Possible concussion

[gonzalovb]

To whom it may concern,

I am currently living in Antwerp and, three nights ago, while having fun with my friends, I got very drunk, lost balance and banged my head against a wall. I didn't lose conscienciousness, although my memories of the event are blurry, probably more due to alcohol, although it could have been a mixture of both. The next morning I woke up with an awful hangover and just stayed resting at home. I didn't sleep very well, and I woke up fine the second morning, that is, yesterday. A friend of mine asked me that afternoon about my head and shoulder, which I had set aside as I didn't consider it important. I'm quite of a hypocondriac and can get panic attacks with health issues at times. Ever since my friend raised the subject again, I have been suffering a constant dizziness that won't go. Desperate, I went to the doctor yesterday evening and he looked at my eyes, my pupils, my way of walking and moving legs and arms, he asked me questions about what I remembered and what I had been told about the incident and what had been happening eversince. He concluded that I was ok, and that after the first 24 hours the risky part had passed so, that I was out of danger. He said the feeling of dizziness was normal and would eventually disappear. Tonight however, I was unable to sleep (only 15 minutes) and I know anxiety is involved, but I don't know if it's a cause for not sleeping or an effect of the concussion. And now I have had not rest and don't really know if the feeling of dizziness I'm experimenting right now is due to my head having been hit or to anxiety + not getting too mucho sleep altogether...
I would really, really, appreciate a quick answer, as I am freaking out and I don't know if I should search for a second opinion or trust the doctor that treated me and wait for it to go gradually.
Thanks in advance for your time.

Kindest regards,

G

[gonzalovb]

Thank you very much to both for your concern and answers. I'm flying tomorrow to my hometown in Madrid and will certainly get an appointment with a psychologist. Should I get the MRI done also? The doctor I visited said there was no problem and now I don't know how to separate the headache, which is certainly persistent, with anxiety...

[Dr. A. Srivastava]

Hi, Thank you for your question. Usually, such headaches, memory loss 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, patient 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. Additionally, symptoms may aggravate with alcohol abuse. Treatment commonly may be suggested for headaches such as pain killers, some antidepressants, physical therapy and regular exercises. If you suffer continuous headache, 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. Hope this information proves helpful to you. Take Care & Regards!!!

[Princessdaniella]

I am glad that You were able to speak with a trusted doctor and I am also glad although some of the symptoms are persisting it has settled down.
You're more than welcome and I hope that it all stops soon.

[gonzalovb]

Thank you very much,  princess daniella. I called a trusted doctor, friend of the family, who told me that it's all probably due to anxiety as well as the physical pain that anybody would feel when they hit some part of their bodies. He told me to take some mild anxiolytic that would act at the same time as an anti-inflammatory and anti-stress. Although I still recognise some of the anxiety syptoms I feel more relieved now...
Kindest regards

[Princessdaniella]

Your doctor is right about You being past the first 24 hours which is the most dangerous for someone with concussion. I would trust his advice as he did check everything he should have however if You're concerned You can always return to him or even to another doctor for a second opinion.
It seems as though You're worried at the moment that You're suffering concussion and fearing the worst, the mind can work in marvellous ways. I would say the dizziness You're experiencing is because of this anxiety.
Best of luck