
Lisa asks…
Is it normal for concussion symptoms reappearing one month later?
I was in a VERY minor motorcycle skid (passenger) about 6 weeks ago. I landed on my right side, taking most of the impact on my right elbow, followed by the right side of my head lightly touching the ground.
I was wearing a full helmet, and it hadn't been through any previous impacts. Immediately following, I was alright. I felt faint, but attributed that to shock, so sat down for 15 minutes or so, and then felt well enough to ride home (the accident was minor enough that the bike was still in good condition).
When we arrived home I began experiencing a sequence of symptoms in this order, each lasting 15-25 minutes:
(1) Difficult to explain, but something with my right-side peripheral vision. When I moved my right hand, there was a sense of disconnect – I would turn looking to see who was gesturing beside me. This did not happen on the left side.
(2) My right periphery vision (about 1/3 of my right eye's sight) became obscured by a geometric sort of pattern, like looking through a triangular koleidoscope. I could not see anything through it (although I could still see through my left eye, and the left portion of my right eye)
(3) My right hand, arm, the right side of my lips, and my entire nose went completely numb. It started in my extremities and traveled up.
(4) My speech became impaired. I would know what I wanted to say clearly in my head, but when I would attempt to speak I would use completely incorrect words ("nosie" instead of "nose", "battery" instead of "hospital", etc.), and for some words simply couldn't pronounce them, even with someone sounding them out to me.
(5) Minor headache approximately on the left side of my forehead I went to emerg, spent 7 hours there, then had a cat scan which came back completely clear.
I was diagnosed with a mild concussion, stayed with family overnight and the next day before going home and have been mostly fine since. Then, approximately 5 weeks after the accident, I was on the computer and began experiencing symptom #1, and then the entire sequence again.
Occasionally I feel like I forget or mix up a word at random that I wouldn't normally have. I am a scattered-brained person, but it just feels different some how. Hard to explain. I'm having trouble keeping track of time. I've also been very lethargic, unable to keep up on work which normally isn't a problem.
I went to a walk-in clinic, where they suggested it was probably a migraine, and that it was coincidence I'd experienced it after the concussion.
Are these typical concussion symptoms (particularly with it all being on the same side as impact)? Is it normal to be re-experiencing them one month later?
Are there any potential long-term effects from a mild concussion? Or is it likely to really just be coincidental migraine symptoms?
Thanks
Pat answers:
Just wanted to reaffirm what Richard said. He did a good job explaining this. Since I deal with symptoms 5 years after my mild concussion including frequent headaches and migraines I can say that those symptoms don't sound like migraines. The neurologist is the best Dr. for brain injuries as well as headaches/migraines. I would add that you should find one that specializes in brain injury – otherwise you are wasting your time. With an expert in brain injury it is like a breath of fresh air – you have hope again.
Best wishes for a full recovery.
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