Skrumblecakes
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This will likely die in usersub, but I can't just let this sit inside me.
Been teaching taekwondo for decades. Finally decided to start competing again a few years ago. (previous results from 2019 are on IMGUR). Finals of this year took a head kick and went down. Lost, but i'm ok with that. He was a good fighter. Get checked out by medical, all seems fine.
Two weeks later; Sunday night, date night with my wife at a classical concert. As the show goes on, i get dizzier, and feel nauseous. Didn't feel great at dinner, but didn't think anything of it. Attempt to walk outside to get some air, she comes with me, and SUPER glad she did. I don't think i would have made it on my own. I made it as far as the outside hand railing before i collapse and start emptying my stomach in the bushes.
Start shaking, Medical has to come get me. Can't stand or walk on my own. End up in an ER ride to the hospital. CT scans, blood work, everything. Nothing they can really see wrong. Nausea finally subsides, but dizziness and poor balance persist. I have a follow up with my GP tuesday (5 days away). In the meantime, i have little appetite, am tired, dizzy, and struggle to walk around the house.
I've been injured before. I'm fine with that. But this is different. This has taken it all way from me in one moment. I'm terrified that this is going to be permanent, and everything i've worked my whole life to be good at is going to be gone in an instant.
This is probably just screaming into the void. And i'm desperate that I'm wrong here. Because i don't know what to do anymore. I tried to wrap myself in a blanket and fell down and couldn't stop crying.
EDIT: Front page? Jeez. But to let everyone know, i have an appointment tuesday morning wtih a GP, who will likely refer me to ENT and/or Neurologst. And if my symptoms get any worse, there is an ER 15 minutes from my house and my wife can take me.
Cats2cats
Specialist- neuro asap. Find one that specializes in sports injury.
doobiedoobop
Sounds like Meniere's disease... get tested for it
IfYouBelieveYouCan
First things first.. get some trusted people massage your neck gently... Some one who can feel your muscels and spine. Your feeling is 1#
nzconcon
Could be delayed concussion. Also investigate labrynthitis -sudden onset - dizzy 24 hours for weeks. It's horrendous.
nuclearmomm
You need a MRI a Ct can’t always get a good picture good luck Imgur friend get a couple of opinions
isidorelucienducasse
Hoping you will be okay
KZFDG
I've got Long Covid and I've had dizziness like that for a year. Hope yours passes faster than that. No CT scan or anything in 12 months.
SuperIncoherentRantingMan
Now you just have to learn the way of the drunken master so the stumbling seems legit.
LifeIsADanceOfMinds
Upvoting to offer a small bit of support.
CptBoomBoom
I used to do taekwondo before I dislocated and permanently injured my hip. I hope you get better op.
HandoB4Javert
Good health!
shmoogeeoogee
Billy Mays died from a suitcase falling at airplane overhead compartment height. Get help fast
katakura
I really don't understand combat sports. What's the point? Boxing, martial arts, wrestling. Same thing.
beAbetterperson7
Concussions can be a bitch and persistent. Can be months before they subside and have to avoid the things that make symptoms worse.Good luck
beAbetterperson7
New someone who had projector screen fall and concuss them. Happened in college and they had to take 2 semesters off. Screens and reading /1
beAbetterperson7
Would cause migraines, and they could only do each in small doses.They had days where they couldnt do much of anything but it did get better
slidebite72
Dude pm me. I am a tkd black belt and compete. It might be a concussion but might not be. I have a similar issue and might help
slidebite72
Sent you a DM. I suffered an extremely similar occurrence.
fuzznubbin
mungtongue
Any inner ear dmg? Sounds like some of this could be from. BPVV.
drduffer
You need a referral to an ENT Doc (Ear, Nose, and Throat) and/or a Neurologist.
treed240z
The Home Epley Maneuver might help you... https://www.urmc.rochester.edu/encyclopedia/content.aspx?contenttypeid=135&contentid=405
sombrerohorsewagon
this instantly corrected my vertigo. Now I’m just down to feeling like I’m walking on a boat 24/7.
systemiclupus
If you had a mild cold or sth like that lately you might have vestibular neuritis, there’s something going around. 1/2
systemiclupus
Lots of people had it where I live lately. Easy to treat with some steroids
howunfortunate9
In addition to a neurologist for in depth look at your brain, see an ENT. Could be some small weird overlookable ear issue caused by impact.
BeanTootsAreBest
Talk to a doctor, make them aware of your concerns, get another opinion if you aren't comfortable with the answers. Ask a lot of questions
patkat1
Sorry to hear you're terrified. You might schedule for an ENT evaluation. I had an inner ear issue with vertigo. Couldn't get out of bed
patkat1
without being nauseous & dizzy. Put me on antivert but it took a few months. Hoping that you'll soon be feeling better soon. Let us know
ReaLifeSmeagol
Most likely a concussion with inner ear swelling causing balance issues and nausea. You'll be okay. Stop fighting. Dont be like NFL players.
HardyandRamanujan
Something to consider: did they do a CTA (ie the CT but with arterial phase contrast)? Vertebral artery dissection might be missed otherwise
Chimponzoo
If in the US, probably not. Getting insurance to approve a CTA is rough!
tetrahydron
I work in Neurology, do this, also just a plain CT head to start if you haven't had one
Vonmonj
I had all the classic signs of it and it took til I was with a PT doc for them to notice it wasn't just stiff muscles
HardyandRamanujan
Sorry 5o hear. Easily overlooked unless it is thought of overtly as it can be really subtle
j0lt78
That sounds like a concussion. Combat sports can be a bitch when something goes wrong.
sylkysmooth
And people wonder why some youtubers don't want to participate in that whole youtuber boxing thing they've got going on. All it takes is >
sylkysmooth
> one blow to the head, doesn't matter if it's a kick, the floor, a punch, whatever, and this sorta thing or much worse could happen.
cardinal29
Just heard an interview with Brianna Scurry.A blow to the head in the goal caused constant headache, she had occipital nerve release surgery
JColdIron
Been there, done that. Had a steel helmet on! Take it easy. Concussions are no joke. Competing at the level you can get them... is.
MadamPuddifoot
No type of helmet can prevent concussions bc its the brain hitting the inside of the skull. Helmets protect against lacerations and face fx
slidebite72
Just posting this in a couple of spots but check your DMs. I had an almost identical occurence and I compete in tkd. We should talk.
RunawaySpoons
Wouldn't take 2 weeks to emerge tho, surely? Sounds more like vestibular system to me, tho obv need to rule out neurological to be safe.
Totallyscrewedinaustin
Maybe jarred a little clot loose or something? And now it's somewhere cause issues?
slidebite72
After 2 weeks a concussion is highly unlikely. Mine was an ocular vestibular problem which manifested very suddenly after about 2 weeks.
PhenTsoksar
OP took a head kick. OP went down. Concussion = obvious. whether initially from the blow or whiplash. I assume that OP did not (1/
FakeFlagger
When they bounce their heads off the hard floor... that sound is the worst
PhenTsoksar
Pretty sure that was the sound of my first concussion. Also the first time I tried to kiss a girl.
PhenTsoksar
interpret his concussion (or those around him) to be of the intermediate or severe types from a basic symptoms checklist. The brain is (2/
PhenTsoksar
still a curious thing. Hope OP gets the best care possible.
trueunpopularopinions
Also repetitive mild head traumas have cumulative effect, sports that cause them can be dangerous even without a single severe trauma.
TripUpStairs
For sure. Slow bleeds are a thing, and can cause effects like this weeks after a head injury. Smart that op's wife got him to the ER.
MadamPuddifoot
No no no. He would be dead by now and they would have seen a slow bleed on CT. They show up within 24ish hrs.
WheeeeereIsMyMind
I experienced the same symptoms when a crystal disloged in my left ear from head trauma.
Iullabee
@op same here, i was going to mention that too. got up and everything was pitching, rolling and yawing WILDLY. i fell against a wall and >
Iullabee
> couldn't get up. i had to crawl 3m to the shower and spent 5 hours throwing up before i could call emergency services. 24hours for it to >
Iullabee
> subside a bit, 3days where just turning my head normally would send me to the ground. couple more weeks and i was completely fine though.
crysalitt
Was coming down here to say that sounds like an inner ear issue, kuck caused the damage, vibration from the music made it worse
PeterTried
Head a mild case of dislodged inner ear crystals. Nausea, trouble with balance, vertigo. Docter advised some simple exercises. Problem gone
kitnnicole9
Same.
tg2222222
https://www.swbh.nhs.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Audiology-Brandt-Daroff-Exercises-ML6446.pdf try these
lucindamarie18
Vertigo has very similar symptoms..
gorramgomer
Came to say this too. A friends wife suffered from this for a few months before they stumbled upon this and managed to get it fixed.
LuuKen
Happened to me too, lost all sense of direction. It's horrible, luckily not permanent ?
DrPepper523
Was looking for this, ppl always look at me like I'm crazy but my dad had an issue with his inner ear like this. Head injury. They turnedhis
DrPepper523
Head around some weird ways and got stuff back where it's supposed to be and it was all good just like that.
quitepossiblygettingold
That’s the Epley Maneuver, it’s been a game changer for my vertigo
stonedlikeicheckedoutmedusa
took a knee to the temple during jiu jitsu & had this happen. one of the most annoying injuries i’ve ever had the pleasure of experiencing
BrainTaffy
This. I have a friend who went through this as well. BPPV.
DBK00PER
Otoliths. Got a loose one myself, the vertigo gets so bad I can't stand up. All it takes is turning my head rapidly while lying down.
ThatOneFriendWhoTriesTooHard
For everyone going "ear crystals?!" https://health.clevelandclinic.org/bppv-why-loose-ear-crystals-make-you-dizzy-and-how-to-fix-them/
GermanSausagesAreTheWurst
Wow, learn something new every day.
quitepossiblygettingold
Yup they’re a thing!
WellhowdidIgethere
I have chronic vertigo and this was the first thing they checked for. Call a neurologist first, but a good ent should be the second call.
ForlornFennec
You might as well start calling that Ent now, you'll be done with the first call before they pick up the phone.
MacNero00
So true.
CHELFD
Yes! The same happened to me, went back to normal a few weeks after with symptom-suppressing medication, rest and a tiny bit of reeducation.
capitalistdecadence
That's what I was thinking as I read the post. If that's what it is then it's a simple fix.
IIikethecutofyourjib
A crystal?
Onebigcanuck
Otoliths and staticonia in the inner ear.
ThatOneFriendWhoTriesTooHard
Sounds crazy, right? My parents each had the same crazy ear crystal thing. Same symptoms as op.
treed240z
https://www.urmc.rochester.edu/encyclopedia/content.aspx?contenttypeid=135&contentid=405 apparently it's real...
WheeeeereIsMyMind
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Benign_paroxysmal_positional_vertigo
groovylovechild
Goes away, though? You recovered okay?
cutepiku
Some people have it forever.
WheeeeereIsMyMind
It took about a month to go away. Mine was severe and Epley maneuver did not work.
lucindamarie18
Mine comes back at least once a year. Sleeping straight up, no sudden movements/turns of head. OTH Meclizine 25mg helps
PacManDreaming
Get checked for Meniere's disease?
Xarlos
Zofran is amazing. I have a prescription for this reason. Epley works, but that first one with the vestibular therapist was a wild ride
lucindamarie18
It was BEYOND wild!! Think I threw up everything but my nuts during and after vestibular testing... THANKS for sharing.
whatseventhepoint
My dude, you have increased intracranial pressure, you need help ASAP
LooseyGooseyBrett
Cant walk straight?
CaptainHedgeHog
Oh shit this dude watched a medical show on TV!!
HardyandRamanujan
Would have shown on his CT
drduffer
Nope.
HardyandRamanujan
The vast majority will, esp if the pt is young and doesn't have cerebral atrophy. But this case in no way sounds like increased ICP anyway
drduffer
That’s why I said “nope”. He’s got a loose otolith in a semicircular canal, probably. Needs an ENT doc.
HardyandRamanujan
I'd rather get a CTA first to make sure my brainstem isn't dying and causing central vertigo before the ENT visit if I was him
Skrumblecakes
I did concussion protocols at the event. And a couple days ago I was in the ER with full CT scans and all. They saw nothing bad. I'm scared.
mezzidriel
Call a neurologist TODAY
RavenInFlyte4ever
ER simply checks to make sure that you're not about to die RIGHT THEN. Get yourself to a neurologist
SatansSockPuppet
Isn't it a standard practice for neurologists to come down to the ER and examine patient on the spot, and decide if further treatment is ...
SatansSockPuppet
.. necessary, and if the patient has to be admitted? At my clinic in Germany it is. Same with the internal medicine and trauma surgeons
ReaLifeSmeagol
You have to jump through some hoops and have some money to get that in depth in the US.
SatansSockPuppet
Oh... well this made me sad
Bastetsmorlock
The ER told me that too. They are not trained or equipped to credibly deal with head injuries.
drduffer
The resolution on CT isn’t good enough to see injuries at the cellular level which is where yours are.
ZimKat
Coming from someone who has BPPV, it’s not permanent. It will likely return intermittently. Know your triggers and learn Epley Maneuver.
Goldensands
As a fellow TKD enthusiast (was on national level at one point) who sadly had to give it up due to the appearance of a chronic muscle
Goldensands
Illness… I relate and understand your feelings my friend. Hopefully your story will go different but know that there is life after m8
annonymouse211
The ER isn't your place. See neurology asap. The ER is notorious for missing things; call all the neurologist offices in your area today.
HowMuchWoodCouldAWoodDuckDuckIfAWoodDuckCouldDuckWood
Yeah the ER is looking for something that will kill you in the next 8 to 12 hours. Not necessarily stuff that is a long-term illness or inju
whatseventhepoint
They do a lumbar puncture?
Skrumblecakes
I don't know. Was too drugged out at the time. I only know the CT scans because they were on the paperwork
bolobass
Get neurology and the ENT advice, balance/dizziness is sorted by the vestibular system which is located in the ear. GL
whatseventhepoint
I’m pretty sure you’d know the lumbar puncture, it’s not fun. Look I’m not a trained professional, but you should get a second opinion
PrincessNakedMoleRat
Yeah you would have been on your side with what feels like a dull spoon piercing your actual spinal cord. Memorable.