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Member
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Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Las Vegas, NV
Posts: 756
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Member
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Las Vegas, NV
Posts: 756
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I don't know what to say about this. I had iicp for six months and the first MRI apparently didn't show it, but if I had had a second it may have - but I was dealing with some *very severe* symptoms. Although the neurologist I have (which is also my second) figured out what was going on with me without a second MRI though.
That's what I'm wondering about...if there is something else wrong, like disease, they would only be able to tell with a repeat MRI since one MRI can't show further deterioration or whatever the disease causes. I can't really tell if what I'm experiencing is severe or not, or if it could be symptoms of disease since a lot of PCS symptoms overlap with diseases like MS. Every time I tell the neurologist what is going on with he just tells me it's normal brain injury symptoms.
Is the neurologist you're seeing a specialist in TBI? I think getting one who specializes in TBI may be the best route for you, if that's possible.
He isn't a "TBI specialist" but he said he's been a neurologist for 30 years. When I asked him if he's treated people for PCS and TBI and he said "only a couple thousand". So the guys got experience. I'm sure he knows what he's doing and there is reasoning behind wanting the repeat MRI.
I also recommend, after getting a Dr. who specializes in TBI, that you see what they think about getting neuropsychological testing and/or speech therapy. (I think a good Dr. will know other good people in related fields.)
A good neuropsychologist should be able to pin point what areas of cognitive functioning you are having problems with and those results will help a speech therapist work on helping those areas with some exercises.
That is something I plan on asking him about, and thank you for reminding me. This was only my first visit with him and he wants to get the initial testing out of the way before doing anything else, I suppose  .
I didn't get any neuropsychological testing, but my speech therapist is very good and she discovered what some areas we needed to work on with her own questions and little tests. She said it would have been easier for us if we had the results of the neuropsych testing and it would have taken less time of the time she has to actually work with me on fixing those areas, but it is what it is.
I truly believe that the work I have done with her helped a lot of the neuronal pathways reconnect that had been damaged in my brain because my recovery noticeably sped up and I had some real leaps in improvement after I started working with her.
Speech therapy isn't only for speech problems, even though I have experienced a lot of speech problems. It helps other areas of cognitive functioning that have been impaired and a good speech therapist should be able to help teach you how to compensate for deficits you are dealing with now that you used to not have to deal with.
I personally think you should put the same money you would have put towards another MRI towards some speech therapy or purchasing a subscription to lumosity instead. But I'm not a Dr... I'm just some chick in CA who has been dealing with a brain injury for about 18 months.
LOL at the last part ...
Thanks for your response and advice. Definitely something I will consider looking in to in the future.
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