Not quite sure what I'm feeling

[FranOrange]

Hi all,

I had a fall a week ago, down about 8 steps outdoors. I caught my head on the edges of the bricks, knocked myself unconscious and lost a bit of blood. I was taken to hospital asks had various checks which all seem fine but I'm struggling to really make sense with how I'm feeling.

I know that physically, the hospital said I'm fine, but I'm still headachy, nauseas and a bit confused. I'm also generally a bit down about it all, I think due to how scary I found it. I have an amazing husband and family but can't explain it to them ..... They're just glad I'm ok and think there is nothing more to it. I also feel really guilty as I'd had a couple of drinks (I was far from drunk but even so). I know time is probably the thing I need to give it but am really finding it hard, whilst being super grateful that it wasn't more serious.

I'm not sure if anyone has their own experiences of this, or even if it's just helpful for me to write it down, but I didn't know where else to go.

Thanks

[Marnie22]

Hi. I would advise you to call the Headway helpline on 0808 800 2244. They will be able to give you good advice and support. When I had my brain injury in 2016, the Headway helpline were completely invaluable and I have called them regularly ever since. I don't know what I would have done without them.

Best wishes. 🌼

[Painting-girl]

Hello Fran, welcome to this forum, sorry to hear about your fall. Try not to feel guilty about it, because I expect you've navigated those steps successfully lots of times after the odd drink and never thought twice about it. Accidents do just happen. Knocking yourself out means you have most probably sustained a concussion - aka a mild traumatic brain injury (MTBI). Did the hospital give you a nice little card about what to look out for after a head injury? Also did you have a CT scan?

After a concussion it's possible to feel a variety of symptoms like headaches, nausea, dizziness, and memory problems - this can actually disappear in a couple of weeks, but sometimes it can last a few months or more - every brain injury is different. Basically you've given your brain a bit of a shake up, and that can manifest in different ways and for different durations of time.

It's not something to push through, as we would normally, because that tends to make you feel worse. So it's important to rest up at this point. This early on particularly, toughing it out by 'soldiering on' isn't a good idea. Also do let your GP know you are having symptoms ( though the experience here with GPs can be quite mixed, it's important to keep them in the loop).

Try and notice what things make you feel worse and cut down on them, a lot of us have trouble with noise and bright light, computer screens, and sometimes exercise for example. Regular breaks of 10-30 minutes lying down in the dark and quiet really help.

As Marnie says, do ring the Headway ( in office hours) for useful advice and support - they're probably your best resource at the moment.

What are your home and work circumstances - how easy is it for you to have regular rests at the moment for example?

Let us know how you get on.🌸

[FranOrange in reply to Painting-girl]

Thanks for all the info here, it's really really useful.

I did have a CT scan which came back fine. They also gave me a card with details of what to look for. I suppose I rationally understand all this is normal but it feels so strange so hearing from you and Marnie helps massively!

My home and work life are very conducive to rests .....I went back to work on Monday until my boss found out I was struggling and told me to log off and not log in until i feel better. I'm working from home at the moment and have very strict instructions from her and colleagues to rest as and when I need. Same with home, I don't have dependants and my husband is taking his lead on everything from me so I'm able to stop anytime I need. I'm very lucky with that

I have to be patient don't I, it's only been a week and I suspect I'm pushing myself to be totally fine immediately.

F

[Painting-girl in reply to FranOrange]

Hello Fran, glad you can take rests, that's helpful. How are you feeling now?

You may find you're trying too hard to keep working in these early days, I also tried to keep working from home in the couple of weeks after my concussion, and it was pretty unproductive, someone else had to redo it in the end - which was pretty mortifying!

[Leaf100]

Hi FranOrange,

Sorry to hear about your fall, it would be unnerving, to say the least.

I agree totally with everything Marnie22 and Paintung-girl said.

I will just add that concussions do not always show up on CT scans or even MRIs, sometimes thye are diagnosed by symptoms. Also, a concussion can impact mood, and change emotion - some people tend to get very emotional, for example, and some feel a distance from their emotions, Many feel easily irritated,, and at the end of their tether, at some point. (No two injuries are exactly the same, so although there tends to be patterns , it is a bit like a pick a mix - every serving is different. ) What you are experiencing as depression may be part of the injury - a professional would have to help you sort that out, and they may not even know for sure for awhile.

A concussion can also make you more sensitive to medication, so take extra caution if you start anything new.

Keep us posted.

Leaf100