Hi all,

I had an accident 8 months ago where I was hit on the head by a falling roadsign. It didnīt feel serious at the time as I didnīt collapse or anything, but slowly my condition began to detoriate and about an hour later I had to call the emergancy number and run straight downstairs to the road in a hysterical state, I was certain I was going to die, it felt as if my brains were giving up and I thought I would collapse.

I was diagnosed with a mild concussion and kept in for several hours in the hospital and was told that everything would be back to normal in a few days. How wrong could they be! Looking back, I went back to work (and long shifts) much too early and was struggling really bad the week after the accident, I work in customer service. I got through the first day somehow (it wasnīt easy - constant nausea, a really bad and strange constant headache, lack of balance, really bad anxiety etc) but the next day I had to be taken to the hospital again as I started to feel so bad I couldnīt take it. Iīve never had a panic attack before but this feeling I had was like a very bad and abnormally long (lasted for a few hours) panic attack combined with a lack of balance, nausea and blurred vision. I was taken to the hospital by a taxi and that taxi drive felt like the longest in my life. Yet again I was told it was nothing serious even though I knew it was as I had never felt like that before.

Since the summer, Iīve had one more of those "panic attacks" when I just need to get to the hospital or somewhere as the feeling is totally overwhelming. Thankfully, I havenīt had them for a couple of months now.

Iīve gone through many different doctors and it took about 5 different doctors before I got a PCS diagnosis! Iīve realized that there are lots of clueless and ignorant idiots acting as doctors. Most of them seemed to think I was malingering my symptoms or that I was a mental case . I wonīt even go into insurance companies!

8 months on, things have at least been stable for some months now. I now have a neurologist who is symphatetic, understanding and well informed on PCS. I canīt do much exercise or work (I work part time now) because they trigger the symptoms. I have days when I feel almost normal, then I might have worse days for 2,3 days. I usually feel okay during the morning, but the anxiety sets in in the afternoon and when Iīm stressed. Also, working in customer service, I sometimes struggle when we get a lot of customers etc. (bad anxiety+customer service alone in an office= not a good combination). I have also noted that being in front of a computer is not good for me, it often results in bad nausea..

It might seem a lesser devil to some, but one strange consequence of my condition is a total alcohol intolerance. Iīm a young single guy and it has destroyed my social life. I donīt enjoy going out without drinking, when everyone else is off their heads. Itīs no fun. Iīve managed to have a few drinks on about 3-4 occasions since the accident without bad consequences, but when they come, they are REALLY bad. The risk is just not worth taking anymore because the last time I got drunk I was in a terrible state for over a week. This was about 6 weeks ago and before that, I hadnīt had the worst PCS symptoms (the BAD headaches etc) for some time, but the day after I had got drunk, they all came back really bad. And the anxiety and nausea after drinking is terrible for many days. Basically, I canīt do anything for some days after drinking. The really bad feeling starts when the "normal" hangover is gone away. Itīs nothing like a hangover, they are nothing compared to this. Do any of you have similar experinces? Am I doomed to spend the rest of my life without drinking?

One more worry: before the accident, I was regularly playing football (soccer to the Americans here ). Iīm very worried about whether I will be able to play at all anymore . In fact, I canīt bear the thought of it. It will probably be risky for me to play a game where you are tackled to the ground and have to head the ball a lot. Itīs been 8 months now, Iīm still optimistic that things will improve before the summer when our team starts playing again. Any experinces on returning to sports would be much appreciated.

Reading about your experiences on this forum has been very supportive and helpful for me especially during the first few months after the injury when I was very confused and worried. Hopefully Lady Luck will for once smile for us all during the year 2008

Stevie

Stevie, that's the pits! How did you manage to get hit by a sign?

Sorry for all your troubles. Hope you find comfort here where people are understanding, sympathetic and knowledgable. (I'm not one of the knowledgable ones, sorry! )

Best wishes to you and welcome!

Bizarre shiz falling on your head and ruining your life club, right here. A giant balloon got me.

About the panic attacks.... my neurologist explained to me that many times one of the side affects of a brain injury is that your ability to handle stress is diminished. I've found this to be true, and it's affected my life pretty traumatically. I'm now taking klonopin daily.

About the alcohol? I don't tolerate it well anymore either. This is a good thing, from what other folks on this forum have told me. I've been told that alcohol slows down the brain from healing. I'm an ol' lady though- so my partying days are long over and I don't miss it much.

My first head injury was in June 07, so I think we hit our heads about the same time. I've noticed that I've been feeling tons better in the last two weeks and my brain capacity seems to be at almost 100%. Very important to me because my job requires it. My neurologist pushed me from the beginning to continue living my life normally. She told me that taking time off from work would be one of the worst things I could do- so I forged on. It's been an emotionally painful process at times and there were many times that I wanted to find a new neurologist so I could go on disability.

But, I seem to have weathered the storm (knock wood)- so I guess I'll keep her around.

It's been a frustrating journey and I've learned so much about myself through it all. I hope with every ounce of my being that one day I'll be back to the person I was. If not, then my next hope is that I'll learn to accept the person that I've become.

Stick around. This is a great group of people.

Hi, There is honestly no telling if you will feel up to trying football again.

But please get the exercising started not the physical abusive side of
things. But get yourself back in shape. And rememeber you will have
lots of equipment on. Just make sure your coach knows about the
accident and things that have happened have them aware if you need
to get out of the game why and to help you.

Donna

Welcome There's a great deal on information here on PCS/TBI and alcohol doesn't really help with the healing process nor does bumping your head again.

Take Care Jeffn

Hi Stevie. I just read your post and i releated to your problems so much. I received a concussion after i was assaulted in May 2007, and have had the same problems as you since. It's the headaches that are the worst for me, and sleep is a big problem too. I'm still plodding on, waiting to find the magical combination of pills to work for me.
I was doing shotokan karate before this happened to me and haven't been able to train since. I can understand you, it sucks when you cant do something you love to do. I haven't been able to work the last few months either as symptoms seem to be getting worse instead of better.
The alcohol has affected my social life too, its horrible being young and not being able to go out and enjoy nights with friends the same as before without suffering for days after!!
I've read so many posts on here about people having the diagnosis problems, your right it does seem too many people/doctors are ignorant to PCS and it does begin to feel like your going mad after a while. Your not alone!
I'm so glad you found Neurotalk, its helped me alot to find other people out their who DO understand you.
I look forward to talking with you more.

All the best
Rhona

Sorry your life circumstances have brought you here, but I'm sure you'll find comfort and understanding at the very least -- and maybe some helpful information too!

In light of your desire to get back to soccer, check out the following website:
http://www.sportsconcussion.net/

Don't know if it will be at all helpful or if you've already walked that path, but I have found absorbing all possible resources helps keep me informed and better able to make decisions for my son (10 yrs old, week 7 PCS).

Also, it may not feel like it, but if the drinking/partying is the only thing that isn't restored to normal for you....you're one of the lucky ones. Believe me, I enjoy a fun night out with friends and flowing cocktails as much as anyone, but you can also live a full, healthy and successful life without it.

Good luck to you,

Sandy

Yo Stevie

I find myself in a similar boat. I'm a recent college grad and competive skier. I took my own knee to my face about 2 months ago while skiing and haven't felt good since.

I'm currently not working and trying to relax...I want to beat this thing!

I understand it playing havoc on your social life. Interestingly for me, drinking helps me feel far more normal (no, I don't do it all that much) but as others have said, it's no good for recovery. I don't notice much of a hangover difference, but then again, I don't drink to the point where that's an issue.

My main symptom is this "brain fog" and also dizziness/nasuea when I get stressed out or overly exert myself. Thankfully, not one headache to date. I also had the anxiety attack 1 hour after the incident much like you described. I thought I might die! The panick attacks have mostly subsided, but I do suffer from chronic anxiety that certainly doesn't help the symptoms. (who thinks clearly when they are constantly anxious/nervous?) I refuse to take SSRIs because I feel that's opening pandoras box persay and will only prolong this thing. I do try and stay active and actually have kept on the skis (not doing anything crazy...) I feel that there is a big mental part to all this for me and staying active helps this. Don't forget, who feels awesome all the time? Nobody!!

The reality of it is you most likely will recover, it could be another month or two it could take five but you the answer is out there. It'd really be good if you could take it totally easy for a month and focus 100% on getting back to normal...

I think you need to realize that many hockey/football players have gone through this PCS thing to come back and have great careers. (and yes, they DO get hit in the head again!) Keep that in mind and I'm sure you'll have a full recovery. Some athletes took a year to come back, but they did come back...there are only a few who didn't fully recover or retired due to fear of perminent damange (Lindros, Deadmarsh, Steve Young, Troy Aikman)

I do suggest you look into Ativan for you anxiety attacks. It certainly helps me although I usually take less than 1/week. (just when it gets REALLY bad, like right now for instance.)