[bjaminwallace]

Hi there. I don't usually seek help on forums but it's a relief to see others who are going through similar symptoms actually receiving advice.
I hit the top middle part of my head on a forklift 3 months ago. I didn't black out, though I did constantly check for blood, which there wasn't. A couple days later, I had sudden ringing and pressure in my left ear which went away after an hour or so. When I got checked out, the Dr. said they saw fluid I my ear and Im dealing with vertigo as I showed accompanying symptoms. Since then, many other symptoms have followed to which I had all checked out and received a CT scan, ecg's, chest x-ray, blood work and urine work and heart ultrasound. All came back okay, though I'm still pushing for a head MRI.
It was only until recent that my vertigo physiotherapist, and a couple doctors agreed it looks very much like concussion.

I've always been calm and collective as is needed for my job in the Forces, so this hit like a brick wall and has been constant for 3 months.
My problem now is trying to identify my triggers. I find the smallest form on exercise, ie. Pulling my daughter up a tobogganing hill, could intensify my symptoms immensely over at least a couple days. So much so I feel like a crazy person. I've been given ativan and sleep pills which I try not to take as I loathe taking meds. I know it's a lot of reading so to help the Doctors, I have a general list I show to all. Thanks for reading,

"Common symptoms:

- Sharp headaches in various parts of my head often including sides of eyes between bones, and rarely migraines above the eye that will last until I take Advil. Most often occur at night. The later I stay up, the more likely to occur.

- Internal tremors happen most often when waking up in the morning, and at night. Sometimes during the day after strenuous activity, ie. Driving longer than 10min or busy day at work. Feels like body is shaking internally, but rarely reflected externally, lasting at least a couple hours or days.

- Dizziness and anxiety has been continuous for 2 months. Not a spinning sensation but more of a lightheaded, foggy brain feeling. Gets worse with more visual sensory, ie. Driving highway, or inside large complex buildings. Looking up and quick head movements increase dizziness. During particularly bad periods, vision (especially long range) appears blurred. Takes longer to focus after head movement. Always feels like headrush like after standing up too quick.
- Increase in frequency and vividness of nightmares. Waking up to bad anxiety, and trouble getting back to sleep.
- Constantly tired.
-When eyes are closed, can feel a swaying or rocking sensation corresponding to heart rate.

- physical activities have been dramatically reduced. Exercise produces strong, uncomfortable, and sometimes body shaking heart beat. Also, exercise produces internal shakes shortly after exercise cool down. (Currently the main problem and most likely to intensify symptoms)

- Triggers: Managing triggers has involved reducing time watching tv/cellphone. No video games. No driving long distances. Looking down at the floor in front of me instead of what's ahead. More time sleeping and sometimes naps through the day. Avoiding loud noises and bright lights. During anxiety attack, will maybe take an ativan or 1/2 sleep pill and try to reduce stress. Physical exertion extremely irritates above symptoms, especially lightheadedness.

- General: Not getting enough sleep (8hr +), increases likelihood and potency of all above symptoms for that day. Since this all began 20 Sept 2017 with ringing and pressure in my left ear, appetite has been reduced significantly. Doctors have been inconsistent with whether they see fluid in my ears or not. Heartbeat often slows down between 45-60 bpm, producing a strong, uncomfortable, sometimes body shaking heartbeat making it difficult to sleep on back or left side. Vertigo physiotherapist says all my symptoms are that of concussion. As well, osteopath says definitely post concussion. No vomiting."

Ben






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