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

Just feeling down….has anyone been told that someone couldn’t believe that you are still not recovered yet, by a doctor and coworker in that demeaning tone that makes you feel like it’s your fault?

I have never had such a hard time returning to work everyday with all these symptoms and just functioning everyday. Sometimes it’s all I can do to just survive the severe cognitive impairments and fatigue during the workday, make it home and just cry.

Thanks for listening and letting me vent everyone, I am so much better than before and I know I have a long way to go and I won’t give up but it is definitely hard to hear statements like that and deal with people who have no compassion towards our TBI difficulties and recovering as much as possible. I will never fully recover but I am working so hard to learn all of the tools and tricks to function at the highest level possible!

Have a blessed day

My first Concussion I was 7 yrs old. I seemed to be ok but back in the 70s and 80s we didn't run to the ER every time we smacked our head or knocked yourself out. I got older and started having out bursts and anger issues. I have dealt with paranoia, aggravation, pissed off. I became an auto mechanic and that's when I started hitting my head more and more, walk into a tire over your head, stand up and smack the hoist arm, smack exhaust systems, rear axles. Then I decided to start to learn how to play hockey. I also was an assistant coach on the team. During practice I took a nasty fall and landed on the back of my head with my body above me and drove my chin into my chest. I was out, came to in a min. Went to the ER fell out of the car and hit my head again. Had to work so went to work with what they called a grade 3 concussion. I continued to coach and started to play hockey. Got hit several times and continued to play with a headache. Then sat out for a week, went back played was good for a few and then hit again and was nauseated. Sat in the locker room till I felt better and went back out on the ice. Woke up looking at the lights. I have counted up wards of 8 concussions, possibly more. I have had a headache for the last yr and I now have some cognitive issues like memory, thoughts, mind goes blank, I hear things and see things that aren't there. I am on medications to help but the small headache which is a pain of 1-2/10, my concussion Neurologist said that that will probably never go away. It has affected my work, cant multitask anymore, I get confused and cannot think my way out. I over react to a lot, I also have paranoia more then before. I am just here to see what others are dealing with. I have had numerous MRI, CT and all show clear, I have some diminished cognitive issues per a different Neurologist.

@emdlewis
yes, has been 5 years ago but was told that i shouldn't still be in pain...
that was 4 months after my initial fall and injuries. They found a ruptured disc. the headaches it came down to ocular migraines . broken floating rib didn't help any. as For the other issues you describe and the doctor not listening, i would be looking for another doctor. My daughter got lucky in that in her 5th try landed a good one and he treats us both. very talented younger man. i can only hope you find one that still cares about every patient that is his and treats them with respect. good luck. Have a rest of the day blessed and Ps, after time some of the symptoms have gotten better and no i did not get the disc repaired would have meant surgery and i am not for that at all after having a tumor removed from my brain.

@jenniferctbisurvivor
Yes. I’m sorry that you too are having to deal with not only your headaches, which are really more like being smashed in the head with a hammer, than it is any headache I’ve ever experienced, while also dealing with a supposed professional who isn’t taking your pain into consideration. My neurologist sent me back to work even after I explained my headaches, extreme physical and cognitive fatigue. “What? You don’t want to work because you have headaches?” In a very condescending manner. I managed two 9 hour shifts as an automotive technician before I couldn’t speak because my brain just shut down. So embarrassing and frightening all at the same time. I’m going into my 12 th week of continuous pain ranging from 4/10 in a quiet place and only focusing on one task at a time and taking breaks in between tasks, to a 10/10 with 20/10 pain spikes when attempting to do something as simple as take a shower. The sound of my voice bothers me. And when I try to verbalize my symptoms, it comes out all jumbled, and it doesn’t help that my neurologist starts talking before I get an opportunity to finish my statement. And then I forget what I’ve said and what I haven’t. I started bringing someone from my immediate family with me to all of my appointments so I have someone else to remember things for me, and help explain it all. But I still feel like my health and my recovery isn’t being respected in the manner it should. Sounds like you and I are dealing with the same frustration. If you don’t mind, I see your comment is older than my injury, how are you now. Has anything gotten better? Have you found new ways to cope? I’m asking because I’m only 3/12 months from injury. Clear CT, with a sharp decline upon returning to work 2 months from injury with reported headaches, fatigue, pain spikes, dizziness, light and sound sensitivity, speech effected, short term memory loss, emotional and instability. Has any of it gotten better for you yet?

Just feeling down….has anyone been told that someone couldn’t believe that you are still not recovered yet, by a doctor and coworker in that demeaning tone that makes you feel like it’s your fault?

I have never had such a hard time returning to work everyday with all these symptoms and just functioning everyday. Sometimes it’s all I can do to just survive the severe cognitive impairments and fatigue during the workday, make it home and just cry.

Thanks for listening and letting me vent everyone, I am so much better than before and I know I have a long way to go and I won’t give up but it is definitely hard to hear statements like that and deal with people who have no compassion towards our TBI difficulties and recovering as much as possible. I will never fully recover but I am working so hard to learn all of the tools and tricks to function at the highest level possible!

Have a blessed day

@patty78962 Neurofeedback is considered controversial regarding if it works, particularly for TBIs. I'm glad that you are improving. If you haven't done so, some cities have support for people that need assistance following serious injuries. If your health insurance doesn't cover your medical bills adequately, one can also meet with accounting or other dept. to decrease the costs. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9205641/

@margaretallen I wasn't sure if you meant me or Jennifer. I don't like prescriptions. Only have one kidney now, so worry about medicines hurting the only one left. Overweight, but have always been healthy, active, use holistic remedies. Have too many RXs since my accident. Now I'm very out of shape. But I'm going to ask the DR about anxiety options next week. No. No one to rely on. Why I joined some support groups. I got tired of people pointing out minor things to embarass me because they want to control others or knock them down. Then you have some point out minor little things in front of others, then dismissing it to justify their rudeness: saying "I didn't know you were hurt, you look ok" "you don't seem like your having problems" etc. People see what they want to see. So I started cutting back on helping others. I didn't grow up where I live and despite volunteering everywhere for 33 years, it's ironic how they disappear when they see me struggling or when I can't help them anymore. Everyone knows me... but are busy - or people move in for a few years then move away - or when they don't need you, they surprise you and "move on" - or assume you have family in town. I have a lot of other stress aside from my health.

You really are going through a rough time. Do you take any meds. I do for depression and I have an anxiety pill too. I am lucky though I have a caring husband who has been my rock I hope you have some close friends you can count on. It's a long journey isn't it I have talked to people who were injured 10 12 15 years ago and still have the odd symptoms. I use the wrong word often and I'm tired a lot but I keep pushing on because I want to be myself again or close to it
hang in there