Dizziness

[Mandi0254]

Last year November I was in an accident & hit my head. I a fractured skull & bleeding on the brain. I experienced headaches, dizziness, & my stomach turning when the dizziness occured. I started feeling better as time went on & eventually back to my normal self, besides the headaches. About a month ago I was hit in the back of the head by a ball, since then the headaches have been non-stop & the dizziness has got worse. Every time i stand up from sitting I just about fall over, & if I sit in a rocking chair my head spins, & I get sick to my stomach. I have had CT scans & blood work done & everything has come back normal. I just don't know what more I can ask for them to test. Any suggestions would help. Thank You.

[Christopher R Newey, DO]

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.

Postconcussion syndrome is a syndrome with a constellation of symptoms that include headache, dizziness, ringing in the ears, lethargy, sleep disturbance, etc. It can occur immediately with the injury or months later. Many patients (up to 30%) may experience one of these symptoms after a concussion. Up to 7% in some reports may continue experiencing the symptoms years after the initial injury.

It is important to make sure that the injury from the ball did not cause structural harm. Did you have a head scan when it happened? You will also need to be evaluated by a neurologist to rule out other neurological findings. The treatment may involve medication, physical therapy (i.e., vestibular rehab), and/or cognitive therapy. You may then benefit from a referall to an ear, nose, throat specialist who specializes in dizziness.

Thank you for this opportunity to answer your questions, I hope you find the information I have provided useful, good luck.

[SamPCS]

You may be suffering from Post Concussion Syndrome and there is no specific treatment but there are several therapies/treatment you can try but nothing is guaranteed.  

I had something similar to yours (bleeding on the brain after a head injury) a year and 7 months ago and still suffering from constant dizziness, fatigue etc.,  Dizziness is the tough one for me too.  I still cannot go to mall or handle stores and mostly home bound.

If you have Vertigo type dizziness go to a Neuro-Otologist and get the tests done.  If it is fainting/falling type dizziness then it can be difficult (which I have) and could be anxiety symptoms (not exactly anxiety but it mimics anxiety).  I take Xanax/Klonopin for dizziness but not advised if you can handle it since it is higly addictive.

For headaches there are several medications/therapies available.  consult a Neurologist.  Again go for any medications only you cannot handle since most of them just address the symptoms and not a cure.

You can try Acupuncture, Neurofeedback, Vision Therapy, Physical Therapy etc., first before going to meds.

good luck.