I had a (untreated) concussion 20 years ago, and still don't feel the same..

[crd08]

I have had 3. 2 minor ones as a child and I had one 3 years ago from a car accident that was labeled severe. I had to see a concussion specialist 3x a week for therapy for 6 months. I walked like a drunk, no balance, I didn't know who the president was, headaches, short term memory was awful, insomnia, etc.


I still experience chronic headaches, insomnia, can't sit and focus like I could, memory issues, etc. They are mild, but I notice them. It frustrates me because I don't feel as if I am fully who I was before.


Basically, I was told due to the severity of my concussion I could have these "issues" stay with me for life.

[guidoLaMoto]

Originally Posted by Kavalier

…. I took a brutal hit the last year I played hockey...

-recently saw a bumper sticker: Be Kind to Animals--Buy a Hockey Player a Drink

[quote=crd08;54736056]…. They are mild, but I notice them. It frustrates me because I don't feel as if I am fully who I was before.
quote]

Back in the 50s, Friday was "Anything Can Happen Day" on the Mickey Mouse Club..It seems like in real life, every day is Friday.


You've hit a good point: post concussive symptoms are individual-- rarely is a distinct syndrome recognizable.


Treatment for concussion is basically rest-- nothing specific. Post-concussive Migraine is fairly common-- sever headaches that recur over days to yrs, maybe even permanently.


The more vague the symptoms such as general malaise, mild changes in memory, etc, the less likely anything specific will be found on repeat exam or testing, or that anything specific can be done....Specific neurological complaints- vertigo, dis-co-ordination, double vision, localized weakness etc -- the more likely something like a subdural hematoma (blood clot inside the skull) may be found and require surgical treatment.


20 yrs after the fact, it's unlikely a "serious" problem exists- just your discomfiture. I know this is America, but we don't really have a pill for everything