Traumatic Brain Injury and Post Concussion Syndrome For traumatic brain injury (TBI) and post concussion syndrome (PCS).


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Old 12-18-2010, 05:54 PM #1
CiViCKiDD CiViCKiDD is offline
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Default PCS- anyone else have trouble walking?

I haven't officially been diagnosed with PCS yet, though I've been to the docs about a dozen times in the last 6 weeks (since it happened).

About 6 weeks ago on a Friday I was getting into a vanpool at work, for the ride home. I hopped in, and somehow managed to smack the top of my head against the metal rail for the back door. My face immediately went numb, and a few minutes later I had trouble staying focused so I decided to sleep for the hour ride home. I had irritation to light for the next 3 days, as well as extreme fatigue (like having the flu).

The next Monday I was literally falling asleep at my desk (waking up then going back to sleep) - I've never done that before!

Tuesday morning my right foot starting having this burning sensation, then tingling, and over the next few weeks it moved up to my arm and my face (right side). Also, in the beginning period it felt like:
-all my muscles were constantly "locked" and twitching (lasted for 9-10 days)
-my hands/legs (mostly hands) would "fall asleep" at night and wouldn't move until a few seconds after waking up and trying to move them
-trouble swallowing
-felt weird sensations, like I was urinating but I really wasn't
-had very slight incontinence (only enough to make boxers damp, went away after a few days)
-constant ringing in ears

And probably a few other things. Most of these symptoms come and go (mostly gone, though my trouble swallowing started up again today).

I've been having problems with walking most of this time, and I'm really not sure if it's getting better or worse. ER shunned me away saying CT and MRI's are clean. They also said my knee reflexes are "too hyper." First neurologist sent me for blood tests and it came back fine, said he was stumped and to see somebody else.

I guess I just want to know...will this EVER get better? I just got back from celebrating my 1yr wedding anniversary... Can physical therapy help? I don't want to end up in a wheelchair...
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Old 12-19-2010, 02:10 AM #2
Mark in Idaho Mark in Idaho is offline
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Mark in Idaho Mark in Idaho is offline
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Welcome to NeuroTalk. Sorry to hear of your struggles.

From what you have said, I am more concerned that you have suffered a neck or spinal injury. The neurologist is likely a generic variety. I would suggest trying to find a specialist in concussion and other impacts top the head that can effect the spine.

You also might check with a chiropractor. An Upper Cervical Chiropractor would be a good start. Check out www.NUCCA.org or google Atlas Orthagonal Chiropractic. They will be careful to not make things worse. I would caution against any chiropractor who wants to do a neck twist and pop manipulation until you know what injury you may have done to your neck/spine.

Disregard any need for a diagnosis of Post Concussion Syndrome. It is meaningless as a help to your treatment.

A physical therapist may be helpful with some very gentle neck traction. Again, you want to avoid strenuous therapy until you have a good understanding of your injury. Be skeptical of the practitioner who says, "Let's try this." Too much of health care is trial and error. You can't afford any error.

Google Cranial Nerves. You will likely notice some similarities between the individual nerves and your specific symptoms.

I once had access to a Medical School course called "Diagnostics Through Physiology." It did an excellent job of showing how to group physical symptoms to a common and likely cause. Unfortunately, the course has been blocked from outside access now.

Your on again, off again symptoms are likely due to inflammation. Have you taken any anti-inflammatory drugs? Aspirin, ibuprophen, or prescription NSAIDS? They may help but also block further understanding of your injury.

I would suggest being very careful to sit, stand, and sleep with good posture/spinal alignment.

I understand this from personal experience. I have a neck injury that can get inflamed and cause autonomic nervous system malfunction, to the point that I suffer apnea (failure to breath properly). I have to be very careful with neck/head position when I sleep. When I am awake but with bad posture, I will suddenly become out of breath and realize that I had not been taking breaths.

For you, the inflammation may just cause the strange nerve sensations. Don't be surprised if a neurologist wants to check you for Multiple Sclerosis or other nervous system diseases, although the MRI and CT would likely have indicated that by now.

Let us know how you are doing. We are here for your support.

And, don't be anxious for a quick fix. Head and spine injuries take lots of time to heal in many cases. The most important thing is to not make matters worse.

My best to you.
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Last edited by Mark in Idaho; 12-19-2010 at 04:04 PM.
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"Thanks for this!" says:
Jomar (12-19-2010)
Old 12-19-2010, 02:36 AM #3
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how old are you?
Any family history of any conditions?
maybe the smack on the head set something off...

But I would try a very good upper cervical chiro first to see if that helps as Mark mentioned. The go on from there if needed.

You can find videos online -Google videos or You tube etc- of how it is done so you know what to expect.
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