Concussions/Post Concussion Syndrome

[Novel]

I know a lot of folks around here have suffered concussions with or without post concussion syndrome or have had love ones do so in the past. I'm in week 6 of concussion recovery with post concussion syndrome after getting thrown from a bucking horse (I stayed on through at least four bucks, and the horse was new to me...) and would love to hear some stories.

I'm leaving the house every day at least briefly and working on and off throughout the day from home, but the loneliness, confusion, headaches, etc, are starting to bring me down. And my new sparkly is at least 2-4 weeks away....so, tell me, how did you/your SO/child/mom/dad/middle school gym teacher get through it? And for those of you who had post concussion syndrome, how long did it last?

Thanks, you guys.

 

[decodelighted]

I don't have any experience w/this or advice to give but I wanted to say: YOUCH! Sorry you're going through this. Sounds awful! Best wishes for a speedy recovery!!!!!!!!

 

[iugurl]

I don't have any advice either. However, I am so sorry! I didn't even know post concussion syndrome existed. I googled it, and it sounds horrible. I hope you get better soon

 

[movie zombie]

i had a mere mild concussion that almost disabled me....headache for 3 weeks [which meant no sleep to speak of] and many visits to the dr only to be told it was "normal" for my condition...... all i can say is take it a day at a time. i found that after the initial 3 weeks i still had headaches but not as bad or constant. over time i just didn't notice any more..... sorry i can't be of more help. get lots of rest, take care of yourself and know it will get better over time.......

MoZo

ps i got my concussion canoeing on the stanislaus river during an april when ice runoff had swollen the river. there was a nasty bit of river that had to be negotiated....observers said they thought we'd made it despite being airborne.....unfortunately, we landed and tilted into the river...i came up underneath the canoe and hit my head on it before going down and coming back up to do the same again. luckily, there was a rescue crew practicing and they fished us out of the water.....

sorry you're having a very rough and much worse go of it.

 

[Autumnovember]

Will post when I'm finished my exam---I had a concussion two years ago

 

[NewEnglandLady]

My husband fell and hit his head on the ice on April 10th, 2010 (he went unconscious briefly) and has suffered from post concussion syndrome ever since. His symptoms for the first three months were more physical--headaches, his left hand would shake uncontrollably, nausea--but over the past nine months the symptoms have become more psychological. He has more anxiety, depression, he's unable to concentrate for long periods of time. Most of his physical symptoms are gone (though his left hand still shakes), but these psychological symptoms are harder for him.

My husband has seen multiple doctors, he's had several MRIs done on his brain in order to try to find any physical evidence of the concussion and was eventually told that the tears on his brain were too microscopic to be picked up by an MRI. Most recently he saw a psychiatrist who did an intelligence test in order to evaluate any damage that may have been inflicted on his brain. Eventually he was told that there was nothing that could be done and that very little is known about post concussion syndrome and how the brain heals itself. This has left my husband frustrated, desperate and depressed.

My heart goes out to you--I never understood how awful post concussion syndrome could be until my husband suffered from it. It's affected our lives greatly and there isn't a day that goes by that I don't regret going ice skating that day. I wish you a speedy recovery

P.S. There is a forum out there for people with post concussion syndrome--if you google it, you will find it. I went there briefly to get more information soon after my husband was diagnosed with post concussion syndrome.

 

[Novel]

Thanks, iugurl and deco, for your good wishes!

MoZo, your experience in the water sound terrifying. Thanks for sharing your experience. I'm glad to hear it just faded eventually. I was doing really well at taking it a day at a time, but somehow that has changed in the last week. I think it's because there are a lot of changes going on at my job (my boss leaving after 15 years, my job changing) and I'm not there to actually be a part of them or have voice in them. I'm working on changing that, but I guess it made the disconnect seem more real.

 

[Novel]

Will post when I'm finished my exam---I had a concussion two years ago

Autumnnovember, good luck on your exam! I'd love to hear about it, if you don't mind. I think I saw you mentioned it on a thread somewhere, and hoping you would respond was one of the reasons I posted...

 

[Novel]

My husband fell and hit his head on the ice on April 10th, 2010 (he went unconscious briefly) and has suffered from post concussion syndrome ever since. His symptoms for the first three months were more physical--headaches, his left hand would shake uncontrollably, nausea--but over the past nine months the symptoms have become more psychological. He has more anxiety, depression, he's unable to concentrate for long periods of time. Most of his physical symptoms are gone (though his left hand still shakes), but these psychological symptoms are harder for him.

My husband has seen multiple doctors, he's had several MRIs done on his brain in order to try to find any physical evidence of the concussion and was eventually told that the tears on his brain were too microscopic to be picked up by an MRI. Most recently he saw a psychiatrist who did an intelligence test in order to evaluate any damage that may have been inflicted on his brain. Eventually he was told that there was nothing that could be done and that very little is known about post concussion syndrome and how the brain heals itself. This has left my husband frustrated, desperate and depressed.

My heart goes out to you--I never understood how awful post concussion syndrome could be until my husband suffered from it. It's affected our lives greatly and there isn't a day that goes by that I don't regret going ice skating that day. I wish you a speedy recovery

P.S. There is a forum out there for people with post concussion syndrome--if you google it, you will find it. I went there briefly to get more information soon after my husband was diagnosed with post concussion syndrome.

NEL, thanks for joining in. I'm so sorry to hear about your husband. I hope that, with time, he'll get better. Having other chronic illnesses, I know the frustration of doctors not knowing and having no steps to take, no understanding, can be one of the worst parts. Actually, having other chronic illnesses, I can say that for me, at least, the psychological symptoms have become part of who I am. After 8 years, I didn't see them anymore and went to therapy to try to deal with them as though they were their own illnesses,and not symptoms of an illness we didn't understand.

Have you seen Jane the Concussion Slayer http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZztLac0Q1EI? Her attitude is amazing. The video made me feel a little less alone in this and better about the length of time it's taken me (which is nothing compared to where you guys are, I know). She says it's been a year for her and she is almost better.

I watch my boyfriend and can't imagine what it's like for him to watch me go through this. I think the patience it takes to deal with someone with a brain injury, even a mild one, is astounding and I hope you're making it through ok, too. I know you have regrets, I imagine my boyfriend does too. I try not to think about that part for myself, but it's terrifying to only look forward, since I don't know what is coming.

I'm definitely having both the physical and psychological changes, though my sense (at this point) is that the psychological are coming from the physical, i.e. I'm more anxious because of the discomfort noise and movement around me cause, I can't concentrate because of the dizziness, etc. It's frustrating and surprising (though I guess it shouldn't be) that doctors can't tell me what is even happening in my brain that is causing this.

Thanks for your good wishes, and I'll look for that forum. My googling skills have suffered!

 

[somethingshiny]

I got a concussion after being bucked too. We were hell bent and I lost a rein. Tried to reach forward to snag it and he threw me at the same time. I went off when his knee came up and ended up getting kneed in the head and thrown. When I woke up I knew something was wrong. Luckily my friend was with me. I never went to the hospital. No insurance. At first I couldn't really talk. I yelled "get my horse." A farmer and his son came over to me to see if they could help. Apparently I was in school with the son but didn't recognize him. I was messed up for what seemed like a long time, but was probably only 2-3 weeks. The headaches were awful. My vision was fuzzy and wavy. I had trouble remembering the correct words during conversation. I never let anyone know how bad it was and I didn't know what it was myself at the time. Luckily everything went back to normal. I think I was completely fine in about 2-3 months. However, every time I hit my head, I experience the same symptoms for a day or two even if I don't get a concussion.

Good luck!

 

[NewEnglandLady]

Novel, what you said about the physical symptoms spurring the psychological symptoms is exactly what my husband says. It's sort of like a chicken and egg scenario where you don't know which is causing the other. Knowing how frustrating all of this must be for you (after seeing it first hand), my heart goes out to you.

Is your boyfriend being supportive? It's impossible for something like this not to take some toll on a relationship, but just know that it is out of your control and more than anything, as a partner, our frustration stems from being helpless. It's hard to watch somebody you love suffer.

I'm wishing you the best--I wish I could give you a cure-all. Just continue to take things slowly and don't push yourself. I find that when my husband starts to feel a little better, he'll start pushing himself more and then take a couple of steps back. It will likely take a little time and that's okay.

 

[movie zombie]

i think you've identified what is magnifying things for you in the last week or so: all the changes and not being able to participate. take a deep breath and step back from the situation if you can. right now YOU are the priority. realize that your plate is full dealing with your own health. sometimes we have to realize that we really do not have any control even over ourselves and have to allow our body the time to heal itself. you are strong and will come through this.

MoZo

ps yes, it was not a pleasant experience....since it was snow runoff i also went into a bit of hypothermic shock.....

 

[Novel]

I got a concussion after being bucked too. We were hell bent and I lost a rein. Tried to reach forward to snag it and he threw me at the same time. I went off when his knee came up and ended up getting kneed in the head and thrown. When I woke up I knew something was wrong. Luckily my friend was with me. I never went to the hospital. No insurance. At first I couldn't really talk. I yelled "get my horse." A farmer and his son came over to me to see if they could help. Apparently I was in school with the son but didn't recognize him. I was messed up for what seemed like a long time, but was probably only 2-3 weeks. The headaches were awful. My vision was fuzzy and wavy. I had trouble remembering the correct words during conversation. I never let anyone know how bad it was and I didn't know what it was myself at the time. Luckily everything went back to normal. I think I was completely fine in about 2-3 months. However, every time I hit my head, I experience the same symptoms for a day or two even if I don't get a concussion.

Good luck!

SS, thanks. I'm so sorry to hear about your concussion, that's awful! And especially that you went through it without insurance. I'm glad you're alright, and that with exception of when you hit your head (which I'm terrified of), that you are without lasting effects.

Last time I stay on a bucking horse that I don't know, I'll tell you that much....

 

[Novel]

Novel, what you said about the physical symptoms spurring the psychological symptoms is exactly what my husband says. It's sort of like a chicken and egg scenario where you don't know which is causing the other. Knowing how frustrating all of this must be for you (after seeing it first hand), my heart goes out to you.

Is your boyfriend being supportive? It's impossible for something like this not to take some toll on a relationship, but just know that it is out of your control and more than anything, as a partner, our frustration stems from being helpless. It's hard to watch somebody you love suffer.

I'm wishing you the best--I wish I could give you a cure-all. Just continue to take things slowly and don't push yourself. I find that when my husband starts to feel a little better, he'll start pushing himself more and then take a couple of steps back. It will likely take a little time and that's okay.

Thanks, I appreciate it. Its good to know your husband has the same experience with the symptoms. And I want to keep pushing - do my job, see people, clean up the house a little - but I know you're right. Time is ok, I guess. My work is being really understanding, and at least it's something they can recognize.

My boyfriend is being amazing. We live together (been together almost 5 years) and he is wonderful about taking care of me, the house, making sure we have food, and being understanding when I'm irritable or snap at him. But he's a professor and teaches out of state 4 days a week, so it's hard when he isn't around. I think he has the same feeling you do, in it, and I know he is a bit scared, too.

i think you've identified what is magnifying things for you in the last week or so: all the changes and not being able to participate. take a deep breath and step back from the situation if you can. right now YOU are the priority. realize that your plate is full dealing with your own health. sometimes we have to realize that we really do not have any control even over ourselves and have to allow our body the time to heal itself. you are strong and will come through this.

MoZo

ps yes, it was not a pleasant experience....since it was snow runoff i also went into a bit of hypothermic shock.....

Thanks, MoZo. You're right, completely. I know that if I don't take the time I need now, I could be forced to for quite a while to come, it can just be hard to reconcile that and actually act on it.

Wow, hypothermia and concussion. They give points for that, don't they?

 

[Autumnovember]

I have returned!

So this is my story....

I was walking out of a friends house on a very very very icy night going back two years ago. December 23rd, to be exact. I was walking along the pathway back to my car when I slipped on ice. The first thing to hit was my head. I'm honestly not sure if I lost any consciousness or not because nobody was around and I just remember getting up and thinking to myself "I hope nobody saw that and GOD that hurt!!!!!!!"

I didn't think anything of it until the next day. Woke up, started texting my friend and talk about the night before. He started talking about how when we were on our way home from the bar, we almost completed a 360 on the road because we hit a patch of ice.

I did not remember any of that happening at all and when I told him I didn't remember he thought I was joking. I swore up and down I didn't remember and then I told him that I fell on ice later that night.

He tried to convince me to go to the hospital to get check out and being as stubborn as I am, I still brushed it off as nothing.

Fast forward about 3 hours and I had a throbbing headache and I couldn't stop vomiting (awesome way to spend Christmas Eve)!

Finally, when I stopped throwing up I drove to the hospital (another dumb move by me) and I literally had issues controlling the car and in general with driving. The whole thing was just WEIRD.

I got scans done and they told me that they are sure I has a concussion but there was nothing much they could do for me.

I continued to have headaches and feel like crap for several weeks afterwards and I just medicated by resting and ibuprofen for the headaches. Nothing else

It did subside eventually after about 4ish weeks.

I know how much it sucks, ugh!

There is still so much that is unknown about the brain...

Only things I can suggest is to RELAX, get your sleep, don't pick up heavy objects, don't push yourself too hard with anything, don't rush around.

Also, I have not had not had any issues since then. The only thing is that I really don't remember much of that night and even ask days progressed, I couldn't remember more and more of it.

A lot of my friends have also had concussions, one in particular has had multiple. He did suffer a bit after the fact but in general, he is ok!

What has your doctor suggested?

 

[Novel]

Sorry for the delay in replying! It got hard to read for a while there...

AutumnNovember, thanks for posting! The memory loss is crazy, isn't it? You see concussions on tv or read about them, but they never seem like this!

Update: going to see a brain trauma guy tomorrow. Today is 2 months since the accident and a couple doctors in my family have suggested that physical therapy might be in order (how do you PT a brain?) and to get the post concussion syndrome talk from a neurologist who specializes. The past couple days have been pretty good - fewer mood swings, less anxiety/dizziness/headaches, and a bit more energy. Then again, haven't tried to work or leave the house much, so that may be contributing.

 

[movie zombie]

been thinking of you and hoping there were some good days inbetween.....btw, saw a movie titled I AM and its a documentary regarding a hollywood director's search for meaning after suffering from post concussion syndrome in a very bad way after falling off his bike.......apparently, he's ok now but it took a long time and opened up a lot of questions for him.

MoZo

 

[Autumnovember]

Sorry for the delay in replying! It got hard to read for a while there...

AutumnNovember, thanks for posting! The memory loss is crazy, isn't it? You see concussions on tv or read about them, but they never seem like this!

Update: going to see a brain trauma guy tomorrow. Today is 2 months since the accident and a couple doctors in my family have suggested that physical therapy might be in order (how do you PT a brain?) and to get the post concussion syndrome talk from a neurologist who specializes. The past couple days have been pretty good - fewer mood swings, less anxiety/dizziness/headaches, and a bit more energy. Then again, haven't tried to work or leave the house much, so that may be contributing.

It's definitely crazy! Very scary, too.

Glad you have been feeling better and you're seeing some specialists now. I hope you recover quickly!! Keep us updated!

 

[Novel]

been thinking of you and hoping there were some good days inbetween.....btw, saw a movie titled I AM and its a documentary regarding a hollywood director's search for meaning after suffering from post concussion syndrome in a very bad way after falling off his bike.......apparently, he's ok now but it took a long time and opened up a lot of questions for him.

MoZo

Thanks, MoZo! I'll have to check that movie out once I can concentrate enough for a movie

There have definitely been some better days. The last few days I've actually felt much stronger and enjoyed being around people again, which is big. I went to the doctor yesterday and he said I should expect significant improvement in the next two weeks, which is exciting. My first summer work trip (I run summer programs for college and grad students) is the beginning of June, so I'd really, really like to be well enough to go.

Thanks again for your concern! Also, I don't think I've ever had the opportunity to say it over in CS, but I just adore your ring.

 

[Novel]

Sorry for the delay in replying! It got hard to read for a while there...

AutumnNovember, thanks for posting! The memory loss is crazy, isn't it? You see concussions on tv or read about them, but they never seem like this!

Update: going to see a brain trauma guy tomorrow. Today is 2 months since the accident and a couple doctors in my family have suggested that physical therapy might be in order (how do you PT a brain?) and to get the post concussion syndrome talk from a neurologist who specializes. The past couple days have been pretty good - fewer mood swings, less anxiety/dizziness/headaches, and a bit more energy. Then again, haven't tried to work or leave the house much, so that may be contributing.

It's definitely crazy! Very scary, too.

Glad you have been feeling better and you're seeing some specialists now. I hope you recover quickly!! Keep us updated!

Hey, Autumn November. It was really great to see the specialist. He was empathetic but acted like it was nothing unusual, which I appreciated.

I remembered after I responded to your post (oh, the irony) that my memory loss was mostly short term - my students and my sisters tell me I was saying the same thing over and over in a short period. I still can't always remember if I've said something out loud or just thought it, leading me to complement my sister's granny shoes twice in five minutes. Lovely.

Thanks for the good thoughts! It's been nice to be able to talk to people here about it just a bit, the folks on the neurology forums that NEL pointed me to have been going through this for way too long for my comfort.

 

[movie zombie]

re my ring: thank you, Novel!

so glad to hear that you've recently had some good days!

MoZo

 

[Novel]

Hey guys, I just wanted to give an update since you were all so kind and supportive back in the spring.

I got a lot better at the end of May/beginning of June and went back to work more in the office. I had to travel for work at the end of June and couldn't get anyone else to do it - three countries, 12 days, 30 students and faculty. I hadn't done a full week in the office yet and knew this was pushing it, but didn't have any other options, and really wanted to, too. So, I did, and then I came home and collapsed, basically.

The doctors have me back on working-from-home for the next 3-5 weeks and have told me now that it'll probably take up to a year for me to recover fully, not the 3-4 months they had originally said. It's probably because I pushed too hard, but they don't really want to say it outright, because blaming me won't help me keep my attitude positive, I guess. I know I need to rest now, and am as much as I can. They promise I'll recover completely, it will just take longer.

FI and I got engaged in June, when I was feeling well, and so I'm glad to have something to look forward to and something fun to do at home besides work. (Eye candy in SMTB )

Hope you guys are well...

 

[NewEnglandLady]

Novel, I'm so sorry that the business trip exhausted you to that degree and that the docs don't think you will recover as quickly as they'd hoped. That being said, I DO think you will recover in time. The rest is very, very important. It's frustrating how volatile the recovering process is--you feel good, so you try to push yourself, then you end up frustrated when it's too much. But over time, it really does get better.

Congrats on getting engaged, that's so exciting! I definitely agree that having a distraction (especially such a happy one) is actually good. I mentioned that my husband suffered a concussion about a year and four months ago. His recovery process has been really slow, he saw several specialists (he still does) and he was very frustrated. I got pregnant in June and having his focus on something other than his post-concussion syndrome has helped him. In the past two months he's made more improvements than he had in the previous year. So I'm really hopeful that things will start turning around for you quickly! Thanks for keeping us updated!

 

[Novel]

Novel, I'm so sorry that the business trip exhausted you to that degree and that the docs don't think you will recover as quickly as they'd hoped. That being said, I DO think you will recover in time. The rest is very, very important. It's frustrating how volatile the recovering process is--you feel good, so you try to push yourself, then you end up frustrated when it's too much. But over time, it really does get better.

Congrats on getting engaged, that's so exciting! I definitely agree that having a distraction (especially such a happy one) is actually good. I mentioned that my husband suffered a concussion about a year and four months ago. His recovery process has been really slow, he saw several specialists (he still does) and he was very frustrated. I got pregnant in June and having his focus on something other than his post-concussion syndrome has helped him. In the past two months he's made more improvements than he had in the previous year. So I'm really hopeful that things will start turning around for you quickly! Thanks for keeping us updated!

Hey, NEL, thanks for commenting! I was hoping you would. Congrats on the pregnancy, that's fantastic! I really believe what Jane the Concussion Slayer said (I can't believe I just said that, it sounds ridiculous), that being positive about this helps, and I know that having something happy going on has been huge for me. I'm so glad that the pregnancy has done that for him! If I can ask, are his doctors still saying he'll recover fully, that it's just more and more time? This is a little bit what I'm afraid of. The volatility is so hard, especially when so much of your identity is tied to your work and relationships with people.

Thanks for letting me know how he's doing... and I promise to keep you guys updated!

 

[ame]

The only real experience I have is that my friend Julie has been fighting it for almost a year now. She was about 2 weeks away from being able to go to work again and got rear-ended on her first day driving again. So she's back in bed again, though she said she doesn't feel as bad right now as she expected. It takes a while, and do not rush. She was extremely frustrated and still is, but the more you push it the longer it will take.

 

[Novel]

Oh, Ame, that sounds awful. Your poor friend. That's a nightmare, getting injured again during this period. I'm terrified of that. I hope she rests and heals quickly! As awful as it is to know other people are going through this, it's reassuring to hear I'm not the only one, mainly because I don't know anyone who has had any experience with this. Thanks for your good thoughts...

 

[kas baby]

I've seen my FI get a concussion. He was out on the football field and took a weird hit. It was obvious to us in the stands that something wasn't quite right. He doesn't remember part of that game. Since then he gets really bad migraines. No insurance though, so hopefully it's nothing too bad. I've never had to take him to the hospital, and I hope it stays that way.

Novel, I hope you feel better every second! Sending you healing dust!!!

 

[Autumnovember]

Glad to see you back!!

Please, please get your rest.

While you're resting you can do your SMTB thread Congratulations on the engagement and continued recovery

 

[Novel]

kas baby, I'm so sorry to hear about your fiance's experience! While I'm not a doctor, what they told me about concussions, and how they've been treating me, if that they check in the beginning to make sure you don't have damage or a bleed, and then from there on, there's little they can do. I hope they migraines fade. Has it been more than a year for him?

Autumn November, thanks! I'm resting, I swear. I've now watched at least 5 seasons of NCIS, 2 seasons of the Closer, all of SATC, and all of Friends. Woah. And last night finally got to the SMTB thread, he he he (https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/jbeg-meets-heirloom-oec.164895/). I'm amusing myself with how proud of that ring I am! Thanks for the good wishes!

 

[kas baby]

It's definitely been more than a year, but he's never had health insurance, and there's no way we could afford some of those migraine medicines. I just hope they a few and far between if he has them at all. It's frustrating knowing there's little more I can do than turning down the volume and letting him sleep