Nervous about my Concussion

MaryinIA · 07-15-2012, 12:39 AM

I suffered a concussion two weeks ago. I went down a water slide and hit my head on the concrete bottom of the pool when I exited the slide. I had a concussion or two as a kid, but I don't remember them.
My case is no where near as severe as others on this board, but I am just nervous about recovery. I can function, but my husband has noticed (and so have I) that I have had slight personality changes along with the lack of concentration abilities, vision focusing slowness, "humming" in my head, which I call "the bees", and fatigue. I am a lot more blunt and have less tolerance and the "filter" that usually stops people from saying what they really think isn't quite there. When I get stressed or sometimes just because, the point of impact on the back of head (outside isn't sore) seems to constrict and is painful. The pain wraps around my head sort of in waves.
I had an MRI and it fine.
If there is not improvement or things get worse I will be going to a concussion clinic in the next few weeks.
I guess just talking about it will help me not feel so crazy. Anyway, thanks for listening.

Mist8012 · 07-15-2012, 08:50 AM

Mary,

Sounds like you may have injured the frontal lobe of your brain. The frontal lobe controls behavior and holds the filtering mechanism. Also a sign of PCS as I endure this problem as well.

I never used to curse and I was known as patient and calm. Not no more!

I struggled to hold onto a lid of my water bottle yesterday and let out the F bomb hubby just stared in disbelief.

We're all here for you.

Take care,

Kelly

Mimsies · 07-15-2012, 05:03 PM

Hi,

Make sure you are getting plenty of rest. Sleep when you need to. Try to stay out of stressful situations. STAY HYDRATED! Eat nourishing foods. Check out the list someone posted of good brain foods.

I take two turmeric supplements and a vitamin with Omega-3 and DHA every day. I honestly don't know if they help, but they don't hurt.

Good luck!

Mark in Idaho · 07-16-2012, 01:47 AM

I doubt the concussion clinic will help. They are more focused on athletes and return to play issues. I am amazed at the lack of depth of understanding at concussion clinics. They almost appear to be the new way to get health care dollars from insurance companies.

Mimsie, you should add B-12 (500 to 1000 mcgs daily) plus a variety other supplements mentioned frequently.

Lightrail11 · 07-17-2012, 11:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MaryinIA

I am a lot more blunt and have less tolerance and the "filter" that usually stops people from saying what they really think isn't quite there. When I get stressed or sometimes just because, the point of impact on the back of head (outside isn't sore) seems to constrict and is painful. The pain wraps around my head sort of in waves.

Hi and welcome. You are relatively early in the recovery process, so the disinhibitions and point of impact discomfort are likely to improve. Give it some time, if the concentration or other cognitive deficits continue some sessions with a speech or occupational therapist may be helpful. Best to you as you recover.

Scott in Fenton · 07-17-2012, 11:48 AM

I think the concussion clinic issue depends on the clinic; I am seeing one later today run by Washington University in St. Louis that is focused on research. I'll find out good they are, but I am hopeful; my appointment is with a Post Doc Fellow, not someone who is already corrupted by WC or burnt out with the other issues of the medical field. Or so I hope ;-)

Lightrail11 · 07-17-2012, 02:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scott in Fenton

I think the concussion clinic issue depends on the clinic; I am seeing one later today run by Washington University in St. Louis that is focused on research. I'll find out good they are, but I am hopeful; my appointment is with a Post Doc Fellow, not someone who is already corrupted by WC or burnt out with the other issues of the medical field. Or so I hope ;-)

Thanks Scott, good point. I didn't receive treatment at a concussion clinic per se, but I spent a month in in-patient neuro rehab and several months in out-patient, and I can't say enough good things about the doctors, clinical neuropsychologists and therapists that worked with me and aided my recovery.

rmschaver · 07-17-2012, 07:51 PM

Google cuncussion if you have not already. Follow the link to both CDC and NIH. Read About cuncussion and TBI. Some of the information is frightening but would you rather not know. Dr. David Hovda did some major work with regard to brain injury. Google him also. You are in all likely hood suffering more symptoms than you realize. Dr. Hovda is quite likely the leading researcher in the United States if not the world. I dont know if it is online but in the publication brain injury vol 9 issue 1 describes in medical speak what has been found out and what is still unsure. Most relevant is a multidisciplinary approach to your healthcare. GP, Nuerologist, physical, speech, occupational therapist and a psychologist. The term now being discussed is POST CUNCUSSION DISORDER. Syndrom apparently indicates a single source for these symptoms. Where a disorder may have multiple sources and require the multidisciplinary approach. Explains why symptoms can go on and on. Kind of like trying to kill the seven headed hydra by cutting one head off. Neck injuries are common in PCS/D. Each participating medical provider address's different issues at the same time. Stable resolution can reached in months. My experience, what little I have is that most GPs don't have a clue, many neurlologist don't either. My injury was at work so at least I am covered but I have to deal with WC insurance group. They want to manage the medical care. I.E. as cheap as possible.

Mark in Idaho · 07-18-2012, 01:35 AM

rmschaver,

Do you have any links to Hovda's work. I can find lots of articles and videos or him talking about research and the needs for more research but nothing that addresses a protocol for recovery.

btw, Syndrome is used to describe a condition that is observed repeatedly. Disorder is used to describe a condition that has been scientifically established with a fixed set of diagnostic criteria. The Veterans' Admin and NIH has awarded a contract to the NeuroTrauma Foundation to establish diagnostic criteria for Post Concussion Syndrome / Disorder. The current standards are too subjective.

Hovda's work may include concussion but is primarily focused on sTBI/TBI, not mTBI. This is common in the brain injury community. He appears to still be struggling to establish a criteria for 'return to play' or 'return to action' after concussion. This is no better than the common problem most clinicians deal with.

There are other doctors who have a greater understanding of concussion. I have watched some of their lectures presented at the Howard Hughes Medical Institute.

The NIH and CDC are years behind the best concussion technology due to their need of a consensus before drafting a document. At least Hovda recognized this serious lack of consensus.

Even Mayo Clinic and Cleveland Clinic are behind the times. The Ontario NeuroTrauma Foundation is a bit ahead of the US organizations but still fighting an uphill battle with the consensus issue and the efforts of health and liability insurance companies fighting against a common diagnosis and treatment plan.

The combined knowledge on NT is much more up to date than any individual source elsewhere.

Even the multidisciplinary concussion clinics tend to have weak links in their programs/protocols. Most concussion clinics are oriented toward fee generating rather than effective treatment. Just about any group of doctors and therapists can hang out a 'Concussion Clinic' shingle. There is no standard of care or board certification for concussion specialists.

Mark in Idaho · 07-18-2012, 01:43 AM

Scott,

I am eager to hear about your experience at the Washington University Concussion Clinic. BY reading the CV's of the doctors in the clinic, they appear to be no different than most concussion clinics. The publications they contribute to tend to be about rat research and such. Otherwise, they appear to be sTBI/TBI oriented but trying to get up to speed with concussion.

Concussion clinics, as a rule, are focused on the athlete or accident victim who is presented shortly after the impact. Those of us who are many weeks, months and even years after the injury usually leave them in a quandary of "Well, what do you expect us to do? You've recovered as much as your brain can."