Traumatic Brain Injury and Post Concussion Syndrome For traumatic brain injury (TBI) and post concussion syndrome (PCS).


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Old 04-23-2017, 01:05 AM #1
red90 red90 is offline
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Default Thoughts on concussion prevention building tolerance to contact?

Hi,

I've had PCS for three years, and while I don't really keep track at this point, I've probably had around four concussions. I'm 20 years old. I wanted to ask anyone out there, but especially the older folks who've had concussion issues throughout their lives, if they have any advice on concussion prevention, on dealing with hits to the head, and just on living with PCS.

I'm thankfully at the point where my PCS symptoms themselves don't prevent me from doing what I want to do, which is go to school. My main symptoms are headache, tinnitus, and fatigue, although the last one is only occasional. My main problem, though, is that I get setbacks so easily from any kind of bump to my head. I mean, I bumped my head in the car about a year ago and I felt dizziness and problems with memory for around a month, just from a light bump. Even stuff like someone hugging me will usually give me a setback for a couple weeks, which is annoying because it prevents me from going to family events where I know people are going to hug me.

So, does anyone have advice on how to build up a tolerance to these blows that come just from day-to-day life? It's crazy, my initial concussions came from football when I would run head-first into people and not feel a thing. Now I can't even get a haircut without having dizziness and nausea for a few days afterwards.

What worries me most is that I feel like my threshold just keeps getting lower and lower. I already don't do any physical activity involving balls or ever try to make contact with others besides handshakes, but I really miss not having to constantly worry about my head getting hit. Any thoughts? Thank you.
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Old 04-23-2017, 09:03 AM #2
Mark in Idaho Mark in Idaho is offline
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I think the biggest point is ignoring these contacts. They will happen. But, being anxious about them happening sets you up for a setback.

Understanding one thing should be a big help. The PCS brain is easily triggered into an anxiety response. It has symptoms that are very similar to a new bout of PCS. If you can learn to reduce your anxiety reaction to these contacts, you should do much better.

The brain is highly susceptible to suggestion. Thinking "Oh, No. I made contact with my head." or "I jarred my head." will set you up for a relapse. Then the brain starts a replay of the symptoms from your real concussion as a memorized response.

So, take reasonable precautions with no contact sports but go on and live your life. Bumps happen. They do not need to be recognized. If you get an increase in your tinnitus, try to ignore it and move on.

btw, If someone watched your movements through a normal day, they would see you do many things that cause a jarring to your head where you did not have a reaction. Walking down steps, sitting in a chair, and many other movements that you do all day long can have more impact force without any symptoms. Because, you ignore them.....

You may have a sensitive vestibular system that triggers that 'wooo....' feeling. Doing some vestibular desensitization training may help. The simple one is sitting in a chair and leaning forward and putting your head between your knees then sitting up straight and repeat.

I know that I have to be careful with certain movements or I get that 'woo..' feeling. I know it is not brain. It is inner ear/vestibular. If I stop for a moment, it settles down and I can go on without any problems.

I hope you can find your way to reduce your reactions. I know how annoying and frustrating it can be.

My best to you.
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Old 04-23-2017, 11:46 AM #3
JBuckl JBuckl is offline
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I have this sensitivity too.

I've found a good diet, good fish oil, curcumin, NAC (which should be paired with vitamin C), and time have helped. A similar supplement regimen, specifically curcumin and a decent dose of fish oil have helped others on facebook forums with sensitivity to bumps.

I had terrible tolerance to movements and bumps for a while. It's still not where I want it to be, but I'll take improvement any day.

I do this and so do people on the other forums--when a bump like this occurs, it's best to ignore it like Mark said, but we take a few extra supplements--a little extra fish oil and curcumin.

Hope this helps. If you have any more questions, I can try my best to answer.
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Old 04-25-2017, 12:38 PM #4
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Mark in Idaho View Post
I think the biggest point is ignoring these contacts. They will happen. But, being anxious about them happening sets you up for a setback.

Understanding one thing should be a big help. The PCS brain is easily triggered into an anxiety response. It has symptoms that are very similar to a new bout of PCS. If you can learn to reduce your anxiety reaction to these contacts, you should do much better.

The brain is highly susceptible to suggestion. Thinking "Oh, No. I made contact with my head." or "I jarred my head." will set you up for a relapse. Then the brain starts a replay of the symptoms from your real concussion as a memorized response.

So, take reasonable precautions with no contact sports but go on and live your life. Bumps happen. They do not need to be recognized. If you get an increase in your tinnitus, try to ignore it and move on.

btw, If someone watched your movements through a normal day, they would see you do many things that cause a jarring to your head where you did not have a reaction. Walking down steps, sitting in a chair, and many other movements that you do all day long can have more impact force without any symptoms. Because, you ignore them.....

You may have a sensitive vestibular system that triggers that 'wooo....' feeling. Doing some vestibular desensitization training may help. The simple one is sitting in a chair and leaning forward and putting your head between your knees then sitting up straight and repeat.

I know that I have to be careful with certain movements or I get that 'woo..' feeling. I know it is not brain. It is inner ear/vestibular. If I stop for a moment, it settles down and I can go on without any problems.

I hope you can find your way to reduce your reactions. I know how annoying and frustrating it can be.

My best to you.
Hi Mark, I really appreciate your reply on this thread.

Little background, I had two concussions within a week of each other about 5 years ago. I am very similar to OP where when I bang my head I either try and forget about it and go about by business/ still drink socially and try to act normal with my life, and it will eventually go away. About 2 weeks ago, I walked face first into a door, tried to not let if affect me, drank with family and friends for about 3 days in a row felt a bit off but nothing horrible. Had great workout a few days later, about 5 days after I started developing the symptoms. I left work early and was just feeling a bit off, but felt the anxiety of the potential concussion symptoms come back and overwhelm me (headache lasted 2 days, light sensitivity still here a week later, same with sound sensitivity and focus/ sleeping a lot/ depressed. I have gotten to the point where I think to myself is this a concussion, or my anxiety and brain triggering symptoms based on my fears.

I had PSC symptoms for 1.5 years after my initial contact, I started getting over my symptoms when I started acting normal again and trying to live a normal life. Started working out again, drinking coffee and consuming alcohol which really seemed to help me forget and start to feel better.

Im 26 years old, it feels like doctors dont know anything. I saw a concussion specialist doctor about the time I started feeling better and he said I had no PCS.

Do you think my symptoms are potentially being triggered by my brain in fear of developing these symptoms again?

I never understood how athletes were able to recover so fast from concussion symptoms, professionals never seem to miss a few weeks.

Sorry if I was ranting, any advice from anyone would be great.

Thanks!
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Old 04-25-2017, 08:08 PM #5
Mark in Idaho Mark in Idaho is offline
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First, athletes are driven to get back in the game and take risks when they do. You don't hear about the symptoms they may still be experiencing.

After such a long recovery, I am surprised you have not taken any steps to moderate your life. Alcohol is not recommended other than a serving or two. One can live a normal life with moderated alcohol consumption. Getting drunk is definitely not a good idea.

A concussion is a process. Moderating your life for the first few days or longer is highly recommended. After the original impact symptoms, many do not experience concussion symptoms for a few day but overdoing it can bring them on with a vengeance.

You may be bringing on your symptoms with anxiety or just have a delayed onset or a combination of both. As I've said, little anxiety can magnify concussion symptoms.

You need to find low stress activities to keep your mind occupied. You should not be sleeping more then usual and you should be sleeping at the usual times.

You would also benefit from treating your brain like it has been injured. It needs proper nutrition. The Vitamins sticky has been helpful to many. Stay active with low stress tasks.
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Old 04-26-2017, 11:39 AM #6
MikejN MikejN is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Mark in Idaho View Post
First, athletes are driven to get back in the game and take risks when they do. You don't hear about the symptoms they may still be experiencing.

After such a long recovery, I am surprised you have not taken any steps to moderate your life. Alcohol is not recommended other than a serving or two. One can live a normal life with moderated alcohol consumption. Getting drunk is definitely not a good idea.

A concussion is a process. Moderating your life for the first few days or longer is highly recommended. After the original impact symptoms, many do not experience concussion symptoms for a few day but overdoing it can bring them on with a vengeance.

You may be bringing on your symptoms with anxiety or just have a delayed onset or a combination of both. As I've said, little anxiety can magnify concussion symptoms.

You need to find low stress activities to keep your mind occupied. You should not be sleeping more then usual and you should be sleeping at the usual times.

You would also benefit from treating your brain like it has been injured. It needs proper nutrition. The Vitamins sticky has been helpful to many. Stay active with low stress tasks.
Thank you so much for your input, you are very kind to take the time and help everyone on this board.

Thanks again! I really appreciate it!
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Old 04-28-2017, 10:31 AM #7
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Here's how I handle the "everyday variety" knocks to the head.

If I didn't give a bump a second thought pre pcs I work real hard to dismiss any symptoms from a post pcs bump, they are anxiety.

What you could tolerate pre injury most likely you can tolerate post injury without injury.

That being said I do look after my head, maybe just as I look after and take reasonable care of my heart.

I took a real solid shot from a 20 pound anchor I left on the ski platform, it fell off and flew back into my boat while traveling at 26 mph, busted my head up pretty good. I am familiar with the mental paralysis that occurs when my head is bumped, waiting for days to make sure I don't head back down a dark road.

Comparison to those "everyday variety" pre injury bumps is the way I found to combat that anxiety.

That doesn't mean the tendency to have anxiety flair upon head contact has gone away much as I wish it would...what it means is I have a tool to recognize anxiety and activate my pressure relief valve so to speak. That allows me to carry on my day without to much concern.

Bud
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