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What Causes Numbness In Limbs Post Concussion Despite Having Having Normal MRI?
Question: Hello sir. I hit my head against a wall 15 months ago. Immediately I felt numbness in my limbs and right side of my face which eventually resolved in 3-4 days. Tinnitus started the next day after my injury which is present till today(improved) and sound intolerance . audiometry test and MRI are negative. One symptom that is bothering me since my injury is brain sensitivity to bumps and jolts. I can't travel in a vehicle because speed bumps and potholes and uneven surfaces makes me feel uncomfortable and send shocks to my head/brain. It feels my brain is shaking inside my skull when the car hits a speed bump or a pothole. The shocks travel through my neck and reach my head and I feel every small bump in my head. I am tired and exhausted of finding answers to this problem and nobody seems to understand what's going on. I can't play high intensity sports or run or jump because jumping and running sends shocks to my brain and I feel foggy afterwards and not able to think clearly for a day or two till it subsides .
What can this symptom suggest sir ? It has improved maybe 60% sice a year but I still can't tolerable very big bumps and shocks. Mild to moderate bumps in car are OK. It is improving very very slowly. Is it some kind of chronic inflammation after the initial injury ? A chiropractor diagnosed upper cervical subluxation and did 12 sessions adjusting my neck. We suspected its a neck problem. But it didn't help much and he suggested I do more 12 sessions but we kept it on hold for a while.
Also I am worried it maybe csf leak or something ? Maybe I don't have enough csf go provide cushioning to my brain ? I am so tired and exhausted of this problem and there are no answers. I had MRI without contrast and CT scan and both were negative . I hope it rules out csf leak or dura tear problem. Someone suggested me to take fishoil and antioxidants because it maybe chronic inflammation in the brain. I had helped somewhat and reduced the problem I think and I continue to take it. Please tell me what you think it could be and the best course of action at this time. It has drastically affected my mobility and physical activity and ruining my life. I have stopped going out because of this problem. Thanks for your time.
What can this symptom suggest sir ? It has improved maybe 60% sice a year but I still can't tolerable very big bumps and shocks. Mild to moderate bumps in car are OK. It is improving very very slowly. Is it some kind of chronic inflammation after the initial injury ? A chiropractor diagnosed upper cervical subluxation and did 12 sessions adjusting my neck. We suspected its a neck problem. But it didn't help much and he suggested I do more 12 sessions but we kept it on hold for a while.
Also I am worried it maybe csf leak or something ? Maybe I don't have enough csf go provide cushioning to my brain ? I am so tired and exhausted of this problem and there are no answers. I had MRI without contrast and CT scan and both were negative . I hope it rules out csf leak or dura tear problem. Someone suggested me to take fishoil and antioxidants because it maybe chronic inflammation in the brain. I had helped somewhat and reduced the problem I think and I continue to take it. Please tell me what you think it could be and the best course of action at this time. It has drastically affected my mobility and physical activity and ruining my life. I have stopped going out because of this problem. Thanks for your time.
Brief Answer:
Do not worry. Do simple neck exercises.
Detailed Answer:
Hi Mr. XXXXXXX
You seem to have post traumatic discomfort in your head probably due to concussion. You wrote that MRI is normal. I presume it to be that of brain. Once all investigations are normal, rest assured that you do not have a significant problem. No it is not a case of chronic inflammation or CSF leakMay be get an MRI of the Cervical spine if not done already. Do not go to a chiropractor. Do simple neck exercises. If not relieved an a week or two, consult your local neurologist. He will prescribe you certain medication that will reduce your symptoms. I cannot prescribe medication without physically examining you.
Thank you.
Do not worry. Do simple neck exercises.
Detailed Answer:
Hi Mr. XXXXXXX
You seem to have post traumatic discomfort in your head probably due to concussion. You wrote that MRI is normal. I presume it to be that of brain. Once all investigations are normal, rest assured that you do not have a significant problem. No it is not a case of chronic inflammation or CSF leakMay be get an MRI of the Cervical spine if not done already. Do not go to a chiropractor. Do simple neck exercises. If not relieved an a week or two, consult your local neurologist. He will prescribe you certain medication that will reduce your symptoms. I cannot prescribe medication without physically examining you.
Thank you.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Prasad
Thank you for replying Sir. I had MRI of my neck which came back negative. And my brain MRI was negative as well. Do you think my neck could be playing a part of extreme sensitivity and discomfort I feel in my head while travelling ? When I jump or run it feels my brain is loose inside my skull and it moved vertically! And my neck not being able to absord the shocks. Leaning forward while travelling in a car helps so that the shocks are directly not transfered to my head. I am thinking to go to a physiotherapist and like you mentioned learn some neck exercises and stretching. Do you think this sensation could be some nerve damage? I had instant numbness like feeling in my limbs and right side of face when I hit my head, though it went away in a week. I have tinnitus and hyperacusis 24/7 non stop since 15 months .
Brief Answer:
Avoid jerky movements of the head and neck.
Detailed Answer:
Your symptoms are due to concussion of brain at the time of trauma. Generally this takes a few weeks to months to settle but sometimes it may be a year or two. Numbness in limbs you experienced could have been due to a stretch on the spinal cord in the neck but because your MRI of the cervical spine being normal, that is less likely. Also you had numbness in the face also which goes more in favour of involvement of the brain than cervical cord (neck). But because neck supports the head, you need to strengthen your neck muscles and avoid sudden jerky movements of the head and neck. All your symptoms can be explained by the concussion.
Avoid jerky movements of the head and neck.
Detailed Answer:
Your symptoms are due to concussion of brain at the time of trauma. Generally this takes a few weeks to months to settle but sometimes it may be a year or two. Numbness in limbs you experienced could have been due to a stretch on the spinal cord in the neck but because your MRI of the cervical spine being normal, that is less likely. Also you had numbness in the face also which goes more in favour of involvement of the brain than cervical cord (neck). But because neck supports the head, you need to strengthen your neck muscles and avoid sudden jerky movements of the head and neck. All your symptoms can be explained by the concussion.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Prasad
Thank you very much. One last thing, do these jolts and jerks cause more damage to the brain in your opinion ? XXXXXXX roads have bad condition so these jerks are inevitable even if I try to take care of it. I always keep a cushioned pillow on the seat and sit on it to minimise the jerks but still I experience these jolts when the car is running at a decent speed. Is it a big deal?
Of course I try to lean forward and take it easy as much as I can and not pay attention to it, but I come across these jerks and bumps often and they are almost impossible to avoid. However I don't notice any symptoms after that and seem mostly OK. Sometimes foggy brain and not able to think clearly and tiredness but that maybe anxiety I guess and it clears up in 2 days. Any thoughts on this?
It's impossible to be trapped in home and not go anywhere as you know. I will start the neck exercises as soon as possible of course. Once again, thank you for reading this and your valuable time. Please share your thoughts on this last query
(In continuation to the above post of mine)
FYI, the sensitivity is decreased and this this symptom is improved a lot in 15 months, maybe 75% better
Of course I try to lean forward and take it easy as much as I can and not pay attention to it, but I come across these jerks and bumps often and they are almost impossible to avoid. However I don't notice any symptoms after that and seem mostly OK. Sometimes foggy brain and not able to think clearly and tiredness but that maybe anxiety I guess and it clears up in 2 days. Any thoughts on this?
It's impossible to be trapped in home and not go anywhere as you know. I will start the neck exercises as soon as possible of course. Once again, thank you for reading this and your valuable time. Please share your thoughts on this last query
(In continuation to the above post of mine)
FYI, the sensitivity is decreased and this this symptom is improved a lot in 15 months, maybe 75% better
Brief Answer:
These jolts are not going to damage your brain.
Detailed Answer:
Not really. Those jolts & jerks are not going to harm your brain. It is good that you are getting accustomed to XXXXXXX roads and trying to minimise the symptoms by adopting your posture. Your symptoms of foggy brain, tiredness and unable to think clearly seem to be related to stress. Be positive and you can lead a normal and active life.
These jolts are not going to damage your brain.
Detailed Answer:
Not really. Those jolts & jerks are not going to harm your brain. It is good that you are getting accustomed to XXXXXXX roads and trying to minimise the symptoms by adopting your posture. Your symptoms of foggy brain, tiredness and unable to think clearly seem to be related to stress. Be positive and you can lead a normal and active life.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj
Thank you very much sir. I appreciate your encouraging and positive reply. Thank you for your time :)
Brief Answer:
thankyou.
Detailed Answer:
Wish you a speedy recovery.
thankyou.
Detailed Answer:
Wish you a speedy recovery.
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Yogesh D
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