Post Concussion.Help

I'm an 18 year old girl..and about 2 months ago i was in a tramatic car accident and i had a concussion with also a hemerage between my brain and the lining of my brain. I have all my memory from before the accident but i cannot remember the accident itself and i know that's normal, i also now have a problem remembering things that have happened recently and i cannot remember the first week i spent in the hospital. anyways my actual question is now after 2 months since my accident i now am experiencing severe anxiety, it's to the point where i can't even let myself be alone and think because i think myself into panic and i just feel like i'm losing control and going insane. it is the worst feeling in the world. everything thing i do feels llike a dream, and i feel so detached from reality. I'm just really at a low point and completely lost because i hate to look weak and like i can't handle this but i really  can't at all, I'm supposed to be an18 year old girl in college having fun and enjoying life but because of the accident and my injury i can't go to school and i am far from enjoying life...i just know i shouldnt even be complaining because i am so lucky to even be alive and to come out of the accident with just the minor things i did is a blessing, i'm just having an extremely hard time and i wanted to know if anyone who has had a concussion feels the way i am describing and how long this willl last or will it be forever? also is there any medication out there that would help me?

[SamPCS]

I had a mTBI (mild Traumatic Brain Injury - bleeding on brain) and now suffer with Post Concussion Syndrome for about 3 years.  Anxiety, dizziness, palpitations etc., some of of my main symptoms still dealing with.  I know what you are talking about.  Many with concussion/TBI suffer with anxiety and not fun.

There are many medications you can try if yours is completely out of control.  Try to manage without medications like Yoga, meditation, neuro feedback, massage, cranio sacral therapy etc., and so many other therapies.

TBIs takes its own time to heal and I understand it ***** not to be out there but you are young so don't worry you will catch it up.

What specific symptoms of anxiety you suffer from?

[MOMom84]

First, I am glad you made it out of the car accident.  Second, it doesn't sound like it was just a minor injury so you have every reason to feel this anxiety.  I'm not a doctor by any means, but you've just experienced a horrifying experience and maybe it's possible that you have some mild form of PTSD.  I would suggest to talk to a doctor, they can give you something to help with the panic attacks.  Good luck.

[Caryopteris]

I think your reaction is normal.  You are young and all your life expectations have just been reset to a much more mature setting.  You came to the realization that you are not bullet-proof.  This is huge!  I think you should be talking with others who have had concussions and hearing their stories.  I think you should consider this a reaction to your change in memory, but brain injuries can actually cause anxiety if it affects that part of the brain.  It is probably temporary, and I am sure you can overcome it by the management actions you take.  Exercising like walking outside or yoga might be just the ticket, so ask your doctor if those are safe for you.  Deep breathing may be the key because anxiety triggers hyperventilation and hyperventilation increases anxiety.  

It seems like a big distraction, but in reality this may help you grow and be far ahead of your peers in your life coping skills.  Keep your chin up!  

[CarmenMburd]

Thank you a lot for that I think I really needed to hear something like that from someone other than myself. I really do believe there is a lot more good that has come out of this than bad... I treat life so much more delicately and I treasure everything I do and all the people in my life much more than I did. I guess you can say I did a lot of growing up in the 3 weeks I spent in the hospital. I do believe that all this anxiety and these feelings are just apart of my healing and time is all I will need. Thank you again.

[SamPCS]

I had a mTBI (mild Traumatic Brain Injury - bleeding on brain) and now suffer with Post Concussion Syndrome for about 3 years.  Anxiety, dizziness, palpitations etc., some of of my main symptoms still dealing with.  I know what you are talking about.  Many with concussion/TBI suffer with anxiety and not fun.

There are many medications you can try if yours is completely out of control.  Try to manage without medications like Yoga, meditation, neuro feedback, massage, cranio sacral therapy etc., and so many other therapies.

TBIs takes its own time to heal and I understand it ***** not to be out there but you are young so don't worry you will catch it up.

What specific symptoms of anxiety you suffer from?

[CarmenMburd]

I'm sorry to hear that you had to deal with that for so long and still deal with some main symptoms, i know that these type of injuries are far from a broken leg or arm..they take time and not brain injury is the same but all i need is patience. but some of my main anxiety sympotoms is i always feel constant brain fog and like i'm dreaming, i'm always worried that in public i'll pass out of vomit in front of people, i'm always worried that i'll wake up from this and i'll be in the hospital again for my accident because that's what happened to me in the hospital...when i first became conscious all the doctors nurses and my dad were around me asking me where i was and if i knew what had happened, and as far as i knew i was sleeping in my bed........so i just think way to much that this life is just another dream and at any moment i'll be woken up and told i've been in an accident.....i also get really weird strang unwanted thoughts too

[SamPCS]

Thanks CarmenMburd.  Yes it is tough and some times takes long time.  But I know quite a few people who recovered within few months and started to party. :)  Literally.  So each brain injury is unique and you may never know you will be having fun soon.  You also early in your recovery stage.

I completely understand about the faint feeling and vomiting feeling in public.  That is my main symptom too.  But as you know stress and anxiety can make all these things multiple times worse.  At the same time it is not easy not to think about it.  cache 22 situation!!

Also when you go out try wearing noise cancelling phone, ear bugs etc., some sunglasses even indoor to block out all the external inputs.  May help.

I have tried many meds, therapies etc., and found only one med which helps good.  But it is an addictive med so I suggest you consult a Neurologist and try something non-addictive first.   I don't know it is a good or bad thing but there are many meds available to try.  If you are lucky and doctor is good even first med can work out.

Keep posted.

[CarmenMburd]

Thank you for all the advice it really is nice to know your not alone when you think your crazy for thinking the things you do but I am yet to go to the doctor cause i sometimes feel stupid complaining about all these symptoms..... But I need to get over that thought. I don't want to go on medication if I don't have to but im keeping my mind open to it.. If you don't mind what was the medicine that worked for you? Thank you again

[SamPCS]

Hey,
You are not stupid and anxiety is real and we all had trauma to the brain.    Since you asked and suffering from similar symptoms I will give you the name of the med :)  Very commonly prescribed and probably you may may have heard it- Xanax.  But be very cautious since it is very addictive.  Stays in the system only for very short time.  Sometimes doctor prescribe something stays long term which is Klonopin or Valium.

My advice is to try to manage without meds and since I know the feeling about feeling faint and vomitting in public I mention this to you.  

I also have prescription for Zofran (yeah commonly prescribed for pregnancy) and I am a male :)  If you have only nausea you can try this first before trying any other addiction meds.  I tried only few times and sure does a good job in controlling nausea.

As I said there are also non-addiction drugs which Neurologists can recommend.  

Best to try Acupuncture, massage, Neurofeedback etc., before anything.

Cheers!

[CarmenMburd]

Thank you but yeah when I had to go to the dentist for my root canals they gave me xanax and when i first took it, it was a relief because i was so relaxed but later on in the day and into the night it made me feel worst than i did before and i am definetely holding off on medication before i try anything else, but the nausea medication i might give a try and i'm a girl so it won't be as bad lol but i actually have my first acupunture in 2 weeks and i'm excited to see what the outcome of that is, but thank you again

[SamPCS]

That is a good idea you are trying holistic way.  I can't believe they gave Xanax for root canals. :)  I have done root canals, removed wisdom tooth, crown etc., and never anyone suggested luckily.  LOL.

Yes, downside of Xanax is once it leaves the system all your symptoms feels more worse.  Better to stay away from any med for that matter if possible.  But sometimes you have to seek help from meds and Integrated approach (both holistic and western) can do some real good.

I heard ginger pills also helps for nausea if you don't prefer meds.  it is all trial and error.  Also be cautiously optimistic and if one doesn't work you can try something else.  Hope you recover quickly without going through other therapies.

I am thinking about Neurofeedback which helped be before but didn't last long and also Insurance doesnt cover.  Bummer :)

Keep recovering and let me know if anything works.  I do the same.

Best.