post concussion syndrome-imagined?

I apologize in advance for the length, I think the background is all relevant. I had two concussions in my late teens, one with memory loss of several hours after the blow (knocked on my head playing basketall), the second with loss of memory of the accident (I was a pedestrian hit by a car). I'm not sure if I was unconscious in either case. 3 months ago, I hit my head really hard coming out from under a deck, I was dazed, seeing stars etc, my neck hurt for days from the impact as well as having a lot of pain on and in my head where I hit it (on the top) and in the back of my head and the left side. I don't think I was unconscious but I was alone and I don't remember it all very well. I didn't wash my hair for a week because it made me feel like I was going to throw up if I touched my head. I waited about 10 days before I called my doctor because I wasn't feeling better and was dizzy, spacey, having trouble following fast movement with my eyes, ears super sensitive to sound, with a mild rushing sound and a cringing feeling low inside my ears, having problems getting the right words out of my mouth, thinking very slowly, nauseous and occasionally vomiting, getting a headrush feeling when I moved around, no appetite but extremely thirsty (I lost 25lbs in 6 weeks), couldn't read anything that required much brain power, eyes blurry around the edges, clumsy, forgetful (like turning on water and walking away, not realizing I turned it on until I heard it and looked back), difficulty recalling my phone number, talking to friends they commented that I "wasn't all there". So, I had a phone consult, my doctor sent me to the ER where they did a CT scan, no bleeding thank goodness, and diagnosed me with post concussion syndrome. After about a month and a half I went back to my doctor who told me he wanted me to see neurologist to make sure nothing else was going on. Throughout this time there has been a gradual, slow but steady improvement in the symptoms, but I am still having problems. I went to the neurologist today and after a very short, cursory exam she told me that I never even really had a concussion because I wasn't knocked out and that I'm imagining the symptoms because there was some mild emotional and physical abuse in my childhood (she asked me early on if there was any history of abuse in my life). I was flabbergasted and asked her if such "imagined" symptoms typically developed without a painful blow to the head. She just insisted that I never even had a concussion and went on to say that obviously I am prone to imagined/mentally induced ailments since I was diagnosed with CFS/Fibromyaligia in my early 20's (I'm in my late 30's now and up til now have lived a pretty normal life, learned to live with it/manage it) and she doesn't believe that it is a real illness. Essentially, told me I'm a hypochondriac without actually using the word. I was so shocked I didn't know what else to say. My question for you is if there is any validity to what she said. I have been discouraged by the symptoms and the effect it is having on my life (I've had to cut out a lot because it is really hard to be up and around for very long) but I'm not seriously depressed or anxious, nor was I feeling this way before I hit my head, wasn't even seriously discouraged by it until a month or so had passed. Is what she said even possible? How could she determine that by talking to me for 5 minutes? I really need another perspective on this. Thanks in advance

[Dr. A. Srivastava]

Thank you for your question. Although without being able to examine you I can not offer you the specific advice on diagnosis and treatment that you need, but I would try to provide you some relevant information about your health concern.

Usually, such symptoms and dizziness may result due to post-concussion syndrome and may last for weeks or months after the injury that caused from the injury of a fall, vehicle accident, or sports injury. In addition, one may experience either migraine type or tension type headache. For treatment approach, first it is essential to get (MRI) done to detect the brain abnormalities after that injury. If any abnormality was being found then treatment will be symptomatic such as pain killers, some antidepressants, physical therapy and regular exercises. If you suffer continuous symptoms like that, please arrange an appointment with a neurologist right away who will evaluate the possibilities here and can provide you an appropriate treatment. Further referral to a psychologist may be also helpful in order to treat usual anxiety or depression after such injuries (sometimes one may have) that may be one of the aggravating factors for persistent headache, dizziness. Hope this information proves helpful to you. Take Care & Regards!!!

[achilles2]

If you can, find a good neuropsychologist both my sister and I had (have) post concussive syndrome and he helped us more than words can say. By the way you can have a concussion if even you do not loose consciousness, any good neurologist will tell you that. Good luck!