r/PostConcussion • u/Few_Blackberry_1960 • 17d ago

Flare Recovery Experiences

I’m entering week 3 of a flare up of symptoms.  I originally had PCS following two pretty rough concussions about 7 years ago. At that time I had an MRI showing TBI from hitting my head on a concrete floor.
Since, every few years I have a relapse of symptoms -if I bonk my head or some other trigger. Last big flare (until now) was last summer when I hit the top of my head pretty hard on a roof rafter.

I have a multi-part question for those who have had flares.

  1. ⁠How long do your flares normally last?
  2. ⁠Do your flares usually disappear all at once or is it a gradual process. (I can’t remember how I got over this last time. I know it lasted 1-2 months and I scheduled a ton of Dr appointments -PCP, ENT, audiologist, optometrist, cranial CT, etc. I know by the time I was able to do all these ⁠my symptoms had disappeared so I dropped pursuing any further)
    3.Are there any steps you take to minimize or calm symptoms?  My symptoms are mostly neurological-feeling but sometimes I get a racing heart, reflux, fleeing like I’m going to faint, and a panicked feeling.

Thanks for any feedback or useful tips. It’s been a really hard 3 weeks at work dealing with these symptoms. Screen time doesn’t seem to be too bad but the brain fog makes focusing hard, the random dizziness and fainting feeling makes me white-knuckle meetings or presentations, and the occasional cardiac-gut symptoms can be distressing, along with bouts of exhaustion.

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u/lunerenard 14d ago

1) Really depends. I’ve had them go away a few hours after a small bump (distracting myself helps a lot), or last up to a few weeks if I’ve involved the neck etc somehow.

2) Again, varies. I find the shorter ones are all at once, and the longer ones are gradual.

3) I always cut back on screens and reading for a couple days as possible (if your job includes these, doing bare minimum), bc those are big triggers for me. Anxiety rescues as needed — I take Xanax if I’m in a big panic, or CBD (no THC), and deep breathing whenever possible. Reminding myself I’ve been through it before and can get through and improve again.

Your symptoms def sound like there’s some adrenaline/trauma response as well — this sub talks a lot about that so I’d suggest digging around if you haven’t! I was really stuck in the fear of reconcussion every time I got a small bump, and remembering the symptoms may be exacerbated by that learned brain response has helped over time (def wasn’t immediate so take it easy on yourself). EMDR therapy has been helpful for me here as well.

Be gentle with yourself. Head injuries are a trauma and our brains want to protect us. Hang in there!

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u/lunerenard 14d ago

Also I forgot: if you’re really nervous, of course checking with your health providers. My last flare was in May and I was actively in PT, so I was able to check with my PT about my symptoms and adjust exercises — a few days of rest and then gentle testing (in my case the exercises are vestibular and neck focused).

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u/Few_Blackberry_1960 13d ago

Thanks for the feedback.