I was in a car accident approx 11 days ago. I was diagnosed with a concussion. When do you know if it is PCS? I am still having significant symptoms and haven’t returned to work. If it is PCS what do I do next? I’ve only seen the ER doc and was sent home with care Instructions for a concussion. I’m just hoping someone can tell me if I need to follow up with my PCP or just give it time?
THANK YOU IN ADVANCE!

It is my understanding that PCS is when a concussions symptoms don't go away after the allotted period of time. I think it is 3 months . . . . . .could be a little less of more? Either way, you have plenty of time yet for healing before getting on that train! Just remember to rest and try not to push yourself top much!!!!

Kiki5150,

Welcome to NeuroTalk.

PCS time limits are all over the map. The most common time for the use of PCS is 6 to 8 weeks after the initial concussion.

BUT, it does not matter whether you have been properly diagonistically termed as PCS. You treat the symptoms, not the diagnostic term.

At 11 days, you are still simply suffering from a concussion. You are also likely suffering from a whiplash neck injury that can make a minor concussion appear to be a severe concussion.

What were the concussion instructions?

What symptoms are you having?

What diagnostics did the doctors do?

What was the mechanism of injury? Rear ended? Whipped against the side window and impacted your head? Thrown against seat belts?

The ERs that I have been to always say to follow up with your primary care dr... some people do and some don't..
But your dr may find whiplash or muscle strains that some PT sessions can help with..

I do also have neck and back injuries. Symptoms are that mental fogginess, still forgetting things, nausea, can’t focus, noises and sounds, and hearing issues (includes some loss of hearing and ringing in the ears). My instructions were to rest and expect symptoms to go away after about 3-4 days. A CT scan was done and then just diagnosed from symptoms. A guy running from police ran a red light. He hit me going about 70. Hit me from the side and front of my vehicle. Unknown what caused the injury as I don’t have memory. I believe It was just the force which caused my head to shake pretty hard.

. I will follow up with my PCP to see if some PT might help. I haven’t returned to work and am anxious to get back. My job does require quite a bit of mental stamina and between that and the lights it’s just been too much.

I do think you have a serious case of whiplash. If you suffered seat belt bruises, you surely got whipped around. My daughter got hit in the right front fender by a car doing 40 and it gave her serious whiplash and a concussion. The first responders took her to the hospital because she was incoherent when they got her out of her vehicle. She never hit anything but the seat belt.

Seeking out a physiatrist (Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation) MD would be worthwhile.

You should take it easy for the first 2 weeks or so after a concussion, too much stimulation during this period may prolong symptoms.

The definition of PCS in terms of time is somewhat arbitrary, some people can become asymptomatic in a few days while it may take others a year. The majority of people, something like 85%, see symptom resolution within 3 months. If you continue to have issues beyond 3 months you may or may not have PCS, beyond a year I think it's safe to say you definitely have PCS.