Headaches After Head Injuries — Post-Traumatic Headaches

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Comments (569)

Please remember, we are not able to give medical or legal advice. If you have medical concerns, please consult your doctor. All posted comments are the views and opinions of the poster only.

ritamarie recine replied on

i am 55 years of age and have relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis I fell off bed on December 2nd. doctors claim nothing is wrong . I do still have headaches in the middle of my eyes little swell , lack of concentration. i am also a writer. the pain is numbing and still. does not hurt as pain, no hurt simply like the beginning of a migraine. i still have some bruising and a part of my cheek appears to have a slight bump how long owuld all these symptoms disappear .. i am unable to focus on writing for my lack of concentration , my head feels always tired . best regards ritamarie recine

Anonymous replied on

Good evening. I have bad headaches migraines and nausea following an accident when I fell down a flight of stairs.

Roman replied on

I was involved in a accident 3 months ago and my left temple of my head hit pretty hard and I blacked out for about 5 minutes when I finally came to I was confused and it took me a while to get my bearings 3 days later I was showing concussion symptoms I went to the hospital and ct scan looked good and I'm still having headaches on my left temple

Sam young replied on

I had a seizure about three days ago and I fell and hit the right hand side of my head was brought into hospital and had a CT scan which showed a clear brain scan so all good. I have woke up this morning and for the first time since my fall my head is really sore I also have pain in my neck . I'm just wondering why pain would only start days after.

Anonymous replied on

Im 19 and have had about 3-4 concussions within the past 7 years (dirt bike riding, falling down the stairs, passing out and hitting my head on the ground, and getting my head slammed in a car door) my most recent one was this past Jan when I fainted and hit the corner of my left temple on the ground. Since then my mental state has changed but I’ve also been experiencing more headaches but have noticed the headaches are localized to the areas where I had the head injuries and I was wondering if they were related at all

cathleen replied on

I hope you get better. my son had a fall and hit his temple, the headache and pain are in the same spot he got hit, Be careful and take things slow. i will pray for you and others dealing with head injuries

Anonymous replied on

I don't know if I got a concussion, but I was hit on the side of my head by a ukelele (didn't know those hurt so bad), and now I have a lump above my temple and get headaches in that spot randomly. Any ideas?

Anonymous replied on

I've got a cavernous sinus menengioma, collapsed a year ago and woke up on floor with a bump on right side of my head and still has severe pain on that side of my head everyday.

Mike replied on

Get an xray. Seriously. Were you playing the ukulele? Try harmonica. Lighter, harder for people to grab. If xray shows crack, no worry too much. Still alive, so crack will heal, but get catscan.. maybe have TINY BUBBLES, in the BRAIN.. [Don Ho music joke, sorry. Had to. Whole life can pass without chance fo that one. If it make you feel better, I sorry, an Ii get BIG crack in skull, so no jokes, see doc!] Aloha!

Anonymous replied on

My wife experienced a concussion at work in April 2019 and has not had a single symptom free day since then. Her Headaches have never been less than a 4/10 and sometimes they get as bad as a 12/10, shutting down her ability to communicate or walk down the stairs. Light and Sound sensitivity comes and goes with the severity of the headaches and she sometimes needs to take naps 2 or 3 times a day to recharge her batteries.

Worker's Comp is slow to help, but I'm curious if anyone has found relief through Vision Therapy or Cognitive Behavioral Therapy? These tend to not be covered by insurance (or seen as necessary by Worker's Comp).
With the high cost of Vision Therapy and the uncertainty of whether it would provide any relief from the debilitating headaches, we'd like to know more about it before we take the leap.
Also, if anyone has tried Vision Therapy or similar treatments and found them to be unhelpful or a waste of time, we'd appreciate a response.

Thanks and good luck to everyone out there suffering from TBI's and good luck to their families as well. This is not an easy road but I pray each of you finds the relief you seek. Perhaps if enough of our voices are heard by those in the medical community, the canned response of "...most symptoms go away after a few months ..." will turn into something more helpful for those of us dealing with long-term Concussions.

James Bererton replied on

Have you tried Botox injections for the chronic headaches? Our concussion specialist indicated this has worked very well for her patients when the pharmacological routes fail. We are hopeful.

Elizabeth replied on

I was in a car accident in 2014, and like your wife has not had a symptom-free day since. Vision therapy was a great relief for me. I had severe convergence issues as a result of damage to my optic nerve. Doing the same re-training as little kids born with convergence issues the therapists were able to help immensely with the pain that was coming from reading, computer work and just looking with my eyes.

Vision therapy did not help with the noise and light sensitivity, lacks of focus or the pain from just thinking - but hey, it did make using my eyes hurt less. It was good. But of course our insurance would not pay for it.

PC replied on

Find treatment providers knowledgeable about concussion. Suggest you see a Neuro-optometrist for an evaluation. Prismatic glasses helped me a lot as did vision rehab. I am 14 months post concussion after what seemed like a minor car accident and still getting treatment. Get a worker’s comp attorney to handle your wife’s case. Good luck and hang in there.

Tracie whitehorn replied on

I had my last head injury on march 3 2015 . Since then I have had headaches for years now some are like a centipede going around my head, parcel blindness, ear ringing always now days, some many different kinds of wierd type of headache. I go to the university of Colorado Denver to get botox and nerve blocks every 4 to 6 weeks that has helped and I give my self injovy( not of spelling) , it helps but still have headaches but that has given me some relief. Before getting shots I had 5 months of constant pain and nausea. You might want to check into the shots. It has changed my life so much. Blessed that I do have days without headaches.

GF replied on

OMGosh, I have this issue now. I stumbled on a block at work that some selfish person uses to keep their door open. Even after the incident, she still uses the block to keep her door open. So i suffered a concussion after a "lateral whiplash' and the headaches began like 4-5 days afterwards and has never stopped. It has never been less than a 7/10 and yes sometimes it is a 12/10. Worker's compensation sucks! This is useless and does not want to help. No one can SEE the signs of a headache, however the people that suffer feel it and it appears that the doctors working for the insurance companies don't believe the patient's suffering. This is the most troubling issue I have ever had. In addition to hitting my head with quite an impact, so hard that I saw stars, I also injured my neck on the left side. It is such a difficult thing to deal with. My shoulder even hurts from this injury. I just wanted to voice my opinion and to say, I totally understand where you are coming from.

Heather replied on

My da8had a "mild concussion" in fall of 2015. She lived daily with 7/10 head pain that never went away. Ringing in ears, vision disturbances, head pressure, painful neck, light sensitivity, sound and movement sensitivity, nausea, focus and comprehension issues and so much more. She was 13 and it changed her life. Had to quit all her sports and go on special plan at school. Slept often as well. One thing we learned is doctors are useless when it comes to TBI. We have been to over 15 different doctors , even to Cleveland clinic. Tried over 20 crazy meds and many holistic treatments. Nothing worked until we found one young optometrist that realized what TBI can do. We had already seen 4 other eye specialist which found nothing. With" right eye testing", he discovered that her eyes and brain no longer worked together due to the damage done deep inside the brain. Information her eyes would take in, the brain did not know what to do with. Her brain was malfunctioning all day long. She has been in vision therapy for almost a year now and also has a special lens called a neurolens. Please look up the neurolens and see if it is available near you. We are in TN and only one or two docs in the state had the technology. It is a form of the prism lens. They should also be able to help you find someone to do right eye testing and get you to special vision therapy. It is very intense therapy and ther e is home work 5 days a week and office therapy once every week or every two weeks. It exhaust the patient because you are having to retrain the brain. Training another Avenue to do what the damaged part no longer does. I hope this helps your wife. My daughter still needs plenty of rest and still cant be too physically active but she has seen a decrease in the intensity of symptoms. It is a process that takes time but does work if you have the correct vision therapy and lenses to help heal.

Anonymous replied on

I was doing yard work and my sister dropped a large bag of leaves, dirt, and sticks on my head by accident from the roof of our house. It hurt for about five hours then the pain moved down to my shoulders and back as well. A week ago, I was playing kick ball and slid into home base, but hit my head; will these two head incidents in a week, damage my brain, Do I need to seek medical advice or am I ok?

Audrey L replied on

Yes. You need to seek medical attention and even when you do, that doesn't mean that's all that will ever come of it. Here I am, 20 years later, suffering from new issues that stem from a car accident that destroyed my life. At timesni can't use my legs. Sometimes, it's my arms. cord is.sAlmost every nerve in my brain has been injured or damaged. My spiis.so pinched I fear it will break.in.two. I have had bell's palsy, trigeminal neuralgia,, migraines lost eyesight. Returned eyesight. Fibromyalgia. More migraines. My legs go out. My.arms go.out. My back. My feet at.times feel shattered. My neck is always.im pain. I worked like this. Every day. See a Dr and plan for uncertainty

Mark replied on

I had a car accident more than three years back and because I was napping in the back seat (I get motion sickness when I'm not behind the wheel) I hit my head really hard when the car I was in hydroplaned. It was a terrible whiplash that made me hit the front of my head and the back of the head and I really regret not going to the hospital to get my head checked (no heatlh insurance and it was my driver's, who was family, fault).

Now I get these horrible headaches that occur in the same spot I got hit and its been happening for years. I thought I was crazy to still get headaches (along with dizziness, nausea, and etc) and pain years after the crash but its good to know I'm not crazy. But it also sucks to find out theres not a lot we can do to cure it as theres only temporary treatment.
Though I worry that since I didn't get it checked that I should even though I'm still functioning okay. I also still don't have health insurance.
I wonder how long these headaches will last?

Laura replied on

I am so grateful to have found this page! I’m only 4 weeks out from my concussion and the last couple days my symptoms have ramped up. I’ve had a throbbing headache since last night and was starting to worry that the drs missed a bleed on the CT scan. After reading your all’s experiences I’m guessing that’s not the case and this might just become a new normal.

Head injuries are no joke. :( I feel deeply for all of you experiencing chronic headaches and other symptoms. Life after even a mild TBI is proving to be difficult and I’m so disheartened that my life has changed so drastically.

Something I notice and curious if others do as well: I find that I don’t realize I’ve overdone it u til I’ve overdone it. I must be missing the subtle warning signs. I’ve had more times I can count that I feel ok with an activity only to find out after the fact I wasn’t ok and usually end up crawling into bed fighting nausea and dizziness. Anyone relate or have insight?

Anonymous replied on

I had a sever concussion 3 years ago. Up until that day I regularly exercised an hour a day. I have never been able to get back to that. I can't seem to take that much cardio. I have switched from cardio exercising to weight training and yoga

Anonymous replied on

I totally understand what your going through. I over do it till this day and experience similar symptoms. I just refused to let it get the best of me, but it is frustrating. Keep faith and be patient with yourself. Time heals!

Aaron replied on

Laura,

I can relate and I know the frustrations you may be feeling. I’m a really healthy and fit person. After my concussion it has honestly changed my life. I don’t feel like the same person anymore some days. I’ve been dealing with post concussion syndrome for about 2 months now. I have had two CT Scans, and an MRI plus neck X-RAYS. They say everything is fine. It’s a enough to make you feel like your crazy or something. Anyways from everything I have read PCS can last anywhere to 3-6 months and some cases 1 year. So my tips for you stay positive and know the triggers. I keep a set of ear plugs for noise, sunglasses for the light, and a pain reliever even though they don’t really help. I also found that supplements like magnesium, and COQ10 seem to help on occasion. I’ve tried it all just and at times it aggregates me. But in the end I feel ill just have to wait this thing out and let my brain heal. Anyways I’m not a doctor or anything like that. I just wanted to respond cause sometimes you feel very alone when dealing with PCS. BEST WISHES

Alyssa replied on

I am dealing with what sounds incredibly similar to y’all. Especially with regards to the comment about “overdoing it” I feel like I don’t know the triggers yet and that scares me too. No pain medication helps, and my symptoms keep getting worse. I’m only a few weeks out, but all my tests and CT scan were clear. CBD oil (THC free) has helped but worsens my fatigue.

Thanks for sharing. Good to know I’m not alone.

Donna replied on

I'm still recovering from a concussion since Jan. of this year. I knew something was seriously wrong and my dr. wouldn't give me a script for an MRI because my ct scan was normal. I asked 4x and she still refused, as did the hospital dr. Finally after seeing a Neuro and failing terribly at vestibular therapy, my Neuro gave me a script to have the MRI done and it turned out that I have a blood clot 100% blocking a vein on the left side of my brain. Ill find out next month if its still there. Don't rely on the ct scan. It doesn't show much, especially a bleed like I had.

Zaza replied on

Yes been having the same thing for the past years. TBI at 2014 post MVA mb vs car. And until now 2019 the headache wont go if i feel stressed from work mostly or im exposed to heat for a long period. I cant sleep , i cant walk .the pain occur at the right side of my temporal area. Sometimes the pain is gone for a while after im taking meds. I used to take cerebrex before but now it wont have any effect on me. Currently im taking tramadol and if the pain still occur i have to take gabapentin that can cause me drowsiness and balance impairment for a long period. Ive ask my doctor regarding this matter and he said its normal for us to feel this pain eventho many years had past.some people wont heal until they die. Im just lucky to be alive. I also having hard time to concentrate and memory loss sometimes . The saddest things is my clique ,my boss wont even acknowledge my pain . Life is full of shit isn't.

Danny replied on

I had a slip and fall accident a little over a year ago now. I still have headaches almost every day. For I cannot really tell my employer Because we do not have long term disability nor do we have light work. II am a construction Foreman. When we have to use jackhammers, chipping hammer, hammer drill or anything that makes a loud noise it drives me up the wall CrAzY. We endure a strenuous drug test so I can't take anything for my headaches that might show up in a hair follicle or urine analysis's. It is hard to face people who do not understand what you are going through concentration Lack of concentration, frustrating, headaches, memory. Let me ask these 2 questions please respond and help me out is anyone else going through lack of sex drive a?What is the longest that anyone is currently still experiencing headaches on almost a daily basis?.

Christine replied on

I had severe head trauma from a car accident when I was 30 yrs. old and I am 58 now and still experiencing pain and throbbing where I hit my head. I wake up with it off and on since then. It has effected my memory and sex life and diagnosed with depression and ptsd since then. I guess I will have this for the rest of my life but I am thankful Im still alive and at least Im not the only one goin through this.

Denise replied on

Hi I had suffered a concussion February 2017 and it has changed my life in every way i continue to have ongoing migraine type headaches almost daily. My personality us different as im almost always in pain. If i do anything physical for more than a couple of minutes i get a headache and if i don't completely stop and go rest then the headache turns full blown migraine. My kids think I'm mad all the time and i guess i probably am..i am frustrated with my lack of understanding towards post concussion syndrome. Nothing works for pain very long and some meds have made the paìn much worse. I have literally been faking being okay just so I don't lose my job but it's been extremely challenging to organize my mind , my home , to remember to do things , I can't even remember something I heard two seconds ago . This injury is like its invisible to everybody bug its literally turned me into a person who feels like I complain too much , I'm always not feeling well ..I cant stand sound to the point that I turn harsh . I used to be a musician but not no more. I find that no doctor has taken me seriously. First the first year after my hit to the head I attended emergency several times a week as I figured the pain was because j was having a stroke of considered that I might be dying . I've tried lifestyle changes, meds, proper sleep habits Acupunture, etc....but still no difference in symptoms daily. I feel like I've lost my spirit ..my spirit used to be bold and excited about life and people and my future ..not anymore..I just came stand living with constant migraines and pain...and my memory and thoughts are messed up . I swear I won't give up on finding out everything there is to learn about grad injury and headache and mood ..I had been diagnosed with complex ptsd and year prior to getting hit in the head and I don't think this has helped in my coping with ptsd. I'm fearful all the time about headaches and scared to death about getting bumped or falling or hitting my head again.. I love that I found this site with all of you who are going through similar experiences ..this is the only good thing since getting hit in the head ..it gives me hope ..thank you

Sally Jo replied on

I hate to have to tell you this but, I have had a headache for over 21 years. I underwent sinus surgery and woke up with a headache. It is normally a 4/10 and gets worse as the day goes on, up to 7/10 most days. I have tried everything from beta blockers to antidepressants to seizure meds. Narcotics are useless, except Diluadid*, which puts me to sleep and allows my headache to reset. I am currently taking Keppra and Zomig. The only problem is Zomig is restricted to twice a week. The only abortive medication that works for me is Fioricet, but the doctor won’t give it to me because it causes rebound headaches. My argument is, if I have a headache every day, what difference does it make what causes it? As for a lack of sex drive, I have been celibate since my husband died going on 18 years. I hate to be the bearer of bad news but I not having any luck with the doctors. I also take antidepressants to fight the depression caused by being in constant pain. I have also been seen by the Diamond Headache Clinic in Chicago.

Kelsey replied on

Similar to you Sally, I also experience a constant headache, although for a way shorter amount of time, that has been going on for 4 and a half years. I got 3 concussions in one week playing soccer when I was a freshman in high school. Since I was 15 at the time, I was unaware of how serious head injuries are. Since then I've tried numerous medications, physical therapy, chiropractor, four rounds of botox, two different styles of acupuncture, Aimovig shots, hyperbaric chamber, four rounds of anesthetic shots, but not once have I every felt just a little bit of relief to the pain level I have. My last two neurologists have told me that I will have a constant headache for the rest of my life. Currently, I'm on no medication and haven’t seen a neurologist in about 8 months. I'm always looking for articles online talking about constant headaches from head injuries, but I have found little to no information on the topic. I've learned to just get used to my constant pain I'm in, but having to study for long hours at a time now that I'm in college has been very difficult to accomplish.

Anonymous replied on

I had concussion in Dec 2018. My 5 y.o. son fell off climbing equipment and landed on the left part of my forehead. I had concussion and nasal fracture. Even though it's been 4 month post injury, I am still having headaches.

I also feel all concussion symptoms after even minor hits, bumps or when vehicle stops suddenly. I started to be so sensitive to touch, noises, light and any minor traumas, that people normally forget within 15 min.

The other day, I stood up after a flight and hit the top of my head. I was in agonising pain for entire week.

I would like to find out if it is a minor concussions or increased sensitivity?

Raquel replied on

i fell approximately 8ft hitting multiple objects finally landed hitting my head on railroad tracks..
this happened 3/29/19.
stayed in hospital 4 days when released i have arm weakness in both arms..whole back is sore and right leg pain comes and goes...
i have trouble with motion and bright lights ..
worst thing is the doctor's that the company is sending me to only prescribed tylenol for the pain..yes i have a constant headache and sore neck hard to move head

Joanne replied on

Holly crap!! I cant believe you walked away from that? Most unfortunate that it has left you in a painful state! I dont have any advice for you! I just wanted to let you know I hear you! I wish you all the best!

Erica Byers replied on

When I was about 10 I was laughing really hard and hit my head on the back right side, and ever since then, I only ever get migraines. Not headaches. Migraines. And only ever on the right side. Sometimes it gets so bad I pass out from the pain, other times medicine or caffeine helps, other times I just throw up and go to sleep with a pounding migraine. Since then as well, when I get up after sleeping, napping, or even just sitting down for 30 seconds in a chair, I get extreme and random waves of numbness and confusion throughout my whole body. What should I do? I'm 16, so this started 6 years ago. I can't see a doctor and the only one who believes me is my mom, and she can't do anything either seeing as I don't live with her anymore. Help?

Carol replied on

You need to go to a Dr. There are migraine medications that can stop your migraines once they start . I’m a migraine sufferer for years, I take Imitrex

Kei replied on

I also have a similar situation and just wondered if I should have myself checked and I 'm kinda relieved that I'm not the only one. I also got punched very bad at my right head during a boxing match and lost conciousness for few seconds. After the match my right eye was inflamed for a month and I suffered bad migraines. It recovered afterwards but I would always get migraines at the right side only ever since. It would really get bad especially before my period, but it feels like the usual headaches I would have but after that match I would only get migraines on the right side. It is only until recently that I realised I only have migraines now which wasn't the case before my match. It's been 3 years but I think it would be wise if I have myself checked as well. My right eye has been extremely sensitive to light after that as well and it's getting worse every year.

Tilly replied on

Find a functional neurologist chiropractor near you. Amazing what they can do! Hang in there!!!

Susan B. replied on

Erica, You REALLY need to go to a doctor. I'm so sorry that you've been dealing with this for 10 years.

Sheree replied on

I was hit in the head with a softball on my forehead right above my eyebrow (left side) on July 6, 2018. I had a concussion and bone bruising. I am still getting headaches 8 months later and swelling/pain from the bone bruise. Everyone keeps telling me I should be healed by now, but I am not. My headaches are not as frequent and not as painful, but I never had headaches on this spot in my head before I got hit. So, I know it is because of the concussion. The left side of my head still feels different than the right side. It is frustrating because I want to feel normal again. It makes it more frustrating to feel like people don't believe me when I say I am not completely healed yet.

Angie replied on

I just had the trunk of my car come down and hit me hard on the head. Had a scan test no bleeding, but I have this pounding headache. From reading others comment, I'm in for a long haul. Were y'all able to resume your daily activities?

Joanne replied on

Wow, I had this exact same thing happen to! The whole top of my head is so painful, it wakes me up! I'm waiting to see my dr.

Sheree replied on

I was able to resume daily activities. Though, I do find myself having to take breaks often, and I get worn out quicker. Unfortunately, it just takes time. Don't push yourself. Good luck. Take care.

B.S. replied on

I had a pretty bad concussion from playing soccer when I was in highschool. I probably went back too early to play as well. I experienced nasty headaches on and off and loss of concentration and emotional flooding. In college, I experienced some of the worst headaches of my life and they were in the same spot that my concussion happened. Well 10 years later, I still experience headaches in the region of my concussion, and while they aren't as bad as before, they can still be frustrating and take a lot out of me.

Zoe Alexander replied on

I suffered major head trauma from a fall after running around the pool in 2007, I'm only 24 now and I still experience headaches now! Which can sometimes result in my being in bed all day with no light whatsoever.. So I'm glad I'm not the only one going through this frustration!

Christie replied on

I fell backwards while sitting on a wobbly chair and hit the back of my head against the edge of tv stand... I had a concussion and was barfing all night with a severe headache.... I didn’t go to the hostpital or see my family doctor.... it’s been over 5 years and if I do anything to my head I will get really bad headaches like a migraine that will come and go, for example, I was going sliding with the kids, and I just hit a couple big bumps, now my head hurts :/ or if I were to head bang to metal music, my head can’t handle it either.... it’s feels like i brought back my concussion... I’m struggling... my boyfriend said that im pathetic... I don’t want to be like this anymore :’(

Danielle replied on

If someone is not supportive of you in your search for answers, they need to go! He is pathetic for saying that. You obviously didn't choose to be injured, you just want to feel better. Go see a neurologist.

Kim replied on

Dump the boyfriend. I am 15 months post injury. I have headaches n nausea all the time. This is a challenging injury to deal with.

Chelle replied on

I had a concussion 3 years ago. There have been several times that my head has been jarred and I get a horrible headache almost immediately, nauseous and sensitive to light and sound. It's almost like the migraines I used to have. I feel your pain.

Jane replied on

I understand your pain! I fell from a ladder and fractured my lower back; hit and lacerated the right side back of my head on a concete block in 2007. I passed out and was taken to the hospital but released that same day. I had severe dizziness, profound taste disphoria, vertigo with certain head movements and I still in 2019 get sharp localized pain at the injury site almost daily. I still at odd time get bouts of vertigo for no apparent reason. I had to seek disability for the back injury but the head trauma was just as debilitating!

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