[JJ_0909]

Hey all,

I'm new here. I just graduated college and am 22 years old. I had a bit of a blow to the face from my own knee while skiing 9 days ago and am left cloudy/dizzy/fatigued feeling. No loss of conciousness or memory loss from the hit but these symptoms have come on and not subsiding.

I still have fine motor function but do not feel anywhere close to myself. Anything I should do to encourage a full recovery? I am having very high level of anxiety due to what I've read here...

My heart and prayers go out to those who have dealt with this for days on in.

[PCS McGee]

It's pretty common for people to take up to 3 months to recover on their own from a concussion (particularly if it's their first). Get lots of rest, drink plenty of water, don't overexert yourself physically, try to keep your life as low stress as possible (though this is obviously a stressful situation), and go to bed every night expecting to wake up recovered the next morning. 999,999 times out of 1,000,000 you'll recover just fine on your own. Just be patient.

I would suggest against pain killers if you can stomach any headaches you're having, and if bright lights are bothering you... well, then stay away from bright lights.

If you're in Colorado (you were skiing, I figure there's only about 10 states you could be in) I can also recommend an excellent craniosacral therapist to speed up your recovery.

[Lucy]

I agree with all that - just rest your brain as much as you can, no mountain climbing - limit exercise - and relax - DON'T bump your head again any time soon

Lynlee

[Dmom3005]

Especially important to rest and to make sure you take good care of
your self. If you don't start to feel a lot better. You might
go to your primary and have them double check to see if there is
anything you need to do.

Donna

[JJ_0909]

Thanks for the reply all

PCS McGee-

I am in Colorado at my parents currently trying to recover from this before flying back to Wyoming where my ski career awaits.

Obviously, not going back until fully recovered. Who is the craniosacral thearpost you suggest? I'll do anything to help promote healing.

I've heard that in cases such as mine where whiplash was also in play I should visit an upper cervical care chiropracter to help make sure neck/spine alignment is good for blood flow reasons.

Oh, and for what it's worth, I did get a CT scan right after just to be sure. It can back perfect.

This is my second concussion. First with lingering symptoms of any kind.

[PCS McGee]

My craniosacral guy is in Boulder, he's also a spinal specialist so he should be able to tell you anything you need to know about your neck.

His website is at www.biodynamicbodywork.com - any contact info you could want should be on there. He's no longer working out of Denver (needs to update that info on his site), but he is available M-F. Oh, and since you probably want this info too, he charges a flat rate of $100 per session. Most sessions last an hour, sometimes a little longer.

[JJ_0909]

Well, now I'm 6 weeks in and have not improved at all. I've put my lifelong dream of living/skiing in Jackson on hold while I get better in Denver. This is maddening!

I'm still dizzy/foggy/anxious and just don't feel like "myself". At times I feel one step away from the old me and other times I feel like reality is "escaping me" . It's weird to say the least.

MRI came back perfect, so did my CT scan

Doc perscribed Xanax, which actually helped but I'm scared of dependency issues. After talking to him more, he switched me to Ativan, but I haven't even filled the perscription (although I'm thinking of doing it right now!) and stopped taking Xanax two days ago (even though I was only taking .5mg/day)

I have been in the gym 5-7x per week doing light aerobic work/light lifting. I've always been VERY active (pro mtn bike racer/competive skier) so if I sit around I feel even less like myself.

I have started vestibular therapy today. I'm hopeful this helps with the dizziness/loss of orientation (the worst/main symptom) If I can rid myself of this feeling, I'll be doing well.

I've had some message work done but not much craniosacral work done. My message therapist knows some, but by no means was it enough to call it "sufficient".

I'm thinking of acupuncture and craniosacral work starting next week.

Thoughts on the anxiety medication?

[froglady]

jj, my tests came back all normal at first. cat scan, EEG, all of them. 7 months later Neuro ran another EEG and the damage showed up. He says it does not show up right at first. I am 10 months into mine and still having lots of problems. Gaye