Since having an all clear with the MRI and starting on Zoloft, I am starting to feel a bit more like myself again. I think that now that I have my stress and anxiety under control, I am allowing my mind and body to rest and recover. I have never been one to take prescription drugs easily, but I really do think that without the Zoloft I would have just spiraled into a very deep depression that I would not be able to get myself out of. At least now I have a bit of relief and a chance to recover.

Its been 3 & 1/2 months since my very minor head injury. I wish I started on this path 3 months ago!!

Cheers, Nikki

i very much appreciate all this hope and encouragement from all you guys. as a 17 year old and a sufferer of post concussion syndrome for almost two years it is giving me hope to just hang in there until it is all gone and better much thanks to you all!

-Kaylee

Hi All,

I normally wouldn't divulge something like this on a public thread, but since we visit this to find solutions/success stories, I thought this would be appropriate. My story is the same as all of yours...multiple concussions, pcs, vertigo, sensitive head to bumps, etc., etc.

I have tried a lot of different theraputic techinques and all of them have been beneficial in one area or the other with the exception of making my brain more resilient to light bumps on the head or slight whiplashes, etc.

So, after a lot of extensive research and a lot of consideration, I decided to travel to China to receive stem cell therapy, which is where I currently am. And, by the way, you'll have to excuse me if this post doesn't read well, they have me on prednisone to suppress my immune system. Prednisone, if you aren't aware, is notirious for turning "normal brains" into "fuzzy brains." Anyway, it is too early to tell if anything substantial has happened yet. The docs say it can take between 3-9 months to get the full benefit of the therapy because that is how long it usually takes for the implanted cells to take root and divide. The cells also contain growth factors that naturally induce your own stem cells to begin repairing brain tissue, which also takes about 3-9 months to happen. There have been some improvements, but I want to wait until the 3-9 month mark before I make a final verdict (plus I'm also on other medication the docs here prescribed for me).
So, I just thought that I would let you all know that this is another, albeit extremely expensive and very experimental, option for us in our roads to recovery.

Also, I have learned about a couple of drugs on the market that are used in Europe and Asia very consistently to treat head injuries. Loads of research has been done on them and the results look very promising. The drugs are: Oxiracetum and Cerebrolysin. Just run a simple google search and you'll find tons of info on them. The docs here put me on Oxiracetum for the first 3 weeks and I am currently on Cerebrolysin. The Oxiracetum made a huge improvement, and I'm still waiting to see what the Cerebrolysin does. However, take this with a grain of salt since it's hard to tell what is going on since I'm on the prednisone. Well, thought I would just let you know about the three new treatments I discovered. If anyone has any questions, let me know and I'll somehow get you my email backchannel.

Thanks,

Mike

I hope you've recovered?!

Thanks for your post Nikki. I am really confused about the concept of "feeling like myself again" since my concussion in a ski accident on March 10th. I work full time and found that I can be fired for medical reasons after 120 days of job protection by law. I have been more than motivated to recouperate and have hired a team of Dr.'s and clinicians that specialize in brain injury and am taking a host of meds due to my fear of losing my job. I have been feeling better, but was shocked at the meeting of my experts that the neuropsycologist said that "we" will have to see what kind of person you become. When I began to cry he said that he hoped I didn't think that I would be the same person I was after going through an experience like this. I agree with him now as the trauma is more than I have had to deal with. I am learning new coping skills and ways to live my life without sports or physical excercise for now

What I do want to feel is healthy and energetic again that would be like I used to be. I don't care what kind of a person I become (not mean I hope) as long as I am rid of the sickening headaches, nasea, fatigue, confusion and lonliness.

Hope?

Proverbs 3:5-6

Thank God for His faithfulness.

Dear Sturgeon,

I am wondering if you heard my jaw hit the floor when I read that your neuropsychologist said that "we will have to see what kind of person you become"? The lack of compassion in that statement is horrible to say the least and his follow-up explanation was even worse. I am so sorry that you had to go through that. That is not helpful at all. Your doctor should be supportive and not bring you to tears.

Anyhow, it only half surprises me because many just don't get it. My daughter has PCS and it still amazes me to hear some of the things people say to me and her.

You have every reason to feel optomistic and to believe that you will return to the excercise, energy, and things that you love. It is still very soon after your accident and you are healing. Be kind and patient with yourself. You have been through a lot and your body is recovering. It will get better in time.

I.too had an accident March 10th, symptoms for me started 4 weeks
later. Headache, dizzy, nausea, spatial problems, fatigue, enviromental
dufficulties. We know how u feel and what u r going through, what exactly
happenred with your accident? With me i was on the ice and fell back on my head.

ED

Hi Mike,
I am just about to start a course of neurofeedback for Post concussion symptoms resulting from a car accident that I had two years ago.

Questions:
1. How can you tell if it is really helping? I was told by the therapist that sometime you feel worse in order to get better and other times you feel better. This sounds like covering your bases.
2. How long did it take for you to start feeling better? In other words: How long can I expect to wait before seeing results?
3. What sort of neurotherapy did you have? I am going to start with LENS but there are other typse available. What are the pros and cons? What worked for you?

That's about it. I'm sure there are other people out there considering neurotherapy, so I think that your answers might be of general interest.

Thanks.

Mike,

I to am interested in your thoughts about neurofeedback. I'm six months PCS, and am now just scratching the surface on information out there. Before I was feeling way to overwhelmed with symptoms and was told the only way I am to get better is to have complete cognitive rest. I am SO GLAD I found this place. I've only been a member for less than a week, but I cannot tell you how theraputic it is to hear that people are going through the same thing.

How did you get a concussion? What were you symptoms? What exactly is neurofeedback? I plan to do some research on it, but I'd like to hear first hand from someone whose done it.

Thanks for your post.

Erica