[foxyproxy]

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?

[Mark in Idaho]

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 ?

[1423bt1423]

Originally Posted by foxyproxy

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?

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.

[Cartpath]

Originally Posted by foxyproxy

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?

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..

[Mark in Idaho]

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 ?

[Cartpath]

Originally Posted by Mark in Idaho

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.

[Mark in Idaho]

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.

[Cartpath]

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.

[Mark in Idaho]

Unless you only operate a track hoe/excavator, you have spent a lot of time craning your neck in a vibrating vehicle. C-3 to C-7 is where almost all of neck turning mobility comes from.

Add a few concussions that can push the cervical vertebra out of position and you have a perfect storm.

If you sleep with poor posture, these areas can get aggravated and inflammation can reduce vertebral blood flow which can cause concussion like symptoms to manifest. I'd be concerned that you are breathing properly when you sleep. Apnea can make these symptoms worse.

I bet you have a noisy neck when you turn your head when it is quiet. Mine grates and creaks.

It sounds to me like your biggest challenge is going to be learning how to take care of your neck so you can continue to work as long as possible. Being sure that you are getting good blood flow to your brain is just as important. A FitBit can indicate how often you move in your sleep and if your pulse changes. You can get recording pulse ox devices to wear during sleep.

I bring this up because I had a miserable 2 years until I discovered I had developed Central Sleep Apnea (CSA) due to a neck injury that happened with a very mild concussion/whiplash event. The CSA only happened when my neck was is poor posture. About 10 minutes after getting in a poor posture position, my breathing would get interrupted. My wife witnessed me stop breathing 16 times in one hour. She learned to wake me to change positions. When I had these CSA events, my days would be miserable.

Now, my neck is much more stable and I have learned sleep posture disciplines to avoid any CSA episodes.

btw, CSA is when the brain stem fails to tell the lungs to draw a breath.
Obstructive Sleep Apnea is far more common and is when airway tissue obstructs air flow causing snoring and poor breathing.

Do you have some days that are good and some days that are bad with no discernible differences that may trigger the bad days?

[donnie sutphin]

I have pcs for 14 years from block of ice falling off roof of store and no neck issues at beginning to 8 years later burning in shoulders numbness and ended up cervical double disc fusion with cadaver donation plus fix plate of titanium and screws and now fighting atrophy. Find someone who will listen . i had to finally blow a gasket to get my voice heard. This type of injury is no laughing matter and even though i had to loose my strength and avoid turning my neck to fast id say it was well worth it .