Brain Injury Support Group
Traumatic brain injury occurs when a sudden trauma causes brain damage. TBI can result from a closed head injury or a penetrating head injury. Symptoms of a TBI can be mild, moderate, or severe, depending on the extent of the damage to the brain. Outcome can be anything from complete recovery to permanent disability or death. A coma can also affect a child's brain.
Good morning,
Brand new member here. I've suffered a few concussions, the most recent and worst of which was November 2017. I dealt with the normal symptoms of headaches, memory issues, dizziness etc for 2-3 weeks afterwards, but largely went untreated at that time. Fast forward to about 8 months later, started having issues with vertigo and general weakness, anxiety, irritablity, and vision changes. Went through some vestibular rehab which helped with the vertigo and balance issues, and was seen by neurophsyc and neurooptometry who both said they didn't see anything wrong. For a while the vertigo/balance issues got better, then symptoms started reappearing and now I'm 3 years later and still dealing with the same issues. Last night, for instance, I was sitting in my recliner watching Wheel of Fortune and had about 2 sips of bourbon on the rocks when suddenly my pulse got really fast and weak, I was shakey, fidgety, breathing rapidly and flushed. Lasted about 10 minutes, then I was fine. That's what led me to search for a group like this. For the past 3 years I've been told by numerous doctors that "you're fine, we don't see anything wrong" but the fact is I'm not fine. I wasn't like this before. I now have to do my grocery shopping at 6 on Sunday mornings when it's not crowded because the crowds, lights, noise, etc are too overstimulating and trigger my symptoms even worse than normal. I now have anxiety about things that I never thought twice about in the past, and combined with the anxiety of "what if these symptoms flare up while i'm driving" or what if I want to go out to eat (pre-covid haha) and I can't stand to be in the restaraunt for that long?
Nobody else that I know personally has these sorts of issues stemming from TBI, doctors tell me I'm fine, and I was starting to feel alone. Anybody else out there have experience with these types of symptoms following TBI? If so, what worked for you? Thanks in advance, and I look forward to talking with y'all and heres to hoping we can all help each other!
Also, doctors know from their level of experience and can be quite dismissive of patients, I think it is really hard to find a doctor that is empathic to things they have NOT experienced first hand. Please know that you're not crazy just because doctors cannot physically see the pain TBIs cause until years after the fact or by an autopsy. These things that are happening to you are real, they are new to you, your head is fixing itself. Be gentle with yourself while your recovering and research the newest discoveries with the brain. We are only now just learning about the brain and all its complexes.
What has helped me and may come across as counterproductive is dive deeper into those uncomfortable times...when your in the store and those overwhelming feelings arise try to notice it, put a label to it, think about your feelings at that moment by asking questions to yourself; like I can feel the chest tightening, why? What is causing me to feel like I'm under threat? Then that will maybe bring attention to your breath and help ground you at the moment. Along with the omega-3 supplement that helps a lot with repairing the brain.
It takes a lot of effort to recover from TBI's and it's unique to each individual so if these ideas don't work for you don't feel bad just try something else. It's a process, you got this! I'm here, I don't know you or your experience but I care about you!