CONCUSSION - HELP - ADVICE PLEASE

[MARYJANEISHERE]

Hi All,

A week ago someone hit a phone over my head (by accident )- I have this bruise/bump

on my forehead - I started to have severe headaches and a terrible pressure in my head.

I took paracetamol and that didn't help.

I went to A&E 4 days later - the CT scan showed no bleeds, fractures etc.

Doctor sent me home and said just take paracetamol.

It's been 7 days now and I still have this raging headache, pressure and now ringing in my ears.

Not sure what to do or what to expect. Any advice or other peoples experience would

help. Scared I will be like like this forever.

[cat3]

Symptoms of concussion can last much longer than a week. Was it a standard mobile phone and did the accident arise from some sort of stressful event ? I ask as tension headache can be extremely painful and persistent..

Maybe try Ibuprofen (if you can tolerate it) or Co-Codamol, and drink plenty of water.

Do speak with your GP if it persists MaryJane.

[MARYJANEISHERE in reply to cat3]

Hi Cat3,

Thanks for your reply.Appreciate it

It was a Iphone that hit my forehead - I have a visible bump/bruise.

The headache, pressure/tension in my head hit me the next day and

it has got worse since with ringing in my ears and fullness.

I feel like my brain is a balloon - is this normal?

I have not been to my GP yet - A&E doctor said take the paracetamol

and if your not better 10 days later go to your GP.

I guess I am panicking because its so painful.

I am allergic to ibuprofen, but can see about CC.

Thanks

[cat3 in reply to MARYJANEISHERE]

I also have a problem with Ibuprofen but find Co-Codamol a more effective Painkiller than Paracetamol alone (have it on prescription for arthritis),

I admit I'm puzzled about the type of injury in relation to the symptoms. Could it be a damaged nerve maybe ? ...I'm guessing. But if the Co-Codamol don't ease it in a day or two best to contact your GP. Don't forget to stay hydrated with plain water, and avoid alcohol.

Let us know how you get on m'love ... x

[Writeronstack]

I'm with Cat - please do all those things Mary Jane.

But the medications aside, A&E and the GP don't speak to each other, NHS organisation being what it is. If you ring your GP's surgery, and tell them you are worried, and paracetamol does not touch it, they might triage you over the phone. And then take the view that waiting ten days is not a bright idea, and bring you in for examination.

Please don't be scared. Forever is a long time. 'This too is likely to pass' is what I tell myself anyway. Keep us posted.

[Letsrock]

Hi

I have had concussion fir over 2 years now

The pain is terrible and I lost my vision as well in the last 6 months and still have dizziness.

Take plenty of sleep and rest the brain. You have to have 2 weeks off work and not use any technology including phones or TV to rest brain. The pain comes and goes, when stressed it gets worse. You will get brain fog as well.

Try taking chamomile tea, blueberries and spinach as these are good brain food.

I have just recently been to physio and she made me relive the accident and massaged my temples and it seems to have cleared the brain fogg. Still have dizziness but she reassured me if you have been fully checked out then it is the brain making repairs and dont be afraid.. Neurologist diagnosed me with functional neurological disorder now as they cannot find any injury and say it is a software issue in the brain.

Goto gp to get checked out and record it and let brain rest for 2 weeks then start going out for little walks and keep socialising and rehab.... retrain the brain very slowly.

Take care and keep talking to people but you might not want to.

[Donkey32]

I take up to 2x3paracetamol p er day plus ibuprofen 2x. Also occasional aspirin. These I take asinfrequently as possible

For some time I wasprescribedlorazaprom andctalopram which I have been onfor4 years very recently I am on quetiapine with much improved results and not requiring the other drugs , sohereshoping

That’s my status but all done with communicating with my g p

[Painting-girl]

Hello MaryJane, some mild concussion can just pass in a week or two, but as the others say do contact your GP. The force from a blow to the head with a phone sounds quite light but only you can know what the impact was really like. But in any case you should get thoroughly checked out, if only to exclude anything else going on. Try and rest up and have some breaks without screens or music meanwhile.

[MARYJANEISHERE in reply to Painting-girl]

Hi Painting Girl and everyone

thanks for replying!

I am on the 2nd week - I didn't think the phone hitting my head was that bad - but I did have a bump on my forehead.

Symptoms to date:

- ringing in the ear/ fullness

- I feel a pressure in my head like something is pushing against the skull

- Headaches up and down

- Started to get dizzy spells now

CT scan shows nothing of course - 12 hours in A&E and sent home to take paracetemol

A&E doc said to wait 10 days

Pretty scared

[Painting-girl in reply to MARYJANEISHERE]

Hi Mary Jane, it must have been a fairly good bang to raise a bump. This must all be very worrying. Have you ever had other blows to the head in the past?

I know it's hard, but please try not to worry, you've had a CT scan to exclude any bleeding which could have been more serious. And the A&E doctor has said to wait 10 days, which is reasonable, so that's all ok. A lot of people have concussion and it clears up, even if the effects are a bit shocking if you haven't been ill for long before. Try taking timeout every hour for ten minutes or so, without screens or music and lay down in the quiet, and see if that helps. Do ring the Headway helpline in office hours though for sympathetic and knowledgeable support 0808 800 22 44

While continuous headaches definitely do occur after concussion, they happen for other reasons - this is a long shot, but as you have a temperature, could you also take a Covid test to rule that out too?

Take care, I hope things improve for you soon, keep talking to us, its a supportive forum. .

[MARYJANEISHERE in reply to Painting-girl]

Hi Painting Girl,

Thanks for being supportive.

I've never had this kind of injury - its a bit of a shock.

The constant pressure/tension in my head and the tinnitus

is quite debilitating. I hope it settles down.

I've checked if its covid and it's negative.

I have to be patient, eat well, rest well and meditate.

Thanks for letting me know about the number!

Thanks!

[MARYJANEISHERE]

Another weird thing I've noticed is I am burning up - my body temperature has gone up.

[Painting-girl in reply to MARYJANEISHERE]

Poor thing, how are you now? Try 111 if the temperature hasn't settled - I think they suggest sticking to paracetamol after head injury rather than ibuprofen. Also worth telling your GP that you're worried

[MARYJANEISHERE in reply to Painting-girl]

Hi Painting Girl

Still hv pressure at the top and back of my head. It comes and goes. Sometimes it’s really bad and sometimes it’s very slight. Makes me a bit wobbly on my feet when the pressure is bad.

It’s a horrible feeling. My brain does not feel like my brain.

Tinnitus and aural fullness in both ears is still the same.

Headache have calmed down a bit which is a relief.

Hot feeling comes and goes. I’ve read up that a concussion can affect the body temperature.

Im trying not give any of these symptoms any attention so I keep as calm as possible.

Im taking an Arnica homeopathic remedy and taking vitamins. Keeping hydrated as well. This looks like a time game for my brain to heal.

Thanks for checking in on me

X