Post concussion syndrome?? Or brain injury???

[mammaof3]

HI..I was on my home from work 11-23-09 and a drunk driver hit me.  I dont remember the accident or the 2 weeks to follow.  The EMTs found me passed out w my head down near the gas pedal.  (I wasnt wearing my seatbelt,but now religiously do).  The drs told me I had a severe concussion and broken ribs. I have been back to the ER because of exteme dizziness.  I also cry for no reason and have not been happy since.  My memory was horrible up until about 2 weeks ago,that is slowly getting better.  I do have problems w trying to find words in conversations.  I feel out of it and not myself.  I have 2 small children and a husband who need me.  I can deal w the pain of broken ribs as I know they will heal but I cant stand feeling like I am half myself.  I have had 3 cat scans and no bruising or bleeds on or around my brain. I do have an appt w a neaurologist next Monday.  Does anyone know if this is post concussion syndrome or brain damage?

[brokenbrilliant]

mammaof3 -

A concussion is a brain injury. The problems you're having are actually quite common.

It may take a while to feel like yourself again, but it can happen.

The main thing is to be easy with yourself, learn as much as you can about TBI -- Check out http://www.givebackla.com/?p=114 - there is a lot of great info at the site.  And don't give up.

Hang in there - things do get better.

[parkerbrain]

Hi mammaof3,

When I had signs of possible TBI, everyone in my life, from my fiancée to friends, family & MD, and physical therapy team as well, all made sure I was surrounded by a qualified treatment team that knew all about brain injury. I was fortunate to have others take the helm and get the help I needed. Along the way, particularly because of the long litigation, I myself had to step in and demand certain things. Having a qualified TBI treatment team was vital to my healing!

Be well,

Donald

[mammaof3]

I am feeling alot better...I seen the neurologist and she said I dont have any permanent damage, just post concussion syndrome.  She said it could take up to a year to feel normal.  I cant handle stress, its like my brain shuts down if there is too much to deal with.  I cant handle alcohol like I used to, now can only drink half as much as I could before, which is a good thing.  I still get dizzy sometimes and feel out of it sometimes. 

[parkerbrain]

Hi mammaof3,

The news from the neurologist sounds most positive. Involving professionals takes the mystery out of TBI. Once I had a treatment team assembled, I knew what I was up against and had support.

Working with an Occupational Therapist in the beginning was very helpful. She was able to give me insight into the ‘input overload’ issue. One of my daily tasks was to walk to the mall and have breakfast at IHOP. For months I would eat strawberry pancakes with whipping cream for breakfast (that was my choice by the way). Overeating was a big problem for the first several years; I gained over 50 pounds! That aside, the morning trips helped desensitize me to sensory input.

Be well,

Donald Parker

[mammaof3]

I dont over eat at all.  In fact havent had an appetite since my accident.  I have to make myself eat at times.  But that is coming back with time.  I have days where I feel normal, but when I get stressed or over tired, the dizzy spells and confusion come back.  My neurologist told me its like my brain had to rewire itself after my concussion.  I am just ready to feel like me again after 3 months. 

[parkerbrain]

Hey mammaof3,

Three months to start feeling better? You're lucky. Took me six years before things started to come together for me. I guess it's different for everybody. It's so important to work hard at recover and never, never give up, and maintain hope, always.

Donald Parker

[Ric J]

Way to go with your healing/recovery. You will be a beacon of hope for many survivors.

[donnyw]

HI..I was on my home from work 11-23-09 and a drunk driver hit me.  I dont remember the accident or the 2 weeks to follow.  The EMTs found me passed out w my head down near the gas pedal.  (I wasnt wearing my seatbelt,but now religiously do).  The drs told me I had a severe concussion and broken ribs. I have been back to the ER because of exteme dizziness.  I also cry for no reason and have not been happy since.  My memory was horrible up until about 2 weeks ago,that is slowly getting better.  I do have problems w trying to find words in conversations.  I feel out of it and not myself.  I have 2 small children and a husband who need me.  I can deal w the pain of broken ribs as I know they will heal but I cant stand feeling like I am half myself.  I have had 3 cat scans and no bruising or bleeds on or around my brain. I do have an appt w a neaurologist next Monday.  Does anyone know if this is post concussion syndrome or brain damage?

hey mom of 3!
welcome to my Forum! Im senorly sorry to hear that!  i hope that the person is in jail for what he or she did to you! because that just doesnt change your life but it also effect the love ones around you.. as for your memory of you accedent it will most likley come back if you want it to or if you dont.  as for PCS, its historically called shell shock is a set of symptoms that a person may experience for weeks, months, or occasionally years after a concussion–a mild form of traumatic brain injury PCS may also occur in moderate and severe cases of traumatic brain injury

Symptoms of PCS, which is the most common entity to be diagnosed in people who have suffered TBI..... may occur in 38–80% of mild head injuries a diagnosis may be made when symptoms resulting from concussion last for more than three months after the injury...i hope that help..

[mammaof3]

Its been almost 5 months since my accident and feel ok.  I dont think I will ever feel 100% again.  The part that gets me the most is the extreme fatigue somedays and memory loss.  People will tell me things and then I will forget.  Its frustrating.  The dizzy spells are almost gone, I only get them every great once in a while.  My question is, I drink about 2 times per month, maybe 7-10 drinks.  I was wondering if this is actually hurting my recovery.  I do drink about once a week 2-3 drinks at a time.  If I knew the alcohol was to blame for not feeling 100% I wouldnt drink at all. 

[randysdad]

 I have no idea if the alcohol is a problem or not,all i know is we were "warned" to be careful with any meds for Randy. TBI Survivors have less of a tolerance for any medication,even Tylenol. I would have to say the only way you'll really get an answer is to do without for awhile. Maybe go a month without and see what happens? You'll only find out by going longer between drinks. Mark

[wendyt]

As my husband's rehab physician (who I greatly respect) put it-alcohol kills brain cells so dont drink. My husband,who used to drink a glass of wine or beer pretty much every night, has not had a drink since his accident 15 months ago.

I notice that when he misses a meal or does not get enough rest it greatly impacts his ability to focus. Just like any of us, our bodies are machines that we need to honor. For folks recovering from brain injuries keeping that machine in tip top shape so the recovery can happen without other pressures like alcohol, drugs, not eating, not sleeping would seem to only help. Hope that helps and that it does not sounds like a lecture, it is not. I admire all of you greatly.

Wendy, wife of a recoverer

[mammaof3]

Thank you for your advice..I guess sometimes I feel like I should be healed by now and get upset that Im not.  My friends ask me to get together and I think it would be ok to have drinks.  I notice that it only takes about half as much to get me drunk and it takes a whole lot longer to recover. 

[Ric J]

Please don't worry and/or think about "should be healed by now and get upset that I'm not". The healing and recovery process is a really long long journey. Stick with what really does help you day by day. Drinking is not always a "bad" thing unless med's are involved. I like to have a class of wine or beer with dinner, but if I drink more then one I notice it right away, so I limit is "one class only". Since I wasn't much of a drinker before my injury I don't even have a drink daily, just one in a while. Remember you are still healing, believe in yourself.

[Misti]

I've never been on a site like this and I must  not have read the directions very well! Forgive

I guess I'm just looking to talk with some people who know something about this new world I've been living in for the past two months. My husband was in a auto accident 2 months ago 2/11/10 and needless to say our world as we knew it no longer exists. He suffered a subdural hematoma with mid-line shift. Prognosis is grim to say the least but I refuse to give up on him. The Doctors told us (the family) that his injury was in the worst possible place and basically as bad as it could possibly be. They were astonished he survived the crash and the craniotomy BUT he did. Then they said he would never come of the ventilator well guess what? HE DID! Today he is breathing on his own. He is no longer in a coma but doesn't respond to command but I think he somewhat responds to ME. He has just in the last week or so seemed to be waking up more in a sense, both eyes are open and sometimes he will seem as though he is really watching me as I talk to him. I keep telling myself he is coming back to me and our life, I'm just waiting on my MIRACLE and trying although it is as you all are aware diffcult at times. I guess I want to know what I can do to help him. I feel helpless, and completely heartbroken. I will refer to him as RA instead of him but anyway please forgive what I'm sure is a lot of rambling and know that I'm looking forward to having possibly some people who really understand and can share what you have experienced.