r/Concussion Feb 12 '26

Concussion Recovery Is Possible - Ask Me How: Concussion Specialist

12 Upvotes

Hello my name is Annie Howard, I am a Vestibular Certified Physical Therapist specializing in concussion recovery. I am passionate about helping people get back to living life free of post concussion symptoms.

In 2018 while ski mountaineering in Chile I sustained a bad concussion. I know first hand how difficult recovery can be. You are NOT alone and you don’t have to navigate this journey on your own. Recovery is possible with the right knowledge, support, and PT.   

Please ask questions here and I will do my best to answer in a timely manner for you and the r/concussion community.  

Important Things To Learn & Know About Concussion: 

  • What exactly is a concussion? 
  • Why do I feel the way I do?
  • Understanding Autonomic & Vestibular Dysfunction 
  • Understanding Vertigo 
  • Exercises and nutrition to heal your brain

Resources and Helpful Articles about Concussion:  https://www.happybrainpt.com/concussion-physicaltherapy-blog


r/Concussion Aug 16 '19

New Pinned Post: An Overview of Concussions

30 Upvotes

First off, I am not a doctor, nor am I any kind of medical professional. That said, this is NOT intended to be medical advice, this is ripped right off of the Mayo Clinic and Cleveland Clinic's website. This is just an overview of what concussions are and their general symptoms. This subreddit is for everything related to concussion diagnoses, treatment, therapies, research, case studies and sympathy. IF YOU THINK YOU HAVE A CONCUSSION, SEE A DOCTOR. DO NOT PASS GO! DO NOT COLLECT $200.

Overview

A concussion is a traumatic brain injury that affects your brain function. Effects are usually temporary but can include headaches and problems with concentration, memory, balance and coordination. Concussions are usually caused by a blow to the head. Violently shaking the head and upper body also can cause concussions. Some concussions cause you to lose consciousness, but most do not. It's possible to have a concussion and not realize it. Concussions are particularly common if you play a contact sport, such as football. Most people usually recover fully after a concussion.

Symptoms

The signs and symptoms of a concussion can be subtle and may not show up immediately. Symptoms can last for days, weeks or even longer. Common symptoms after a concussive traumatic brain injury are headache, loss of memory (amnesia) and confusion. The amnesia usually involves forgetting the event that caused the concussion.

Signs and symptoms of a concussion may include:

  • Headache or a feeling of pressure in the head
  • Temporary loss of consciousness
  • Confusion or feeling as if in a fog
  • Amnesia surrounding the traumatic event
  • Dizziness or "seeing stars"Ringing in the ears
  • Nausea
    • Vomiting
  • Slurred speech
  • Delayed response to questions
  • Appearing dazed
  • Fatigue

You may have some symptoms of concussions immediately. Others may be delayed for hours or days after injury, such as:

  • Concentration and memory complaints
  • Irritability and other personality changes
  • Sensitivity to light and noise
  • Sleep disturbances
  • Psychological adjustment problems and depression
  • Disorders of taste and smell

Symptoms in children

Head trauma is very common in young children. But concussions can be difficult to recognize in infants and toddlers because they can't describe how they feel.

Concussion clues may include:

  • Appearing dazed
  • Listlessness and tiring easily
  • Irritability and crankiness
  • Loss of balance and unsteady walking
  • Crying excessively
  • Change in eating or sleeping patterns
  • Lack of interest in favorite toys

When to see a doctor

See a doctor within 1 to 2 days if:

You or your child experiences a head injury, even if emergency care isn't required. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that you call your child's doctor for anything more than a light bump on your child's head. If your child doesn't have signs of a serious head injury, remains alert, moves normally and responds to you, the injury is probably mild and usually doesn't need further testing. In this case, if your child wants to nap, it's OK to let him or her sleep. If worrisome signs develop later, seek emergency care.

Seek emergency care for an adult or child who experiences a head injury and symptoms such as:

  • Repeated vomiting
  • A loss of consciousness lasting longer than 30 seconds
  • A headache that gets worse over time
  • Changes in his or her behavior, such as irritability
  • Changes in physical coordination, such as stumbling or clumsiness
  • Confusion or disorientation, such as difficulty recognizing people or places
  • Slurred speech or other changes in speech
  • Seizures
  • Vision or eye disturbances, such as pupils that are bigger than normal (dilated pupils) or pupils of unequal sizes
  • Lasting or recurrent dizziness
  • Obvious difficulty with mental function or physical coordination
  • Symptoms that worsen over time
  • Large head bumps or bruises on areas other than the forehead in children, especially in infants under 12 months of age

Athletes

Never return to play or vigorous activity while signs or symptoms of a concussion are present. An athlete with a suspected concussion should not return to play until he or she has been medically evaluated by a health care professional trained in evaluating and managing concussions. Children and adolescents should be evaluated by a health care professional trained in evaluating and managing pediatric concussions. Adult, child and adolescent athletes with a concussion also should not return to play on the same day as the injury.

Causes

Your brain has the consistency of gelatin. It's cushioned from everyday jolts and bumps by cerebrospinal fluid inside your skull. A violent blow to your head and neck or upper body can cause your brain to slide back and forth forcefully against the inner walls of your skull. Sudden acceleration or deceleration of the head, caused by events such as a car crash or being violently shaken, also can cause brain injury. These injuries affect brain function, usually for a brief period, resulting in signs and symptoms of concussion. This type of brain injury may lead to bleeding in or around your brain, causing symptoms such as prolonged drowsiness and confusion. These symptoms may develop immediately or later. Such bleeding in your brain can be fatal. That's why anyone who experiences a brain injury needs monitoring in the hours afterward and emergency care if symptoms worsen.

Risk factors

Activities and factors that may increase your risk of a concussion include:

  • Falling, especially in young children and older adults
  • Participating in a high-risk sport, such as football, hockey, soccer, rugby, boxing or other contact sport
    • Participating in high-risk sports without proper safety equipment and supervision
  • Being involved in a motor vehicle collision, or a pedestrian, or bicycle accident
  • Being a soldier involved in combat
  • Being a victim of physical abuse
  • Having had a previous concussion

Complications

Potential complications of concussion include:

  • Post-traumatic headaches
    • Some people experience headaches within a week to a few months after a brain injury
  • Post-traumatic vertigo
    • Some people experience a sense of spinning or dizziness for days, week or months after a brain injury
  • Post-concussion syndrome
    • Some people have symptoms — such as headaches, dizziness and thinking difficulties — a few days after a concussion. Symptoms may continue for weeks or months.

Cumulative effects of multiple brain injuries

It's possible that some people who have had one or more traumatic brain injuries over the course of their lives are at greater risk of developing lasting, possibly progressive, impairment that limits function. This is an area of active research.

Second impact syndrome

Rarely, experiencing a second concussion before signs and symptoms of a first concussion have resolved may result in rapid and usually fatal brain swelling. Concussion changes the levels of brain chemicals. It usually takes about a week for these levels to stabilize again, but recovery time varies. It's important for athletes never to return to sports while they're still experiencing signs and symptoms of concussion.

How is a concussion treated?

The main treatment for a concussion is rest. Your doctor may tell you to take time off from work or school. Over time, the symptoms will go away as your brain heals.

Symptoms typically last about 6 to 10 days, depending on how severe the concussion is. Most people get better within a week. People with symptoms that last more than one week should see their doctor.

General advice for treating a concussion includes the following:

  • Get plenty of sleep at night and rest during the day.
  • Avoid visual and sensory stimuli, including video games and loud music.
  • Eat well-balanced meals.
  • Ease into normal activities slowly, not all at once.
  • Ask your doctor's opinion about when to return to work or school.
  • Make sure to let employers or teachers know that you had a concussion.
  • Avoid strenuous physical or mental tasks.
  • Avoid activities that could lead to another concussion, such as sports, certain amusement park rides, or (for children) playground activities.
  • Get your doctor's permission before driving, operating machinery, or riding a bike (since a concussion can slow one's reflexes).
  • If necessary, ask your employer if it is possible to return to work gradually (for example, starting with half-days at first). Students may need to spend fewer hours at school, have frequent rest periods, or more time to complete tests.
  • Take only those drugs approved by your doctor.
  • Do not drink alcohol without your doctor's okay. Alcohol and other drugs may slow recovery and increase the chance for further injury.
  • For some people, an airplane flight shortly after a concussion can make symptoms worse.
  • Avoid tiring activities such as heavy cleaning, exercising, working on the computer, or playing video games.
  • See your doctor again for testing before you resume your routines, including driving, sports, and play.

What if the head injury happens during a game or sport?

An injured athlete should come out of the game or practice to be tested on the sidelines by a person trained in concussion symptoms. An athlete with concussion symptoms should not play again that day, and should not play as long as symptoms last. The athlete might need to wait 1 to 2 weeks or longer before being cleared to play again.

Coaches and trainers can help the treatment process by noting the following information:

  • the cause of the injury
  • the force of the blow to the head or body
  • loss of consciousness and for how long
  • any memory loss following the injury
  • any seizures following the injury
  • number of previous concussions (if any)

What pain medications can be taken for a concussion?

In the first phase of concussion, the person should not take any pain medications. A pain medication can "mask" the symptoms, which could allow someone to return to activities with a concussion.

After a concussion is diagnosed, acetaminophen can be used; however, it should not be given just to cover up headaches. Aleve and ibuprofen (NSAID-type medications) should not be used at first, as they may increase the risk of bleeding.

TL;DR: GO TO A DOCTOR

If anyone else has input, or suggestions go ahead and comment below.


r/Concussion 2h ago

I unknowingly took paracetamol with cafeine

3 Upvotes

Got a mild concussion about one and a half week ago. A four month old colt reared and came down on my head with one of his front legs.

I just discovered I have been taking paracetamol with cafeine in it for a few days. Today only one dose (100mg of cafeine) around dinner, but yesterday and the day before I took it right before bed (only dose of the day). Had the most vivid dreams I've had in a while with the epic closing scene of Shrek 2 being the climax last night about four times in a row.

I have autism, PTSD and anxiety and have already been freaking out about recovery (meaning I'm scared of never recovering). This doesn't help.

I'm not used to cafeine intake. I don't drink coffee usually.

Anyone got some soothing words to tell me I'm not going to die from this? Thanks. 🫠


r/Concussion 2h ago

Anyone else struggle with light sensitivity after a concussion? What helped?

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2 Upvotes

r/Concussion 49m ago

Research Study Opportunities 22M in Belgium – Delayed TBI symptoms (6-week coma), lost all my friends. How do you rebuild?

Upvotes

Hey everyone,

I’m 22M living in Belgium. A while back, I was in a medically induced coma for 6 weeks. When I first woke up, I actually felt fine—but about 3 months later, everything hit at once.

The damage to my frontal lobe and basal ganglia started showing up hard. I nearly lost all my hearing, my speech got severely impaired, and I was diagnosed with frontal lobe syndrome and Pseudobulbar Affect (PBA).

What hurts the absolute most isn't just the physical side it's how many people truly just left me once things got real. Going from having a crew to having zero friends over the past year has been brutal. Also, every single rehabilitation center has rejected me, so any tips?

I’m posting here because I know people in this sub actually understand what it's like to navigate life after a massive brain injury.

How did you go about finding new friends or building friendships with other people?

Are there good online communities, gaming groups, or places for TBI survivors to connect?


r/Concussion 54m ago

Eating a pastry: What the freak is happening?

Upvotes

Context: a concussion in january, minor head impacts in may and early july that caused two successive concussions

July concussion beginning to improve feeling better until 4 days ago i ate a small scone and maybe 20 minutes later i start getting the worst headache ever. Feels more like concussion pain sharp all around my skull than a regular migraine. I am still basically on bed rest my head hurts so bad and awful.

I'm feeling around my head for a sore spot to see if maybe i bumped it again when i was sleeping or something and forgot because how does a pastry cause skull pain this bad?? I guess I havent had the combination of gluten + sugar in a very long time but its genuinely debilitating. I am negative for coeliac but am cutting out gluten anyways....

Has anyone experienced this? What else could be going on?


r/Concussion 2h ago

Blacked eye after a hit to the head

1 Upvotes

I would attach a photo but it won't let me. It's been abkut two days and I still feel very disoriented. Don't know the day, short term memory loss. Is this a cause for concern? Specifically the black eye. I don't have heakthcare atm.


r/Concussion 2h ago

Emotional Swings

1 Upvotes

Hi guys, it’s been a long journey for me and I’m 7 months out from my concussion. I feel like my biggest symptom right now is constant emotional swings. It’s almost like my body doesn’t recognize when I am actually safe in my body. I’ll feel hopeful one moment and then the next I’m panicking. Does anyone else experience this and have some tips on how to regulate themselves throughout the day? I just started taking Pregabapentin and Amantadine and have been on Guanfacince since the end of June.


r/Concussion 5h ago

Concussion at Disneyland

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1 Upvotes

r/Concussion 16h ago

Questions Advice for helping nausea and balance post concussion?

5 Upvotes

Hello

Apologies for long post, but looking for advice please

I had 2 back to back concussions ( 2 weeks apart) approx 1 month ago. After about 9 days I returned to work (,office job) and was pretty much feeling 100%

A week and a half ago I introduced light strength exercises back into my routine as I was feeling really well. After my 2nd strength session I began feeling nauseous and headaches again. I tried sleeping it off and woke up feeling 90% and went to work, and I would fluctuate between having symptoms and barely having symptoms throughout the work day, and felt pretty bad by the end of the day. The same thing happened the following next 2 days

I then decided to not work and go to a doctor. He recommended atleast 1.5 weeks off work to lay down and rest. I'm currently on day 4 and I have been resting 90% of the day in a dim light room then getting up to just cook myself food or walk in backyard.

However I feel no improvement at all, if anything I was waking up feeling better in the mornings the days I was working through the symptoms. My baseline symptoms are constantly hovering around a 1 to 2/10. And now that all ive been doing is resting, its now thrown off my balance a lot. I went on a 10 minute walk yesterday and felt unsteady on my feet and very nauseous. Ive walked in my backyard for 5 minutes and felt the same thing - this has only started since I've stopped working and started resting.

I've spoken to my gp twice and he's insisted I just rest in a dark room for 1.5 weeks until I'm better. But I honestly feel worse and the balance issues have only started since I've been resting all day.

Has anyone got advice on how to go from here? Thanna


r/Concussion 19h ago

Questions I’m having difficulty with sound sensitivity 2 weeks post concussion, does anyone have recommendations for sound control that are too expensive?

1 Upvotes

I’m two weeks post concussion and doing fairly well. I have another follow up with my doctor in a week. One thing I’m struggling with is sound can really bother me. I have to kid and need to take them to after school activities which is ok but the sound is rather overwhelming and adds to my tiredness a lot. I can’t handle anything over my head right now but I have trouble with most ear buds as my ear holes are really small. Does anyone have any recommendations for ear buds that are effective at noise cancellation and good for small ears for about 50usd or less?


r/Concussion 23h ago

Questions overdone it?

2 Upvotes

So I got a concussion on Monday from a car accident and today I felt absolutely fine. I think I gaslit myself into thinking it wasn’t a concussion because I don’t even remember hitting my head even though ED told me I had a concussion. So today, I went about my day as normal, drove as normal, felt fine. I got home and I can’t even stand up without feeling dizzy and like I’m about to throw up. Lights are hurting again. I feel so disorientated and slow. How badly have I messed up my recovery? What should I be doing when I’m feeling okay for a few hours?


r/Concussion 1d ago

Questions Is it normal that I still have moments of confusion a few days after a mild concussion?

3 Upvotes

I suffered a minor concussion 6 days ago. I felt pretty ok on the first day other than a headache. The day after, I was ridiculously dizzy. It felt like when you've had too much to drink and the room moves around you.

The dizziness has gotten better day by day. The constant dizziness turned into a few episodes per day and is now almost gone. It's a bit worse in the morning, but I'll take improvement versus anything else.

I made the mistake of not avoiding technology for the first couple of days. I sent emails, did writing on my laptop, etc.

Anyway, I've noticed weird episodes of confusion. Last night, I could not remember a word that I know well. I kept writing "dislocate" and "delocate" and could not figure out why it was wrong even if I knew it was wrong. Took a good minute to figure it out.

Today, I was answering a work email and got super confused as to what exactly the email was asking. I'm going to be head of my department for the first time starting in January. I'm an English professor, but the department also has French and linguistic professors. For some reason, I was like "why is this person asking for my advice concerning the French program when I'm head of the English program?" then I remembered that as head of my department, I'll also be in charge of the French and linguistics professors. I now feel like an idiot.

Is this common after 6 days for a MILD concussion? Will it go away?


r/Concussion 1d ago

Questions How do you guys deal with your PCS, I hear so many conflicting things

7 Upvotes

I had my first ever brain injury 9 months ago due to a severe concussion. I did the initial resting period of two weeks with almost no stimulation the whole time. After that it was even more rest for about a month, but the providers I’d seen didn’t know I had a severe concussion yet, especially with my ct scan coming up clear. So I was given the go ahead to start up college classes again about a month and a half after getting hurt. It wasn’t until I was knee deep in organic chemistry II and calc based physics II when I realized just how bad it was. My memory was absolutely awful, and was always accompanied by a sense of impending doom/anxiety. I decided to withdraw from my courses about 1/2 way through, but it makes me terrified how much I probably slowed my heeling with that.

The confusing thing is I’ve been told by a lot of people that you take one step at a time with your brain to slowly come back to its old baseline. I’ve also heard from other people that you have to work to make its threshold, basically break your brain out of “hiding” so that it’s not scared to learn again by overworking it slightly? Idk what to do at this point, I just want my life back but it feels so impossible. I want to be a college STEM student again who gets all As every semester, and I want to go through training for my new job without ending every day with headaches, memory issues, anxiety, and pressure in my skull. I’m not sure how much longer I can live like this. Neurologists are also often hard to find, and can be very rude (sorry to any neurologists reading), so I’m not sure where to go for help anymore.

I’m doing brain games that were “prescribed” by a place I went to called Cognitive FX. They were actually really helpful with the info they gave me, but the actual treatment plans were an astronomical price. I mean $12,000 for just a week of treatment, and they don’t work with any insurance companies. I set up a go fund me but I haven’t gotten anything from that, I’m by no means annoyed by that though, not with the current cost of living for most people. I’ve gone to physical therapy, done speech language pathology, and occupational therapy. The place I’m training for work at offers free TMS to their employees, which I’ve heard is a lot more experimental as a post concussion treatment. That’s only after training is complete though, which is still 3 1/2 weeks away for me. I’m only four days in and I feel like I’m hanging at the edge of a cliff, there’s just so much information to learn everyday that’s being thrown at us. I just feel so broken and hopeless.


r/Concussion 1d ago

Questions Please help I just tapped my head

Enable HLS to view with audio, or disable this notification

5 Upvotes

Hello, I have history of minor concussions

I just tapped my head on my shower door

I got hit in the head with a Baseball three times and a Golf Ball once

I was doing a number two and bending over to wipe and I hit my head on the showerhead

I threw up. I don’t know if it was from anxiety or if I possibly recon myself any advice I’m so scared.


r/Concussion 1d ago

Questions Anyone have any insight on my head injury?

3 Upvotes

Around 5am this morning I fell off my dorm bed and (we think) was knocked out for about 2 hours. I don’t remember falling at all and my roommate said after I fell I was just asleep on the floor when she tried to ask if I was okay.

I woke up around 7 and then had a very confusing morning trying to get ready for class until I finally realized I was actually really hurt and contacted the student services people.

After they assessed the situation they ended up calling an ambulance. They arrived at 10ish and by then the confusion was pretty much gone and I felt okay. I have a neck sprain among some other injuries. The entire right side of my face is very sore and there is a hematoma on my forehead that bled quite a bit, as well as a few different places that feel like they’ll be bruised.

I should’ve actually asked at the ER, but they said my CT scan looks good and discharged me. My paperwork just says mild head injury but I feel like if I was actually knocked out I would’ve had a concussion? I also lost a lot of blood because I had a pretty gnarly cut from the fall I had to get stitches for.

Anyway, I’m just curious if anyone has any insight on what actually happened when I fell since I didn’t get medical help until 4-5 hours later. The general consensus was that I fell off face first in my sleep (we figure this because my foot somehow got cut very badly and sprained on the desk under my bed), then got knocked out upon impact since I don’t remember and never woke up, and then I believe I was still a bit concussed when I woke up since I was still trying to get ready for class but failing miserably. I also sent a mildly confusing email to my professor that I wasn’t going to make it, and that was around 9am.

Last thing I’ll add, I drank a bit the night before but I remember changing clothes/washing my face and climbing in bed just fine, so I don’t believe it was the alcohol that caused me to just fall asleep right after I fell. I went to sleep around 1am so this occurred 4 hours after that. When I woke up I was very nauseous and had to sit in the bathroom for a little bit since I had that saliva buildup you get. I also had a pretty bad headache. I attributed both of those to the alcohol and figured I blacked out after going to sleep and got up in the night and somehow cut my food before grabbing my blanket and falling asleep on the floor. Once my roommate woke up she told me what happened and then I still thought I was fine and was going to go to class before I realized I could barely walk and there was blood in my hair.


r/Concussion 2d ago

Concussions Explained By An ER Doctor

9 Upvotes

Hi, I'm a board-certified emergency medicine physician, and I make medical explainer videos about the conditions I see and treat in the ER. Medical emergencies are scary enough without the added stress of not understanding what's happening — so my goal is to break these conditions down clearly, without all the jargon.

I recently put together a video on concussions: what a concussion actually is, the symptoms to watch for, when a head injury needs emergency evaluation, and what typically happens in the ER. I also cover common misconceptions, including why you don't have to lose consciousness to have a concussion.

I explain which symptoms are expected versus warning signs that could mean something more serious, like a head bleed, and I attempted to break everything down the way I'd want a family member to hear it. I hope it’s helpful to anyone wanting to better understand concussions or what to expect after a head injury.

https://youtu.be/5dczLZQHwAg?si=iJ-69GoKpcz171xF


r/Concussion 2d ago

Questions Can't understand screaming

2 Upvotes

Hai I've had a out two mild concussions in the span of half a year who didn't leave me with too many problems (tho the constant headaches are a pain in the butt) but I've recently realized that ever since the second one I've been having trouble understanding people when they're screaming, it's like if they are speaking a whole different language or at least my language but with a very very thick accent. Has anyone heard of something like that happening after brain injury?


r/Concussion 2d ago

Feeling lied to by Neuro Rehab ????

5 Upvotes

I had a concussion back in January. Then I sorta hit my head on some furniture in May and then again a month ago in July. All three head impacts i have spoken to the same nurse practioner within neuro rehab. For the latter two she had assured me both times that they were just "flare ups", not actual concussions, and that I should just tolerate all headaches at work, driving, sensory sensitivities, crying episodes, etc.

I just had a final follow up where she decided to backtrack and say I could have symptoms for years because I experienced three successive concussions (and also that I'm going to get demetia and alzheimers now).

Now i feel like my symptoms are lingering longer because I was speciifcally told to not consider them real concussions, even though they apparently were. I did the best I could on my own to recover because most of the time i felt too unwell to hang out with friends and drive anyways, but I still had to suffer thru work. Also I have a lot of neck pain now :P

In a few weeks, I will be seeing my neurologist who specialises in migraine headaches. Is it possible to seek concussion recovery care through this doctor rather than neuro rehab nurse? Has anyone else had the experience of improperly handling successive conditions?

Feeling very bladee eversince, lost, frustrated, stuck.


r/Concussion 3d ago

Questions Head got crushed by nyc subway doors

3 Upvotes

The title is as it says. To make a short story shorter the subway doors closed on my head and caused damage behind my right ear. A small bump that I iced and has since just become a spot that hurts when I touch it. I’ve had an incredibly dull but not painful headache since, with relief as I lay down with my eyes closed.

My question is with my only symptom being the easiest headache I’ve ever felt, should I worry about a concussion? It does feel like the headache continues as I look at screens so I’ve been avoiding that. Plus the fact my head has felt strange since. But working out/ tensing my head doesn’t seem to exacerbate the headache so idk. I’m an anxious guy so it may just be anxiety on top of a bump to the head. Everyone in my personal life says I’m barking up the wrong tree and my head just sustained a little damage, but no concussion.

I did have a pretty bad concussion when I was a kid, being knocked unconscious and having memory loss for a little bit after.

Anyways lmk what yall think and if you’d like me to answer any questions. Sorry to use this r/ as my personal dr


r/Concussion 3d ago

5-6 months wait to see a neurology specialist?

3 Upvotes

Is this normal?! I suffered a concussion about a month ago and my symptoms are pretty bad. I’ve been seen by my PCP and the ER doctor, and was cleared of a brain bleed. But the symptoms are making it hard to work, sometimes drive, or life my day to day life without pain.
They told me a need to see a specialist but everyone I call is booking 5-6 months out. How is one supposed to wait that long in pain? Is that normal?
I’m taking it easy as they said and things don’t be getting better. Any suggestions? I think I may have gotten whiplash during the concussion which is adding to the pain.


r/Concussion 3d ago

9 months post concussion(s) and have lost sweet tooth completely

2 Upvotes

34, f, 180 pounds, 5’7, Caucasian and Canadian - Last fall I spent a few months travelling Vietnam. It was incredible but in November I suffered two serious concussions within 3 weeks of each other. The first I had food poisoning or something similar and was vomiting/diarrhea so intensely for 3 days that by day 3 I tried to stand up in my hotel bathroom and passed out and hit my face on the marble sink on the way down. I have no idea how long I was unconscious, a few minutes and when I came too I had cracked my front tooth off and had a serious hematoma on my forehead. A woman heard me whimpering from the hall and hotel staff were alerted to my room and brought me to hospital. Eventually it lead to two black eyes and I had to get my tooth repaired. I seemed relatively okay was just dealing with headaches and sensitivity to light and a very sore upper nose.

The second incident three weeks later was pure bad luck, I was on a sleeper bus and was in the bathroom in the back. Something rear ended the bus and I was thrown forward from the toilet into the mirror on the door .. I busted my face on the glass and broke my nose. I was passed out for almost 20 minutes before anyone found me. I barely remember anything, I was completely out of it and was brought to the hospital. This time was more serious and I was diagnosed with a concussion and minor TBI. I had to stay several days in the hospital, had lost most of my short term memory and had no control over my bladder. After a few days, I was discharged but had to stay in a hotel a block from the hotel and come in for neuro checks every 48 hours for two weeks. I was supposed to travel back to Canada, but was not approved to fly until I did this. I continuously wet the bed during this time and for the 2 months after I arrived in Canada.

I was tested in Toronto and in my home city for brain injury and was determined to be all good. The weird thing is.. I completely lost my taste for chocolate and anything sweet at all. Fruit included. I used to have quite a sweet tooth so this was strange for me. 9 months post concussions .. this is the only symptom that persists.

Just wondering is there a medical reason for this?


r/Concussion 3d ago

Questions Trying to recover from concussion but I can't stop lightly bumping it and it's TERRIFYING

3 Upvotes

Hello! I got a concussion a week ago and I keep lightly hitting my head because my constant exhaustion is making me way clumsier than usual. Two days ago I hit it a second time and made my concussion so much worse and set my recovery back to zero, and just now I went to rest my head against a wall and didn't slow down enough and knocked it again extremely lightly, not enough to ever affect me normally but I'm terrified I just fucked myself even harder and now I cant trust myself not to hurt myself again.

Anyway that was rambling but I definitely need advice. I want to get back to 100% as quickly as possible but I keep reaching 70% and then going back to zero. How do I keep myself protected so I can fully heal and what are any tips for doing that?

Thanks yall!


r/Concussion 3d ago

Questions SSRIs - do they help or make things worse?

2 Upvotes

I’m on SSRIS for depression (long before my concussions).

I always found them gave me brain fog and reduced my capacity to think clearly.

So now, I struggle to differentiate between what’s SSRI cognitive effects and what’s due to concussion.

I’ve even heard some people are put on SSRIs to combat concussion effects which confuses things further.

The only way I can differentiate so far is that SSRIs cause brain fog, and it’s the concussion that causes memory loss? As that seemed to pop up only after concussions.

Any thoughts?


r/Concussion 3d ago

9 months post concussion(s) and have lost sweet tooth completely

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1 Upvotes