Does anyone diagnosed with PCS feel worse after haircut, hot shower, heat on head etc?

[Gwenen]

I fell on a wet pavement 7 months ago and hit my head on a wall. No bump or cut but felt sick, groggy and spaced out for days. Diagnosed with PCS at A&E. Eventually my symptoms subsided except when my head is exposed to heat from a hairdryer or the hairdresser yanks at my hair etc. Can knock me off for days, GP said hypersensitivity and normal. Three weeks ago haircut (now dreaded) and I forgot to say go easy as I thought things were improving...Oh boy have I suffered! Head aching, burning, tingling and itching at the site and I feel so tired, my eyes are like lead. GP just looks at me sympathetically and says it takes time, your nerves have been irritated. There's very little written about nerve damage in relation to PCS and I feel like this is never going to settle and my anxiety is through the roof!

[Feebie8]

Hello there 😊 I'm sorry... 🤔 I let my hair dry naturally, haven't had it cut from before my concussion and I don't notice a hot shower aggravating symptoms but then I'm pretty much always symptomatic these days so 🤷‍♀️

I could understand a physiological response to people touching my head or hot air though (being outside my PCS norm) 🤔 my PCS anxiety has been very physiological (tremors, heart rate, flushed skin, eye twitches, fatigue etc) so I could see my anxiety increasing if I did get my haircut etc which would increase symptoms... could be an underlying anxiety related to the area of injury which I see as completely explainable. I don't think I'd let anyone near my head right now or maybe ever to be honest, I have that primal protection "get away from me" response thinking about it. I'm sorry I can't figure out how to put the example in my head into words 🙄 not very helpful 🤪

[swedishblue]

Hi Gwen, I have a brain injury caused by a bleed to the brain many years ago. I frequent this board. I am very particular about drying my own hair when visiting the hairdressers as I hate anyone rough handling my head, or even going near it. Our heads are forever more sensitive!

I am responding to your post as my daughter visited A&E today after a head injury. Coincidentally, she too slipped up on a wet pavement in town this afternoon, and hit the back of her head. Luckily she was seen in casualty within the hour. She has many symptoms of pcs and I am watching her like a hawk!

There's a good book about concussion called 'The ghost in my brain' you may be interested to read.

[Oceandreams]

Do you have any pain in the back of your neck close to the skull?

[Gwenen in reply to Oceandreams]

Hi Oceandreams, to be honest, no nothing like that. I know there is a condition called occipital neuralgia and I did google it but can't say I have those particular symptoms. It's mostly sensitivity at the site which when aggravated leaves me feeling rough for days. My other 'thing is something I posted about yesterday. When I have to drive, watch TV or anything that involves fixing my gaze I feel fuzzy headed, kind of spaced out and really tired afterwards.. I'm a counsellor and have to maintain eye contact and concentrate so this can be quite disconcerting!

[Oceandreams in reply to Gwenen]

Research post trauma vision syndrome. It’s what I have. Get an appointment with a neuro optometrist or better still get your doctor to refer you to a neuro ophthalmologist. I’m still waiting on my appointment 1st April. I did see a neuro optometrist and got some special prism glasses which help my symptoms. Vision therapy is very successful but can be expensive if not covered. I need the ophthalmologist appointment before I decide what to do. This should explain your extreme fatigue too. I hope this helps. Also have you seen a neurologist for your headache etc? I had a course of steroids which helped mine. With nerve pain there are injections to calm the nerves. A friend of mine was given Botox which stopped her issues. Be tough on your doctor and demand the referrals.!

[Gwenen in reply to Oceandreams]

Thanks Oceandreams, I'll definitely look into post trauma vision syndrome. Sadly my GP was reluctant to refer me to anyone. Not sure if you're UK based but pcs isn't given much attention in my area.

[Oceandreams in reply to Gwenen]

Hi Gwenen, no I’m in Canada at the moment. I’m wanting to come home but it’s such a struggle. That’s another story for another time. I totally empathize with you. I do feel Canada is more aware of PCS. Due to all the hockey accidents. I think there has been more research also that health care is mostly private here so it give health care professionals more of an incentive. More knowledge and clinics = more money to be made = more awareness. What I would like is for PCS to be called a TBI. Concussions here are still thought of as nothing serious. A temporary inconvenience. It’s almost 2 years for me. There are so many different definitions which make it hard to get help, treatment, benefits etc. It’s been such a struggle. From what I’ve learned here PTVS will not go away on its own. It can last for years. But it is treatable. If there’s anything I can do from my end please feel free to reach out. I have done so much research. I would absolutely recommend seeing a neuro eye guy and if you can’t get vision therapy at least get some prism glasses. They’ve saved my life to be honest. Let me know how you get on. Bigggg Hugggs x

[Gwenen in reply to Oceandreams]

Hi Oceandreams, good to hear from you. I get the connection with Canada and hockey and a higher incidence of these injuries. I used to live in the U.S. so I'm familiar with the benefits (and drawbacks) of private healthcare. I'm waiting to get up the 12 month mark at the end of April and if I'm still symptomatic have promised myself a trip back to the GP to ask for a referral. I have good days and bad days. At the moment, my anxiety disorder is more in the forefront of my mind to be honest. I had anxiety before but it's been more of a feature for me since my injury. I think I've developed health anxiety on top of everything else! Thanks for your support and sending back a hug to you too x