Hi everyone,

I'm glad I found this site.

I've had PCS for about 5 months now. I had a severe headache, nausea, and sensitivity to lights after a day of seemingly harmless tobogganing. Symptoms subsided over the first few weeks before flaring up again after ignoring them. About 45 days ago I got elbowed hard in the face as well. Persisting symptoms have been difficulty concentrating, head pain, sensitivity to light and noise, fatigue, losing my train of thought, getting easily stressed by interpersonal discord, and sensitivity to bumps. I've been taking it easy and appreciating a simpler life but I do get despairing and frustrated at times. I am lucky to have a good support system and flexible work.

These days, I need to rest every half hour when working, reading, or looking at screens. My productivity is down about 50% less as I am slower. I also socialize much less as my increased sensitivity to people tires me. And I no longer ride in cars.

It's this last sensitivity that I'm concerned about as I had planned to fly to Japan in less than a month for an academic conference, and then travel to China and Malaysia for fun. I don't need to take this trip and wonder if it would not be wiser to simply stay in my first-world city with all its healing amenities. While I do want to go to these places, my health is more important. Since I cannot even take short car rides without the bumps feeling like I'm being punched and my head hurting, I'm concerned for the long-term effects of flying trans-pacific.

People on the forum seem to have varying responses from flying, from no problem at all to it significantly worsening their symptoms, even engendering new ones. I do not want to be one of the latter.

So my question is, would a potentially bumpy and highly stimulating trip jeopardize my healing in any kind of long-term way, or at most it would just prolong my recovery slightly?

Thanks so much,
Henry

Henry,

Welcome to NeuroTalk.

With the symptoms you mention, it does not sound like your trip would be such a good idea. A foreign country is a bad place to have an increase of symptoms. I don't think the trip would cause damage but could greatly extend your recovery time. I wonder how you could enjoy the trip with your symptoms.

I am confused, other than your cluster of symptoms that can be related to a concussion, why do think they are ? You say you did not suffer any trauma. Have you had a concussion previously ? Have you been in a whiplash accident ?
Have you been ill ?

As someone who has suffered from PCS almost 4 years, I have found that traveling always sets me back with my progress and do not recommend the overseas trip that you have in mind.

I am sound sensitive and my headaches, nausea & dizziness come from increased 'noise' and movements to my head/neck. I have made tremendous improvement recently using rhythmic drumming patterns customized for me by Strong Institute in Santa Fe. You can look up their website & speak with Jeff Strong who has been doing research over 30 years. He has a lengthy questionnaire you must answer. Jeff has been modifying the tracks I listen to from my feedback since March. As an OT and someone with PCS, I highly recommend using Jeff's custom program. Most doctors are clueless as to how to help sound sensitivity & this is the only thing that has helped me. Had to open my own tool box to realize I needed every strategy that I taught others as a therapist to help myself!

Good luck and please tell Jeff that Sharon told you about his program. I am spreading the word about his program at every concussion conference I attend in the NY area.


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Thanks Mark.

Not going does sound like the better idea for now. I understand your confusion regarding my diagnosis, which was by a couple of MDs and the athletic therapist/osteopaths at the concussion clinic that I visit. They said that intense bumps or jolts that one can receive when tobogganing can cause a concussion. I did not have such symptoms (except fatigue) before and do not have any diagnosed illnesses from general checkups. It's a mystery but considering my head sensitivity (to sneezing or stumbling for example), it reckon it's something in my brain. I had normal CT and MRI scans.

Best wishes,
Henry

Tobogganing /sledding could be rough enough to misalign your c1,c2 (atlas /axis @ top of Cervical spine) for sure and that can cause some issues....
You may notice shoulders, hips, knees not level if c1 c2 is misaligned for awhile.
If you look into upper cervical chiropractic care, your symptoms may fade away..
We have info in the sticky threads at top of main PCS page.

Did you hit or collide into anything overly hard with shoulders, head while tobogganing or anytime in your life??

As Jo*Mar said, I would suspect you have an upper neck injury of the whiplash type. They can cause many symptoms that mirror concussion symptoms without the 'seeing stars' symptom from a head impact. They can also take longer to recover from because people rarely consider the upper neck and go on living as if their neck is fine. I call them subtle neck injuries because they exhibit no symptoms that are specific to the neck.

A gentle chiro like an upper cervical chiro or a PT who can do gentle traction and mobilization and following up with disciplined head and neck posture for a month or two can help. The chiro or PT alone will not help if you do not add the posture disciplines.

Thanks Jo and Mark for your replies.

Indeed, I saw a chiro for several sessions before I first went to my family doctor, when my cognitive symptoms were getting worse. I've been regularly seeing an osteopath. Though perhaps it would be wise to see an upper spine and neck specialist as you suggest.

I decided not to go to Asia. It was a difficult decision as going was congruent with my previous values. But now health is taking on much more importance. As I read this forum and the Brainlash book, I get the sense that wisdom lies in taking very good care of oneself, even when symptoms abate (and they are, slowly), and that this will pay dividends later on.

Best wishes,
Henry

What did the chiro do during each visit ?

What does the osteopath do for you ?

Is the osteopath your family doctor or chosen for other reasons ?

After the initial assessment, the chiro would manipulate my neck and spine. He would ask me to come every few days to adjust again. The pops would feel good.

The osteopath is also an athletic therapist and she directs the concussion clinic to which my family doctor referred me. She interviews me, works on my back while I am lying on my back by pressing and pulling, and supervises another athletic therapist who teaches me visual exercises. Together, the two give me eye exercises and core exercises (to reduce bobble head) which I practice at home.