Vulnerability to subsequent head injuries post-concussion

Hello,

I'm new to this forum, and started learning about TMS last year. I'm looking for information on a rather specific issue I've had for years. There's going to be a lot of details in this post, but I hope I can keep it to what is relevant. I appreciate those who take the time to read this doing so.

History
(TL;DR: I believe I have TMS, lots of evidence to back this up)

A brief history: I'm a "typical Sarno type", perfectionistic, hardworking, goodist, etc. I had issues with IBS in high school. I also have had issues with repetitive stress injuries (hand/wrist/forearm pain/tingling) since high school, which would at certain points seem to get worse (and never really better, until recently). I had issues with debilitating headaches because of concussions (more on that later), and when those finally started to resolve in 2021, the repetitive stress injury became debilitating and stopped me from pursuing the work and leisure activities I enjoy. The doctors/phsyiotherapists/neurologists etc. couldn't find anything structurally wrong.

In the last year or so, I've read a couple of Sarno books (one more than once), read through Alan's Pain Recovery Program at least twice, and gradually become convinced that I have TMS (numerous specialists being unable to find anything wrong, and some obvious examples of the pain moving around i.e. "equivalents" were a big part of that). I'm generally making progress getting the hand pain (and residual headaches) under control. (As a side-note, almost amusingly, I seem to have developed "long COVID" as an equivalent in the last year, and now that I'm onto it I'm getting the fatigue from that under control too.)

The Issue I'm Asking About
(TL;DR: kept having mild to severe bumps/jostlings to my head that seem to cause additional "concussions")

Beginning about six years (2016) ago I sustained a devastating concussion and numerous subsequent concussive or sub-concussive hits over the following years (2016-2018, I have not worked full-time since this started, and never in my field). My symptoms were predominantly headaches that would manifest from computer use or strenuous exercise. HOWEVER - and this is the catch - the thing that REALLY held me back was the subsequent "reinjuries" that I had. These took the form of a mild, moderate, or severe bump (or in some cases, just a jostling or a sudden movement, even though my head was not hit) that would exacerbate symptoms for a few days, weeks, or months, respectively, causing setbacks that prevented me from ever really getting back to work or other activities.

Now for where things get dicey and controversial.

It seems to be generally accepted that one is more vulnerable to subsequent concussions after having the first one. However, the amount of time this vulnerability apparently lasts (and what form it takes) varies drastically depending on what doctor, physio, neuro, medical psychotherapist, etc. you ask. Some people I talk to affirm my "reinjuries" while others flat-out deny the possibility that such impacts or movements would cause another concussion (to be clear, these bumps or movements are mostly things that the vast majority of people would experience in day-to-day life).

I believe now, in retrospect, that my "mild" reinjuries were just my worrying about it, or TMS screwing with me.

Relevant: in 2019 I found my way to a specialist - the only person who has reconciled the controversy of reinjury in this way being possible/not possible - who informed me that it only takes 1/6 the force to re-concuss a concussed brain when it was inflamed (which apparently happens for many people after a concussion). I'm still on a keto diet and certain supplements in order to keep brain inflammation down. It is worth noting that several months after I was "safe" and no longer worried about reinjury (because of following this specialist's program), I developed overwhelming fatigue that kept me bedridden a lot of the time for the next several months (possible equivalent). I have, however, not had any significant reinjuries since starting this diet (maybe placebo, not sure).

The Question
What I am trying to understand is, what is the likelihood that my moderate and severe reinjuries (I should maybe say "perceived reinjuries") were not, in fact, true "reinjuries" but were instead my brain taking the opportunity to elevate symptoms? It is certainly within the purview of TMS to cause this, but how can one be reasonably certain, so as to be able to stop doing the things one does to avoid reinjury?

Stopping these things (for me, mainly the diet and also sometimes avoiding certain abrupt movements or contact) could potentially be opening myself up to reinjury again, which, if past experience is an indicator, could set me back months or more. But it's also a pain to have to do them year in and year out. I admit that fear is a factor in these decisions - the agony of gaining and losing and gaining and losing was horrible and I would do almost anything to avoid going through that again.


To those who have made it this far, thank you for reading, and I appreciate any insights you might have to offer (including where to go for a better place to ask this, if need be).

Thank you,
Ecthelion (definitely my real name)

 

@Ecthelion
I really think in your case you should contact a tms doctor. we can’t diagnose anyone, that’s not what this forum is for. You may or may not have tms, or medical complications.
Lots of people like myself have had bizarre symptoms. I finally had them in front of a very informed physical therapist, who explained that the umbrella term dysautonomia was a dysregulation of the nervous system as a reaction to stress - mainly fear. That information alone was a major aha moment, and many of those symptoms subsided. Sometimes they return, mildly but I know to ask myself “what are you afraid of, what are you feeling” -and then ignore them.
Dr. Hanscom has discussed inflammation many times as a nervous system reaction to stress, and outlines the specific way that neurotransmitters signal a release of these chemicals in the body that are the inflammation. They are nothing but chemical protectors that leave the body when their job is done.
I think consulting with a TMS Dr. (Many will do it via email/video consultation and your medical records) would help you determine a course of action and distill some confidence and peace of mind for you. Dr. Schecter in LA, and Dr. Hanscom are just two who consult via internet. You might also find a tms informed Dr. near you. Here’s a way to find someone: https://ppdassociation.org/directory (Directory — Psychophysiologic Disorders Association)

 

Hey there. I'm not 100% sure about your question, unfortunately. I just wanted to say that I have dealt with this same issue and it did end up being TMS.

I got one concussion that was purely a physical injury (relatively mild), and then 5-6 more that I think we're TMS - but they honestly felt EXACTLY the same.

I think what you've written about the lack of medical consensus on the issue is interesting. Since you have a doctor you trust, I wonder if you could speak to them a bit more about this? Perhaps not explaining the whole TMS thing (if you don't want to do so), but just getting the okay to practice whatever techniques work for you and see if it helps? IMO, practicing some techniques with the assumption that it's TMS is fairly low risk. If your specialist agrees then it's worth a shot!