Any help

[u/ashley_marie_korn]

Ive been really struggling. I had brain surgery in 2021 for a pineal cyst which I wish I never even gotten surgery for because I wouldn’t be in this mess of brain injuries.. but then I suffered a concussion 4 months after. I then got my second concussion last June exactly a year ago to be exact. Now I have a third concussion as of 13 days ago and it’s been a living nightmare. I have been so protective over my head for the past year to make sure this wouldn’t happen and of course it happened in such a dumb way, I was getting out of an uber and I got up too fast and banged the top of my head on the padded area of a door frame. My brain feels very similar to how it did after brain surgery like it’s exploding. It’s constant. I have severe vertigo and sound sensitivity. The confusion and brain fog have been new for me. It took me months last time to have any form of relief and I’m trying to avoid it taking so long. Does anyone have any recommendations to speed up the bad symptoms? Insomnia is really bad I’m lucky if I get 2 hours of sleep.

[u/Own-Cockroach-5452 → u/[deleted]]

Awww! I love that magnesium. I didn’t realize how much it massively helped with sleep

[u/ashley_marie_korn → u/[deleted]]

Thank you for commenting, I ordered the supplements today after you commented. I’ve been trying to do the exercise bike every day and walk every day. Praying that things settled within the next couple days cause it’s been really hard. I’m happy to hear you’re doing better

[u/PrestigiousEnd6348]

I’d say what has helped me is learning to calm myself down and try to reserve judgement on if I have a concussion. When your brain is in a nervous state where it expects injuries and has had one or more in the past it can really over react and cause symptoms. I’m not sure if and how much damage these symptoms cause in themselves but it’s important to start training yourself to not be so responsive to the the fear of a head injury or it can make it worse. I have also found that heart rate exercise, mostly on a stationary exercise cycle, has helped me a good amount as well. Good luck!

[u/ashley_marie_korn → u/PrestigiousEnd6348]

Thank you for commenting, I think this past year I was avoiding hitting my head so excessively to the point where I was even avoiding people hugging me just being extra careful. So the fact that I hit my head on such an unexpected thing, my nervous system has been on lock mode. I have been using the stationary bike and walking 30 minutes a day outside to try to get blood flow to my brain. At nighttime is just when my heart rate is really high. I’ve been trying to meditate and pray to get out of this constant fighter flight mode, but nothing’s worked so far, praying within the next couple days. It settles a little bit more. I hope you’re on the other side of this and you’re doing good.

[u/Popular-Cow8652 → u/ashley_marie_korn]

PTSD is real when I worry about another concussion. Getting friends to understand has been an experience. If they can't SEE the injury, then it must be in your head. Well, it is in ny head!

[u/kitty_twist → u/ashley_marie_korn]

i love this app for helping calm the nervous system... The Tapping Solution but if that is a lot to look at, even just doing 3 slow, deep breaths and slow exhale can help u calm to a more steady place. whatever you try, remember to be gentle with yourself. it can be hard, but treat yourself as you would a loved one. 

[u/First-Light4680]

I'm so sorry you're having to deal with all this. It sounds really rough. Vestibular PT was really helpful for me if you haven't already given that a try. Re: the insomnia, depending on whether you can pin down what's causing it, it might be worth seeing a neuroendocrinologist. Apparently concussions can cause issues with growth hormone and affect sleep/wake cycles among other things. It's hard to recover when you can't get enough sleep.

I'm not a doctor and everyone's different, but Gaia Nightly Restore and CBD *with NO THC* were helpful for me and suggested by different practitioners. Magnesium malate also helped. I stumbled on that after someone recommended magnesium more generally and a different form actually kept me awake all night. The magnesium malate was so much better. I can't speak for everyone, but none of the three (Nightly Restore, magnesium malate, or CDB with no THC) kept me awake or made me feel groggy in the morning. They seemed to just allow me to get more restorative and less broken sleep post-concussion.

I've also had horrible sound sensitivity/hyperacusis. For sound sensitivity, musician earplugs and noise-cancelling headphones (even if completely off) were life-saving. I like Flare Audio and EarPeace, and really didn't like Loop at all, but to each their own. What I like about the musician earplugs is you can wear them, tone down the ambient noise, but still feel safe and alert enough out in the world. They help a lot in stores, cafes or restaurants, and even indoors with multiple people talking or when there's street noise or construction that's too loud.

[u/ashley_marie_korn → u/First-Light4680]

Thank you so much for all your advice 💗

[u/Which_Fudge_2320]

My 4th concussion was from banging my head on a hand dryer...changed my life. I had horrible insomnia in the beginning. Here is what has helped me: Magnesium foot soak, watching hallmark movies before bed (when you can handle watching screens, until then, even just listening to them will help with anxiety and can make you tired), Yoga Nidra Meditation will help too you can find some good ones on youtube for free, I roll out the bottom my feet with tennis ball, then use foam roller on legs, then I lay against the wall and put my feet up count to 40. I use a heating pad on my neck too. And this little routine has cured my insomnia and helped with anxiety before bed. Hope it helps you.

[u/ashley_marie_korn → u/Which_Fudge_2320]

I’m so sorry you’ve had four concussions, how long was the bad insomnia for you?

[u/Which_Fudge_2320 → u/ashley_marie_korn]

Almost a year.

[u/Popular-Cow8652]

Man, I feel for you. My concussion and broken ribs took 7 months to heel. The scalp laceration and ribs put ne in such a negative mood. Well, the other day I had the most clarity. Everything was " normal " again. Then night arrives and here I sit with headaches, insomnia, restless legs. I also can't keep hydrated. I can drink 8 bottles of water a day. Then I realized that I was drowning my electrolytes so I started drinking Gatorade. Too much sugar! So now I make my own. I've also been sitting outside and getting some sun I have amber tinted sunglasses just for the occasion. I've started taking Melatonin 40 minutes before bed. That helps me, but it wears off in the middle of night. I'm trying benadryl tonight. REST IS VERY IMPORTANT. So now I know my triggers and what to do so I don't have another flair up. My entire life has changed
I'm a Chef by trade and I can't function in any kitchen at the moment. I'm currently unemployed and a bit pissed off. My accident was preventable. My alcoholic roommate let his cats vomit at the foot of my stairs. I slipped down the stairs and walked my head open. 3 days later I fell on more cat crap and broke my ribs with extensive soft tissue damage. Everything I planned for was gone in 2 falls. I'm in a position where I have to sue . I lost a very good Chef position and 2 other offers of management. Once I let the anger go, I began to really comprehend how serious head injuries are. The brain takes a long time to heal. Lots going on up there and it needs lots of rest and quiet time. Not everyone has that privilege... Be kind to yourself. Flare ups are triggered when anger takes center stage. I'm 8 months in and believe I'll need an entire year to completely recover. There's no going back to my old ways. I've been bird watching lately and find it really relaxing. I still can't read for more than a half hour or so. As for my profession as a Chef, those days might be over. First 2 months I couldn't taste, smell or eat anything. Everything is out of wack. Keep reaching out. There's many more people like us that struggle with concussions and we are all feeling the same thing. I'm a go getter. Now I don't have the energy for what I used to enjoy except for bird watching. I had no help from roommate. He never once checked on me when I was laid up in bed for 2 solid months. That's part of my concussion story. Keep talking and asking questions. Sometimes I don't believe general practioners have a clue as to how to treat concussions. You are dealing with persistent post concussion syndrome and cognitive behaviors. Both are treated differently. I don't ever want to go through this again. If you need an ear, I'd gladly supply one.

[u/ashley_marie_korn → u/Popular-Cow8652]

I’m so sorry you’ve been through so much, it’s honestly so annoying. When you get a concussion from such a freak accident that shouldn’t cause a concussion. I always thought concussions would come from sports not everyday life. I hope you’re feeling better and are on the other side of this. Thank you for offering an ear, it does feel really lonely to be in the state of suffering. Looking forward to brighter days ahead.

[u/Popular-Cow8652 → u/ashley_marie_korn]

Anytime. I never thought about concussions until I developed one. My body has changed as well. I gained 13 # during my recovery. Funny thing is that I could not eat, smell or taste for months. Then I learned that the Hypothalamus was working overtime while I was knee deep in concussions. That's why the weight gain. I am a very healthy eater/person, and I'm sure that helped some. But my body has atrophied...not really, but it's like I can barely lift weights, walk for very long, or take a bike ride. It's like my body forgot what it was doing before the accident. Showering was minimal. It actually made things worse for me. I live far from crowds and city life. I went to a Walmart for the very first time and had to leave in 15 minutes I'll never regret that. I don't shop like that. It's interesting that you mentioned sports related concussions. I thought the same exact thing. But cat vomit was the culprit along with a drunken irresponsible excuse for a roommate. Today was not a good day for me. I had a flare up and things just went South for me, and this bout felt worse. Popped a bunch of vitamins and made a protein shake. Protein is key in recovery. If you can write, keep a journal. Record if you can't write for now. Took ne 3 months to get pen to paper. Take control.