post-concussion symptoms & resources

Compiled by an experienced amateur with “post-concussive syndrome “  …and a lot of prayer!

After any sort of hit to the brain, whether it was diagnosed by a doctor or not, if you are having some of the following symptoms… addressing them immediately will bring healing more readily.

What is happening in my brain in layman’s terms?   What is happening in my brain –  medically?

POSSIBLE   SYMPTOMS:

  • trouble focusing
    • mentally
    • visually
  • trouble with daily life because of extreme fatigue that leads to any/all of the following:
    • nausea
    • dizziness… physical imbalance and/or vertigo
    • headaches
  • new-found sensitivity to…
    • motion…even something simple like the tapping of a pencil
    • possibly the changing of channels on the T.V.
    • possibly a simple task like reaching down and up as you unload a grocery cart or a dishwasher
    • smells, sounds and light
  • overwhelmed in situations that never used to bother you:
    • making you dizzy,
    • confused,
    • very tired, or
    • uncommonly or intermittently depressed

Here are some keys to coping with and conquering this injury

  • The GREAT News…YOU CAN HEAL FROM THIS!!  The sooner you take action …the more you will heal!
  • Don’t waste your brain ENERGY on lights!
    • the more light = more work your brain does (80% of your brain’s intake comes through your vision…your brain is working hard even if you are just sitting there)
    • wear a HAT…so that the extra rays (or florescent lights) don’t creep into your eyes
      • big brim for high rays in the summer
      • shorter, surrounding brim for lower, winter rays
    • sunglasses for outdoor lighting
      • darkest tint possible
    • sunglasses for indoor lighting
      • lighter tint
    •  change to softer lighting at your work space:
      • shut-off ceiling lights & have a low-watt lamp instead
      • adjust the brightness on your computer screen
  •  Don’t waste your brain ENERGY on sounds!
    • start noticing situations where you pay more attention to the sounds around you than the conversation in front of you…at this juncture, wear ear plugs or leave!
      • with ear plugs, you will be able to hear the person in front of you
      • ear plugs will soften or deaden unnecessary sound that is exhausting you
      • in a particularly noisy setting that I cannot avoid, I add noise resistant headphones on top of the ear plugs
      • avoid echoing places & settings of multiple conversations
  •  Take a “Brain-BREAK” x 2 each day…even if you don’t think you need it!
    • this IS NoT a lunch break!!
    • this break is a ‘break-away’ from the most stimuli possible…preferably:
      • all lights off  (mask or a dark room)
      • all sound off (ear plugs)
      • 20-30 minutes 2/day
      • this WILL be key to regaining your momentum for the next portion of your day
      • take additional breaks immediately when symptoms begin…this should stop the symptoms and/or make them not as severe
  • PACE everything more evenly…
    • try not to over plan
    • try not to rush anywhere
    • one day of activity = 2-3 days of bed rest
  •  SLEEP with a mask:
    • your eyelids have the thinnest skin on your body…therefore closing them does NOT mean that the lights are blocked from your brain taking in continuous stimuli.
      • you will gain more restorative ground if the mask blocks any light from taxing your eyes (even the green charging light from your electronics by your bed can affect you).
      • use a mask during your brain-break too!
  •  SLEEP more
    • this is the only way to give the brain maximum rest = maximum healing!
  •  EMOTiONS
    • any emotion beyond even keel…  happy, sad, mad, or excited …can set-off symptoms
    • take a Brain-Break after an emotionally high or low situation
  •  AMINO ACiDS
  •  Quiet time and PRAYER are essential nutrients to your healing!
    • Psalm 46:10  “Be still and know that I am God.”
      • start  each morning with quiet time with God… to get your ‘head right’ for the day
      • use those brain-breaks for prayer… maybe God wants you quiet so you can hear Him? 🙂

GET good GUIDANCE ASAP!  

As icky as it is to admit…you DO have a brain injury.  Another name for a concussion is a traumatic brain injury (TBI).   Many go unnoticed by doctors because there isn’t usually any swelling on the outside… and a lot of what is going on the inside will not show up on a CT scan, an MRI, or other current exams (some TBIs are only detectable post-mortem).  The danger is… if you are having symptoms following any sort of hit to the brain… your swelling and ‘bruise’ is on the inside and it needs immediate help to heal properly.

*Even though you or others cannot ‘see’ your big owie… and it feels like it is ‘all in your head’… you need to take this seriously… so does your doctor.*

I was laughed at by 4 M.D.s and 2 psychologists…your brain is your link to everything you do… forever… pushing through this injury will NOT make you stronger…  it will only set your healing back… start working with a doctor who will do more than tell you:   “go home and rest.”

“Trust In the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.”     Proverbs 3:5

*This document is the sole property of L. Marie Drake © 2017.  Permission granted for printing copies of this page on the basis they are not used for personal profit or any financial gain. Thank you.*