[concussiongirl]

I am 27 and about 6 weeks ago was involved in a fluke accident at a bar where I was in the wrong place and wrong time, meaning some moron threw a beer mug across the room and it broke on my head. Besides a small cut in my forehead and feeling dazed I felt fine, if not worn out. The next week I was vomiting and had horrible headaches along with a lot of dizziness which kept me from being able to walk normally.

I have had a CAT Scan and an MRI, neither of which seem to show anything. I have a lot of trouble with lights, pain in my ear that comes and goes, and headaches that last forever. Somedays, I don't have a lot of these signs but I am always exhausted. The most frustrating thing is that my symptoms change from the nausea, headache, diziness, neck pain, ear pain and so on. Also it seems like I have a very low threshold on my emotions any time I feel any kind of stress. I am not depressed but I will feel low, or suddenly sad or suddenly irate over nothing at all. I tend to be a phobic in open places and have irrational thoughts about what dangers could be around.

My Dr's have said that this will take time to heal and have given me come anti anziety medicines to help. I am going to the neurologist this week and hope that he can shed some light on this whole situation. At times I feel like I am actually going crazy from the overly emotional feelings to the physical symptoms that seem to pop up all the time. Though my Dr. assures me this is not due to me going crazy, it sure feels like it sometimes. It is hard for my bf to understand my sudden changes and the fact that I get phobic at times with no warning. Sometimes just being touched makes it all so much worse.

Don't get me wrong, I have some days that are better than others. Some days I almost feel "normal" again. My concern is that I can not do a lot of daily things like grocery shoppping or driving without getting serious headaches, nausea, dizziness and ear pain.

I guess I am just looking to see if everyone else had similar types of symptoms, how they dealt with them and any other suggestions that might help me out. I keep being told that it just takes time, but sometimes I wonder if they really even know. I just want to find some more ways to get my life back to normal so I can work and do the things I normally do!

[pono]

YES-- concussion /traumatic brain injury can result in persisting symptoms & problems you described. I can relate to what you're experiencing , sadly it does feel like you're "going crazy" when you know something's Wrong, that you're "different" than before accident, w/ dysfunctions in areas that compromise daily living, but most of the basic tests are "normal". Drs may focus on treating various symptoms-headaches, anxiety, moods, sleep distrubances, etc. and this can be helpful.

Hope the neurologist helps you, may need to pursue interventions for other problems-like neck pain-if persists or gets worse as Myofacial & other pain syndromes can occur. There are several Neuro-Specialists that may be needed for specific issues such as ear/hearing problems. Neuro-endocrine problems can also occur {check out articles/links in this forum on that.]
Neuropsychologists are often recommended-for more specialized testing, recommendations & support.
Recently, I was referred to a Brain Injury Specialst- Physiatrist -Dr of Physical Medicine & Rehab. All are different, as are our problems, but Physiatrists do tend to have more wholistic view and training in various areas including Neurology.

after head injury, problems can occur that are difficult to even express or understand-Cognitive dysfunctions, emotional surges, hypersensitivities, strange feelings, etc. along w/ more tangible symptoms. Each persons' experience unique

It's a process; your condition could resolve & improve soon, but may take more than time. ongoing problems have been reported- persisting months, even years after TBi .

My process has been frustrating & a bit complicated. My last head injury 6 mths ago was not the first. Hx of Tbi and multiple overlapping conditions. Recent Dx: RSD does explain some but not all- pain, neuropathic & other symptoms I've have. Seizures were suspected, ruled out by prior tests but have been addressed again along w/ other cervical & central nerve disorders
I'm trying various meds. for nerve & other pain: Cymbalta, anti-depressant that's been effective for many w/ neuropathies but has plenty side f/x.
Ambien: for sleep issues. Topamax: anticonvulsive, prescribed for headaches-migraines; adverse reactions so d/c that med. Will see what else Dr suggests at next appt.

Challenge to get appropriate, encompassing Dx to validate symptoms & problems. Dx: PCS-Post Concussive syndrome may be applicable but for many this Dx: PCS- "controversial"- disagreement on "diagnostic critera"-symptoms, how long persist--some say more than 3 weeks, others say longer-for Dx: PCS. Some question if PCS is "real" -that persisting symptoms which don't heal, resolve as "should've" indicate predisposition, pre-existing conditions, psych issues, & more.
don't be surprised if you feel Crazier-doesn't mean you are! Head injury -even "mild" TBi can affect so much in so many ways.

Focus on Your body's needs: rest, sleep, good diet-high protein was recommended, along w/ appropriate gentle exercise-if you can tolerate it.
I know it's hard to even think about eating w/ nausea, & to move w/ pain but exercise has been cited to be one of the best treatments for PCS. However you may need more testing to determine if are other conditions or injuries that could be exacerbated or harmful by "wrong" forms of exercise.
Deep "focused" breathing has numerous benefits.

Educate self about Head injuries-Learning about the Brain & how head trauma impacts & affects so many areas. empower & enable your process of healing and accessing most appropriate treatments & interventions.
Check out stickys above. I found Link-"Brain Injury 101" has Lots of info.

Perhaps others will share their experiences & suggestions and offer more support. Wish you the Best !

[Dmom3005]

Hi, all the things you listed are definately possible and more.

I have been dealing with a variety of those and other issues. I was sent to
see a physical therapist for neck problems and that helped a lot for the pain and stiffness in my neck. And it also helped relieve what wasn't the migraine ini my head. I also have some other issues that are at times helped iwth that
and at times not. I was in PT from sept. to march. And did very well.

I've got a couple of other issues that aren't I don't think related to the post concussion that I'm dealing with right now, so its really hard to state exactly were I'm at in the process of recovery. I was doing very well and then fell a couple of times. So I'm trying to decide if I've had a small set back or its something else right now.

But overall, just rest, and PT, and doing just what I could was lots of help for me. And realizing it was the pain and it was normal helped.

Donna

[Nancy F]

Yes, Hang in there. I would say you are definitely experiencing classic PCS symptoms. Things do get better, maybe quicker if you do not put too much pressure on yourself. My son has PCS and is 4 months post injury. He is back to school work but activity needs to be guarded. We just came back from Pennsylvania and he had a terrible time with dizziness and nausea after a rolling car ride one day when he was stuck in the back seat. This really made him sick with headache for hours. It made me realize that he is still pretty fragile. He also has days of complete normality. He is getting back to his sharp self but is still vulnerable to too much activity. Take care and respect the need to heal with time.
Nancy

[Dmom3005]

Nancy

I am so sorry he had such a rough day. But I was just getting ready to state something close to the same thing. Even though it gets better, it still has days were you just aren't with it still. I know that I still have my days I'm not my old self and I'm sure that I'll never be the Donna I was. Hopefully that wont make it worse on me.

I know that I had a wonderful day yesterday doing something I planned for the volunteer's that are part of the group I work for. But to tell anyone the truth, I didn't enjoy it as much as I would have if I hadn't had the fall,
I wasn't still trying to recover from all the things I've been through.

And on top of that all my sons, grandkids, and even my grandson my 8 month old was there. And it was just fine that all the other's there wanted to be the one's that held played and were there for them all. If I could have found a quiet place to sit and take a nap, or just disappeared I would have been very happy to have done just that.

I was not unhappy, but I was just not at times myself. The old me.

I miss that me, I sure hope one day I can do some of the things I used to without having to miss enjoying them. And no one not knowing I didn't.

Donna

[Nancy F]

Donna,
Thanks for post, I am also sorry that some days you do not enjoy life as much as you used to! These big family experiences with alot of people around are very overwhelming and may just tip the healing brain over the edge. Sam does not like alot of big gatherings now with people he does not feel well. It is the multi tasking that flips him out. He has said to me alot. "I have enough going on right now, one more thing will be too much." He seems to be neurologically short of breath, so to speak. It is hard to know how much to push for positive outcomes and improvement and when to back off. Sometimes he needs me to push and encourage. He is better now and doing 2 to 3 hours of schoolwork make-up and increasing physical activity. He is around other adolescents more which helps morale. The kids are good kids and not experimenting with drugs and alcohol which is another worrry I have now that he is 16 and taking driver's education. He is a good boy and trying so very hard. I do not know a whole lot about your vestibular question but certainly see that Sam is much more prone to get "car sick" or dizzy and nausous post injury. I hope you have more good days than bad and wish you all the best with your recovery pursuit. Thanks for your continued interest in ours.

[Dmom3005]

Nancy

Mine could have been there all along or its also possible its gotten worse with each fall I've had. But its going to be interesting as time goes on to see how I do.

I started a medicine yesterday to help with high blood pressure and migraines and I can say that its already helping. WEird as that seems. And that I am really pleased with that.

I also am really thinking that when I've been through some more of the therapy its going to have helped a lot, cant wait to see.

I would recommend anyone that has been through this to find a good balnce type neuro.

Donna

[concussiongirl]

Well it's been a while since I posted here and I have been trying to answer back threads and messages while I was away.

My neurologist did diagnose PCS, though I am a bit confused because he also mentioned mild brain injury. Is there a difference? I have tried to do a lot of reading to better understand all of this but am still a little bit fuzzy on that aspect of it.

I still have a LOT of problems going places and driving but I have been able to get into and out of the grovery store a coupel of times in the past three months. I don't know how long this vertigo will last as my rehab lady told me that I seem to have some complications with my eye tracking and neck and how my body manages itself in space, which is the reason I have a hard time in open spaces. She said it could last several more months since I will have to retrain my eyes and body to correctly balance itself again. I am still having a lot of nausea and imbalance as I mentioned before which has been fairly constricting in my life as I can not consistently drive or go places for those times when the vertigo hits me. Has anyone else had this type of driving issue? For me, it is like I can drive fine some days, and other days i will be throwing up in my car, sweating through my clothes until the spinning and motion sickness stop. I think I have come a long way in learning to cope with all of this and am glad to say I am working again, even if only about 15 hours a week tops.

I have a follow up appointment with my neurologist and I am concerned that my symptoms have not gone away enough for a total release to work as well as some other symptoms that seem to have cropped up in the past month or two. I have no idea if this is common or not. I am also concerned he will think I am exagerating my symptoms and I don't really like to get into just how bad it can be at times. I had always worked and maintained a full time job and a full social life and I know if I could work I would be all about that. What suggestions do you all have on this next appointment?

[Dmom3005]

Oh your rehab lady as you call her hit it on the nose.

Its called central abnormalities and there is help for this. It will take a while but the neurologist if he does work in the balance and vertigo area can do some testing to prove it. Or he can send you to a physical therapist that specializes in vestibular physical therapy. Thats what I've been doing and
its helping me emensely. But I have other issues and I had them before my
accident too. But it could have happened just after.

I also can't walk a straight line.
I can't walk a aisle in a grocery store without feeling dizzy to a degree.
I get vertigo or dizzy if the floor moves in a place I'm in or I think it is.
I don't like bridges, heights or things that make me think I'm going to
fall.

I can't even explain it all. Before my therapy and in the first weeks of
my therapy I couldn't have made sense in this at all.

Or even looked at a B and did my exercises. But now I can do lots of these
things. And its also helping strengthen my body.

Donna