Facts About Concussion and Brain Injury

My son suffered a severe concussion and broken collar bone after a long board accident. He suffered with debilitating headaches for 3 years that robbed him of his teenage years. Then an amazing doctor suggested physical therapy. That treatment ended his headaches almost immediately and he is now functioning normally again! If you continue to have headaches, look into this. The PT used devises on his head and neck to stimulate the muscles. Don't give up hope. I wish we had known about this sooner!

I tripped and fell flat on my nose and forehead in driveway stone. I thought I broke my nose at the time, but it wasn't broken and I had only a small scratch. So it didn't look like much and I brushed it off. I stared with a headache that lasted for about 3 days. Again I didn't think much of it. It was over a weekend and I just took it easy treating the headache with Advil.  When I returned to work I felt completely out of sorts. Like I was in a fog- or a dream. I told my husband when I got home how off I felt and he suggested I go to the doc. I put it off, but by the next day I was completely forgetting what I was doing or about to do next. My head was in a fog and all I wanted to do was sit there and veg out. Not anyway to perform in my life as a professional and mom. I went to the doc and she said yes it sounded like a mild concussion. She recommended resting through the week and weekend and seeing her again first thing the following Monday. For close to 2 weeks I was in a complete brain fog. I felt like someone picked me out of the old me and put me in a new person with a brain that couldn't remember anything short term or follow multiple steps in a process. I was in a waking dream state. I also had these new emotions to deal with. They were completely raw and I was unable to filter them. I'm a yoga and meditation teacher and I normally operate in zen mode. Now I was being set off with anger and sadness that was uncontrollable. God bless the poor football players that say this happens to them and they haven't even has any training in meditative practices to help them through this. 

A visit with a neurologist said since my headaches were not constant and I could move all my body parts- she wasn't worried that it was a serious brain injury. She said the brain fog should lift in time ( anywhere from 2 weeks to 6) and instructed me to try and start my regular routine. She said it would gradually improve. 

Well I did return to work on week 3.  The fog is lifting some day by day. Everyone at work is being very understanding at this point. They weren't getting it at first when I first reported I'd be taking some time off. They are so use to depending on me for so much - they and my family ( kids and husband) want for me to be me again they just keep forgetting my current limitations. It's hard on everyone.

I have hope things will get better, but I do feel like a different person. I wonder if I'll recover completely or have lasting symptoms as most people on this site describe. It's exhausting  trying to get through my day. My moods and emotions are wearing me out along with the energy required to focus on tasks. But work and routine does feel good to get my mind out of focusing on the dizziness or helplessness that this brings. 

It's sad that I had no idea how common a brain injury is and how debilitating it is. We need more research, support and education for even the docs on this. 

With that said I am feeling better than week 1, so onward I go even if I have a different brain and set of emotions. Thanks to all that shared their story here. It was the support I needed. 

it is helpful 

I want to thank Gabrilla for the online research group. Good information good techniques. Also very nice to know I am not alone in the world and my brain isnt "normal" but is certainly not unique. There are others who struggle daily and understand

PHANTOMIA, I have been diagnosed with post concussion syndrome since the first week of January 2016. That is a side effect and coincidentally my phantom smell is exhaust as well. I do get others rarely with exhaust being the main one. I've gotten somewhat better in my recovery. 6 weeks ago I couldn't use the apps on my phone, watch TV nor look at a computer screen. I couldn't read without the words in a book, magazine or computer making me dizzy, confused and not be able to comprehend. I'm still recovering. Anxiety and emotions are my current hurdle but I'm better then I was. Can't emphasis enough TAKE YOUR TIME GETTING BACK TO YOUR JOB OR ROUTINE AND NO ALCOHOL OR RECREATIONAL DRUGS!!! Personally, I made the mistake of going back to work too soon and having a celebratory night out ASSUMING I was recovered and now I have headaches, a bit emotional and can be anxious. Hope this helps. We're not alone!!! It does get better!!!

Hi there, I fell out of my bed from 38 inches smack onto my belly. I hit my temple I area the leg of piece of furniture. My eye was black and swollen for 10 days. I did not go to the doctor. I think I got a concussion too. Now I am left with smelling exhaust fumes when I am sitting and relaxing. I've done a lot of research and come to the conclusion it's called Phantomia, can be caused by head injury. Did you have this? Do you know anybody that's had this? Looking for some answers.

I had a concussion a year ago, from wrestling with a friend. and I didn't get knocked out or anything, but I had a major one. I was very depressed, and I couldn't think at all, everything was wrong, it was like I was someone else. but my dad didn't care at all. I saw a doctor 6 months after, but they said I was fine. to this very day, I'm foggy minded and it feels like I'm always dreaming. and everything is bright and loud. but every day, I'm out skating because my concussion will NEVER be better, and it sucks. :( when I die, I hope that I'll be in heaven, concussion free...

I'm 14 years old, almost 15 and over two years ago I was in a soccer collision which resulted in a mild concussion. I did the normal protocol and just rested for a few weeks and it was about two months after the blow that I was starting to feel better that I went back to school, but my first day back I got hit in the head with a soccer ball (I wasn't even playing) and I've been going down hill ever since. For grade 7 and 8 I was at school for about one month, either meeting with a tutor or attending one 50 minute class a day. My first week of high school I tried going to school for the whole day, but I just couldn't do it, so then I tried half a day but once again, I couldn't handle it. I can't even one class so now I stay at home all day everyday. It sucks. I can't hang out with my friends, I can't take my dog for walks, I can't even walk around in the mall for more than 20 minutes without getting really dizzy and sore. I've tried just about everything in the book but nothing seems to be working. It does make me feel better reading all the comments knowing I'm not completely alone

Hello I am commenting on a time while I was drunk and flipped over my stair railing falling 15 ft onto my head. I was knocked out for 2 minutes and when I woke up, it was only for moments. (I think I was actually awake after I woke from unconsciousness but I was definitely out of it not remembering anything going in and out of consciousness). When I was taken to the hospital i was told I was lucky to be alive. I had fractured my skull in 3 places and had a severe concussion. I had nerve swelling that was made apparent to me 2 days after the incident.  Thought wow, the top of my forehead feels like rubber. Boom. That was it. Facial paralysis on the entire right part of my face. A few days later we found out that I tore the lining of my brain. I was leaking cerebral spinal fluid out of my ear!! I was hospitalized for 18 days and was finally able to put a stop to the spinal fluid leak. To this day, about 6 months after the incident, I have very minimal face paralysis besides in my lip. I have made almost a full recovery besides the fact that I have about 5% paralysis in my face still and my hearing has gotten significantly worse since I fell 15 ft into my head. By the way I forgot to mention I broke my collarbone and the doctor said no sling. Now I have a 100% healed collarbone In the 100% wrong spit. Haha. Thank god I'm still here!  

This article was really helpful. I got a mild concussion a week ago today. I did a face plant on our front walkway after missing a step. I got up right after the fall. Put ice one my nose. My son helped me clean up the cuts and put bandaides on. I felt alittle dizzy but okay. I dozed through the night and put on ice. My husband drove me to Redimed the next day. I was diagnosed with a mild concussion. I rested and slept for the next few days. Missed 2 days of work. My employers are supportive of me feeling better before returning to work. I returned on a day with a light schedule then it was the holidays. The article described periods of not feeling quite right: fuzzy feeling, sensitivity to sounds and lights. I have been having all of these. I was rechecked by my doctor on Tuesday. He said as the article said the symptoms would come and go. I do have a question. The article mentioned ringing I the ears. I have tinitis already. But now the ringing is louder and more constant. Should I go had it checked again? Thank you for the article it answered my questions and clarified what I am going through. Judy H.

I hit my head very hard doing work around the house about a month ago. It left a big bump on the back of my head, but I also had a sinus infection at the time, so I attributed the initial nausea and headaches to that. However, the headaches and nausea persisted long after the sinus infection was gone, so I went to the doctor. He told me that I had a mild concussion and that simply resting and relaxing should help me get better. It has been a month now since my visit to the doctor, and I still have nausea and headaches every day. I have also felt more emotionally unstable and almost as if I have been a different person since I hit my head. I'm also in college and had a 4.0 gpa until this happened. However, after the concussion my memory and concentration are nowhere near where they were before, so my classes have obviously been a struggle since. I'm just hoping that someday I can think, feel, and live as I did before my TBI. What bothers me though is that there is no sure way to tell when of if that is going to happen, and even if I do get better, if I will ever be my normal self again. It is comforting to read these other posts though and know that I am not alone, and I wish everyone going through the same thing the best of luck.

I've been to this site twice now in the last week. 7 days ago I was unloading a box from the trunk of car and the strap I was pulling up on to get it over the trunk lip broke. I flew backwards about 51/2 feet landing on my back and hitting my head on the concrete driveway. I was taken to ER by ambulance. CT scan was done but everything was ok. I'm still dizzy, tired and have headaches. I'm 59 years old. The article and the comments have helped me alot to understand. They have since done MRI with contrast that showed bruising on brain and soon I'll be seeing a neurologist. I never thought much about bumps on the head until now. It has taken on a whole new meaning.  Pam T.

I fell down the stairs basically in my head Hittng the back of my head losing consciousness for a few moments. I went to the ER and was diagnosed with a concussion. It's been over a week since it happened and I have dizzy spells rolling over in my left side laying down. I don't have them hardly at all standing up. Is thus normal? I have to go back to wk tomorrow.

Very cool that there is 5 years worth of comments on this board. Sad so many of us struggle. The most frustrating part is no one really knowing what to do to help you. I am 32 now and got my TBI 16 years ago. I always assumed my violent temper, short memory, and being easily confused was just who I am. But when a man in his early 30s forgets where he is driving to and has to pull over to remember or goes to the hardware store and forgets why he went there than its time we as a country wake up and recognize the severity of what is going on. I know I am not alone and that makes me happy. And I love all the medical personel taking TBIs so seriously. (To them I want to say thank you). But if we dont push our insurance to help us, or cant feel nothing but shame to talk about whats going on, or are too afriad to tell our families cause we dont want to worry them there is a problem in America. Continue to speak up people. Own your problems and fight through them. Lets all help each other find new ways to function and help our loved ones understand we are how we are but dont mean to be and we want to be loved and helped! God bless everyone

I've had issues since 2011. First with constant panic attacks and headaches, eyes hurting along with my neck. Now 5years later still have headaches, panic attacks and can't enjoy a cup of coffee much less a glass of wine without my head feeling like it's going to explode and my heart feeling like it's going to beat out of my chest. so frustrated with my doctor and neurologist who just shrug their shoulders and don't have answers. Just want to get back to me.

It's been a year since my concussion, is it normal to still feel soreness & tenderness in the area where I got hit. I also get these pains & burning sensation that shoots through my head that's been going for a while, but now it seems to be spreading down from my neck into my shoulders. Ive had neck pain since the injury, but never felt it in my shoulders.

I've just turned 20 and I've been concussed 3 times this year (I'm a very clumsy drunk) the latest was yesterday when I fell down the stairs and lost consciousness and ultimately had a CT scan after being taken to A&E. My head (and body) are in so much pain and I never realised just how long it could take to recover and now I'm scared I'll be unwell for months. It's also bad because I get really bad hangovers often where I vomit a lot all day, and so if I had symptoms of worse damage to my head than initially thought, ie vomiting, then I wouldn't know :/ so far I'm ok though, I used to think it was funny and 'classic clumsy me' that I'd always hit my head but now I realise it's very serious and I feel so stupid..

I am 45. About 3 years ago I hit my head in a fall and was diagnosed with a mild concussion. In about 10 days I was back to normal. 6 days ago I just hit my head on the corner of a cabinet. A "dork" move. Nothing terrible, just bump on the head and immediate headache. Only the next day felt nauseous, off balance, not myself, etc. Now I lack concentration. Working on my computer is difficult - find reading a challenge. Still not myself, with a little head pain. So maybe something that seems like a little bump on the head can lead to a mild concussion - if you've had one before. I could have had other concussions from early on as a child (I can think of 2 incidents with stitches), and a car accident where I had whiplash - but I don't remember being diagnosed with a concussion for either of these. 

I was in a car accident a year and a half ago. A van flipped into my van hitting me on the left side of my forehead, ear and face. It left a huge bump on my head, chipped a bone in my nose and caused my ear to bleed. Not to mention 17 stitches in, my arm. I had a concussion, which caused confusion, stuttering, headaches, depression, and my eyes, head and cheek, were black and blue for months. After a year, I started feeling numbing on the side of my face, ear and head. It's now increasing and I still have a bump on my head. I don't know if it's related to the head injury or not.

I fell and hit my head against the window sill in Apr. 2015.  ER diagnosed concussion. It did not end there, I still have dizziness, cannot stand the bright lights or loud noise, cannot concentrate for any length of time, and all the above. I feel depressed, like no-one cares about me.  I was diagnosed with PCS.  I am going to try gentle massage and acupuncture with a Physiatrist at the suggestion of my MD.  These letters made me feel I am not alone.  I am just so tired.  mrsdda

i have had a concussion for over a year i have learned to not do any thing and just wait and it works but it takes time so just be patient 

I used to teach drivers Ed, funny enough. 22 months ago I was rear ended while sitting at a red light. Did not lose consciousness but was very shaken up. Not a lot of damage to the car, mainly because of its safety rating.  I drove home and my husband took me to the ER. Was told I had whiplash and low back damage.  Was bullied into continuing to work even though Workers Comp was involved.  Symptoms continued to get worse. Horrible migraine level headaches, dizziness, lost all feeling in my left leg, light and sounds really bothered me.  This continued. Twelve months ago, my husband and I were t boned by a car that ran a stop sign and it slammed us sideways into a utility pole.  We were transported to the hospital. I am even worse now. Headaches 24/7, have difficulty going into large stores, I always sang on worship teams but now singing and certain tones make me dizzy and send me into an attack.  Memory is awful. 

Wishing I could get rid of this feeling and get better.

6 days ago I was thrown out of the back of a wagon attached to our tractor, landed on the back of my head and blacked out. The pain was so bad I took pain medicine every 4 hours for 3 days. Then stopped and that horrible pain was still there. I finally went to the ER yesterday, ct-scan okay but "Traumatic Brain Concussion" was the diagnosis. I had aphasia (problems speaking), loss of balance, dropping things, running into objects and horrible head pain. Doctor mentioned admitting me, but we all know I will get more rest at home without a nurse waking me up every 2 hours at night in a hospital. I have a follow-up with my doctor Tuesday. To say "I don't feel like myself" is an understatement. I feel like someone downloaded a virus of STUPID in my brain. The doctor said weeks to months for recovery. At least I can type and undisturbed can think :) Hope all of you recover fully and the MONSTER PAIN leaves us all. Kasey