How long does post concussion head pain and cognitive fatigue last?

Hello and happy new year everyone,

I was rear ended twice in the last three years and I am really struggling the second time with the TBI, post concussion syndrome and the returning to gradual activity. First does anyone have any experience with how long the head pain lasts with activity or cognitive fatigue? I found taking breaks every time the head pain worsens helps but it’s so frustrating as it’s painful and takes forever to do anything. Thank God that all the MRI’s and CT scans were good but I am seven months post accident and just wondering if any has experienced anything similar and has some insights. Still struggling with the memory, brain fog, cognitive fatigue, confusion and multitasking is next to impossible which doesn’t help as my career requires all of those things. My speech pathologist is optimistic and just wanted to know what is everyone else’s experienced opinions.

Thank you so much everyone and I hope you are all doing well and are having a blessed new year so far.

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) Support Group.

Profile picture for gablou17 @gablou17

@raggedyanne You are so right! Everyone should obtain and keep copies of their medical records, and review them carefully to see if their doctor's not got his or her facts wrong, because it happens all the time. I also strongly encourage everyone to prepare a memorandum they give to every one of their doctors for inclusion in their file that details their history and pre-existing medical conditions before the onset of the condition for which they are seeking treatment. If that memo is in your medical record, then your doctor is charged with knowledge of its contents.

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@gaa Memorandum is an excellent idea!

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Profile picture for raggedyanne @raggedyanne

@patty78962

I got whacked on the top of my head by a 10 foot long pole that jumped out of someone else's make-shift brackets 7 feet up. Gee it has been an interesting 10 months. 3 different vestibular physical therapists because I moved from a great one to be closer to my neurologist and other better medical services. 1 therapist was down right mean to me----so I dumped that office and person, reported her to Patient Relations and my neurologist. Have been going to a 3rd one but now she doesn't think she can fix my tipping walk, and dizziness when I look up. Saying this may be as good as I'm ever gonna be. Okay. That's hard for me because I used to walk a mile a day and now I can't. Can't follow the story line in a book or a movie with too many characters. I also mess up with words. I usually catch myself after I have said "bread" when I meant "bed". But that stuff is hard for our daughters and grand kids to witness. Once in a while to screw up is no big deal, but every day?
My sweet husband died of a rare cancer six days after diagnosis, almost 15 years ago. I can't comprehend 15 years. Even before the concussion I couldn't grasp 15 years. I found a great counsellor/therapist. He is young enough to be my son, but I can talk to him. He gives me tools to manage anxiety and depression and grief and trauma. In a week with too many of those he will see me twice in a week, we've done that a few times. I told him those extra sessions are helping him pay off his student loans. Every week he has me write a story about my husband --it has been a real help to me to remember the good times, the not so great times and the goofy ways my husband made me laugh during hard times.
I also am a writer, but now I don't have the patience for proofreading and I'd like to scream over the spell check--I know what word I want to use! I have witty remarks to share too, some of my friends say I should go to an Open Mic Night and do stand up comedy just telling life stories. But can I remember the punch line? I suppose I have to admit, being 75 and creeping up on 76 doesn't help my brain injury any either. My neurologist asked me how old I was. I said, "My license says I'm 75, but I'm in denial." When the heck did 75 creep up on me? Probably in the last 15 years when I've been in shock and a fog without my husband.

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@raggedyanne
You may want to consider seeing a Speech and Language pathologist for an evaluation and treatment.

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