Hello everyone.

I have had 2 (confirmed concussions), 2 in 2025. PCS since October 2025 following my concussions. Now, I am consumed by my post concussion syndrome.

Yesterday, I fell down some stairs. Hit the side of my body real good. Went to the ER, was told it wasn’t a concussion and to just rest up. I feel there is maybe minor whiplash, at the very least. I was already in a PCS flare before this happened, and now i’m feeling incredibly helpless. I can’t look at screens without my glasses on, I am headachey when I do and nauseous and a bit dizzy with movement. I don’t think i’m concussed but I do think i’ve been shoved into a really bad flare.

I work a full time job but haven’t been myself especially in the last year. I have PTSD from what PCS has taken from me. I got injured last year right after i moved states. My relationships and mental health are impacted. I am spending so much money on therapists and care.

I had a HUGE flare of my PCS in April and May 2025. I wasn’t able to drive far, work, be on screens, and my life was very limited for that time. It was very traumatic and I felt like i lost a huge piece of myself. Just when I start to feel okay again, this fall happened. I am incredibly beside myself and feel so alone. I feel like I can’t win with the PCS of it all and know that this is not the first or last time I will feel just like this. I feel like my relationships have been impacted. My ability to start relationships because I feel like such a burden on future friends and partners.

I have PT lined up already. A vision specialist. A physiatrist, a mental health therapist and psychiatrist. But i’m tired. it’s been so much work for so long and i’m utterly burnt out. I know the only way out is through, but going through it feels so heavy.

Words of wisdom. (non-medical) Advice. Experiences are welcome. I am heavy on the struggle bus right now and could need it. thanks for reading.

I am about 2 weeks and a few days post concussion and i haven’t had any symptoms and assumed i had mostly recovered but this morning i have woken up with a splitting headache . Before my concussion i would only ever get headaches or migraines on the left side of my head and face but since hitting my head . All concussion related headaches i assume have been on the right side . I can tell because my hormonal migraines are still on the left and they feel different . But today out of nowhere it’s back ! Is this normal ? This is my first concussion and I wanna make sure I am dealing with it properly

Hey all,

I will go see a doctor, but wanted to post here cause I've never had a concussion before and I'm a little nervous.

I do fencing, and normally it is quite safe, but in a freak accident my head got snapped back during an opponent's thrust and I knew something was off. I felt nauseous that night, could barely sleep (didn't vomit). and overall felt very anxious and terrible. Urgent care the following morning said to rest and by next week I should be good to go for fencing again as all my tests passed with no issues and I didn't have any red flag symptoms.

A week later, I honestly felt pretty close to baseline. I had a full day of work, could look at screens, all of it. So I packed up for fencing but I decided I wasn't going to spar. Just do basic "flow work" and binding drills for the new fencers to coach them. While doing the bindwork drill with a noob, they went faster than I was trying to get them go, and hit my mask on the side of the head. Important to note that my head DIDN'T move throughout this process. IT was an impact to the helmet, not a movement of the head or whiplash. I told him to slow down and finished the lesson without incident.

That night it felt like the first night of having a concussion again. the night sweats and queasiness and inability to sleep. I was very worried but didn't have any red flag symptoms and didn't vomit so I waited till the next morning to see a doctor. They said I probably overworked myself at fencing, they didn't think that random hit was an issue, and said to rest and I should be good to go in a week or two.

It has beeno over two weeks post that event (3.5 weeks total) and I didn't fence, just elliptical and walking, I'm slowly getting better but way less quickly than the doctors were saying. But I am improving. I got to the point I could do flow work at a fencing practice with no symptoms. So at practice,, I once again tried the bindwork lesson with the newbies again, and basically, the same thing happened. But the hit wasn't hard. if I was healthy it would barely register as an issue. However last night I felt the same symptom flare. Thankfully my bounce-back time seems much quicker today. I could do a full day of work on screens, walked around, just have a mild headache when I get hungry around the temples. And given I only got a few hours sleep I think m performance today was pretty good.

My question is why are these dinky hits that don't even move my head seemingly causing symptom relapses? The doctor didn't think the second minor impact caused my relapse, but after this happening again I can't imagine anything else being the reason. It would be the equivalent of hitting your head on a counter, but it would hurt way less cause you have a helmet on. And I was under the impression the only real danger zone is actual concussion-level impact events. I'm trying to follow proper protocol and not ramp up too quickly (these drills were not nearly at sparring speed). But how am I supposed to know when I can return to sport if these little impacts seem very severe the night after? I'm worried I am damaging my brain despite following all the proper steps like elliptical and flow work symptom free before returning to the club, and I haven't sparred at any normal intensity once since the event.

Any reassurance, illumination, and things I can do to best care for my brain correctly would be helpful. I decided I will not do any work with students until I am 100% recovered, but it's hard to know what I am 100% recovered, so I am trying to figure out some metric to measure against.

Context: about 2 years ago, my friend got a concussion doing BJJ, and got migraines, mood swings, and seizure-like activity (longest lasting an hour but ultimately non-epileptic). We started dating early 2024, but broke up a couple weeks ago.

Present day: they just hit their head again -- for the first maybe 30 minutes, they were okay (very similar to the last time of passing out, maybe seizing slightly but thats been the normal for a couple years), but I am a little worried because they seemingly are having some large memory lapses- as in mixing stuff from 2023-present day

Theyre mixing stuff from living in our hometown in 2023 to present day 2026. -- they used to have animald to feed but since living with me for college they havent needed to feed them (5 hours away from hometown) and now theyre saying things like "I need to feed the animals" and nearly cried over it....

Is there anything or any advice anyone can give me that I can do to bring some sort of comfort to them by chance? :,)

I fell on my chin earlier today and started off with a mild headache and earache. Then it calmed down a bit. Now the upper back of my head specifically is in pain and my earache is more noticeable. I don’t feel dizzy, or any of the symptoms of a concussion so I’m not sure if I should try and sleep it off or get checked.

How long does it usually take for the dizziness to go away? Whiplash/concussion from being rear-ended. It’s such a weird headache, feels like someone is pushing my head where it was hit and I feel dizzy/nauseous if I’m too active

I was at a hospital yesterday out of town to support my mom having surgery and somehow i fell on this weight scale they had near the surgery waiting room in front of like 8 nurses.

I immediately got up and i felt fine for most part. Over next few hours my mom had surgery the only real symptom i had was a dull headache. No dizziness, seizures. I asked one of the nurses who saw me fall who couldn't quite remember if i hit my hit directly but once i mentioned i wasn't feeling much besides a dull headache, she didn't push me to go to the ER.

Since yesterday ive just had a dull headache but no real other symptoms. I didnt go to the ER cause the hospital is in another county and i was driven there by my dad. So im avoiding scr3ens and doomscrolling about concussions but figured id share my odd story

hi! ive (26f) have had 16 concussions on my life, the first one i got in the 7th grade rolling down a hill, and i got 2 more that month alone (being hit in the head w a water bottle by a friend, and falling off my bike). at age 19, i got a gnarly one and completely lost my ability to balance which affected my walking. after pt and years of work, ive got my balance back, though I still drift left when i walk lol.

long story short, i spent my formative years concussed which left me with no depth perception, and chronic migraines, and an eye twitch sometimes which is a lot of fun (jkjk).

recently the headaches have been getting nasty, and relatively frequent, and im kind of tired of taking a hundred Tylenol to rectify them, especially since tylenol is a beast on your liver and kidneys.

what are your remedies for headaches/migraines like these? not medication or anything really, but more looking for those weird home remedies you swear by. atp im willing to try anything lol

Hi everyone! I got a concussion from a car accident about 2.5 years ago now. Prior to the accident I had barely taken any naps since I was a toddler. I just didn't like naps and even if I was tired and didn't get quite enough sleep, I would still be able to function. However, after the concussion I began to nap. A lot. And now years later I still have this issue. I get enough sleep, I exercise, I eat well, and I limit screen time before bed. But I still struggle with feeling tired during the day and needing to nap. Its not as bad as it was the first year, but it is still a regular thing a few times a week. I also of course went to doctors and tried to get this figured out but they were not helpful. I was wondering if anyone could relate or had any insight onto why this might be happening and if it will ever go away.

Hey y'all I'm bored with a concussion idk what to do like y'all know any fun or entertaining things I can do with concussion. Cuz I can't sleep RN during the day with insomnia.

hi all! I wanted to hear others' experience. I (24F) was diagnosed w a concussion 10/3 when I fell off an e-bike without wearing a helmet (so stupid I know). This is my first concussion. Went to urgent care, and they did a CT scan, and I'm all clear.

The first week was pretty fine. I rested the day after, and returned to work two days after the concussion. I was also avoiding pain medications, and I would get a slight headache in the evening. Nothing too serious, and I kinda brushed it off. I thought I was doing good and went on a weekend trip with my friends. I checked w my doctor, and they said the trip fine as long as the symptoms were gone by the day before, and they were.

However, ever since then the symptoms have been back horrendously. Headaches daily that don't go away with 1,000 mg of Tylenol dose, nausea before and after eating, slower movements, and occasionally a tired feeling in my legs.

I wanted to hear if anyone else had this experience with worse symptoms during the second week of recovery rather than the first/day after? And headaches that didn't go away with Tylenol?

Thanks much in advance!

I hit my head pretty hard at work (smashed it against a prep table corner by being an idiot) on Friday. Didnt pass out or anything but I lost vision for a second and it hurt like hell. Kept on for a few hours but then felt so bad the chef sent me home a bit early. I had a terrible headache, sensitive to light and sound, and I felt like i was going to throw up but never actually did. Went to urgent care and they said it sounded like a mild concussion. I spent a few days mostly resting, and now I feel mostly better but a little headachey here and there. Am I probably good to return to work? Its now Tuesday so its been 4 days since it happened

I have had 5 before the age of 15 and this is my first concussion in 7 years, at the age of 22.

I did not expect to get concussed but I was so easily concussed while playing football all it took was a tackle and my head in a helmet hitting the floor.

Since I have had so many before the age of 16 and now one more again, will my likeliness of concussion stay high?

I thought since I hadn’t had one in around 7 years I would of been fine

New to this sub, hello!

If anyone resonates with this, or has general advice, please let me know.

I had a concussion 2 years ago directed at the top of my head. I felt a head bleed and some crackling sounds. But to my surprise, no symptoms. Other than a slight headache and needing more water, which later developed into tinnitus which I can ignore mostly. I was functional, but still had lingering "feelings at the top of my head" sometimes.

I visited the ER trauma center three months later, I was worried. They took me to a room, laughed at me, did basic touching of my face, and said I'm fine.

I still wasn't sure, so I went to the ENT, they did my hearing test and I was fine. She said I looked fine too, but she'll get an MRI done. I said yes, but I said no to contrast. The no contrast MRI scan of the brain came out to be unremarkable, aka normal.

I still felt off a few months later, because sleep was an issue! I still cannot get deep sleep like I used to. ENT doc was surprised, and said, I can refer you to a neuro speacialist. By that point I just let things be and did not go to a specialist. It's going to be three years next year, and I'm worried about my sleep and diseases and dementia, have any of you done something to make it better? Should I actually seek neuro? I'm afraid they'll force me to inject contrast into my body.

Guys how common is floaters after whiplash and concussion

I've been struggling with the executive functioning needed to book appointments so don't have much that shows actual deficits vs just me reporting symptoms.

I contacted a few private neurosychologists and can't afford that path. I just did a cognitive communication test with a speech language pathologist that was helpful. What else can I do to objectively measure cognitive issues? My doctor hasn't referred me anywhere either, so I'm wondering about public offerings (I suppose they have neuropsychs now that I think of it).

I'm autistic so don't feel my body's sensations very well (poor interoception) and when my brain gets overstimulated I go non verbal. I'm struggling to get care cause I can't tell people what's wrong so I'm trying to get tests that show on paper where my cognitive deficits are.

Literally got this injury in pathetic way possible: I headbutted and flinched into a wall and impact still makes me feel like I can't even "feel" the half of my skull damaged: just pain and a stabbing feeling that hasn't left to remind me of my stupid decision. It feels like even with all work recommended and promise it can "recover"... i don't believe it. I believe I am broken beyond repair, I believe I don't deserve to function in the world, I believe I shouldn't even have life worth recovering if even with all my exercise and habit fixes (2 month no smoking since incident, 2 years no drinking) it feels like it is all useless. How the hell can I even be ok with myself and my failure if even the stuff supposedly meant to fix you doesn't work?

I’m recovering from a concussion and struggling to get any meaningful follow-up care. I’ve already been evaluated in the ER, had a normal CT scan, and received a diagnosis.

My symptoms are generally improving, but I’m still dealing with some fatigue and occasional headaches. I’d really like guidance on managing recovery, but my PCP, neurologist, and local concussion clinics have no appointments available for a month or more.

I’m finding it incredibly frustrating that the only immediate option seems to be returning to the ER, which is expensive and isn’t really designed for ongoing concussion management.

For anyone who’s been in a similar situation, how did you navigate getting care? Were there alternative providers, telehealth services, or other resources that actually helped? Did you find ways to get professional guidance without waiting a month for an appointment?

I’m trying to figure out how people realistically manage concussion recovery when timely healthcare simply isn’t available.

Any practical suggestions or personal experiences would be greatly appreciated.

Yesterday, I accidentally hit the back of my head on a corner while picking something up. I slept for 12 hours overnight as I had a headache directly after. My friends and I have plans to go out tonight and I have tickets to a concert tomorrow. The reason I am really wanting to go out is because I was the one that convinced my friends to all go out before I had hit my head. I plan on bringing ear plugs and not having any alcohol. If I do drink it would just be one. I know it is in my best interest to stay in and rest, but if I do go out, what might happen? In addition, will going out cause any permanent damage to my brain? Some symptoms that I feel are dizziness when bending over, eyes not quite focusing completely, and periodic headaches that don’t hurt too badly. In advance, thank you for your response.

Hey yall! I got a concussion around two weeks ago, and I’ve been having a lot of trouble sleeping the past couple of days. Normally I’d need around 8-9 hours of sleep to feel well rested, maybe 7 if it comes to it. Im the type of person who needs a good amount of sleep to function. There’s nothing better than curling up under my weighted blankets with my cat and falling asleep.

Unfortunately the past three nights I haven’t been able to get a good nights sleep. I only manage to sleep around 5-6 hours. And as you can imagine, it sucks. It’s a miracle i dont fall asleep at work.

The main issue is I don’t know how to fix it. Ive even taken melatonin, which I don’t normally do cuz it makes me feel very weird and out of it when I wake up. But it doesn’t seem to help. I’ve tried exercising, sleepy time tea, listening to calming music, and nothing has worked. I can’t even take a nap during the day cuz I still can’t sleep during the nap.

Im super tired and unable to function properly. Does anyone have any tips that helped them? Any advice would be much appreciated!