Concussion

[LizzieConcussed]

Can any body tell me there experiences managing concussion.

Cheers

[Hidden]

I've had 2 head injuries but no lasting effects after (so not long-term concussion I think?): first time on motorbike = knocked off and was knocked out but not for long, sat up on kerb very dazed. Got taken to hospital (left foot and right chin) but was chatting OK in ambulance and can still remember bit. Not tired after and OK except for foot/chin.

Then was on beach and kid threw a really big stone that hit my head really hard = so shocking and out of the blue (not long after bike crash or bit before? unsure), I felt/went bit weird and we left the beach (NO memory of getting home) then VERY VERY tired and slept for few hours at home = not like me at all then = my early 20s.

So, sorry, no experience. But in my opinion 'concussion' that lasts more than few minutes should really be called a brain injury, all head injury (I think) must rattle/damage the brain a bit but only after a few or later in life will the effects become clearer. ?

[LizzieConcussed in reply to Hidden]

Cheers for your reply, much appreciated

[angelite]

Hi Lizzie,

My son seems to have had two experiences of mild concussion after blackouts (he will insist on breaking his fall with his head !) The first was just a few days of fatigue/unreal feeling and lack of concentration.The second time he hit a filing cabinet on the way down and was out for four minutes.He had nearly 3 months of severe anxiety symptoms that I had to talk him through.After the second blackout he was blood tested and found to be very low in vitamin D so had to go on high dose supplements.I have kept him on a daily multivitamin since then and he has been fine so maybe it had been a contributory factor.NHS info says that only 1 in 10 still have symptoms after a year but does not really put a time limit on it.When did it happen and how does it affect you ?

[LizzieConcussed]

Hi Angelite

Thanks for taking time to reply. I had my accident on the 11th Feb. Came of my bike, knocked my self unconscious. So symptoms have been bad due to severe concussion.

Head Pain, balance problems, spaced out, feeling weak, very tired doing daily tasks, light and noise sensitive. Problems focusing and concentrating, reading, writing takes a lot of effort. Also when writing words are jumbled and i make spelling mistakes. Makes me tired speaking, so at the moment quite debilitating.Major issue at moment is lack of sleep. Not had a good nights sleep since the accident, so that causes problems for body trying to heal. Mind is working in overdrive, thinking too much about things, stressed out due to trauma ect. So taking Magnesium with Vitamin B6, manuka honey, omega 3-6-9 oil.

So main aim is to reduce brain inflamation so any tips for any of the above greatly received.

Cheers

Lizzie

[angelite]

Hi Lizzie,

Whilst you certainly seem to have been clobbered with all the typical severe symptoms please bear in mind that you are early on in recovery.I was recommended by neuro to take the max dose of paracetamol daily for inflammation (suspected Encephalitis).I was a paracetomol junkie for weeks !It did seem to lessen some of the symptoms,not just pain.Although it is not believed to have much in the way of general anti inflammatory properties there is growing evidence that it particularly effective for inhibiting inflammation in the brain.See link : panadol.co.uk/Headache/Arti...

I put myself on multivitamins,B 6 and Omega 3 after some research so feel that you are on the right track with your supplements.As for the sleep problems,that seems to be a common symptom and as you said,not at all helpful in healing.I was the opposite and slept for England after initial adrenaline problems so very lucky.From reading it would seem that up until the 3 month mark of symptoms it is classed as concussion,then becomes post concussion syndrome.What medical input have you had ?

[headwayuk Partner Headway]

Hi LizzieConcussed,

Just to add to the responses from our members, Headway produce some useful information on concussion that could be a help. Our booklet 'Minor head injury and concussion' discusses the effects of this type of head injury and the ongoing post-concussion syndrome symptoms.

We'd be happy to send you a copy if you private message us on here with your full name and address. Alternatively, you can get in touch with our helpline on 0808 800 2244 or [e-mail] to discuss things in more detail.

Best wishes,

Headway

[Rhyanne]

Hi

I am currently still suffering with post concussion syndrome as diagnosed by my neuro. I had a cycle accident involving myself hitting a van with my head at about 38 kph or 25 ish mph. There was a car involved that caused this. This was back in May, I wasn't properly checked and seen in A&E so my GP for 3 months tried to manage my head from there I was referred to my neuro (who I had to privately for as the NHS waiting times were too long) First I was prescribed nortriptyline this course was ended back October. Unfortunately I was in the 30% that this drug didn't improve any symptoms so now recently I have seen the neuro again and he has now ordered an MRI and give me Gabapentin to take. I am in my first week of this and the side affects are rubbish, I hoping after this week it should me to start improving. One thing i have notice with concussion you told that you should hit your head again but I have no depth perception and keep hitting my head. I am still suffering and a while off recovery so my experience hasn't finished yet.

[John2017]

Glad to find the site, lots of people with concussions and I'll add my own experience with it. I'm from America and currently living in Cambodia. I caught a ride on a motorbike, told the driver he's going the wrong way and he made a quick U-turn at a fast speed and I lost my grip and fell on the pavement. 15 stiches and gap appeared on the back of my skull a few days later, perhaps an inch or so of no skin and gap in my skull prettly much left me in shock for a day or two. I went to a clinic and had it cleaned a few times a week and it finally healed. I went to a real doctor in the capitol city and he stiched it up and also took a culture. I suspect it's from the flesh and bone eating bacteria and will get the culture results when I go there again.

The after effects were dizzyness, took a lot of focus to walk relatively straight, cognitive defects, lack of ability to think beyond the usual tasks of eating, memory problems, etc, and have a ways to go. It's been about four months. Since some have mentioned meds I'll include mine. Ginko extract 400 mg, Daflon 600mg, and a stronger one he'd recommend if there's not enough improvement, I don't recall the name though. He drew a diagram of how damaged neurons can be regrown but of course it takes time. Balance exercises seem to help. I try to be patient about my recovery but it can be frustrating.

Alcohol is a detrement and I admit that I drink most days or evenings, but got sick to my stomach yesterday and plan to go to an AA meeting tomorrow with the goal of quitting.

So, that's my story. Good luck everyone in the recovery from the concussions.

[John2017 in reply to John2017]

This is John2017. I looked up Daflon on the web and it turns out to be more of an anti-convulsive med than specifically helping to heal the brain. So, best to be guided by your doctor than to self-medicate, imo.