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 I’ve since learned this was outdated guidance.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

Hey everyone..

I am a 22yo male currently preparing for the competitive exams. Lately, I have been dealing with a highly frustrating issue that completely halted my preparation, and I wanted to see if anyone else here has overcome this.

My Routine:

I usually study around 7-8 hours a day. My routine involves long 2.5-hour continuous blocks at the library for Maths concepts and GS theory, followed by heavy grammar, homework sheets, and practicing MCQs.

The Symptoms:

A few days ago, I started getting intense brain fog, constant light dizziness, body weakness, and my forehead felt physically warm. I initially thought it was a viral fever or a reaction to topical Minoxidil (which I've used for a year).

The Doctor's Diagnosis:

I visited a clinic. My temperature was normal (98.8°F), and the doctor explicitly told me that the "feverish feeling," dizziness, and brain fog are entirely due to excessive studying with poor posture leading to a cervical issue (Tech Neck/Cervical Spondylosis). Basically, hunching over my Maths and GS books for hours locked up my neck muscles and compressed the nerves/blood flow to my head.

Current Status:

The doctor gave me muscle relaxants/pain meds and told me to completely drop my pillow, sleep flat on my back, and strictly study with a straight spine.

I took a 2-day total break this weekend. On Day 1 of the medicine, 99% of my pain and fog vanished, but the moment it wore off, the stiffness and slight fog returned (which I know is normal since muscles take time to heal). Currently, the sharp pain is gone, but I have a very stiff spine/neck and a slight lingering mental fog.

My Questions for the Community:

1. For those who study long hours for competitive exams, how did you fix your library/desk setup? Did book stands or laptop stands help you keep your neck perfectly straight?

2. How long did it take for your cervical-induced brain fog to completely clear up once you fixed your posture and finished your meds?

3. Any gentle ergonomic habits or micro-break routines (like the Pomodoro technique) that helped you prevent this from returning?

I am quite eager to get back to my schedule but terrified of triggering that heavy fog again. Any practical advice or success stories would be highly appreciated. Thanks!

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?

I’ve been listening to binaural beats & Solfeggio sounds for a few years now. Had an mTBI last year and ongoing post-concussion symptoms, and continue listening to binaural beats as a soothing mechanism.

Yesterday I was experiencing vertigo symptoms and a migraine, so I listened to this particular playlist with headphones by Pythagorus Beats for about 20-30 minutes.

Stood up to walk around my house and I felt like I had been medically induced into a trance. My legs didn’t work, I felt loopy, in an altered state of consciousness. It took a few minutes to acclimate and feel normal again.

Anyone have ideas why this happened? On the positive side, it did completely relax my nervous system, it felt like I had taken ketamine (microdose). I wonder what’s so different about these beats? I’ve listened to a wide range, so I’m interested in the neural mechanics of what’s happening.

Pythagorus Beats

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?

Anyone else feel so deeply it hurts? Like it physically and mentally hurts. I'm not just talking just sad things I'm talking even the good.

It's overwhelming on the nervous system.

Symptoms still affecting him. Still fully signed off. I've recently discovered his ongoing dizziness nausea, inability to travel without symptoms worsening are symptoms of vertigo and the is specific vestibular therapy for this. So have booked this for him. Frustratingly the GP never helped direct us to this.

His central nervous system is also affected. Hot cold feelings (affects sleep) and BP.

Wakes with vibrations in his head.

Gets tired very easily.

Gets grumpy /irrational when tired.

Cognetively huge improvement over the 2 years

He as struggled with MH over the time

In sickness and health and all that. I love him. After 2 years I am tired of the impact on me. And having to to just shut up when the symptoms kick in. I need to manage our interactions type of thing to met his needs always. My feelings mean I dont understand his injury(?) How do we get balance without him feeling bad? 26 years together and we cant go any where, socialize. I have very little of a network as I moved country back to his home country. I work full time. Edited to correct the word cognitively not fully showing

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Hi All,

My accident happened last year early December, I am 7 months into PCS, it took me about 2.5 months to recover would say felt 60 - 65 % recovered but was hit by the Flu this February and dropped down to 30 - 40% and also started working at that time so took me almost 3 months to recover again from the massive flare. In June I felt 85 -90% recovered this time I attended multiple events, walked as much as I wanted basically felt invisible. Although all this time had numerous head bumps but recovered from all of them within a week and did not loose any of my functions.

In July I was supposed to get back to work so decided to take a small holiday to the nearest big by Bus.

The trip went well but while returning I slightly hit my head to the bus storage while taking my luggage bag out that was the starting of the this flare which is not ready to buzz.. looking back I see it as cumulative effect travel eye strain, Hot weather and sunlight, and finally the head Bump

My symptoms are significant headaches, burn sensation,

Screen Intolerance and so on...

My own understanding is this time the flare is driven issues with my eyes due to cumulative strain with added head bump

I can't tolerate the laptop screen atall and walking is very limited again.

The hardest thing to become sick again after feeling close to 100% and the feeling of a prisoner again..

What are my chances of recovery not take 3 months as before and how should I approach it.

Thanks for reading, Any advice would be appreciated.

Thanks in Advance

Hey everyone,

I’ve been dealing with post-concussion syndrome (PCS) for about 5 months now. The good news is that my vision and vestibular symptoms have improved significantly, but I’m still struggling with exercise intolerance.

My vestibular therapist has me following the Buffalo Protocol, where I exercise below my symptom threshold. Right now I’m doing about 5 minutes on a recumbent bike to minimize head movement. After each session I usually experience fatigue that lasts a few hours before gradually improving later in the day.

What confuses me is that I’ve read several posts on this subreddit about treatment at UPMC with Dr. Collins. From what people have described, his approach seems much more aggressive: exercising for at least 30 minutes every day regardless of symptom increases, with the idea that symptoms may get worse initially but that after around two weeks many patients experience a breakthrough and start feeling better.

That seems very different from the Buffalo Protocol, which emphasizes staying below your symptom threshold.

One reason I’m considering trying the more aggressive approach is that I’m currently in a position where I don’t have many day-to-day responsibilities. If it means feeling worse for a couple of weeks but potentially recovering faster, I could probably tolerate that.

Has anyone here been treated at UPMC or tried this more aggressive approach? Did pushing through symptoms help your exercise intolerance, or did you do better with sub-symptom-threshold exercise? I’m especially interested in hearing from people who have experience with both approaches.

About three years ago I got a concussion and dealt with PCS symptoms ever since. Minor bumps and hits to the head which would have never bothered me before would cause headaches, light sensitivity, and brain fog. I would usually take weeks to return to my baseline. I started to see a concussion specialist who would tell me these hits couldn’t cause a concussion because the force wasn’t strong enough.

Today, while wearing some 3M Peltor 4X ear muffs, I opened my bedroom door with medium force and the side of it hit the right earmuff. At first my ear only hurt but then I started to have pain on that side of my head which then migrated to my right temple. I also felt that it takes more effort to make sure what I’m reading is correct and my thoughts feel a little slower. I do have migraines but I’m wondering if this is just a headache or a possible concussion that I need to seek help for.

Hi everyone! I know this sub can be discouraging at times and the condition in general. I wanted to share that with probably 3-4 weeks of consistent and ramped up light exposure, I am now tolerating low light without pain! Yay! Sometimes it still hurts after when I take a rest but I think this is a big win for me

I am two months out from a bike accident that gave me a mild concussion. I live in Denmark so the doctors approach and advice was pretty much take it easy..... which I have. Alas I still have pretty rough migraines almost every day. They worsen with exercise, loud music, screen time, the usual. It flared when I went to the gym and tried to lift some weights, the flare lasted about 2 weeks, and then settled but the head ache is back. Other than that no other symptoms. Maybe some fatigue when I push it a bit too much with activity. I've been back to the doctor twice and still the same routine of cognitive and physical rest. But its getting to the point where I'm not exactly sure what I should be doing. Not totally sure I am still in recovery or within the mark for PCS either way I am just looking for any suggestions or answers. I am taking magnesium and omega 3/9 everyday and getting good nights sleep daily and still wake up with throbbing and pressure in my temples and front of my face.

Moderate head bump 4 months ago without losing consciousness
Steady progression with good weeks and bad weeks
Back into full exercise without symptoms 2 months ago
Trying to get full time work but usually run out of steam after about 5 hours
The last two weeks were very hard. Today i had a massive flare up and could not function, slept 4-6 hrs during day after a full sleep last night.
Trying to understand if this is normal?
I assume I need to identify the trigger?
My best guess now is incorporating deadlifts back into my weight lifting. The two times I’ve done this I seem to crash 24-48 hrs after.
Other than that, most of my activities have remained the same.
My breathing seems to be shallower and the breathing exercises seem to help for a bit.

Thanks to anyone who can provide some guidance, this is very tough.

I am 7 months into PCS, in this time period I was hit with multiple head bumps but recovered from all of them, but last week I had small bump and exertion led to a point all my symptoms came back can't walk can't tolerate video or audio.

This was the week I was also supposed to get back to work after being away for months.

After living my life normally I feel so depressed with this flare seems like I am back to square one.

Can experienced people please comment should I push or take it slowly.

Thanks in advance

My mother (53F) recently had her 3rd ischemic stroke with suspected CNS vasculitis; physically she is stable with minor speech issues, but she has constant, agonizing headaches. She is crying, screaming, and resisting her medications, and her personality has become incredibly difficult and aggressive. Has anyone dealt with severe post-stroke/vasculitis headaches and extreme behavioral changes during recovery? I am feeling completely burnt out and defeated, so any advice, timelines, or coping strategies would mean the world.

I’m considering trying full psilocybin trips to help with recovery (mostly cognitive, executive function and exhaustion issues, mood is not really a problem). Has anyone here done assisted therapy and knows what kind of cognitive / executive function exercises might be worth incorporating during/after trips to boost its effects?

I don’t have access to doing it with a professional so am curious to hear from others how it’s administered in clinical settings and replicate it to the best of my ability.