I was diagnosed with post-concussion syndrome and chronic migraine by the neurologist who did my Botox treatment.

At the time, I was glad there was a term for the unending concussion symptoms. I had a name for the thing that was wrong with me.

The Concussion Legacy Foundation explains post-concussion syndrome as “the persistence of concussion symptoms beyond the normal course of recovery. The majority of concussion symptoms will resolve within about two weeks. In cases where symptoms last longer than one or two months, doctors may diagnose Post-Concussion Syndrome. Patients with PCS can experience concussion-like symptoms at rest or in response to too much physical or cognitive activity, often forcing them to withdraw from their usual physical, professional, and social lives.”

(I’m donating my brain to the Concussion Legacy Foundation after I die—maybe something can be discovered about the progression of post-concussion syndrome from my brain that can help other people who suffer from it.)

Also according to CLF: “in high school athletes diagnosed with concussion, researchers have estimated approximately 10% will develop PCS”.

So it makes sense that I have it. I was a high school athlete (I still have my letter jacket).