I don't know how I found NeuroTalk - because I can't remember. I also can't remember how I got hurt.

What I've been told is that I sustained a concussion this past Sunday from possibly falling off my horse. No one knows for sure because there are no outward signs of trauma and no one was with me.

I've seen my PCP and a neurologist. I've had a CT scan, which was normal, and an EEG (results unknown). Both Dr's briefly mentioned post concussion syndrome, but were not definitive.

These are the problems I'm having: My head hurts all the time, my vision seems a bit out of focus, it's difficult to concentrate or focus on details (I had to turn a movie off this morning because I didn't understand it.), I've been sleeping A LOT, and the short term memory loss drives me nuts! I was going to mail a letter, but after I put on my coat and got to the mailbox I realized I didn't have the letter!

I remember nothing of the day on Sunday, and Saturday is only a few small pieces of a large puzzle and they don't fit together to make a picture. I have difficulty with words sometimes. I went to my son's school concert last night, but found that all the people/noise/sounds were putting me into overdrive. I had to stand out in the hall and my headache is even worse since then.

What can I do to speed things along? I am supposed to go to work on Monday morning, and I want to be active. I am an RN in surgery so I really need to be on top of my game. The neurologist gave me a note to return on Monday, does this sound reasonable?

HELP!!! I just want my head to stop hurting and to be normal!

Wow, everything you describe is really strange. The neuro must have figured your symptoms would subside within a week's time, but obviously they haven't.

You DO need to be at the top of your game as an RN in surgery, as you stated. If you were the patient, would you want someone who is not feeling right, working on you? And I wonder if you're ready for that stress already.

IMHO, I think you should skip work Monday and go back to your neuro. Make him/her listen to you. If they don't take you seriously, find one who will.

Maybe you should even consider going to the ER before then. I'm certainly no expert (not even close), but your symptoms are very worrisome.

Best wishes to you. Keep us posted, okay?

You sound exactly what I was like 7 years, 4 months and a few weeks ago! STOP trying to go to work and carrying on as usual. REST NOW, see a psychologist and get diagnosed. I kept going back to an emergency dr telling him how I felt and all he did was say that he once worked for an insurance company and knew about people like me. I was devasted and kept going to work full time as a legal executive doing subdivisions and sales of land, trust etc. - goodness knows what mistakes I made in that time - it was all done in a big fog of pain and tiredness like nothing on earth. My empolyer thought I was having a breakdown and discussed me with a friend of his who had been a doctor in a head injury unit of one of New Zealand's biggest hospitals and she told me to go and see Dorothy Gronwell - she was one of the world's leading neuro psychologists - she diagnosed post concussion syndrome (and in the meantime I had googled concussion as I had thought I am too strong to be going crazy and this must be something to do with concussion.)

I have recovered somewhat but am now reconciled that this is it. I am now 52 - this happened when I was 45. I am 100% certain that the fact that I kept working full time afterwards has effect my long term recovery. If I had my time again I would take a minimum 3 months off work and LIMIT ALL BRAIN STIMULATION (noise sight - everythiing) and give your brain a chance to rest and heal.

My injury has been like a trail of disaster - life litterally fell apart in a year because I did not have the diagnosis or the correct treatment. - Over the last couple of years I have remarried - lomg story that you don't need now)

Anyway PLEASE REST, DON'T WORK FOR A WHILE, BE KIND TO YOURSELF.

Being kind to yourself is difficult - you can't go down the path of mind over matter and force yourself to continue - that makes it worse. You don't run marathons on a broken leg.

Let us know how your are doing

Lynlee

hi as the others have said take it easy it is most important in the early stages'that means putting you mined at rest so take time to visit docs ect omega 3 fish oil and multi vits and plenty of fluid, try not to over tax your self mentally

recovery for every one is different but it can take time

keep us posted we understand

welcome

Hi.
Sorry to hear about your injury. Im even sorrier to say but you really do sound like you have PCS. I am only going by my own experience; I had my car accident in January this year and I'm just trying to go back to work 4 hours a day. My short term memory, hearing, vision, concentration etc etc are getting better but it isn't a quick road at all Unfortunately I have no solution for the headaches - this is my biggest battle along with memory. Had brief relief after going to an osteopath. But made the mistake of going back a second time Just finished a week long drug blitz to try and break the headache cycle = also a big mistake
Have heard others had success for headaches with acupuncture ?

Hope you find some answers, but mostly I hope you know you are not alone and what you are experiencing is "normal"

Crash Test Piwi,

Welcome to NeuroTalk. It appears you found NT with google or some other search that led you to a very old thread. The thread you posted to has been inactive since November 22, 2008.

Many times, head aches can be caused by an injury to the first cervical vertebra. It manifests as spasming muscles behind the ears that are tender to the touch. In the short term, icing can help. For the long term, getting therapy to help these joints heal can be great.

Please introduce yourself. There are lots of great people here.

My best to you.