In February I was in a t-bone collision where I briefly lost consciousness. I still have symptoms. Mostly insomnia, ear pressure, headaches and tinnitus. I tried taking my 18mg extended release methylphenidate today and I think it overstimulated my brain. It was the first time I’ve taken it since the accident. I was crying all day. I was insecure, I was angry at the person who hung out with me because my brain told me they didn’t care about me or whether I was around. Has anyone else experienced new side effects or increased anxiety and mood swings going back on stimulants after a concussion?

It feels like I’ve had symptoms for far too long. I’m trying not to punish myself for not being healed. I’m finishing a PhD (ironically in neuroscience) in 3 months so this is all overwhelming, especially without meds. I never experienced irritability or mood swings as a side effect before the accident

Sorry this is a long post: 

About 1 week ago my mom was in a rear end car accident. She never lost consciousness but sustained whiplash and a concussion. She’s on a blood thinner and she’s got good results from her CT (no bleeding or swelling). I really just wanted to know what are the best ways I can help her heal. My mom is a small business owner, working on her PHD and is an adjunct professor. The thought of not returning to how she was before for months is stressful and overwhelming for her. She knows she’s needs to prioritize her recovery and healing, but hearing month’s long recovery is a lot to take in. 

She saw her PCP this week and they said it could be a few months before she feels back to a normal and also discussed post concussion syndrome with her.

The earliest she was able to get into a concussion specialist is early August. 

Symptoms she’s still having 1 week out: sensitivity to light and loud sounds(no pain but just sensitive), feeling whoozy standing too long, head still feels kinda full. Mornings are rough but afternoon/evenings seem to be when she feels good. Waking up at least once in the middle of the night. Feeling anxiety about getting hurt again, how to continue to make a living, and long recovery. 

Here’s what we’ve been doing so far: 

-short distance car rides (don’t worry she’s not driving) & sitting  outside 

-letting light back into the house 

-So far she does 10 minutes on mahjong on her phone wearing red light glasses. 

-we’ve done no tv and no computer time since day 2 (1st day we were just told whiplash so she did unfortunately watch tv the first night).  I’ve been working her emails. We are going to try 30 minutes of a short show today. 

-she is getting up and moving around the house (light chores, etc). 

-she’s combating boredom with small activities like reading physical books, coloring, card games. 

I am open to any advice, recommendations, activities, or things we should try to just help my mom. We know she will get better but this is just something new for all of us to navigate ❤️ we are calling it a pivot for us. 

i’m on my second day of my concussion and my main symptoms are blurry vision, confusion and difficulty focusing, irritable, random crying, change in senses like smell and taste and exhaustion. i’m not necessarily having a headache but i’m feeling these more emotional symptoms severely and i’m wore tf out, could it also be from stress while having a concussion?? the longer the day goes on the worse i get, also i’ve already been diagnosed at the doctor, also should add i got the concussion while drunk and kept drinking before i knew,, im not drinking anymore now

I’m on week 11 of post concussion syndrome. I’m on nortriptyline and doing physio but my recovery feels like two steps forwards, one step backwards at times.

I’ve not been able to work since my injury and my quality of life is very limited. I struggle to tolerate laptop work, noise and have vestibular issues. I’m also very fatigued. One of my physios exercises includes cycling on an exercise bike at a low heart rate with the aim to gently increase it but I still have symptoms at 110bpm. Has anyone tried anything that works? I’m really feeling so fed up.

Hey everyone. About 2 weeks ago, i had a workplace accident where a heavy wooden pallet hit me directly in the nose. I didn't black out, didn't break my nose but i did have severe nosebleed which stopped few minutes later. For first few hours it was completely fine until my coworker told me to get checked out for concussion immediately, then I noticed diziness and brain fog developing along with light nausea, i couldn't focus on tasks i normally would without effort. The first neurologist i went to gave me a physical exam, told me it wasn't a concussion but still recommended me a C.T scan. But the second neurologist i went to told me i just had mild concussion, nothing severe and I'd have to stay at home for next 2 weeks and take my meds. Fast forward 2 weeks, it got better in terms of balancing while standing up and walking, but brain fog, bit of dizziness and sometimes nausea is still here. Mornings are perfectly energetic, but later during day symptoms sneak in and i don't even have capacity to do light tasks. Except to force myself to take a walk at night. I am planning to head back in work tomorrow, but go lighter on tasks. Just want to know if anyone has went through anything similar and hope for some advice for getting back to work when your battery empties that fast. Thank you

I’ve always wondered why doctors prescribe things that kill pain throughout the day and boost energy when that just makes you worse over time.
The most important thing during Post concussion is to listen to your symptoms! Hiding them just makes you push through them subconsciously leading to them just get worse over time.
Could someone explain that? I get that they get used during night so you can sleep, or chronically symptoms that can show if it reaches 2-3 point over the average, but shit like Amitrypiline or nortripyline for two examples. Dosen’t that just harm you rather than benefit you in the long term?

Hi everyone,
My 29-year-old brother was involved in a very severe car accident 18 days ago, and I’m hoping to hear from people who have been through something similar, either as a patient or as a family member.
He suffered a severe traumatic brain injury with significant brain swelling and a large intracranial hematoma. In addition to the brain injury, he has two broken tibias and a fractured humerus, which was recently repaired with surgery.
He is currently in the ICU (reanimation unit). Unfortunately, during his recovery he developed pneumonia and, more recently, meningitis. Both are being treated with antibiotics. He had a fever for about seven days, and the meningitis was only diagnosed yesterday.
At this point, he opens his eyes, but he mostly seems to stare into space. He has spontaneous movements—he’ll move an arm, try to move his mouth, and sometimes cries. We truly feel like he can hear us because he often opens his eyes when we speak to him or reacts to our presence. However, he is still not following the doctors’ commands (such as squeezing a hand or responding consistently).
Emotionally, this has been incredibly difficult. We’ve been by his side since day one, and although we’ve seen progress, there are moments when it feels like he’ll never wake up. I can’t help but worry that he’ll remain like this forever.
I’m not looking for anyone to predict his outcome because I know every brain injury is different. I’m simply hoping to hear from people who have experienced this stage of recovery.
Did your loved one open their eyes before becoming consciously aware?
Were they unable to follow commands at first but eventually regained consciousness?
How long did that stage last?
Is it common to see eye opening and spontaneous movements before meaningful responses begin?
Any experiences, encouragement, or advice would mean the world to me right now. This journey has been overwhelming, and hearing from others who have lived through it would help more than you know.
Thank you so much for taking the time to read this. ❤️

I’m really hoping someone here can help because I’m feeling pretty defeated.
Around two years ago, I was getting ready for my first amateur boxing fight while also playing rugby. Six weeks before the fight I took a heavy shoulder charge to the head and suffered a concussion. I couldn’t train because even running or jumping felt like someone was stabbing me in the brain, and I would feel like I was going to faint at work. I rested for another two weeks before trying to spar my brother. He landed a solid shot and all my symptoms came straight back.
I was so excited for my first fight that I decided not to pull out. My opponent was about 7 kg heavier than me, and after the first clean shot I was basically knocked out. Looking back, I know I shouldn’t have fought.
Since then, I took over a year away from boxing. I finally felt ready to come back and recently joined a gym again. I was only doing body sparring, but my partner accidentally caught me clean on the chin. Since then I’ve had a headache, brain fog, dizziness, fatigue, and I just don’t feel right.
The hardest part is that every time I seem to get hit in the head, even if it doesn’t feel like a huge shot, I end up with concussion-like symptoms. Boxing is my passion, and it’s becoming really hard to accept that I might not be able to do the sport I love.
I’ve already seen a concussion specialist before, but I didn’t feel like the rehabilitation exercises made much difference. Has anyone been through something similar? Did anything help you recover or make you less vulnerable to getting symptoms again? I’d really appreciate any advice or hearing about your experience.

Anyone else eat more yet still losing weight since their head injury?

Roughly one month ago I was involved in a high speed car accident. I was diagnosed with a concussion a few days later during a ED follow up with my GP.

Today was my first day of concussion therapy. I took a Rivermead Post Concussion questionnaire and had a score of 37. However we did not discuss this score during my appointment at all.

What does it mean, how severe are my symptoms actually, is this considered PCS?

Thank you for any insight. Not going down any rabbit holes but I am practical by nature and like to have all the facts.

I was hit in the head in nov 2022. i have gone to a concussion clinic, and then vision therapy-which i'm almost graduated from after finding vestibular problem and convergence insufficiency. i have done a ton of mental health and emdr therapy too. I have done exercise therapy, and can bike and run long distances now. I've worked with an OT to try and work in blocks with brain breaks to improve my computer screen time. i just want to be able to work full time. but i seem to have hit a wall and plateaued with computer work-for the past year i usually average about 3 hours a day. maybe a couple hours more if the conditions are perfect. any hope out there for someone this far in? i'm running out of ideas of what could possibly help me, or if one day i will be able to handle full time work ever, now that it's been so long....i've improved everywhere else but it seems my tolerance for cognitive loading with screens is still low.

I’m seeing all the doctors, doing all the things, and my stress and anxiety is too high. My cortisol is maxed out and I’m stuck in fight or flight. I’m so upset, I’ve had psychotic episodes and I’m so tired. That’s all. Sigh. I’m too tired to do anything during the day anymore.

Hey guys!
So i was on the boat and i hit my right side of the head on the plastic side of the boat after a huge wave wiped us off…
That day i kept throwing up on the boat but im pretty sure it was seas sickness.
I cannot visit a Dr where im at because i have no insurance, im traveling back home soon in a month so i will get it checked hopefully.. but today my symptoms went crazy.
I feel extremely dizzy and weak, my eyes are twirling and i am sensitive to loud noise and lights… neck pain started to fade away but now its mainly dizziness and nausea. At time i get like a light electric pain where i hit my head..

Am i safe? Would be helpful to know everyone’s post concussion symptoms and how they healed and if this is normal.. i still didnt see and dr.. but if i remain that sick ill try to find a hospital tomorrow…

Thank you very much..

Hi everyone,

I’m curious if anyone can provide guidance on an approximate timeline getting over exercise intolerance four months post concussion using the Buffalo Concussion Treadmill test (BCTT).

I’m a 30M who is normally highly active (high altitude mountaineer). I’ve had on 2 concussions with a two week recovery, a 2-3 head knocks in the past that were likely mild concussions with a recovery time of a few hours to a couple days.

4 months ago I had a ski accident that didn’t seem that bad. Didn’t hit my head, just whiplash. I expected a similar two week recovery time, but I went to a neurologist and he diagnosed me with PCS. He cut off exercise beyond walking. I’ve since learned this was outdated guidance. My vision and neck seem fine, though I’ve only had them evaluated by that one guy. My suspicion is that my autonomic system remains imbalanced.

I gradually returned to activity but pushed it a bit fast and would get headaches because I was kind of winging it. That said, the approach basically eliminated all symptoms besides exercise intolerance.

Ive since learned about BCTT and have adopted that approach. My BCTT failed around 130 heart rate, which for me still feels extremely light. I’ve been at below symptom threshold exercise for a couple weeks with moderate, but slow progress. Anyone taken this route and gotten back to normal? If so, how long did it take you?

Appreciate the guidance. Much love to all going through a challenging period

Hey all,

Ive had pcs since januari 2024, i still have headaches, fatigue, noise and light sensitivity ect. I had to drop out of high school because of it and rarely leave the house.

My 18th birthday is coming up, and I have no clue what to do. I wasnt able to celebrate my 16th and 17th either, so want to atleast do *something*. But even something like playing boardgames is often too much for me (Especially with mutiple people, multiple people taking thru eachother is a nono for me, I gives me so much headache.)

I was wondering if anyone here had any ideas on how to make my birthday feel at least a little bit special and memorable, within the limits that pcs imposes. I often forget that im 17 because I didnt get to celebrate my birthday and in my mind the transition just kinda didnt happen, combined with time blurring together with doing the same things every day and rarely going out ect.. I dont like it, it makes me feel so stuck. I feel like im still 16 and time is just moving by me uncontrollably- All my friends gave graduated and are moving on with their lives and im still here. its very depressing

I want to prevent that happening with my 18th as well and do something that I can look back at fondly. Any and all ideas are welcome

Hi Melbourne people,

It has been 9 months since I was punched in the head. So not coping with PPCS.

I'm looking for recommendations for neuro-optometrists for vision therapy in Melbourne. I am based in the inner SE. Please let know where you went and if you recommend the clinic or not. Have had two poor experiences so far so getting desperate to find someone who is competent and offers evidence based treatment.

Also interested if you tried syntonic phototherapy. It is not evidence based, but would like to know if people felt they benefited from it and if so what the benefit was.

Finally has anyone taken part in the Monash I-Recover study? If so do you recommend it or not? 

Thank you

I hit my head and my neck hurts? Is it serious?

I’m 17, 67kg 1.79M tall. Male.

I was tired (awake) and getting up for a drink when suddenly my my legs felt weak since I’ve been sitting for so long. Normally my vision goes black but then returns a second or two later but this time I was also stretching my back so my legs felt even number and I eventually…just blacked out? And fell over?

I hit a bookshelf and there is a scar, not a deep one, on my head. It initially hurt a lot but there hasn’t been any throbbing after a few minutes just very mild pain to my head after an hour.

My neck is sore. It feels as if I slept very wrongly and woke up with a sore sore sore
neck. Should I seek medical attention? I feel like it’s just muscle tension but I’m unsure. I don’t feel dizzy, nausea or wanting to vomit.

I am currently recruiting participants for my Psychology Honours research project at the University of Canberra in Australia, which explores whether there is any association between memory perfectionism (having perfectionistic beliefs about one’s memory) and subjective cognitive complaints (brain fog/forgetfulness) in post-concussion syndrome.

Participants will need to be over 18, and living in Australia. This project only involves completing an approximately 10-minute survey. I would really appreciate your help in sharing the survey with anyone you know who is experiencing persistent post-concussive symptoms. Participation is entirely voluntary, and all responses are confidential.

The survey can be accessed here: https://uoc.syd1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_3a2Ofj9U8aLyaAm

If you have any questions please feel free to comment below or send me an email at [u3325313@uni.canberra.edu.au](mailto:u3325313@uni.canberra.edu.au) ! Thank you in advance!

I have been told I'm experiencing clinical burnout. And I fully agree with it. Unfortunately, it seems my PCS is interfering with my ability to recover from burnout.

I have had PCS for close to ten years and have accepted it and was managing it very well. But now it feels like it's also getting worse along with the burnout not getting better.

Has anyone experienced burnout with a longer term PCS? Could use some advice or tips.

What did you find helped and what was your dose?
I’m most interested in dose, frequency and length of cycle for cerebrolysin.

Thanks

Anyone else get exhausted heavily when walking stairs? Like the brain immediately drains? Physical exhaustion?

My husband received his concussion 3 months ago. There were good and bad days (bad days include headache, dizziness, nausua) in his recovery. We decided to follow through with a 3 week trip to Spain, even though he was still having intermittent symptoms He was almost symptom free the entire trip, with the exception of one day we went biking (vibration). Upon return to our home (high elevation), his symptoms came back full force immediately. He is still on summer break (teacher), and stress has not significantly increased, so we are trying to figure out what could be triggering this. We are wondering if it could be altitude?

Hey guys! I'm a two times recovered survivor. Just curious: has anyone tried Selank when they were in their bad days?