Random head pains months after supposed concussion

[Claire184]

I'm an 18 year old female.

7 months ago I was hit in the forehead area with a soccer ball while attempting a 'header' during training. As I was standing a meter away from the girl who lightly underarmed the ball, the impact wasn't very hard. I did however feel slightly dizzy after the hit, but nothing to knock me on my feet or prevent me from continuing training.

About 5 days later, I experienced nausea, light sensitivity, dizziness, a feeling of not being 100% in the head (not mentally, but physically) and random, sharp sudden pains in my brain. Over the next few days, my nausea started to get better (I never threw up), as did the dizziness and light sensitivity, although none of it had completely disappeared. I saw my GP 2-3 weeks after the soccer training and he explained that it could have been a delayed concussion, telling me to monitor it and it should clear up in a few weeks/months.

My symptoms slowly got better and no longer affected me as much on daily a basis. I did still get the random head pains though.

I currently still don't feel like everything is ok with my head, sometimes it may feel a little slow or just not right (it's hard to explain but anyone that's experienced it will know). I also still get the random head pains, which aren't like headaches. They last literally for 2-3 seconds and can be anywhere in my head, although they feel like lightning piercing straight through a crack in my brain. I have also found that I could have a bad day, where I can have these pains maybe a few times every hour along with light sensitivity and some dizziness issues. I've also found that if I move my head repeatedly to one side and back (e.g. Copying notes down off a whiteboard to look down at my laptop and back up again) can give me terrifying dizziness (I once had a friend describe to me what 'tripping out' was like and it sounded just like my dizziness), light sensitivity, nausea and feeling of something not being right - this could last for a minute, tops.

During these 7 months, I have had a blood test (all clear), MRI (normal), CT (normal), Optometrist appointment (all clear), chiropractor (all clear) and seen a special vestibular physiotherapist (all clear). My next option is a neurologist.

I'm moving interstate for University next month, so if something could help me out or give me a few pointers it would be greatly appreciated! Thanks for reading

[Red_Star]

You have symptoms of mild TBI (traumatic brain injury). MRI and CAT scans are often normal. 15% of people with mild TBI have symptoms that last one year or more.

Treatment is rest and restricting activities (temporarily reduce time spent on sports, video games, TV,  too much socialising) along with medications to help with symptoms such as pain killers and anti-nausea medication.

Common Symptoms of Mild TBI:

Fatigue
Headaches
Visual disturbances
Memory loss
Poor attention/concentration
Sleep disturbances
Dizziness/loss of balance
Irritability-emotional disturbances
Feelings of depression
Seizures

Other Symptoms Associated with Mild TBI:

Nausea
Loss of smell
Sensitivity to light and sounds
Mood changes
Getting lost or confused
Slowness in thinking