Army Vet,

First, thank you for your service. My daughter was in Kirkuk for most of a year and I understand what you went through.

Welcome to NeuroTalk. Sorry for the reason you are here.

Your wife is right. Two concussion of the severity you suffered is a serious issue. I am guessing by your comments that this is being treated as a Workers Comp case. Before going any further, I recommend you find a Workers Comp attorney who specializes in brain injuries. Your prior injury does not weaken you case for Workers Comp benefits.

Check out or better yet, have your wife check out www.tbilaw.com. Mild Traumatic Brain Injuries are very difficult to represent unless the attorney knows the ropes. A good attorney can help determine if the fall hazard was a great enough negligent risk to create a case beyond Workers Comp. Work Comp can be limiting.

You are very early in your recovery. Stay away from work until you have been released by both a specialist in mTBI and your attorney. At your age, recovery is much more problematic. The brain does not have the recovery ability for us older guys that it has for the younger ones. Your slurred speech is a serious concern.

Have you had a CT Scan done? It can rule out serious issues that could be life threatening. If you family doctor does not suggest it, ask about it.

You are playing with the rest of your life and the needs of your family when you ignore any symptoms. If you think you are bull headed, I have you beat because I know the long term problems from an mTBI at this age. I live with them daily.

There is no kind of personal drive than can overcome a brain injury. Your bones, tendons, ligaments and muscles can heal strong from pushing the recovery. Your brain is just the opposite.

If your family doctor is not connected to the VA, you should consider getting checked out at the VA. There will be much more understanding of your brain at the VA. As a combat vet, I know you have VA benefits.

Try to stay away from doctors who do not understand concussions and mTBI. They can put things in your medical record that can haunt you.

For the time being, lay low, rest, get good nutrition that is without caffeine and alcohol ( one normal serving per day of each is the maximum) and download the TBI Survival Guide at www.tbiguide.com

Do not play macho man. It is too great of a risk. Work Comp protects your job so getting back to work is the last of your worries.

Let us know how you are doing.

And, have your wife read this post. She needs to be fully in the loop.

My best to you.