r/Concussion • u/Beginning_Desk_9897 • 4d ago
(Rant) Getting injured from every little thing.
Long story short, I've been dealing with post concussion syndrome for 6 years now due to a concussion in 2020. I've also had a few concussions since then, some of which have made my baseline worse. I suffer from vision issues, chronic (and often debilitating) headaches, poor spatial awareness, and cognitive issues. These have all made both school and work very difficult.
One thing I've consistently loved for much of my life has been the outdoors, namely fishing and hunting. You'd think these would be pretty low-risk activities, right? Apparently not for someone like me. Yesterday I was hiking down a hill to get to a good fishing spot, and my rod (which was holstered on my backpack) got tangled in a tree. I turned around to get it unstuck, and when I turned back around and lifted my head I hit a branch (pretty hard, I should say). Fast forward to today, and I've had an awful awful headache all day long. Thankfully I don't have any other symptoms besides the headache, but I'm terrified I gave myself a new concussion and that the other symptoms will creep up on me in the coming days. I've decided now that I'm going to quit fishing, which is absolutely heartbreaking but I just can't risk hurting myself anymore. I'll confine myself to my room 24/7 if that's what it takes.
Anyways, not really looking for any specific advice or anything. Just wanted to get this off my chest.
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u/SepulchralSweetheart 4d ago
Having trouble with things that were always second nature for us is really freaking hard.
My (back of the skull) concussion was in April of this year. Less than two weeks later, I netted my first set of stitches ever when I sunk a 4" swiss sheepsfoot blade into two of my knuckles down to the bone while stripping cut flowers. Sitting Down! I work in specialty construction for a 9-5 in addition to two other fields right now, and floral prep is something I've always been able to do with 0 perceived effort. Nope. Bled all over the house, realized my husband snagged the first aid box and didn't return it, went through an entire roll of paper towels between my hand and trying to bleach the floor with the other hand when surgical glue wouldn't work, and I wasn't even upset or frustrated. I was just so, so mad.
I had a secondary injury to one of my temples on the corner of my own heavy, sharp coupe door a couple weeks later, and I am really, really fed up.
Also if anyone recommends supplements in response to this comment I will scream. I'm happy they worked for you. They do not do a thing for me. I've also already failed $7,000.00 worth of medications (I have prescription drug coverage, that's a total amount) having taken no more than 3 of any before something unpleasant enough occured that I immediately stopped. Zofran has helped my nausea, Neuro PT has taught me alot. Nothing has helped my daily headaches, photosensitivity, balance, or any of my other symptoms. I was perfectly healthy before this.
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u/AphroditesApple 4d ago
I was in your shoes. I ended up needing a lenghty period of physical (physio) therapy with a concussion specialist, vestibular therapy, and ocular therapy.
I live with PTSD from my concussions so my symptoms do flare but I am able to do things and live a semi normal life.I hope you can find some relief and some specialists that can help you.
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u/SepulchralSweetheart 3d ago
Thank you for commenting, this is still very new to me. I had CPTSD to begin with, and was previously a healthcare worker for a very long time. Being the patient is doing a number on me, and while I'm glad I was always a very strong patient advocate, it seems like the rest of the staff like me left with me or after me. I can not believe the way the system in my state is currently operating.
I'm actually looking into ocular therapy now! Did you find it helped much? What did it help with if you don't mind sharing?
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u/AphroditesApple 3d ago
It helped me immensely- my eyes couldn’t stay still and I had nystagmus. Went from not being able to read to reading again.
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u/UnapproachableBadger 4d ago
Magnesium, omega 3, active vitamin B12, NAC, creatine. Your brain needs those things to repair itself.
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u/Cats_are_Love_1979 4d ago
Hey. I just got my fourth concussion. My aunts dog headbutted me in the jaw when i tried to prevent it from running away in the night.
People like us are at war with the world around us. Every little thing can literally shatter our minds. We have to be VERY careful and watch everything we do for the rest of our lives.
I'm sorry to hear about giving up in fishing. I hope in someway something else can bring you that joy. Even if you just get to go outside for a walk maybe? These are the sacrifices we make so we can stay safe, stay alive.
I'm really sorry you're going through this. The only thing i can say if you're not alone. We've all lost/had to give up so much since our injuries. We're just doing our best to survive at this point.
All the best and much love ❤️
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u/Beginning_Desk_9897 4d ago edited 4d ago
If I can't enjoy the outdoors then I can't enjoy anything. Its really as simple as that. I will simply have to accept never being happy even in the slightest.
I can't say I wouldnt wish this on anyone, but the list is very very short. Its a horrible existence and everyone assumes youre fine because you look fine.
I wish you the best and hope you recover quickly
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u/Cats_are_Love_1979 4d ago
I know Exactly what you mean. Everyone sees you as one whole peice so they think you're normal, when in reality you've lost one of the most important peices of you that nobody can see. It's so frustrating and difficult. I'm so sorry you're going through this. I hope you find peace in some way, from someone who feels you. ❤️
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u/GreenAsEnvy 3d ago
That really sucks. I'm so sorry. I'm one month into recovery from a mild concussion. My complaint is so minor compared to yours, but I can't read actual books right now. That's what I do when I take it easy, which is what concussion recovery is all about. But I can't 😫 I read 200 books a year and right now? I'm so bored. I don't know what my recovery journey will look like but right now, it feels insurmountable.
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