Which post-concussion symptoms do I still have after almost 8 years?

This is a question that I have received multiple times in the last few weeks: What post-concussion symptoms do I still have after all those years? I sustained my concussion in May 2017, which means this is almost eight years ago. So far, I feel like I've recovered by 90%. Of course, this didn’t happen overnight. The first few years were the hardest; I barely improved in my first two years.

Prefer to listen? Then go to Podcast Episode 156: "Which concussion symptoms do I still have after almost 8 years (13 min)"

My Concussion Recovery Timeline

Early Years: The Hardest Struggles

In the first few years after my concussion, I felt like I barely improved. Despite trying many treatments and receiving advice from various doctors, about 80% of those suggestions turned out to be unhelpful. I experienced a range of symptoms, including dizziness, anxiety, and visual disturbances. I also struggled with nausea, sound and light sensitivity, sleep issues, focus difficulties, and memory problems.

Taking a Break: A Trip to Asia

After two years, I took a break from all the treatments and went to Asia for a trip lasting six months. I’ve mentioned this before, but there may be some new listeners here. I lived in the Netherlands, and I went all the way to Asia. I don’t know how I managed the flight, but I felt like I needed an escape. I needed a break from all the treatments, from my social life, and from the people around me.

I just didn’t want to stay in Amsterdam anymore. It was too busy, with too many things going on, and I needed a break from everything and everyone.

I went to Indonesia, and I loved it there. The thing I loved the most was that I could manage my own time. I could rest whenever I wanted and didn’t have to talk all the time. I could just do my own thing, which really helped me.

I took a lot of rest during those six months, but at the same time, I noticed that while the rest was helping me feel more calm, my symptoms were still there. The break was nice and something I needed, but I also felt like I needed more. The break was great, but I realized I couldn’t hide from everyone or from work for the rest of my life. I didn’t want to do that.

Turning Point: Cognitive FX Treatment

Discovering Effective Treatment

So, after six months, I went back and decided to go to Cognitive FX, a concussion clinic in Utah that focuses on interval training and cognitive training. This was a turning point in my recovery, and from there, I started to improve.

If you have any questions about this, let me know, and I can explain everything. However, this blog is not about the treatment there; I created another blog about it:

>> Blog: My experience at Cognitive FX Concussion Center.

In this blog, I just want to talk about the symptoms that I still have after almost eight years. I started to improve, and I felt like I made the most progress from the moment I went to Cognitive FX until a year later because I continued with some exercises.

My symptoms started to improve, and I feel like I’m still improving. The weird thing is that it never stops. I started to improve, and it continued year after year.

Of course, my symptoms began to change as well. I see concussion recovery as a different kind of phase. In some years, I had symptoms like anxiety and panic attacks, but in other years, I didn’t. Some symptoms were replaced by others, while others just resolved, and I never experienced them again.

Current post-concussion Symptoms: What I Still Experience

Overwhelm and Sensitivity

Now, nearly eight years post-concussion, I still deal with a few lingering symptoms. I often feel overwhelmed and occasionally experience nausea when I push myself too hard. I’m grateful that I no longer have headaches or fatigue, but I still experience mild anxiety, especially if I neglect self-care. Additionally, I have some ongoing issues with eye strain, particularly when working on a computer for extended periods.

I went to an optometrist for about a year, which helped, but I still feel like I have issues when I’m working behind my computer. I can’t work for eight hours a day; that’s too much for me. When I read a book, I can read, but after about an hour, I still feel a bit of eye strain. I think these three symptoms are the most significant ones that still persist.

I believe that these symptoms will continue to improve over time, but they are manageable. I can live my life right now; I’m traveling a lot, working, exercising again, and I have a social life. I feel like I can live some kind of normal life now because I know how to manage it. If you are dealing with feeling overwhelmed, there are many things that can help you feel less overwhelmed.

Coping Strategies: Finding Balance

Managing Symptoms not accepting them

There are so many tips and tricks, from taking breaks to wearing earplugs and meditating. I’m also a big fan of treating your symptoms first instead of just coping with them. In my second year, I remember being at a turning point where I had two options: I could choose the treatments in America, or I could go to a rehabilitation center to learn how to live with my symptoms. I strongly felt that I didn’t want to focus on living with my symptoms.

I know this may sound a bit odd, but I thought, “I just can’t live like this. I don’t want to live with it. I need to do something else.” I felt a powerful drive within me, and I knew I needed to take action. It was a big step to go for treatment in America, but I felt like it was my last chance to do something. Learning to live with my symptoms was not an option for me.

Rest and gut feeling

After the treatment, I also focused on rest because I know how much rest can help. You can only heal when you feel rested and when your nervous system is balanced. Both approaches are great tools, and there is no right or wrong way to go about it. I’m also a big fan of listening to your gut feelings. If you feel like you don’t want to focus on new treatments right now and just want to rest, that’s perfectly fine. I did that during my six months in Asia.

Some strategies that help me manage symptoms and feelings include:

• Using Loop Earplugs: These have been instrumental in reducing sensory overload in noisy environments: https://loop-earplugs.sjv.io/da3V3Q.

• Practicing Yoga and Meditation: Incorporating yoga nidra and meditation into my daily routine has significantly helped with anxiety.

• Following the 20-20-20 Rule: This eye strain management technique involves taking breaks every 20 minutes to look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds, which has been beneficial for my visual fatigue. There even is an Eye Care app that can help to implement this rule: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/eye-care-20-20-20/id967901219

• Interval & cognitive training: This is what I learned at Cognitive FX, and I’m now teaching it to others in my Boost program.

The Importance of Listening to Your Body

Finding What Works for You

Throughout my recovery journey, I learned the importance of listening to my body and gut feelings. Whether focusing on symptom acceptance or working actively to reduce them, it's crucial to choose a path that resonates with you.

Conclusion

If you're struggling with concussion symptoms, know that you're not alone. My journey has been challenging, but I've made significant strides in my recovery. If you have questions about my experience or want to discuss your own recovery journey, feel free to reach out to me on Instagram or via email: info@theconcussioncommunity.com .

I'm here to help and support you in any way I can.

Free Masterclass: 2 researched methods to reduce concussion symptoms

In my free masterclass, which I’m hosting regularly, I’ll share the 2 researched methods that helped me the most in my recovery (and now also for thousands of others).

I love hosting this masterclass and engaging with all of you, but it takes a lot of effort to organize. That's why it's only available for a limited time. Make sure to sign up and join before it's too late!

>> Register here