Hello -

I didn't see any "guidelines" but maybe that's my ADD missing it in the signup process. I'm also intentionally being vague about my history and symptoms because this is a public, googleable forum and I don't want this to impact my high powered career.

History of add (diagnosed in childhood). Some mTBI, 3-4 sports accidents starting in adulthood where I banged my head (thankfully I was wearing a helmet), never lost conciousness, but lots of headaches. Got to point where even shaking (like a bumpy car ride) triggered lengthy headaches. Had headaches for years. Saw neurologists but best I got was uh shaking can't cause TBI, take amitriptyline, and don't hit your head. Why does it hurt, weird pains can happen it's fine.

Finally headache free, but still noticing some strange cognitive symptoms:
- worsening aphasia (what's that word again). Always had this but it seems...worse.
- short term memory gets wiped easily and add symptoms are stronger (I see a spanish word, brain goes hey that's like french, then I think that's a french word and say no that's the wrong word I meant to think spanish).
- Don't finish thoughts before moving to the next.

Normally I wouldn't worry, but since I had headaches for YEARS, a specialist seems in order. Anybody have any recommendations?

random....

Welcome to Neurotalk.

I'm not sure which symptoms you are concerned with.

Headaches can be caused by upper neck trauma. Bumpy car rides would exacerbate that. Helmets do not protect the neck. There is not a real treatment other than some gentle mobilization by a PT with upper cervical training then a change in your posture when you sleep. It can take months of proper posture discipline to strengthen the upper neck to maintain proper alignment.

The cognitive and memory symptoms are usually diagnosed by a Neuro Psychologist with a specific battery of tests that challenge the different cognitive and memory functions.

You don't mention your age. That is important information. Many who have suffered head trauma earlier in life experience changes as they reach their mid 40s. Stress can also have an impact on cognitive function, especially as one approaches middle age.

A key skill to learn is called "Stop to think." We need to stop so we can focus away from distractions to think best. Learning to relax thinking effort helps with word finding. The brain does not multitask. Switch tasking is stressful and disruptive to successful task completion.

Your symptoms do not reach the threshold of a TBI rehab specialist. A TBI patient is considered fully recovered when their only remaining symptoms are like your current symptoms.

btw, Some of the best Neuro Psychologists are affiliated with TBI/Neuro Rehab clinics and hospitals.

Thanks Mark for the super fast reply, sorry adhd means I keep meaning to reply...and don't. I know I'm sorry .

Today rode an elliptical for 3 minutes got super dizzy and now freaking out about headaches being retriggered. so remembered to reply.

To answer your questions:
- Concern. Primary is "is my brain broken and how can I repair it?" Are headaches first sign of deeper problems? Secondary is stop having headaches because sometimes they come with severe tiredness that people notice.
- upper neck, PT said I have weak neck stabilizers but also eye convergence issues and since I haven't been doing eye exercises (adhd), neck work won't help yet. Plus a TBI specialist said my neck feels fine?
- age um, head traumas experienced in early/mid 20s, now I'm early 30s. I'm also easily stressed (single, poor social support, high standards)
- symptoms. Got a battery by a neuropsych, scored 14/15, but I also have a high IQ (130+), so idk how meaningful it is.
- Stop to think. Interesting. Still scary that what used to work...doesn't.
- Guess it's good that my symptoms are mild.

Oh I just remembered reading *******************************************

and duh, I have the same story. Concussions close together. Now shaking causes headaches and drowsiness, even small shaking.

Right away I'll usually feel nausea, need to lie down, but no pain. Then after I go to bed at night, I'll wake up next day and pain/tiredness will come in (although once came in mid day next day and lasted 24 hours) and it'll stay depending on how recently the previous incident was and how bad the shaking was.

Although today on elliptical I felt a spasm face pain on left side then dizziness.

Haven't tried maxalt trick yet. But if the elliptical can retrigger it safely, would try experimenting.

The post recommends Dr Kutcher. Would you as well?

The TBI specialist is ignorant. The subtle instability in the upper neck is not diagnosed by imaging or range of motion or other criteria. It is diagnosed by treating it and seeing if conditions improve.

There is no comprehensive NeuroPsych battery with a single score like 14/15. That was worthless. Was that a computer scored test?

Higher IQ people tend to be more sensitive to minor changes in function.

Read about the Buffalo protocol. It discusses how to moderate exercise to an intensity where the pulse stays 10% below the headache and other symptoms threshold.

You need to work on this. "I'm also easily stressed (single, poor social support, high standards)"

Nobody else can help you with this. You have to make your own choices about how you want to live your life. Most of us have found a moderated life is much more successful and consistent. Don't blame ADHD. That is not a blamable condition because it is not changeable. We are who and what we are. We must live our life in that context.

You have prolonged symptoms of concussion. That is not changeable. You can only learn to moderate and manage your life. Your high standards need to be moderated to fit your current condition.