Help concussion ruining my mental health

[ferret-in-a-sock]

I got a concussion a week ago and have lately feeling suicidal since--Didnt ruin my life or anything, I've had 2 before and work a dead end job--aint much to change.

Thought about asking my doc about it, because half of it is because of the pain and the other half is the irritation and I'm half hoping he'd be sympathetic and not hit me with the "passive suicidal ideation is expected, try mindfulness."

Like fine, I'll draft out a plan then. Geez. Kidding, maybe. I'm irritable and feeling out of character. I swear those concussion guides say suicidal feelings start weeks after. Mine started day 2.

Think it might be because whenever I'm irritated which concussions are known for causing, I have a sudden hankering to take a long walk off a short pier.

Anyone else relate or have solid advice? I've been doing okay before this. Not perfect, but pretty mid. I just become a whole nother person who is aggressive and suicidal the moment the pain passes like an 8--downing Advil and Tylenol has not helped.

 

[Life_and_Death]

ive had.....a few concussions (lost count after like 10). im actually waiting for a call from a specialist because of the pain just to make sure its not too bad

the best advice for a concussion is rest. let your body rest but dont sleep at first, and after that just rest (sleep can be included). avoid doing basically anything. if you break your arm it has to go in a cast and rest to heal, this isnt much different

 

[ferret-in-a-sock]

ive had.....a few concussions (lost count after like 10). im actually waiting for a call from a specialist because of the pain just to make sure its not too bad

the best advice for a concussion is rest. let your body rest but dont sleep at first, and after that just rest (sleep can be included). avoid doing basically anything. if you break your arm it has to go in a cast and rest to heal, this isnt much different

I get that, I'm a week out. I sleep/rest, but I just feel constant irritation and aggression. I'm constantly upset.

 

[Life_and_Death]

I get that, I'm a week out. I sleep/rest, but I just feel constant irritation and aggression. I'm constantly upset.

Personality Changes After a Brain Injury or Concussion | Cognitive FX

Personality changes after an injury include anxiety, irritability/anger, depression, feeling overwhelmed, and more. But these changes are treatable.

www.cognitivefxusa.com

i gave this a quick read, it may be helpful. it seems like the advice given (quick read on another site as well) suggests general MH things that you would use in a "normal" situation (dealing with it without a physical cause).
just try to be patient with yourself

 

[Unicr0n]

Anyone else relate or have solid advice? I've been doing okay before this. Not perfect, but pretty mid. I just become a whole nother person who is aggressive and suicidal the moment the pain passes like an 8--downing Advil and Tylenol has not helped.

If you're experiencing head pain after seven days post concussion, you need to see a doctor who specializes in concussions and TBIs. Increased suicidal thoughts post concussion is a side effect and needs addressing, because it's not your situation that has changed, it's the physical structure of your brain. The more concussions you have, the greater the chance that it's a TBI. The more concussions/TBI you have the greater the suicideal ideation (source).

Most importantly, dial everything back, take a break from work or school. A concussion needs rest to heal or you will screw yourself over down the line.
Neurotalk might be a place where you find like-minded people who are struggling post-concussion, too. Example.

 

[CuriosityAndCat]

I got a concussion a week ago and have lately feeling suicidal since--Didnt ruin my life or anything, I've had 2 before and work a dead end job--aint much to change.

Thought about asking my doc about it, because half of it is because of the pain and the other half is the irritation and I'm half hoping he'd be sympathetic and not hit me with the "passive suicidal ideation is expected, try mindfulness."

Like fine, I'll draft out a plan then. Geez. Kidding, maybe. I'm irritable and feeling out of character. I swear those concussion guides say suicidal feelings start weeks after. Mine started day 2.

Think it might be because whenever I'm irritated which concussions are known for causing, I have a sudden hankering to take a long walk off a short pier.

Anyone else relate or have solid advice? I've been doing okay before this. Not perfect, but pretty mid. I just become a whole nother person who is aggressive and suicidal the moment the pain passes like an 8--downing Advil and Tylenol has not helped.

See a doctor about this last week! TBIs have increasingly worse effects after each especially if they occur in time frames relatively close to each other.

Increased irritation/aggression and suicidal thoughts are def from TBI. Akira Toriyama died recently from a hematoma. Go see a doctor. TBIs are the one injury no one should think it's fine.

 

[ferret-in-a-sock]

See a doctor about this last week! TBIs have increasingly worse effects after each especially if they occur in time frames relatively close to each other.

Increased irritation/aggression and suicidal thoughts are def from TBI. Akira Toriyama died recently from a hematoma. Go see a doctor. TBIs are the one injury no one should think it's fine.

Thanks, I did see a doctor, but they didn't think it was that bad/72 hours rest would be enough, then work (American Healthcare at its finest). I practically was a monster at work, either quick to chew people's face off or out of it.

Im not a fan though of my doctor. I mentioned the irritation/suicidal feelings and their immediate answer is crisis/inpatient. No, thanks. Just prescribe me an opioid or tranquilizer so either the pain isn't that bad or I'm more sedated for the time being.

Worse it was a work injury and despite it being on camera, I don't think they're itching to give me work comp at all. I asked. No dice.

 

[CuriosityAndCat]

Thanks, I did see a doctor, but they didn't think it was that bad/72 hours rest would be enough, then work (American Healthcare at its finest). I practically was a monster at work, either quick to chew people's face off or out of it.

Im not a fan though of my doctor. I mentioned the irritation/suicidal feelings and their immediate answer is crisis/inpatient. No, thanks. Just prescribe me an opioid or tranquilizer so either the pain isn't that bad or I'm more sedated for the time being.

Worse it was a work injury and despite it being on camera, I don't think they're itching to give me work comp at all. I asked. No dice.

See the doctor again for followup or a different one. You need to be referred out to a neurologist. That sounds like a bad TBI.

That sounds pretty straight forward work comp. Might want to talk to a work injury lawyer. If you're having trouble at work b/c work injury, best to get this taken care of before you get fired or something happens. Lawyer will prob have doctors they'll send you to.

 

[todienomore]

I think you should research things like pregnenolone and melatonin for tbi, just two off the top of my head. Lots of relevant nuraceuticals, supplements etc

Cerebrolysin/Cortexin more than anything

 

[born_borken]

Yes ! I was about to suggest to have a look on reddit with keywords like "supplements TBI". There are a lot of advice, studies, personal anecdotes there. But even without that your symptoms should improve with time and rest.

 

[CuriosityAndCat]

Yes ! I was about to suggest to have a look on reddit with keywords like "supplements TBI". There are a lot of advice, studies, personal anecdotes there. But even without that your symptoms should improve with time and rest.

Reason why he needs to see a neurologist and lawyer is multiple symptoms a week after. Timeline for supplements passed. There's a chance symptoms won't clear up or will take a long time.

If timeline is months, he's already describing having significant issues at work. There's a good chance they'll let him go.

 

[born_borken]

Reason why he needs to see a neurologist and lawyer is multiple symptoms a week after. Timeline for supplements passed. There's a chance symptoms won't clear up or will take a long time.

If timeline is months, he's already describing having significant issues at work. There's a good chance they'll let him go.

Yes of course, I tried to quote the message before mine but I missed... I didn't meant to "only look for supplements", it was more like an add-on. Sorry

 

[ferret-in-a-sock]

Reason why he needs to see a neurologist and lawyer is multiple symptoms a week after. Timeline for supplements passed. There's a chance symptoms won't clear up or will take a long time.

If timeline is months, he's already describing having significant issues at work. There's a good chance they'll let him go.

Honestly, might be a blessing if they did let me go. Toxic AF workplace. Got work comp started but God Almighty. Timeline is still weeks, started taking fish oil, and will look into the others.

My GM and I had a small argument over work comp. She insists I called her last week and started on the paperwork. I was like "I would have remembered????? my phone records have nothing? Are you crazy?" We normally get along but I still have no idea what tf she was talking about.

This past week, I had a feeling like a stroke at work. The whole works, worst headache, neck pain, smell burnt toast, sweating horrific, nausea, white in the face and was dry heaving, couldn't speak after—I was one word sentences, slurring, stuttering, etc—texted my GM to be like "I need to leave."

"Don't worry, what's-her-name will be there in 3 hours to take over your shift."

....You mean, my replacement will be there at the normal time...when my shift ends????

Feeling passed, but I was an a-hole and was absolutely out of it the entire time. Time would just skip. I'd blink and like 10 minutes would pass. I gave up on half my required tasks and when my replacement got there I bailed and got a check up.

Got a CT scan, but it was entirely normal. Felt like id cried wolf and went home and slept 14 hours. If I didn't have alcohol intolerance, I really would be downing shots. Might still.

 

[Life_and_Death]

melatonin for tbi

melatonin is for sleep, something your brain already produces for that purpose. i take it semi regularly and i cant see how this would help at all (aside from the obvious rest, but you typically dont need something for that)

 

[CuriosityAndCat]

Cr

Honestly, might be a blessing if they did let me go. Toxic AF workplace. Got work comp started but God Almighty. Timeline is still weeks, started taking fish oil, and will look into the others.

My GM and I had a small argument over work comp. She insists I called her last week and started on the paperwork. I was like "I would have remembered????? my phone records have nothing? Are you crazy?" We normally get along but I still have no idea what tf she was talking about.

This past week, I had a feeling like a stroke at work. The whole works, worst headache, neck pain, smell burnt toast, sweating horrific, nausea, white in the face and was dry heaving, couldn't speak after—I was one word sentences, slurring, stuttering, etc—texted my GM to be like "I need to leave."

"Don't worry, what's-her-name will be there in 3 hours to take over your shift."

....You mean, my replacement will be there at the normal time...when my shift ends????

Feeling passed, but I was an a-hole and was absolutely out of it the entire time. Time would just skip. I'd blink and like 10 minutes would pass. I gave up on half my required tasks and when my replacement got there I bailed and got a check up.

Got a CT scan, but it was entirely normal. Felt like id cried wolf and went home and slept 14 hours. If I didn't have alcohol intolerance, I really would be downing shots. Might still.

CT Scan won't show everything. That's the one you'd expect to get day of the injury. You need an MRI. You usually need to get ct scan or X-ray first for insurance.

Yea, those are a lot of go to the ER now symptoms. Go to the hospital. Don't drive anymore. Get an Uber or taxi or a friend to drive. You can blank out and cause an accident.

 

[ferret-in-a-sock]

Cr

CT Scan won't show everything. That's the one you'd expect to get day of the injury. You need an MRI. You usually need to get ct scan or X-ray first for insurance.

Yea, those are a lot of go to the ER now symptoms. Go to the hospital. Don't drive anymore. Get an Uber or taxi or a friend to drive. You can blank out and cause an accident.

That was the ER visit. A single CT scan and a "you're fine, it's just the concussion. It's negative, so probably just post symptoms." Like I said, all the concerning symptoms passed so to the ER I was just whining about a headache.

Don't have the ability or energy to advocate past that. It was very clear from another incident that they will not and do not care.

My regular doctor gave me a call after I told him the symptoms, but after honestly the ER visit made me feel pretty crap, I just brushed him off and said I'd call him back later.

I'm fine enough now--the symptoms aren't returning. Im going to take the route I did last year--homemade blood thinner to relieve pain--alcohol x_X. (I did that after a car accident because only a Mexican restaurant was open, lmfao, and I didn't have any other ideas for pain relief). I never drink, so it works pretty well. Like one shot and I can finally relax. No nausea and headache fades and I can actually breathe.

 

[todienomore]

melatonin is for sleep, something your brain already produces for that purpose. i take it semi regularly and i cant see how this would help at all (aside from the obvious rest, but you typically dont need something for that)

https://www.google.com/search?q=melatonin+tbi

Its the master antioxidant, way more than a sleep hormone

i dont wanna come off as terse but the research on everything is moving very fast its worth digging yourself.