So, I have this thing called post-concussive syndrome.  It is no fun at all.  I am so tired of whining about it, but not as tired as I am of it.  This thing has disrupted my life in so many ways and I would do or pay anything for it to be gone already.  While I don't have every single one of these symptoms, I have many.  This is what it is:

 

I went to see a neurologist earlier this week.  She said that this can last anywhere from  6 months to a year on average and for some people it lasts even longer.  There is no way to predict it.  Really hope I am not one of those people.  I am going for an MRI this weekend, to rule out any brain damage  :o  My brain is not working the way it should.  Instead of saying I missed my exit, I said I missed my line.  I have turned into a total moron.  I want my life back.

 

Before I met with this doctor, I was taking 800 mg Motrin 3 times a day and Fioricet as needed, along with anti-nausea medication.  Fioricet is similar to codeine, but doesn't cause nausea.  So, this doctor tells me this constant triple migraine headache I have is caused by Motrin and Fioricet and that after the 6 weeks of it, I will be lucky if I don't end up with a liver infection.  Yay for me.  So I am completely off any pain relief medication COMPLETELY.  I don't know how to describe how that feels.  Terrible pain.  So, I am taking a Prednisone taper to reduce any swelling and have been put on the lowest possible dose of one of those old anti-depressants used for chronic pain, as well as Prilosec to protect my stomach.  I want to believe that this doctor knows what she's doing, but I am sorry this is not working for me.  There is no pain relief and I am having trouble staying upright and awake during the day, yet can't stay asleep at night.

Thanks for listening?

That sucks, pain control can be tricky to find the right relief that wont cause collateral damage to other organs. If you do not feel comfortable with the medical plan have you considered getting a second opinion? Have you discussed with her that the current regimen isn't working? How long have you been giving the new regimen a shot? Hope you find some relief. 

Praying for you girl.  It sounds like a nightmare.  xx

Damn I feel so bad for you, sure hope these drs. figure you out soon & fix you up. :dash2:  :dash2: 

Colleen, oh my gosh.  I have no words.  I hope this goes away soon.

That is scary about the liver infection too.  :/ 

Colleen..I'm keeping you in my prayers and hoping your one of them that it goes away in less than 3 months hang in there girl.you have everyone here behind you XX

Oh Colleen I am sorry that you are going through this. I hope that yours is a short case scenario. Is there any more discussion to be had about pain management with your doctor?

Sending you thoughts lady.

Aw Colleen, I'm thinking of you. :( That sounds terrible and I too hope it's a short case scenario.

I had a severe concussion after falling head first off a bicycle and waking up in hospital.

When they let me out, my vision was completely crazy, headaches too.

 

 I saw 300 million images of everything like a kaleidoscope

and it took me a really long time to figure out which image was the correct image.

Balance was a mess.  I was befuddled and very scared.

I had pretty much everything on your list.

 

I am telling you this to give you hope.  Everything came back.  Pain went away within 6 months.

 

I  didn't have medical attention after they sprung me from hospital.  

No insurance.or dosh for drugs or any kind of re-hab

but, was able to re-establish my vision by exercising, Look-See-Draw

and with concentration and hard work, normal vision returned after about 6 months.

As I exercised, Look-See-Draw,  improvement was almost immediate. Slow but, steady.

 

Look-See-Draw

sit at a table with paper and pencil and draw what you see,

like a coffee cup or a bowl and a spoon or whatever you want.

you must concentrate on what you are looking at...then draw it.

 

So, do not despair, Colleen.  Brains heal...Brains are amazing.

 

Find exercises to do with your brain, for me it was Look-See-Draw

but, there are lots of brain games.

Lumosity is a fabulous site that can help you a lot.  LUMOSITY 

you can pay to join but, there are free games to play too.

These games will help your cognitive ability and get your brain back working right.

 

 

Pain...

 Headaches followed any type of exercise so I exercised GENTLY.  Like walking.  Just Walking.

Headaches after sex...really excruciating...but, mostly worth it for my mental health !

All that went away, 6 months...

 

You have to be really kind to yourself and also work really hard to get your head right again.

But, do not despair !

You quit smoking FGS, YOU CAN DO ANYTHING.

hugs Colleen!! 

Sending lots of hugs and prayers your way, Colleen!

Oh colleen, you really do always pick the shortest straw in a bucket of crap :(

 

Me personally I am not a big advocate for medication, you end up taking something else to cure the side effects and it's a big chasing tail exercise and I would be looking into alternative medicine like acupuncture etc

 

I hope your doctor can help you hun, keep us updated and vent, we are here for you xxx

I really hope you get some pain relief soon.  Let's hope it goes away sooner than expected.  :)

Colleen, if its any consolation at all, I too have trouble finding the right words when talking but I have no brain injury to blame it on (not that I remember anyway) ... for instance, when I'm about to mow the lawn, if I say it out loud I end up hoovering it ... I actually am a moron!  

 

But seriously, that sounds awful - I get migraines so can empathise to a degree but I can't imagine triple-migraines.  This might sound mad but have you tried wearing sunglasses?  I have photo-chromatic lenses in my glasses now and that's made a big difference for me in terms of how often and how severe ... maybe worth a try to see if it brings any relief?

 

Finally, I get the pain thing and not being able to do stuff like exercising in the way you want - I haven't been able to exercise the majority of the year and my body feels it now - all down to a stupid injury of my knee.  Finally, in the last couple of weeks I can now walk for a little while without pain and that is such a novelty.  I daren't risk losing that so my exercise regime is very gentle.  It sucks as far as the rest of me goes but I know it won't be forever.  I too want my life back but I think patience is the key word.

 

Fingers crossed you won't be out of action for much longer.

I'm sorry to hear you having a horrible time ....and wish you speedy recovery....

I have no advice .....but......I gotta say.....Sallys advice to you I thought was well worth trying.....

You have nothing to lose.....but can gain....soo much....

Xxx

oh sweetheart, I didn't realize it was such a shit storm of symptoms, blimey love, that sucks :(

 

If the pain meds really are a no go what about alternative bits? Reiki heals from the inside out, reflexology rebalances too. Heard of acupuncture but never done it. Can you get the mint or eucalyptus stick over there to rub on the forehead, it is called 4head here and really eases (not fixes sadly) headaches...again won't fix but in line with other stuff may help.

 

Will add you to my sending healing group. xx

Oh no, I'm so sorry to hear this Colleen... :(

 

I hope that you are able to find a way to limit the pain while you heal..

Ouch. Hope it gets sorted soon.

So sorry to read that you are having such a horrible time.  Prayers for wise doctors and speedy healing coming your way!

(((Colleen)))  Hope you are soon symptom free. 

Oh, Colleen, I feel so badly for you! It sounds like you have been having a miserable time lately! I wish I was there to give you a hug. (((Colleen!!)))

 

I'm very glad that you are getting an MRI. Perhaps part of your problem is a subdural blood clot or something. At least then you will have an explanation. If you do have a blood clot, it could take months to be resorbed but it will be resorbed. At least that would be reassuring news.

 

I love Sally's suggestions, too (nothing like hearing from somebody who has experience, right?) Brain exercises to help the brain heal and regain function sound good to me. 

 

I also have had wonderful results with acupuncture. If the MRI doesn't show a specific cause of your migraines, I strongly suggest that you consult with a good acupuncturist and also a good massage therapist. I suspect that your symptoms could be caused by damage to your neck muscles/nerves. After you consult with all these people (neurologist, MRI radiologist, acupuncturist, massage therapist) you should have a pretty good idea of some reasonable treatment regimens for you.

 

Good luck and please do keep us posted.  

Depending on what state you live in... there is an alternative pain/nausea medication that you can take... just saying... I know alot of folks that consume THC for these issues and it is a life changer.  And you don't have to smoke it either.

 

I know that you are not "that" person... but if it can help and ease your suffering... then I just wanted to offer it up as a suggestion.

 

Nothing to see here... move along.

Oh Colleen,

Sounds absolutely dreadful, no advice to offer, just deep sympathy, and , yes, try Sally's thoughts.

Karen

I agree with Chrispy for pain. My step father was helped with pain in this way while he had cancer ...anyway, what does the dr say about the pain and no sleep? Prednisone wires you out I know from my sister. Can you get some xanex ?

Depending on what state you live in... there is an alternative pain/nausea medication that you can take... just saying... I know alot of folks that consume THC for these issues and it is a life changer.  And you don't have to smoke it either.

 

I know that you are not "that" person... but if it can help and ease your suffering... then I just wanted to offer it up as a suggestion.

 

Nothing to see here... move along.

What like in Brownies?