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

I would like to know how long Post Concussion Syndrome lasts too. 19 months here.

And @johannawest Thank you for your post. Your multitasking and math issues caught my attention.

I'm 19 months with PCS. I'm just now able to do some basic math without having to write it down like in elementary school or use a calculator for super simple add and subtract. I was a passenger in a car accident. I still have facial pain, regular headaches, wrong words coming out, spacing out or going completely blank when asked a question, needing to write things down, constant ringing that makes it difficult to sleep, have issues working computers/phones, lose track of time, and have trouble taking the stairs (walking down is more painful than walking up them). It took a year before I got my balance back and I credit neuro-feedback and infrared therapies. A lady told me about it and said insurance covered it (she had Cigna). An email would take me 3-5 days, if not a whole week - because if I didn't finish it, I'd have to start all over again. My train of thought was just gone - like POOF! then deer in headlights look. Then on the 20th or 30th attempt, I'd finally get it written and sent.

I don't have insurance and I don't know what happened, but the auto insurance closed the medical claim and ignored me. So I didn't get the medical attention I should have had, just thank God he was with me, because I barely remember the first 2-3 weeks. Was barely awake the first week, then forced myself to stay awake and moving around 2-4-6-8-10+ hours. The seat belt injuries were brutal. I used infrared therapy 5 hours a day and it still took 10 weeks for the deep bruises to dissipate, then months for the deep tissue pads to break up and go away. I never thought the cracked ribs were ever going to heal (4 months) and I still have a sore spot when the Doctor checks it.

Experts tell me I likely have facial fractures and 99+% just take time to heal. That like 1/10th of 1% require surgery.

My left eye socket/cheek area still hurt (a constant ache, headaches, and pressure like pushing a bean bag on your face & eye).

I was really worried I'm still having headaches, forgetfulness, pain in my face. So I saw an opthomologist. Good news is that he said all the testing looked good and that my vision was still 20/15. And he, like the other DRs, said to see a Neurologist. With no insurance or referral, doesn't seem likely I will see one.

My biggest frustration is how long it is taking and how slow (& small) the improvements are. I've given up everything I use to do, because I'm barely making it through the day. House and yard and behind and showing it.

I joke that I feel like I'm in a Gunsmoke episode, using old remedies. But I'm finding out many people are reverting to the tried & true home remedies for most things due to the high cost of healthcare. Even with insurance, they opt for alternative treatments over the expensive options with insurance.

If anything, do to my situation - I have a whole new respect for alternative therapies and homeopathic. I realize it is all based on thousands of years of Chinese medicine, just never needed it until now.

Never in my wildest dreams did I think this would be so devastating and life altering. And there are days where I get down and wonder if I'll be like this forever. Forgetting where I put things or key points makes it very difficult to socialize. Days of staring at the computer or phone, trying to remember what to click on.

Thank you

I take breaks and drink lots of water when I begin to get that feeling in my head like it’s done. Before the pain starts. So yes that works for me too. I’m 18 months in.
As for the headaches. The whiplash has calmed a lot. The headache pain is less intense and doesn’t last as long. When the headache kicked in, it lasted a few days. Usually 4ish. and sometimes it was more intense. But yes, about 3 months ago it took a leap further away from the intensity.
I do light weights for mood stability. And sometimes I have to lessen the lbs because I feel that headache warning. I do lite arobices too help clear the debris from the electrical storm of the concussion. And I do yoga for peace. (I can’t recall what, but it means or leads to peace of mind).
I don’t sleep on my left side or on my back with my head looking anywhere near left. Or I wake with the concussion headache and the day or 2 is almost non functioning. With pain and fog and concussion.

There is hope! My heart goes out to you.

How’s your digestive system? Mine is wacky. Like right now it’s offline. Well glitching it is. It’s weird. But it’ll get back to work within an hour or two.

Hi @ lynne123
It is part of my therapy through Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Center in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
I hope you can find where you live.
❤️

@johannawest
That’s so great to hear!!!
Who are you seeing?

@johannawest

Thank you so much for sharing your experiences too, it’s like reading about myself. I am so sorry this happened to you and will keep everyone in my thoughts and prayers.

I agree with you, so grateful for this group for everyone who has responded and for all of the professionals who continue to put me back together.

@lynne123
Thank you! I have been having this therapy for about 5 weeks and it has helped so much with my pain. Not just TBI but all other places from accident. Always gives me a couple days of energy and clear headedness.
Thank you for bringing up. ❤️

@jenniferctbisurvivor
Hello, I am also going into my seventh month and I am totally with you. It is hard going from a high functioning professional to managing a constant headache, overwhelming fatigue, cognitive challenges - not being able to motivate, multitask, read to no longer being able to process math (yet). Journaling has been a godsend as an outlet for how I am feeling (as my short term memory is shot) I can go back and see how much I have progressed. For 2 months I just sat in a chair and stared at the birds and the yard with no sense of time. Now I can speak clearly and I am no longer a fall risk. Thank goodness for my therapist’s! Keep up your therapy. Small wins add up. And keep up with this group! I am starting a new PT based on something I learned in group! Good luck & Thank goodness for this group!!!

@lynne123

That is great information Lynne, I am so sorry for your injuries too but this does sound helpful. Your research is much appreciated and I wish you the very best and hope your recovery continues to be smooth and helps you too.

I will ask my vestibular Physical Therapist and regular Physical Therapist who is dealing with the Frozen shoulder symptoms on both arms and neck and shoulder blade pain. Hope it definitely helps speed up the healing process, my physical therapy exercises have been painfully helping the frozen shoulder and the shoulder blade pain that nothing would help….finally some exercises that release the spasms as that one is excruciating!

Thank you for more hope on the brain fog and vertigo too, definitely worth exploring. I appreciate you so much for sharing your story and your knowledge. Sometimes it is nice to know that we are not alone in this battle and that there are others who simply understand.

@kayabbott

Great advice, I will start that now that some of the recovery is completed. Definitely a weakness for me to get used to writing things down as I am going from a photographic memory to one with many limitations and am doing good working through all of it but a journal to monitor my progress as well as all of the areas impacted is a great idea, perhaps everything won’t feel so overwhelming.

Thank you so much again!

I think Mayo Clinic is so exceptional to provide this online format for us all to support each other and learn from each other as well.
I believe the physicians realize they also learn from patients.

The thing that has helped me most and other things only a bit,
is FASCIAL COUNTERSTRAIN PT. It’s much different than typical PT. Much more gentle with the head and neck. I have learned that the back of neck is where alot of my symptoms are generated, post TBI, concussion and being on
hypermobile spectrum .

I’ve been dealing with TBI since 5.
I recommend learning how back of neck is effected with a whiplash which is part of these head injuries.
Your Autonomic Nervous System.

I’m not a PT but a patient who has found this methodology and practice to be what keeps my pain and other symptoms decreasing , which means improvement that I haven’t experienced before.

Here’s a website-
https://counterstrain.com/
A Podcast-
The Counterstrain Movement