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Old 05-23-2019, 07:34 AM
MountainWalker MountainWalker is offline
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Join Date: May 2019
Posts: 4
3 yr Member
MountainWalker MountainWalker is offline
New Member
 
Join Date: May 2019
Posts: 4
3 yr Member
Default Hello

Hi Mark,
Injury: I fell while hiking up a mountain, with my forehead connecting forcibly with a rock. Two gashes on my forehead, and injuries to knee, arm, and hand. I continued to one summit, but cut short the planned hike due to injured knee. It wasn't until I had a great deal of difficulty waking up the next day, and began experiencing other symptoms, that I considered a head injury.

Diagnostics: CT scan 4 days post injury. Following the syncopal episode I had an MRI/MRA, carotid ultrasound, EEG, ECG. At NIH, for pre and post assessment in a clinical trial only, I've had MRI, fMRI, ECG, Echocardiogram (no heart problems), neuropsych tests, fitness tests. They won't give me the test results as they are for research only, and not clinical applications. Had a brief neuropsych test done with a speech therapist. All scans show nothing. Inadvertently learned that neuropsych tests showed impairment in language, attention/focus,sequencing, and something else that I can't remember.

Treatments: No treatments, but have an extensive array of cognitive and executive functioning coping strategies that have been largely my creation, with some assistance from friends and colleagues. That has included getting adaptive technology, from my university, which allowed me to grade papers and prep classes. That was a lifesaver. I am going to try and implement Neurological Music Therapy with the help of two musician friends (one is also a clinical psychologist), and my own music therapy training. I can't design an intervention myself, but may be able to do so with their help.
Along those lines, I'd like to play (piano, hand drums) daily as that may help with some of the challenges. I have trouble with initiation, so am still working this out. I've done quite a lot of research on my own.What I've learned about mTBI's has helped me, with the aid of friends and colleagues, in creating adaptations,

Reducing stimulation: Noise cancelling headphones, and adaptations to when and how I shop, etc. I'm okay with light, but not visual busyness. I've reduced visual stimulation in my office; i.e. nothing on my desk except the task at hand, nothing on the walls, etc. I've been able to work from home a lot, so am able to do so in silence. Since I am currently working only minimally, the stimulation has been reduced even more.
I have to create a task-oriented agenda (have trouble with task completion and task separation), and I make sure to alternate between cognitive tasks and motor ones, so as to not be overwhelmed. I don't do non-essential reading.

Clarification on my initial post: my current PCP acknowledged that there is no TBI specialist in the area - with this HMO. There are TBI providers in the area. She advised me to go out of plan, but said that I'd have to pay for this on my own. I'll have new insurance June 1.
Thanks
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