Navigating Concussion Recovery
29F, no medications taken. I took a fall, hitting my head first, which resulted in cuts on my forehead and nose, with the nose injury being more severe. At that moment, I didn’t experience any blackouts or additional symptoms, and while my nose did not appear clearly misaligned, it was concerning. By the following morning, there were no signs of bruising or any noticeable issues. On Days 4 and 5, I woke up to find faint yellow bruising on either side of my nose, coupled with a headache. This prompted a visit to my general practitioner who subsequently referred me to the Accident & Emergency department, where I received a diagnosis of concussion. They did not perform any scans; instead, they examined my eyes and ears and advised complete rest for two weeks to allow my brain to recover. On Day 5, I found myself needing a lot of sleep due to fatigue, and even minimal activities seemed to trigger headaches. I could only listen to a Harry Potter audiobook, as I was familiar with the content. Day 6 bore similarities, though I made an effort to include short strolls in my routine. I quickly discovered that walking briskly or for extended periods would lead to headaches and sensations of dizziness or motion sickness. Days 7 and 8 were more or less the same; I attempted to engage in various activities, yet made little progress as they continued to induce dizziness and headaches. By Day 9, I realized that although I could breathe through both nostrils, I wasn't able to inhale deeply, which caused an unusual surge of anxiety—a feeling I don’t typically experience. As I gently probed around my nose, specifically around the area where the nose meets the upper lip, I noticed that when I pressed upwards, I felt a click that dramatically improved my breathing and alleviated nearly all of my symptoms. This was truly a relief, reducing my symptoms to about 25% of what they had been, allowing me to function much better. On Day 10, I met with a physiotherapist who evaluated my vestibular function, noting it was not operating properly and providing me with specific exercises to undertake. By Day 11, I discovered that when I pressed my nose upwards, all my discomfort vanished. Today, on Day 12, I went back to A&E for a CT scan. The doctor reported there were no fractures. I explained my experience with the symptoms disappearing upon adjusting my nose, but he stated there was no medical explanation for this. He seemed rushed, not allowing me any time to elaborate, and advised me to take paracetamol before sending me on my way. Leaving the clinic, I acquired nasal dilators typically used to aid with snoring. Right away, my dizziness and headaches disappeared. Could I have potentially corrected a misalignment in my nose with the click, which might explain why the CT did not reveal any issues now? Is there a possibility that using the nasal dilator aids in healing by supporting the nasal structure? This could explain why pressing upwards provided relief. I attempted to discuss this further with the A&E physician, but it was unsuccessful. I would greatly appreciate any insights or validation on this matter, as well as any guidance. Thank you for taking the time to read my account!
Answers (1)
3/21/2025, 3:40:50 PM
OpenHealth AI
Thank you for sharing your detailed experience with your concussion recovery and nasal concerns. It’s great that you are actively seeking to understand and manage your symptoms better. Here’s what I can provide to help clarify your situation and offer guidance.
Key Points
- Concussion Recovery: It's normal to experience fatigue, headaches, and dizziness after a concussion. Your body needs time to heal.
- Nasal Symptoms: The sensation of relief when adjusting your nose could be related to nasal passage difficulties.
- Using Nasal Dilators: These devices can aid in breathing by keeping nasal passages open, potentially improving airflow and comfort.
Explanation
Concussion symptoms can vary widely and may persist for some time. It's reassuring that your CT scan showed no fractures, which helps rule out serious structural injuries to your skull or facial bones. The clicking sensation you described when pressing on your nose might indicate that there is some minor functional issue, possibly involving the nasal structure or surrounding tissue, affecting your ability to breathe deeply. Improvement in symptoms after adjusting your nose or using nasal dilators aligns with this, suggesting that improving airflow could alleviate some headache and dizziness symptoms.
Actionable Guidance
- Continue Rest and Recovery: Follow the rest recommendations from your healthcare provider. Limit screen time and engage in gentle activities as tolerated.
- Nasal Dilators: Use the nasal dilators as needed to aid in breathing, especially if you find that they significantly improve your symptoms.
- Monitor Symptoms: Keep a journal of your symptoms, activities that trigger them, and how they respond to both rest and the use of the nasal dilators. This information can be helpful for future consultations.
- Vestibular Exercises: Follow the exercises given by your physiotherapist, as they are designed to help your vestibular system adjust and cope with the symptoms.
- Routine Follow-up: Schedule another visit with your general practitioner or a specialist, if needed, to discuss your ongoing symptoms, the effect of the nasal dilators, and any concerns about your recovery process.
Take care of yourself during this period, and don't hesitate to reach out for further guidance if your symptoms change or you have new concerns. Your proactive approach is commendable, and understanding your body’s signals is an important part of recovery.
Related Questions
Persistent Pain in Right Shoulder and Arm After Lifting
Hello, everyone! I’m a 23-year-old male and have been engaged in weightlifting for several years now. Recently, I’ve been struggling with ongoing discomfort in my right shoulder and arm, which I haven’t been able to accurately identify. The pain manifests during particular movements, especially with lateral raises or when my arm is raised to shoulder level while rotating my wrist. Certain pressing and pulling activities can also provoke this discomfort. Rather than feeling sharp, it’s a deep, nagging sensation that sometimes seems localized in the front area of the shoulder or at the biceps tendon, and at other times it feels more like it’s situated between the shoulder and upper arm. Fortunately, there’s no numbness or tingling involved. This issue began while I was working out. I decided to take a break for around two months, but when I returned, the pain persisted. After consulting a physician, I was diagnosed with bicipital tendinitis. Since then, I’ve reduced my upper-body workouts, completely steering clear of shoulder exercises and heavy lifting, and have begun a gentle rehabilitation regimen focusing on external rotations, pendulum movements, and scapular exercises. Despite adhering to this routine for about a week, I haven’t experienced any noticeable improvement. Is it typical for this type of tendon injury to require an extended period for recovery? At what point should I consider diagnostic imaging, such as an ultrasound or MRI? Additionally, are there frequent rehabilitation errors that might impede the healing process? I appreciate your insights in advance!
Understanding EEG Results for My 22-Month-Old Son: Insights Needed
Could someone help clarify this for me? My son, who is just 22 months old, hasn’t started walking yet, becomes tired easily, and has been experiencing behavioral outbursts. He had a febrile seizure in February 2025, followed by another unexplained seizure in April 2025, which led us to consult a neurologist. Since he was 3 months old, he has been receiving therapy from a physical therapist for torticollis. At birth, he spent five days in the NICU due to issues with meconium aspiration. A recent MRI showed normal results, and he also had a follow-up EEG after one conducted in July 2025. The results from this recent EEG were abnormal for a pediatric patient in awake, drowsy, and sleeping states. Notably, there were brief episodes of left frontotemporal delta slowing, which occurred mainly when he was awake and drowsy. There were no signs of epileptiform activity detected. In contrast, the EEG performed back on July 3, 2025, was deemed normal for both awake and drowsy states, again with no evidence of epileptiform irregularities, although it did not capture any sleep data. This examination was prompted by the child's existing history of febrile seizures. Importantly, he is not currently on any anti-seizure medications. The EEG procedure used standard electrode placements per the 10-20 system, conducted a single-lead EKG, and included continuous video monitoring. During the analysis, the background activity was symmetric, indicating some anterior-posterior (AP) organization, with a dominant rhythm of 50-80 microvolts at 7 Hz. His drowsy state was marked by a reduced amount of eye blink activity, less breathing motion interference, and a generalized slowing in theta/delta frequencies. Stage II sleep exhibited spindles and vertex waves patterns. Additionally, there were intermittent bursts of 250-300 microvolts in the left frontotemporal region with semi-rhythmic activity of 2-4 Hz, mostly observed during wakefulness and drowsiness. No definitive epileptiform discharge was noted. Photic stimulation during the test did not elicit a strong response, and hyperventilation was not conducted during this session.
INTENSE Spine Discomfort, Breathing Difficulties, Muscle Twitches, and Sweating
To elaborate on the situation mentioned in the title, I’ve been experiencing unusual muscle twitches and spasms for the past few days, along with some discomfort in my back. However, today, I felt an unexpected sharp pain shoot through my spine, which has left my legs feeling numb and made it impossible for me to sit up straight. Additionally, I’ve been dealing with cold sweats for the last hour and struggling to breathe properly. Perhaps I’m just overanalyzing things and it’s a common occurrence, but the intensity of the pain is overwhelming—it's truly unbearable. I’m shaking quite a bit, and unfortunately, my parents aren’t responding to my attempts to reach them for help. I have a history of a chronic heart condition and arthritis, yet I’ve never experienced pain this severe, especially in my spine. For context, I am nearly 15 years old and female. My current medications include pain relievers, anxiety medication, beta blockers, and some vitamins, though those specifics may not be particularly relevant. I don’t smoke; however, I have tried vaping a few times, which might not matter much, but I thought it was worth mentioning as it was requested.
Understanding Atrial Fibrillation and Thyroid Issues: Variability in Cardioversion Decisions
Hello everyone, I’m reaching out for guidance regarding my mother’s current health situation, and I’d greatly appreciate any shared experiences or thoughts. **My mother's background:** - **Age**: 55 years - **Weight**: Recently dropped to 116 kg from 118 kg in just two days, likely due to diuretics. - **Health history**: Previously an underactive thyroid, undiagnosed and untreated, now presenting as overactive. - **Medications**: Currently taking thyroid medication and a beta-blocker (Rapiblock). **Current health status:** My mother has been hospitalized since Tuesday, experiencing **atrial fibrillation with heart rates exceeding 200** beats per minute due to her thyroid's hyperactivity. - The plan for cardioversion was initially settled on Tuesday. However, the following day, the medical team advised postponing it until her thyroid levels could be stabilized, believing that her heart rate would return to normal once her thyroid condition was managed. - Her **obesity** precludes her from undergoing a transthoracic echocardiogram, and due to her thyroid concerns, she cannot handle contrast dye (this has been a consistent issue for over four years). Therefore, the only feasible option was a **transesophageal echocardiogram (TEE)**, which has yet to be performed. - She has been prescribed various medications including beta-blockers and thyroid treatments in the past. - On Friday, a doctor proposed proceeding with cardioversion; however, the attending senior physician objected. - Today (Saturday), another clinician has expressed a desire to move forward with cardioversion, having initiated a new medication, as the senior physician is unavailable. - **Communication has been unclear**, as we were notified of developments by a nurse rather than the physician in charge, causing confusion and anxiety. - Currently, only a **chest X-ray** is scheduled, and the TEE remains unaddressed. **My inquiries are as follows:** 1. Is it common for medical professionals to have varying opinions and frequently revise medication or treatment plans like cardioversion? 2. Is it safe to conduct cardioversion in the absence of a TEE? I presumed that this was a standard procedure to exclude the presence of blood clots. 3. Is it usual practice to have only a chest X-ray prior to moving ahead with cardioversion? 4. How typical is it for patients or their families to not be directly informed about treatment changes and learn about them through nursing staff instead? I recognize that this cannot substitute for professional medical advice. I’m simply trying to discern whether these circumstances are typical or if we should express our concerns more assertively with the healthcare facility. Thank you for your insights!
28-Year-Old Male Experiencing Scalp Sensations Post-Amitriptyline Treatment
I am a 28-year-old man in generally good health, without any cardiac concerns. Approximately a month ago, I encountered intense pain localized to one side of my head, which was unresponsive to paracetamol. However, a single dose of a migraine treatment provided substantial relief. Following that, I began a regimen of amitriptyline, starting at a nightly dose of 10 to 25 mg. While my head pain has diminished significantly—by about 90 to 95%—I now experience occasional uncomfortable sensations on my scalp. These feelings include pins and needles, a cooling sensation, and some crawling feelings near my hairline and ears. There are fleeting moments where I feel brief throbs lasting a second, but I do not have any persistent headaches. To clarify, I do not experience any of the following: - Nausea - Weakness in my limbs - Numbness - Changes in my vision - Coordination difficulties - Seizures The symptoms I have are transient, shifting around and often intensifying when I become conscious of them or as the day progresses. I would like to know: Is it common to experience these sensations during the recovery stage following episodes of neuralgia or migraine-like discomfort? Additionally, could the amitriptyline potentially be causing these temporary paresthetic sensations? I am seeking some reassurance or advice on what is typically observed during this healing process. Thank you.