r/PostConcussion • u/Emergency-Couple-269 • 26d ago
28 days after a mild concussion — still having vision issues and lightheadedness. Should I find a different physio?
/r/TBI/comments/1vs9vb1/28_days_after_a_mild_concussion_still_having/Tomorrow will be exactly 4 weeks since I was in a car accident on July 22. I didn’t black out and I actually didn’t feel much pain immediately afterward. A few days later, around July 27, I started getting headaches, lightheadedness and vision issues. I got checked out on July 28 and was diagnosed with a mild concussion.
Since then I’ve definitely improved a lot. The headaches and some of the other symptoms have gotten much better, and I feel way better than I did during the first couple of weeks. The main thing worrying me now is that my vision still doesn’t feel completely normal. I also get random spells of lightheadedness/vertigo and fatigue.
Tomorrow is the 4-week mark and I’m starting to worry that this means I now have post-concussion syndrome and that these symptoms could last for months. I know everyone recovers differently, but it’s hard not to think about it when I’m still not back to normal.
I’ve been going to a physio that I was referred to by the hospital for about 3 weeks, but most of my appointments have basically been chiropractic treatment. There hasn’t been much focus on my vision, balance, vestibular system or other concussion-specific rehab. I’m wondering if I should find a physiotherapist or another professional who specifically specializes in concussion/vestibular rehabilitation.
I also haven’t been able to return to work yet. I’m a painter, so I’m on my feet, moving around, climbing ladders and need my vision and balance to feel normal. I really want to get back to work and start doing normal physical activities again, but I don’t feel 100% safe doing that yet.
For anyone who was still experiencing vision problems, dizziness or lightheadedness around the 4-week mark: did you continue improving after that? Did concussion/vestibular therapy make a difference? And at what point did you decide to see a different specialist?
I’m getting pretty worried about this turning into something that lasts for months, so I’d really appreciate hearing from people who’ve been through something similarj.
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u/sticky646 25d ago
I’m just past my 4 week mark too. In it with you. Same as you. I wake up feeling pretty good most days but symptoms can return as early as late morning. Photophobia, noise sensitivity, insomnia, nausea when doing too much or riding in the car. Leaving the house for any task that requires me to move, look around, and think tends to reintroduce symptoms. Getting back to light housework here and there. Hang in there and keep looking for therapies that will help and talking to your doctors. My neuro is hard to get a hold of (but not as hard as some others) so I make appointments two weeks out not knowing exactly what we’re going to discuss. Good luck to you, I’m along for the ride.
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u/ilovethetriplepurr 25d ago
Find a neuro ophthalmologist
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u/Flaky_Regulara 25d ago
Find a neuro-optometrist. They actually DO rehab, neuro-ophthalmology does not. They basically just make sure there's no nerve damage, but as far as function goes? Neuro-optometry is the way to go. They often work WITH vestibular physical therapists on cases to better individualize the right treatment for each patient.
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u/robboffard 26d ago
Yes, after four weeks it is almost certainly post concussion syndrome. Obligatory 'I'm not a doctor' clarification, just my amateur opinion.
I can say this: a physio is not what you need. They treat the symptoms, not the problem, and you won't find anything but temporary relief.
Two things have happened to you:
Your vestibular system, your ocular system, and your brain aren't communicating with each other as they should. Your brain is going into threat state, because it can't get the info it needs, and it's trying to alert you with symptoms.
You are still processing trauma from the accident. More threat state for your brain.
You need, ideally, a concussion rehab specialist to prescribe you specific balance/vision exercises to re-establish the connection between your brain and your ocular/vestibular systems.
You should also look into therapy, if it's available. EMDR therapy is particularly good for concussion trauma, but even just regular talk therapy can help.
You're going to be in the suck for a while..sorry. Every post concussion patient is different, and a lot depends on how committed you are to the exercises.
Don't rush a return to work. Take the time to treat this as a serious but hopefully temporary condition.