Originally Posted by Mark in Idaho

tommy and others,

You guys are all over the map with your information. As a 45 years survivor of TBI, MTBI PCS and a 12 years survivor of PTSD, I can clear some things up.
TBI is a relative term. It depends on the doctor. Often, it means an injury where there is some kind of visual evidence, fractured skull, penetrating wound, something shows up on a CT or MRI, etc. Just because there is something to be seen does not relate to the intensity of the injury. Some docs differentiate by using the Glascow Coma Scale (GSC) or length of Loss of Consciousness (LOC). Unfortunately, GCS, LOC, and imaging can have nothing to do with recovery period or whether total recovery is expected.

It is common to hear than unless there is a LOC, total recovery can be expected. This is pure BULL. Many neuros refuse to recognize what they can not see in an image or EEG. Dr. Dorothy Gronwall has studied PCS since 1978, and found that all PCS patients will have residual problems. They might not be noticeable to most docs, but with proper testing, the symptoms will show up.
The most important fact to know is that Second Impact Syndrome or Multiple Impact Syndrome is the greatest threat to long term outlook.

Tommy, as a wrestler, you are at great risk. I would give up wrestling if I were you. I got a concussion or two even when the coach could drop a raw egg from eight feet and it would not break when it hit the mat. You brain is up to ten times more sensitive to a concussion after your first concussion. my brain is so sensitive that I can get a concussion shaking my head NO. I got one once from an amusement park ride (Tilt-a-whirl, those seats that tilt and swing around.) I have had 13 concussion worth noting. Many more that I forgot about.

I had to give up driving at 46 years old. I live like a hermit because I can not tolerate loud noises, bright lights, crowds, etc.

I suspect you are young. There are a few things for your "do not do list." No alcohol, no drugs, no contact sports, nor any other behaviors that may cause physical or chemical injury to your brain.

This may seen extreme but hear me out. My first concussion was in 3rd grade. A year later I fell off a bike and got knocked out. Since then, every time I have bumped my head, I have had to spend time doing mental exercises to get my thinking skills back. My IQ is in the top TWO percent of the population. My immediate memory and short term memory rank in the bottom ten percent of the population. I can not drive because I can not remember where the other cars are. i can be at an intersection. Look to the left and see the traffic. Look to the right and see the traffic. But I have already forgotten what I just saw to the left.

My grades fell from straight A's in ninth grade to straight B's in tenth grade back to straight A's in eleventh and twelfth grade. My ten grade problem was from heading a soccer ball. No hard hits, just repeated hits.

In college, after a good first semester, I almost flunked second semester. Again from a small bump from jumping down from a rock and landing with my knees locked. Eight years ago, I stepped of a curb and landed with my knee locked and that changed my life forever. The physics of that step show a 65 G force into my brain. The NFL does not get concerned until players suffer 80 G's or more. No wonder Troy Aikman, Steve Young and many others had to retire from football before their time.

At present, I have horrible insomnia, no memory (great for watching reruns on TV late at night), seizures, sensitive to sound and light, difficulty using both hands at the same time ( recently cut a little finger off as a result ) and many more symptoms you would not understand.

I cannot get health insurance, I take $600 in meds each month and hope to get on Social Security Disability and Medicare next month. I have wiped out 30 years of saving and retirement funds. Yet, all the doctors (except for two) say there is nothing wrong with me. The only two tests that show my dysfunctions are Qeeg (brain mapping) and neuropsychological assessment. My MRI, CT, SPECT, MRI/MRA, MRI with contrast, all say my brain is normal. But my brain behaves like I am in the very early stage of Alzheimer's Disease.

Have a question? Ask, I can probably quickly find the answer from all of my research.

Mark in Idaho

A mind is a terrible thing to lose.