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Concussion from june 2009, still "drunk" (PCS)
Hi!
Short summary: I'm Teodor, 20 years old, no earlier concussions, but got one in June 2009. No physical damage to the head. (CT, MR, EEG: Normal) X-Ray: Some change in poise. I struggle with a varying combination of dizziness, slight consentration problems and fatigue. I've had a lot of setbacks, most of them seem unprovoked. I had five beers before christmas, huge mistake (sick, nausea, no apetite for 14 days). Still not back to the shape I was in before christmas. Going to school occasionally.
The info I've been given: There is no treatment. Do not rest all the time even if you want to, to rest all day is bad for you. It's good in the acute phase, but not now (is this true?). To be active is good, but don't overdo it. It takes up to three years to recover fully. You will recover fully. They haven't mentioned PCS.
The concussion: I fainted in the bathroom on the morning after a party. I banged my head in the toilet holder, hitting above the left eye. (10 stiches) I got up and fainted again and hit the wall with the back of my head about 10 cm above the floor. This I can't remember, was away for about a minute. I walked slowly around and took pictures, feeling the earlier mentioned sympthoms very strong the next days as I got no information.
Now: VERY slow progress since christmas. I feel better when relaxing, but only temporary. I prefer to stay in bed and listen to audio books. I don't necessarily feel any worse after a day with activies either, but I sigh a lot. I'm very, very anxious about doing wrong things that may imped healing and very, very keen on doing things that may help it. Other nutrition? Just sleep? Stop doing things that even makes me remotely tired? I get anxious and sympthoms worsen when reading about PCS.
Treatmet I've tried: NLP, chiropractor, massage. Will try an osteopath and acupuncture soon. Got one medicine; Stemetil for dizziness, but haven't tried it. (Is Stemetil safe for PCS?)
Very thankful for help and advice! - Teodor
Short summary: I'm Teodor, 20 years old, no earlier concussions, but got one in June 2009. No physical damage to the head. (CT, MR, EEG: Normal) X-Ray: Some change in poise. I struggle with a varying combination of dizziness, slight consentration problems and fatigue. I've had a lot of setbacks, most of them seem unprovoked. I had five beers before christmas, huge mistake (sick, nausea, no apetite for 14 days). Still not back to the shape I was in before christmas. Going to school occasionally.
The info I've been given: There is no treatment. Do not rest all the time even if you want to, to rest all day is bad for you. It's good in the acute phase, but not now (is this true?). To be active is good, but don't overdo it. It takes up to three years to recover fully. You will recover fully. They haven't mentioned PCS.
The concussion: I fainted in the bathroom on the morning after a party. I banged my head in the toilet holder, hitting above the left eye. (10 stiches) I got up and fainted again and hit the wall with the back of my head about 10 cm above the floor. This I can't remember, was away for about a minute. I walked slowly around and took pictures, feeling the earlier mentioned sympthoms very strong the next days as I got no information.
Now: VERY slow progress since christmas. I feel better when relaxing, but only temporary. I prefer to stay in bed and listen to audio books. I don't necessarily feel any worse after a day with activies either, but I sigh a lot. I'm very, very anxious about doing wrong things that may imped healing and very, very keen on doing things that may help it. Other nutrition? Just sleep? Stop doing things that even makes me remotely tired? I get anxious and sympthoms worsen when reading about PCS.
Treatmet I've tried: NLP, chiropractor, massage. Will try an osteopath and acupuncture soon. Got one medicine; Stemetil for dizziness, but haven't tried it. (Is Stemetil safe for PCS?)
Very thankful for help and advice! - Teodor
Hi, thank you so much for the replies! I'm for sorry for waiting so long to answer.
There is one thing that have started bugging me lately, but I discovered it already the first day after the concussion; I have this totally flat area in the back of my skull where I hit the wall. It's a rough circle about 5cm in diameter. Nobody have mentoned it to me after looking at MR or CT. Can the skull be deformed like that without cracking!? ...or have I always been like that, just that I haven't thought about it before the accident? ...and may that be the cause of my symptoms / what can eventually be done to it? I think slightly heightened pressure in my head, less bloodflow... Picture: http://teddyen.net/diverse/liekcool.png
@SamPCS: I went to the osteopath once in the beginning of april, and I got a lot worse. Suddenly I was sensitive to bright light again, I got a very annoying and deep (100-300Hz) buzzing and "underwater-sound" in my left ear (which I hadn't had since two weeks after the concussion) and I felt that I got even easier very tired and exhausted. What the osteopath did was to strech my neck gently, "attack" the spine at the lowest neck vertebra/first chest vertebra and some place longer down, he pushed some acupressure spots or something similar around my left ear (had to put one finger in my ear to do it) and pinched my throat some places. The whole thing took about an hour. The ear problems disappeared after a couple of weeks, the rest I think faded slightly away, but hard to tell, I can't really remember if I'm better now than in the late of march... I also get worse up to a week after spending more than a few minute in "uncomfortable" neck positions. (Sleeping on the side, looking straight up on the sky... anything more than "neutral" position really). I start to believe that my neck stands for a great deal of my symptoms too...
Regarding to push it, I do what I want and rest when I'm tired. If I should avoid everything that casues any symptoms at all, the only thing I could do was to lay still in the bed. Every neurolog, doctor and neuropsycholog I've talked to have told me that consentration and acitivity won't damage the brain, it's actually just training. Though you may get temporarily worse, it won't have any long term effects. That's what everyone have told me...
The ENT told me everything was fine, but I don't really think he did a very thorough job. Basic look-into-the-ear-and-say-that-it-looks-good. I might want to pay him a revisit.
There is one thing that have started bugging me lately, but I discovered it already the first day after the concussion; I have this totally flat area in the back of my skull where I hit the wall. It's a rough circle about 5cm in diameter. Nobody have mentoned it to me after looking at MR or CT. Can the skull be deformed like that without cracking!? ...or have I always been like that, just that I haven't thought about it before the accident? ...and may that be the cause of my symptoms / what can eventually be done to it? I think slightly heightened pressure in my head, less bloodflow... Picture: http://teddyen.net/diverse/liekcool.png
@SamPCS: I went to the osteopath once in the beginning of april, and I got a lot worse. Suddenly I was sensitive to bright light again, I got a very annoying and deep (100-300Hz) buzzing and "underwater-sound" in my left ear (which I hadn't had since two weeks after the concussion) and I felt that I got even easier very tired and exhausted. What the osteopath did was to strech my neck gently, "attack" the spine at the lowest neck vertebra/first chest vertebra and some place longer down, he pushed some acupressure spots or something similar around my left ear (had to put one finger in my ear to do it) and pinched my throat some places. The whole thing took about an hour. The ear problems disappeared after a couple of weeks, the rest I think faded slightly away, but hard to tell, I can't really remember if I'm better now than in the late of march... I also get worse up to a week after spending more than a few minute in "uncomfortable" neck positions. (Sleeping on the side, looking straight up on the sky... anything more than "neutral" position really). I start to believe that my neck stands for a great deal of my symptoms too...
Regarding to push it, I do what I want and rest when I'm tired. If I should avoid everything that casues any symptoms at all, the only thing I could do was to lay still in the bed. Every neurolog, doctor and neuropsycholog I've talked to have told me that consentration and acitivity won't damage the brain, it's actually just training. Though you may get temporarily worse, it won't have any long term effects. That's what everyone have told me...
The ENT told me everything was fine, but I don't really think he did a very thorough job. Basic look-into-the-ear-and-say-that-it-looks-good. I might want to pay him a revisit.
A related discussion, Concussion from june 2009, still "drunk" (PCS) was started.
You were so right about pushing it. Everything is a struggle and we will be only in bed if we don't push it. Thanks for explaining about osteopath. When it comes to osteopath and chiropractor it seems to be tricky.
I started some homeopathy medicine this evening. Let us see what happens. I consulted another ENT specialist and he ordered bunch of tests, ECOG, ENG, Platform pressure test etc., again. I got an appointment only after a month to take these tests. you should ask your ENT about that too. When it comes to ear also it is very tricky to diagnose seems like. MRI/CT scans again shows only gross details. There is something called Perilymph Fistula and not easy to diagnose and my doc wants to do some tests too. It seems like there is no way to say it for sure unless they do skull based surgery and actually look into it.
Regarding neck I too have quite some symptoms and I am thinking about upper cervical chiropractor.
All these tests/meds/therapies/seeing specialits are exhausting and the depressing fact is so far nothing provided any relief and spent thousands of dollars despite having Insurance.
Oh well. Seems like we have to keep trying. If anything works I let you know. Again each individual is different when it comes to PCS and not sure what will work for anyone.
I started some homeopathy medicine this evening. Let us see what happens. I consulted another ENT specialist and he ordered bunch of tests, ECOG, ENG, Platform pressure test etc., again. I got an appointment only after a month to take these tests. you should ask your ENT about that too. When it comes to ear also it is very tricky to diagnose seems like. MRI/CT scans again shows only gross details. There is something called Perilymph Fistula and not easy to diagnose and my doc wants to do some tests too. It seems like there is no way to say it for sure unless they do skull based surgery and actually look into it.
Regarding neck I too have quite some symptoms and I am thinking about upper cervical chiropractor.
All these tests/meds/therapies/seeing specialits are exhausting and the depressing fact is so far nothing provided any relief and spent thousands of dollars despite having Insurance.
Oh well. Seems like we have to keep trying. If anything works I let you know. Again each individual is different when it comes to PCS and not sure what will work for anyone.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Thanks for using the forum. I am happy to address your questions, and my answer will be based on the information you provided here. Please make sure you recognize that this forum is for educational purposes only, and it does not substitute for a formal office visit with a doctor.
Without the ability to examine and obtain a history, I can not tell you what the exact cause of the symptoms is. However I will try to provide you with some useful information.
Even after relatively minor head trauma, in which no abnormalities are present on imaging, there can be injury to nerve cells in the brain as a result of stretching or jarring. Post-concussion syndrome is characterized by a variety of neurologic and non-neurologic symptoms including fatigue, memory problems, and so-called dizziness (whether light-headedness or vertigo). Symptoms can last several weeks to months but typically improve over time. It is important to be evaluated by an ENT to exclude inner ear damage as a result of the trauma; tests can be done to ensure that the nerve at the base of the skull goes to the ear is not dysfunctional, as this can lead to vertigo (room-spinning). For post-concussion fatigue, there are a few treatment options including stimulants, antidepressants, anxiolytics, and others depending on the associated symptoms. The medication you mention is essentially a medication used for nausea, and would not be harmful per se following concussion though it may have side effects and may not necessarily help your symptoms.
Evaluation at a multi-disciplinary head trauma center is recommended. Cognitive/behavioral therapy, psychological support, evaluation for your dizziness, and physical therapy are all potential management options. Continued followup with your physicians is recommended.
Thank you for this opportunity to answer your questions, I hope you find the information I have provided useful, good luck.
Without the ability to examine and obtain a history, I can not tell you what the exact cause of the symptoms is. However I will try to provide you with some useful information.
Even after relatively minor head trauma, in which no abnormalities are present on imaging, there can be injury to nerve cells in the brain as a result of stretching or jarring. Post-concussion syndrome is characterized by a variety of neurologic and non-neurologic symptoms including fatigue, memory problems, and so-called dizziness (whether light-headedness or vertigo). Symptoms can last several weeks to months but typically improve over time. It is important to be evaluated by an ENT to exclude inner ear damage as a result of the trauma; tests can be done to ensure that the nerve at the base of the skull goes to the ear is not dysfunctional, as this can lead to vertigo (room-spinning). For post-concussion fatigue, there are a few treatment options including stimulants, antidepressants, anxiolytics, and others depending on the associated symptoms. The medication you mention is essentially a medication used for nausea, and would not be harmful per se following concussion though it may have side effects and may not necessarily help your symptoms.
Evaluation at a multi-disciplinary head trauma center is recommended. Cognitive/behavioral therapy, psychological support, evaluation for your dizziness, and physical therapy are all potential management options. Continued followup with your physicians is recommended.
Thank you for this opportunity to answer your questions, I hope you find the information I have provided useful, good luck.
Hi,
I was also diagnosed with Post Concussion Syndrome and hurt back of my head around the same time you got hit. I have lot of symptoms too - dizziness, head pressure, visual disturbance, fatigueness etc., and the list goes on.
Been to many many specialists (Neurologists, ENT specialists etc.,), tried many antidepressants, neurofeedback, vestibular rehab, acupuncture etc., Not much help from anything and the progress is extremely slow and sometimes relapse, Now disabled and cannot go to work.
For PCS there is no treatment and doctors cannot do much. It seems like it can be chronic and persistent for long time. I heard nutrition and vitamin therapy helps a lot. also alternative therapies helps a lot more than antidepressants. You can try vestibular rehab and it helps some people. Worth consulting a neuro otolaryngologist. Some people had luck with homeopathy.
I agree with u regarding whether to push it or not. Each doctor says a different thing and seems like doctors don't know much about PCS. I am even considering stem cell therapy which is not available in U.S now. I am also thinking about osteopath and let me know how it works.
Bottomline it seems like we have to try different things than conventional medicine on our own and be patient which is tough.
Let me know if you find anything that helped you.
good luck.
I was also diagnosed with Post Concussion Syndrome and hurt back of my head around the same time you got hit. I have lot of symptoms too - dizziness, head pressure, visual disturbance, fatigueness etc., and the list goes on.
Been to many many specialists (Neurologists, ENT specialists etc.,), tried many antidepressants, neurofeedback, vestibular rehab, acupuncture etc., Not much help from anything and the progress is extremely slow and sometimes relapse, Now disabled and cannot go to work.
For PCS there is no treatment and doctors cannot do much. It seems like it can be chronic and persistent for long time. I heard nutrition and vitamin therapy helps a lot. also alternative therapies helps a lot more than antidepressants. You can try vestibular rehab and it helps some people. Worth consulting a neuro otolaryngologist. Some people had luck with homeopathy.
I agree with u regarding whether to push it or not. Each doctor says a different thing and seems like doctors don't know much about PCS. I am even considering stem cell therapy which is not available in U.S now. I am also thinking about osteopath and let me know how it works.
Bottomline it seems like we have to try different things than conventional medicine on our own and be patient which is tough.
Let me know if you find anything that helped you.
good luck.
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