Julia Cox
Concussions/Brain Injuries: 7
Cause: Various
Julia’s Story
I’ve had several concussions. Honestly not sure on the exact number. I never knew how to treat it. My first few I just rested afterwards because that’s the knowledge I had. I started feeling terrible after this one where I didn’t even hit my head. I didn’t realize it was a concussion.
I was experiencing headaches, fatigue, dizziness, balance problems, sensitivity to noise. Concerts and my job teaching Pilates was very difficult. I also have functional neurological disorder (FND) and other chronic health things going on, so it was so difficult to function.
I ended up being referred to a physical therapist by my other physical therapist for something entirely different. He took 1.5 hours to evaluate me. He asked me if I ever had a concussion and I said yes and learned I didn’t have to hit my head. Then he started treating me for PCS. We did the treadmill, vestibular and neck exercises. In a couple months I was much better than I was.
But, then over the next few years I kept getting more concussions. They were all dumb accidents. It’s embarrassing. You’d think that since I’m a professional dancer I would be less clumsy.
So then the worst outcome happened June 2022. After that concussion my life completely changed. I was also going through a very stressful drawn-out event and things got so bad. I started getting worse insomnia, I got horrible headaches, my fatigue was horrible and I got this strange dizziness.
But, the worst of it, I started getting this strange feeling in my head that became worse and worse and eventually stopped me from functioning on a basic level. I’d never experienced this before. And I STILL have this strange feeling in my head.
It’s hard to describe accurately because my head feels SO WEIRD. The best I can come up with is: Brain heaviness, brain fatigue, wooziness, dizziness, pressure in head..
I tried going back to treatment with 2 different PTs. Nothings helped me. Exercise is supposed to help concussions but it made things worse. I don’t have any POTS or dysautonomia either. Everything else checks out fine.
Vestibular exercises didn’t do anything. My head just continued to feel strange, and it still does. I was lying on the couch from when I woke up until I went to bed for like 6 months. My energy is a bit better now but I still get fatigued so easily with this weird feeling in my head getting worse. It almost feels like a fresh concussion ALL THE TIME. I am starting to try to teach 30 min gentle yoga/pilates chair classes virtually now. This is going well. But honestly that’s all I got for energy most days. My energy has to be watched all day, so I don’t overdo it. Socializing is just now starting to happen a little more, a year afterwards. I also got COVID in the middle of this mess which made me sick for 2 months. My head feels so weird all the time. I just want to feel normal again.
In August I’m going to try the Neurological Wellness Institute in Chicago and see if they can help me. I’m hoping it will. I’m tired of functioning on such a lower level than I ever have. I want my head to feel normal again. But I don’t know if it’s possible. My head has felt strange for a year now. I’m more tired than I’ve ever been. I have to limit my activity and take breaks so often. I just want my life back. But I am doing my best to work with what I have. That’s all I can really do. I’m lucky I have such great family and a great husband to support me. But, honestly it has worn on them, too. Concussions you get can affect the people around you as well. Everyone suffers. People want to see the old you again. But, I am not the same. Don’t wait and rest it out if you have a concussion. Find a specialist and get started with treatment right away. I wish I knew this before.
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Concussion Connect has provided me a space to learn more about what is going on inside my brain and body, find the words to express how I am feeling, not feel so alone, and learn about and use different resources! It provides a sense of being understood that has been missing since my accident, even brings a sense of understanding myself. - CC Member
