Hello everyone, I could need some advice on handling PCS

[Magnus S]

I am Magnus, 18 years old and live in Norway. Back in January this year I fell while skiing and got a concussion. Afterwards I felt dissy and nauseous and skiing became very difficult.
Basically I didn't do anything about it for two days. I was back home studying for a biology test with my sister when I found myself almost unable to form good sentences. Explaining stuff that i normally would have done with ease became impossible. Also I had an headache which had lasted ever since the accident.

The next day I went to the doctor who said I had a concussion which didn't come as a surprise given the symptomes.
I did a MRI which turned out to positive. (Nothing bad was found). He also said I should get back to school and continue with medication for the headache. The next days were basically horrible for me, thinking made my head way worse.
Skip forward a couple of weeks I had a big math test which I had been studying for the previous weeks. After doing math for five hours straight it seemed like it was impossible to think. I remember one of the math tasks which we were given had an identical one in the textbook ( which was allowed) only with different numbers. Even just copying that turned out to be a mission. After that task I just left knowing that I couldn't more math tasks.

After a couple of weeks I went to a neurologist who prescribed me on amitriptylin of which I take 50mg per day. I have also tried acupuncture and been to a chiropractor. Can't tell if any of them have helped.
Now almost 9 months have past and I am still experiencing headaches. I haven't been in school this semester and I'm hoping I can redo the semester after Christmas if I am well by then.
Have any of you found that exercise helps? If yes, what types of exercises should be doing?
Are there anything else I should try?
Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[Mark in Idaho]

Magnus,

Welcome to NeuroTalk. Sorry to hear of your concussion and struggles.

Have you taken any time away from school and other activities to get a long term of quiet rest?

It sounds like you have stayed busy. The concussed brain needs quiet rest. Minimal cognitive stimulation and physical activity.

What have you tried to help your recovery?

The 50 mgs of amitriptyline is quite a large dose for PCS head aches. Most use 10 to 25 mgs. Does it seem to help at all?

[rmschaver]

Have you considered you may have injured your neck and/or upper spine. You may want to consider it as that may also cause constant headaches.

[Magnus S]

Thanks you guys for the replies!
I have not been in school since august and trying my best to get some good rest without worrying about school. I was under the opinion the 50mg wasn't mutch at all. My neurologist said that 90mg was the upper limit.
Somedays I feel incredibly tired, I guess the amitriptylin might not help with that. I can't say if it helps at all to be honest. I'v been trying my best to find a system with these headaches, but they seem somewhat random. Some days I just have a constant headache, other days I am mostly fine. That is, if I am resting. I can not do any school work without pain or anything which demands my full attention and cognitive ability. Actually, writing this kinda makes my head hurt.

How can I know if my neck is the problem? Would I be having problems with cognitive stimulation if it were in fact a spine/neck? I wake up every morning with a sore neck. I have been to a chiropractor, which didn't seem to help that much anyway. My neurologist was pretty sure the problem was my brain rather than my spine. How do I know?

[rmschaver]

You should see a orthopedic spine specialist. Preferably a well respected one. An MRI of c-spine, mid and lower back would have to be done. The spine specialist would then evaluate for damage and any treatment after. Minor damage can cause your back and neck to always be tensed up.

I started with an orthopedic therapist who tried to adjust my spine. The original findings by the therapist was a stacked and twisted vertabrae. What that means was my lower spine is twisted one way and my mid level is twisted the other. The twist is not much but it causes me pain. There may also be bulging disks in mid and lower back. I am presently waiting to get the back MRI.

I have an appt with spine Dr. after waiting more than 4 and 1/2 months. The relief of just knowing I am going is palpable even though I am in pain almost every single day. Best of luck to you.