilization to help the spasms settle down and inflammation heal. A big part of healing a subtle neck injury/strain is good posture during sleep and rest. Minimal pillow lift when on your back and appropriate pillow height when on your side to hold the neck straight.

I understand how 3 kids and the other duties you have right now feel like they rule. But, you need to give your brain a break. AND, others need to understand that your need to give your brain a break. Is there anybody you can call on who can help you like you were helping your friend ? Taking the daily schedule strain off will be a big help. Quieting your home atmosphere will help, music, TV blaring, voices, etc. Taking the 'hurried' out of the day will help. Calming activities during the day can be good. Knitting, painting, crafts, scrap booking, and things that do not have a time crunch can keep the brain mildly active without causing stress.

Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) can be annoying but there is no treatment that works. It is best to try to ignore it. Some use background sounds to help hide it. I've had tinnitus for decades. If I pay attention to it, it can get very loud. If I ignore it, it quiets but does not usually go away.

Many find benefit from a vitamin regimen like posted in the Vitamins sticky at the top.

These ideas should give you a start in your recovery and understanding. Please feel welcome to post or ask anything. We have heard it all.

My best to you.

Momma bear,

Find ways to take breaks before symptoms become to ugly, let your family know we say it s imperative.

You aren't imagining or faking anything..head stuff is no fun and a bit confusing, it took me quite awhile to stumble upon neuro talk and find out I wasn't imagining all that was happening with me.

I missed 10 months of work due to my accident and upon my return I had a lot of blank stare moments and difficulty making decisions that were routine for me.

My guess is you will be just fine soon..just be patient and ask your family to do so likewise.

Best to you,
Bud

I don't know what I'm doing here😬😬 I'm trying to reply but don't know if I'm in the right spot. Thank you mark for your input. My husband has been taking care of the cooking and just wants me to rest. But he works hard all day and he can't keep up with everything. I'm very OCD and need things a certain way. I had a breakdown the other day. Something happened and I got enraged when my family left the house amess. I was screaming and slamming things. It was terrifying. I had some emotion regulating problems before my fall but they have gotten worse. My poor children 😞

I have been on quite the cocktail of medicine for years now. I take clonazepam for anxiety four times a day, Gabapentin 1800 mg a day for chronic back problems and post surgery for my back, and Prozac 80 mg a day for depression binging and purging, anxiety, and a few other things. I've tried so many medications throughout my life I am very sensitive to all of them this is the only cocktail that seems to work for me I will look on the sticky thread about supplements to take because believe me when I tell you I want to feel normal again

My husband took me to the grocery store yesterday and I thought I could handle leaving the house but as soon as we got in the car I had a panic attack in the light bothers my eyes so that didn't work out

I do take Imitrex as needed for migraines which I get every month so I try and save those for the really bad migraines. The headaches I'm having now are just random sharp shooting pains in different spots all over my head I just take Tylenol for those I've only had to take Imitrex three times.

It just feels like I can't put 1 foot in front of the other I can't complete a task I did have a neck brace on for a week but the spine Center cleared me and my neck is doing fine now. Just a tad tender.

I live in the village in Vermont and everybody knows each other when I left the house yesterday our neighbor pulled into the driveway at the same time and I got dumbfounded and couldn't speak to her. Thank God I had sunglasses on and my husband was driving.

Well I hope I'm writing this in the correct spot I'm just so confused and scared the things that we or I normally do on a daily basis like cleaning and laundry and vacuuming and driving are things that I would do anything to do right now but I can't do them. OK this is all over the place I'm sorry but thank you for responding have a great day QUOTE=Mark in Idaho;1239416]Mommabear77,

Welcome to NeuroTalk. I'm sorry to hear about your fall. At 10 days post concussion, you are still in concussion recovery. Most recover spontaneously in the first 3 to 6 weeks. Those that don't are considered to have PCS. So, you have time to recover without concern for long term PCS.

It does not sound like you have been able to take a break and give your brain some time off. You need to because it is important to recovery. Caffeine is not good for recovery. Try to limit you caffeine to one serving a day.

Do you have a history of migraines? Chronic headaches for an extended period after a concussion is not uncommon. Many use ibuprofen or acetaminophen or even acetaminophen and aspirin combined. You should save the Imitrex for the strong headaches. Headaches have a variety of causes. The most treatable are those from lack of quality sleep and from subtle upper neck injuries.

Your symptoms sound to me like you are not getting good sleep. Sleep dysregulation is a common problem that can trigger some of your symptoms. You should try to maintain a routine of 7-9 hours of sleep with minimal short napping if it does not interfere with getting to sleep at night. (It usually does) Magnesium (citrate, or other non-mag oxide versions are best) an hour before bed. Some do well with melatonin. Amitriptyline in low doses (10 to 30 mg) can help with insomnia and night time headaches when taken an hour before bed. Ask you doctor about it.

A chiro who uses gentle neck techniques or has upper cervical chiro training or a physical therapist who has those gentle skills can be helpful. You are not needing serious range of motion rehab from a PT quite yet. Rather, some gentle traction and mobilization to help the spasms settle down and inflammation heal. A big part of healing a subtle neck injury/strain is good posture during sleep and rest. Minimal pillow lift when on your back and appropriate pillow height when on your side to hold the neck straight.

I understand how 3 kids and the other duties you have right now feel like they rule. But, you need to give your brain a break. AND, others need to understand that your need to give your brain a break. Is there anybody you can call on who can help you like you were helping your friend ? Taking the daily schedule strain off will be a big help. Quieting your home atmosphere will help, music, TV blaring, voices, etc. Taking the 'hurried' out of the day will help. Calming activities during the day can be good. Knitting, painting, crafts, scrap booking, and things that do not have a time crunch can keep the brain mildly active without causing stress.

Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) can be annoying but there is no treatment that works. It is best to try to ignore it. Some use background sounds to help hide it. I've had tinnitus for decades. If I pay attention to it, it can get very loud. If I ignore it, it quiets but does not usually go away.

Many find benefit from a vitamin regimen like posted in the Vitamins sticky at the top.

These ideas should give you a start in your recovery and understanding. Please feel welcome to post or ask anything. We have heard it all.

My best to you.[/QUOTE]

Thank you very much. I think my husband understands it's important I sit in a room and have little stimulation. But he works hard all day and things don't get done around the house like they should. I sound ungrateful and crazy for saying that but I have or had a routine and it's making me insane not being able to carry on with it. 3 kids help with ALOT of persuasion. I want my brain back !!

MommaBear77,

You are on quite a strong cocktail. I've been on gabapentin for 16 years, first at 1200mg, then 900 and stepping down. At a recent appointment with a new neuro to renew my script, she told me to cut to 300 mgs because gabapentin has shown to be a problem with memory and cognitive issues. I only take it before bed.

Research has found that benzos should be avoided after a concussion, especially the first 72 hours and preferably for the next 2 weeks after.

I was on clonazepam for 2 years before switching to gabapentin. I was miserable on clonazepam.

Have you tried something newer than Prozac that helps with anxiety? Prozac is eons behind the newer meds in targeted treatments.

Do you consume caffeine ?

Have you every looked into orthomolecular medicine or orthomolecular psychiatry ? It sounds like you have a serious imbalance that the docs are just masking with the meds.

My best to you.

Hi Mark, yes I am I'm quite the strong cocktail and I am a 39-year-old 110 pound woman LOL. The gabapentin I take for a laminectomy I had in 2014, and I remained on it because I still have chronic back issues, and it also seemed to regulate my mood disorder.
To tell you the truth it doesn't really do much for pain anymore I just take it for the mood disorder. I'm very very sensitive to medications and I get very nervous about trying new ones as I've been a guinea pig for most of my life
The clonazepam I've been on for 15 years and I have to say that it's one thing I can't break this cycle or get off of especially now that my anxiety has worsened since the fall.

The Prozac helps me with OCD,eating disorder, Pms, and if you other things I can't think of right now but it helps me so much with all of that stuff and it seems to be the only medicine that targets all of those symptoms. I've had a eating disorder for over 20+ years. I take all of my medicine at night and I'm thinking maybe it's causing me extreme exhaustion during the day because of my father and now I need to change things?

Unfortunately I do consume coffee although not as much as I used to in the morning I'm desperately trying to wake myself up with no effect and drink about 2 to 3 cups but it doesn't help. I'm exhausted. I can't shake it. Evenings are best for me. Although doc says NO mental stimulation. I was a nurse for 13 years. (Still am but stay at home mom now) you would think that being a nurse I should know better but It's the exact opposittte. ��

And the orthomolecukar medicine I'll look up.

Until then I'll try to have someone but me some of the supplements that are posted in the sticky.
Thanks so much .

I suspected you may be using coffee to counteract the clonazepam induced somnolence. I was only taking 10 mg before bed and was sleepy all day so I added caffeine to be more alert. When I told my doc, he hit the roof. I don't remember why specifically, but he said that the mix of caffeine and clonazepam is really bad. He took me off the clonazepam and started gabapentin instead.

I was on high dose paroxetine for 14 years because my brain would get caught looping (preserverance) on meaningless thoughts, sometimes for days. It was exhausting. Only the high dose paroxetine helped. Until I got fed up with the side effects and replaced it with 5-HTP and L-Tryptophan. My doc had suggested it as a possible solution. I am so much better now but the paroxetine appears to have left me with some long term side-effects.

A previous doctor, an orthomolecular psychiatrist, got me started on vitamin and supplement therapy to overcome severe depression from a severe trauma.

Are your meds prescribed by a psychiatrist or other medical specialty ?

Have you ever had your hormones tested by a neuro-endocrinologist ? Some have found life changing improvements with properly tracked and prescribed bio-identical hormones. A concussion can make a small hormone issue a huge hormone issue.

What part of Vermont are you ?
I love Vermont and your neighbor New Hampshire. I miss the green of New England hardwood forests. I lived in Vermont and NH as a child.

My concern is whether your cocktail has put you in a weakened state that makes the concussion even more of a problem. Finding the right doctor to help you figure this all out will be important. Plus, learning what you can do on your own will be good.

My best to you.

Momma Bear,

Being more than a bit perfectionist personality was a real curse for me...I could by no means keep up.

I was forced to do what I called chore triage. Expect a little less of yourself right now..for your's and your families survival. I had to figure out what chores were actually important and what were self imposed overboard important.

Sit down for a few minutes and make a list, don't be afraid to ask your hubby for help if you need it....use discipline to abide by that list. Rest in between.

Right now you are not the same, don't require the same of yourself.

I was home for 10 months from my accident and my wife worked at our business, I cooked for her and I like to cook. It was no longer easy to plan a meal and I burned a few things which wasn't my norm. I was forced to lay aside the norm for what was necessary and truly expedient.

Don't be afraid to flex..we don't break and it just might be liberating.

Bud

Hey I live near white river junction VT. I'm in the middle of nowhere, I live in a Village with one general store that has the post office, bank and everything that our village needs in it. I'm originally from Connecticut but moved here in 2009. It took me a long time to adjust but I really love it here. I'm also on the border of New Hampshire near DArtmouth that's where I going to town and do all my shopping.

That is a high dose of clonazepam to take at night. My body is so used to it for being on it for so long that coming off of it has proven to be horrid. I've tried it before and needless to say it was a nightmare. I do need it though for my anxiety if I don't take it I have what's called pseudo seizures it's all from PTSD. All of my meds are prescribed by a psychiatrist whom I see on a regular basis. My diagnoses are BPD, eating disorder, anxiety, OCD, I could go on but I function as a pretty "normal person "in society.

I do have regular bloodwork done due to my eating disorder but I don't know if the check hormonal levels I know they check my thyroid which comes back normal.

I actually bought a bottle of 5-HTP because some days I look at all my pill bottles from the pharmacy and I want to throw them in the trash and just start on natural vitamins. I suffer from severe depression bouts as well so I really would have to be cautious with the 5-HTP. Although it's something I'm willing to try because I'm sick of the side effects from the SSRIs. The Neurontin I still take because my body is addicted to it it doesn't even help anymore with my nerve pain and my back pain. I would like to come off the Neurontin but that's proven to be difficult as well.

What part of Vermont did you live in? If you don't mind me asking. I'm a little scared because the past two days I have completely changed from my previous mind set. I literally could not wake up for the past two weeks but now I'm wide-awake I've been cooking, baking, cleaning. I don't go back to my doctor till 6 April so I can't leave the house or drive I don't know where this energy is coming from the only thing I can think of is that I added Periactin at night but that's an anti-histamine so I don't know where this Angie's coming from and if it's normal. I'm having bouts of rage and yelling but I get over it really quickly so that's another scary thing. OK this is really long and I don't know if I'm even posting in the right place ������