Worried about concussion

[Janice717]

Hi everyone

I fell down the stairs two weeks ago, 3 inch cut to head which needed stitches at A&E, the doctor told me I may also have mild concussion.

I have had balance problems for over 20 years and for several years brain fog and feeling lightheaded, slow thinking, memory problems also anxiety and depression. The fall has made these symptoms much worse with daily headaches and crying for no reason, I am feeling really sorry for myself.

I realise after reading other posts that this is "normal" after a head injury but I am worried about how long this may last and should I drive? All I want to do is sleep.

I'm seeing my GP on Thursday, she ordered blood tests last week to see if I'm on the correct dose of levothyroxine (hypothyroidism)

[Hidden]

Hi Janice sorry to hear about your fall, maybe stop driving, your insurance will probably be invalid with a new concussion diagnosis. Wait and rest and see how it manifests over the coming weeks.

[Janice717 in reply to Hidden]

Thank you pinkvision. It's hard to know how much you can or can't do. I suppose time will tell. Hate this feeling of not being "with it", it's like being in a dream.

[Hidden in reply to Janice717]

Yep I had the big sleep, enjoy it, just sleep, most people get insomnia, that must be a nightmare. I was sleeping 18 hours a day on average for months then it gradually reduced over time, I'm still on 10 a day now.

Hey be careful with the driving, if you are in an accident even if it's not your fault you will get done. That's what I understand are the rules. Rest and get well.

[AndrewT]

Dear Janice17,

Two 'Things', above ALL else.....One Stop Driving, at least, until you have spoken to your Doctor. Which Leads me to - Two DO see your Doctor. Please do explain ALL, your symptoms, and make sure (s)he is aware of your 'Fears' too. I can't comment, regarding the DVLA, as I'm NOT a Driver myself. I do Know however that you, need to, be Completely Honest with them.

Can you let us all know, how you 'get on' please.

Kindest wishes

AndrewT

[Janice717 in reply to AndrewT]

Hi AndrewT

Saw my GP yesterday, she is going to refer me to a neurologist.

Symptoms are improving day by day but I would still like to know why my balance has been so bad for the past 20+ years.

GP said it was OK for me to drive but I'm only doing short distances to start with.

I don't know how long I'll have to wait for a referral but will keep you posted.

Thanks

Janice17

[Marnie22]

Ask your GP regarding driving. Once you ask the DVLA they suck you into a long process involving forms, reports, doctor's opinions etc. I was told by my GP I could drive. I informed my insurance company and told them what my GP said. The whole process with the DVLA took months (I was allowed to drive as the process progressed,) and ended up with me having to take an afternoon of tests at a local centre - cognitive tests and a form of driving test. Thank goodness I passed because I have severe problems with fatigue and couldn't get out otherwise.

I wish you all the best. If I can answer any questions, please let me know.

[Janice717 in reply to Marnie22]

Hi Marnie 22

Yes I will discuss this with my GP tomorrow. I'm not that worried if I can't drive, as long as it's not for too long. I live on a bus route and only a short taxi ride to the surgery.

I just wonder if I'm making too much of this and not trying to do more. I feel a bit pathetic.

[Marnie22 in reply to Janice717]

Hi. Please don't feel bad about trying to get to the root of this. I was told by a neurologist that my symptoms were caused by migraines. I now know I have a firm of encephalopathy that has left me unable to work. Sometimes you need to go on what your body tells you and fight to get to the truth. I am now two and a half years into a medical negligence case.

Do call the Headway helpline, they are brilliant and it doesn't matter how big or small your problem is. The number is 0808 800 2244. All the best.

[sospan]

Janice,

Quite often it is best to take a step back and put the head back on the chicken that seems to be running around.

Before your fall you had some pre-existing conditions which are very similar to concussion symptoms. Whilst they may have gone up a few notches since your fall, you have coped with them exceedingly well for quite sometime - 20 years with balance problems is quite an achievement.

Being only three weeks after your injury is no time at all and having fallen down the stairs a few times myself, I know how shaken up it can be. I would wait a few weeks to see how your symptoms develop or even subside.

This is one of those times to listen to your body. Your brain is telling you, it needs some time to sort itself out by making you feel sleepy. At the moment the best thing would be to rest, potter about the home and avoid stress.

When you meet your GP on Thursday she may offer you a low dose of Anti depressants. This isn't anything to worry about nor is it for any psychological reasons. The anti depressants work by slowing the brain down to free up capacity so that it can start resolving any issues.

In respect of driving / notifying the DVLA a lot depends on how you feel, your doctors feeling and any diagnosis. It sounds like you have a good relationship with your GP as the decision about driving is a major decision and is all about honesty. If you both feel that it isn't safe to drive, then you should take a break from it. If you have a diagnosis of concussion then you have to notify the DVLA. If your GP is confident in your abilities then you can continue driving.

All the best

[Janice717 in reply to sospan]

Thanks for your advice. I have been on antidepressants for about 20 years (currently Venlafaxine)

One of the main problems at the moment is the lack of understanding/support from my friends and family. I told my "best friend" at the weekend I felt "out of it" and she asked why.

She asked me earlier if I was going to my volunteering job this week and seemed impatient when I tried to explain I don't feel up to it. I admit I was unaware of the effects of concussion until now but at least I would empathise with anyone going through it and not dismiss it as an imaginary problem. I live alone and am finding this hard to cope with.

Another problem is my elderly mother who lives 20 miles away also had a fall at the weekend and I feel guilty not being able to go and help her.

"Avoid stress" - if only!

Best wishes

[sospan in reply to Janice717]

Yep we have all been there with friends and family.

Part of the problem is that we can look fine on the outside but on our heads it is a complete shambles. There is a video on YouTube which is called "you look great" youtube.com/watch?v=x9Xso4q...(Not working as expected?) which I used to send friends to.

The often refer to Head injuries as the loneliest of injuries. Because their friends and family don't understand or show empathy, many friends disappear once you can't function as before, plus a lot of us crave isolation away from noise and people that tent to irritate us

Additionally, what the "non sufferers" don't understand is that whilst you may have have an injury, you have to continue with life whilst your in pain, confused, haven't had sleep etc. Then they throw doctors, medical and benefit forms, bills, work or lack of work. Plus dealing with other issues in the family.

I had the same when my mother was alive, I wasn't safe enough to help care for here and it had to fall to other family members.

Sadly many of us on here have similar tales to tell

[Janice717 in reply to sospan]

Hi

Have received my neurology appointment - March 2020!

You are so right about a head injury being a lonely injury, I find the same with depression/anxiety, no-one can see how you are feeling and suffering.

I found the You Look Great video very helpful. If I had received a diagnosis of PCS it would be so much easier to explain, but it was only the doctor in A&E that said I could have a mild concussion. Now 3 weeks later I almost feel worse, constant headache, lightheaded, poor balance and irritability. I am so angry at people who don't understand, very few have even asked how I am, which makes me feel more isolated. They make me feel as if I'm making my symptoms up and making more of it than it is.

I tried to explain to a friend that I was afraid to go out or do too much in case I had another fall, and got the reply that I was giving in to it.

Am I being unreasonable in expecting people to care or show a bit of empathy or am I just feeling sorry for myself?

[sospan in reply to Janice717]

No problem,

One of the things they never explain is that the symptoms surface as the time increases. It isn't so much that they develop it is that in the early stages most of us feel so poorly that we can only do a few things. Then as one symptom subsides e.g. bruising or headaches, you start noticing things like reading is more difficult or doing simple maths.

How I used to describe it to people was it is when you have had too much to drink and you are trying to behave like your sober but keep on bumping into things and falling over and doing daft stuff. Yet already have the most almighty hangover and hate sounds and bright lights. Strangely most people got the symptoms but couldn't grasp why they don't go away.

The fear of making things worse by falling is quite real. At the moment all your balance senses are out of kilter - eyes, ears, brain and the feedback senses in your lower limbs. Whilst the volunteering may be too much at the moment, why not suggest something more peachful to your friend - flask of tea on a bench somewhere nice ? Fresh air and a chance to talk would do wonders.

At least with your Neurologists appointment there is something to work towards. Although, you may be surprised how simplistic the assessment will be - grasp hands, stand on the spot and then discuss your symptoms.

[jayne_h]

Sorry to hear about your accident. As well as seeing your GP, have a look at the headway booklets (pdfs) and give the helpline a call or mail them if you have any questions.

Apart from rest, have a look at diet and recipes to help your brain heal. Tina M Sullivan, ' Nourish your Noggin' cook book, which you can get online from amazon. Well worth it. I used it to help my mum after a head injury and I did notice a difference