[fyrffytr1]

Two months ago, while working on a boat trailer, I leaned over to spray a low spot and hit my head on one of the metal brackets. I hit hard enough that I went to my knees. The next morning I woke up with a headache and have had one since then.
I thought I might have suffered a mild concussion so I researched treatment online. Everything I read said rest and analgesics for the pain and two weeks should make me better.
Well, two weeks later I was still having the headaches and my blood pressure was up to an average of 150/85. So I went to wee my doctor. He ordered a CT scan which came back negative for a brain bleed but he put me on a second blood pressure med called Metoprolol 50mg. He also referred me to a Neurologist but my appointment is not until Aug 30 at 2pm. I was already taking a 25mg Losartan because my BP was around 130/70. Well, I monitored my blood pressure at home and it stayed around the 140/80 range even taking both of those meds. Yesterday, I went back by the Drs. office for them to compare my BP monitor to their machine. Mine showed !48/88 and theirs showed 157/80.
Tylenol gives me about an hours relief. For the most part my headaches are dull and either behind my eyes or in the top part of my head. But, frequently I have a sharp pain run up from my neck across the left side of my head. It goes away as soon as it hits.
One other thing I noticed is my vision has gotten a little more blurry. Before,I could read the program menu on my 60" TV from about 15 ft. Now, with glasses it is still hard to read especially if the background color is anything other than white.
I did get the trailer finished, but I spend most of my time sitting in my shop thinking about what I need to do.
I haven't told anyone about this so Y'all are the first to know. If I stop posting here you'll know there will be a 67 GTO convertible, 1950 Pontiac Streamliner and a 1939 Pontiac Series 28 up for sale along with some good shop equipment.
Greg Reid and one or two more of you here know me and will be able to get in touch.
That's all I have for now. I will report back once I see the Neurologist.

[nas t eh]

Sorry to hear this, Best wishes on an accurate diagnosis and then a speedy recovery. Or that you start improving during the wait to see the specialist.

[stellar]

You may have some vertabrae damage in the neck area. Pinched nerve. I expect the 8/30 appointment will schedule you for tests in that area. Good luck and lets hope a little more time will help with the healing.

[sdbob]

I've hit my head also at times. You will be in my thoughts and prayers.

[400 4spd.]

Phil, I’m wishing you a safe and speedy recovery from your injury.

[Baron Von Zeppelin]

Hope the Dr can get you back on the track .
Best wishes and have a great Wednesday

[poncho-mike]

A few months back, I was standing at the end of a workbench and leaned over to grab something, bumping my head just over over my left eye. Later that day, I had a black cloud form in my right eye. I was concerned it might be a detached retina, but doctors said the retina looked good, most likely a blood vessel ruptured. It has slowly gone away. Doctors didn't specifically state whether it was due to the head bump, probably were more worried about me suing my employer.

I have neck pain caused by calcification of the ligaments attached to my spine. The calcification builds up and puts pressure on the nerves, causing muscle spasms and head aches. These headaches are start at the rear of my neck, behind my ears. They can be accompanied by shooting pains in the neck and arms, much like you described in your original post. If I don't get it under control with Tylenol after my neck begins hurting, the headache will spread to my entire head. When the calcification starts building up, I will hear popping and cracking in my neck when I move my head. I can go for several months with no issue, then suddenly I will start to feel muscle spasms and hear the popping in the neck. The calcification builds up and begins pressing on the nerves, causing the spasms. The doctors said I had DISH, which is the acronym for a long medical term.

Good luck. If the neck pain sounds similar to what you're having, go to a specialist that covers the neck and spine.

[DaleO]

Please also see your eye doctor. I recently had a concussion and at my next eye check up my doctor asked me if I had had a hit to my head or a concussion. She knew because all of a sudden I had a cataract in my left eye and a start of one in my right. It sounds like cataracts are inevitable as we age but mine have been kick-started. My retinas are ok too. I'm preparing for surgery. My skull still hurts where I landed on it and expect it to always.

Take care and all the best.

[carcrazy]

Hope you heal up quickly.

[DaleO]

And your Pontiacs aren't going anywhere

[vertigto]

Had similar symptoms with a corneal tear, so have your eyes checked. Also have neck/spinal calcification, so another point to investigate.

[Dave R]

It’s good that the CAT scan didn’t show anything. They should do a head neck MRI as a follow up. There isn’t much a neurologist can do for concussions though new treatments have become available at private clinics. I have permanent post concussion syndrome from 31 concussions. And understand the sitting in the shop thinking about your projects. It’s your brain’s way of protecting you from overdoing it. Take it easy and everything should start to heal in a bit unless you’ve had multiple concussions which can complicate things. It’s frustrating to say the least.

A good guide is to stay out of bright light, avoid noise like the radio or TV in the background, avoid traffic, socializing with a large group as all these things will spike your headaches as your brain tries to deal with it. Think of it like this - if you had a broken arm, you wouldn’t try lifting weights with it so don’t ask your brain to do anything extra while it heals.

Finally, drink lots of water, eat healthy and try gentle neck massage/stretching as there is always some degree of neck injury to go along with a head bump.
Best of luck and pm me if you need any help during recovery.

[fyrffytr1]

Originally Posted by stellar

You may have some vertabrae damage in the neck area. Pinched nerve. I expect the 8/30 appointment will schedule you for tests in that area. Good luck and lets hope a little more time will help with the healing.

I feel like I may have damaged or redamaged my neck. I had two vertebrae in my neck fused about 2018 after an on the job car accident. I hope something can be done.

[stellar]

Prayers for you buddy. I don't expect much confirmation of the problem on the 30th, just more tests to help determine the cause. Probably a suspect cause and tests directed towards that. Keep us informed after the visit and again after the test results. Good luck. You might want to try a neck brace, especially when you sleep.

[poncho-mike]

How did you manage to get 31 concussions? Job-related?

Originally Posted by Dave R

It’s good that the CAT scan didn’t show anything. They should do a head neck MRI as a follow up. There isn’t much a neurologist can do for concussions though new treatments have become available at private clinics. I have permanent post concussion syndrome from 31 concussions. And understand the sitting in the shop thinking about your projects. It’s your brain’s way of protecting you from overdoing it. Take it easy and everything should start to heal in a bit unless you’ve had multiple concussions which can complicate things. It’s frustrating to say the least.

A good guide is to stay out of bright light, avoid noise like the radio or TV in the background, avoid traffic, socializing with a large group as all these things will spike your headaches as your brain tries to deal with it. Think of it like this - if you had a broken arm, you wouldn’t try lifting weights with it so don’t ask your brain to do anything extra while it heals.

Finally, drink lots of water, eat healthy and try gentle neck massage/stretching as there is always some degree of neck injury to go along with a head bump.
Best of luck and pm me if you need any help during recovery.

[MIAGIMAN]

Sometimes one has to look in a different direction, I had headaches and backaches for quite a while, and I always bump my head working on stuff. Weeks later I went to the ER, had brain scan and the diagnosis was a headache. Gave me some pills that worked much better than Tylenol. Thought it was done and the head ache/back pain would come and go. Ended up with a heart attack, no circulation to my head, got the old heart repaired and no headaches or back pain, my point is you just don't limit your search. Best Wishes with a healthy return.

[Dave R]

Originally Posted by poncho-mike

How did you manage to get 31 concussions? Job-related?

My first one was from skiing head first into a tree when I was 16 followed by some really nasty ones in my early 20’s during summer jobs while going to University. Then my 30’s were a cluster of accidents at work so I stayed home and raised the kids until I felt better but a nasty accident in my 40’s left me unable to work. Lately I’ve had a few falls due to ankle failures from injuries sustained in previous accidents. It’s ridiculous really because a lot of the accidents were mechanical failure and bad luck. The upside is that it’s left me with a lot of tools to deal with injury, concussions and recovery. I was in a study sponsored by the US Army to help find ways to recover from concussions. And my own research is ongoing.

[fyrffytr1]

I saw the neurologist today. She ordered an MRI, but it will be the first week of October unless someone cancels and I can get in earlier. She also referred me to an Ophthalmologist and they will call with an appointment date. Lastly, she told me to quit taking Tylenol as often as I have been which was once or twice a day and sent in prescriptions for Topirimate 25mg and magnesium oxide 400 mg.
I was 65 before I started taking any prescription medicine and now I am up to 7 a day. Getting old isn't for sissies or poor people!

[fyrffytr1]

Originally Posted by stellar

Prayers for you buddy. I don't expect much confirmation of the problem on the 30th, just more tests to help determine the cause. Probably a suspect cause and tests directed towards that. Keep us informed after the visit and again after the test results. Good luck. You might want to try a neck brace, especially when you sleep.

Thanks for the well wishes and advice. I have found that when I lay down at night the pain subsides. Dr. ordered an MRI. Hopefully it will show something that can be fixed.

[blue67gtoragtop]

Praying for comfort and a complete recovery