The neurologist that we are putting our faith and trust in gave me a great line today. He said the brain is like an jet airplane's black box. WOW! Imagine trying to decifer what happened in a jet crash with only the info provided by the black box.


First hello and thanks to all for recent replies. Lara & Lizard...we brought up the Arnold-Chiari Malformation. So far both neurologists say that's not what she's suffering from, but I'm going to continue my research as both of these doctors have been wrong before.


TinyTalker and Nancy F, wow, sorry about what sounds to be freak accidents. I'm learning there is no fairness in brain injury. Suggest to your parents and your doctor that you NEED HELP sleeping! 3 weeks into Trazadone has helped my daughter immensely. And get your doctors involved with school. EVERYONE at the school needs to know your recovery is the MOST important thing. No, school, one class, half days. Whatever it takes.The school has a LEGAL obligation to provide you with an environment specific to your injury. Good luck. And I promise you, it DOES get better. It just takes time and REST. Lots of rest. Oh yeah, find a speech pathologist and a neuropsychologist. They'll really help with balance and cognitive issues.


Update on our situation. My daughter is finally sleeping thru the night after 5 months. Headaches are small and short. Yesterday and today, NO HEADACHE! She's visiting the ear nose & throat doc on Monday. New thought is that, when she got her concussion, the blow to the face caused sinus damage (she broke her nose in the injury too) and that may have in tern caused damage that would cause cranial fluid to leak. They say that may have lead to the horrible flu-like symptoms.

Hi spudbro,
Well that is some good news about having no headache yesterday and today. I hope that continues.

Really pleased you're going to the ENT next week. What you wrote about her broken nose and sinus damage all makes such sense. I hope all goes well on Monday and that there are some answers to help your daughter's recovery.

Hi, I'm Donna and I'm a lot older than all your kids. But I'd like to give
you all some hope. I don't play any sports, but I'm the mom of three
special needs kids, and I Advocate for families of special needs kids.

Last August while I was at a conference for families learning more ways
to help parents and to train with my co-workers. I fell and suffered a
concussion and a post concussion syndrome.

Now I had or have neck pain, and headaches. But I've been on topamax
for the headaches because I suffer from migraines for 3 years. And I also
have tramadol, for pain, because I've dislocated both my elbows. One
of which has metal radial arm, and my primary and surgeon want me to
use this instead of tylenol regularly. So headaches are controlled usually
by these meds.

The neck pain, was bad. So my primary suggested after about 4 weeks
of bed and quiet rest, that I start physical therapy. And that is what
I did. And I was surprised how much that helped. But it helped both
the head and the neck, also the shoulder problems that the neck created.

But they returned after a few hours, so I was frequently there. I started
in September, and was released in Late October, to start again in November
in worse pain.

I was started again then in November, and was released just two or three
weeks ago the first week of March with my wishes this time. And am making it with lots less pain.

The biggest differences are:

1. I have a tens machine at home. Its a small version of the electrodes she
used there.
2. I had a traction used on my neck. Now this is important for one
reason. FOr those of you talking about excrusieating pain.

*** IT not only realeased the pain in my neck finally on both sides.

I couldn't move my left side till 2 weeks before I was done with therapy.

But it was known to relieve headaches too.
Which was a surprise. But when I said something about that to my therapist
she said, that its being used for migraines, tension headaches and things
like this.

So you might check into physical therapy.

It honestly was the miracle for me. But I'm almost 49 (10 days) it took
almost 6 months.

Donna

By the way I wanted to add, if your kids aren't getting accomodations in
school because of these health issues they should be.

Make sure the schools are doing what they can. Its the law.

Ask if you need help.

I'm not sure if its allowed

But my email is

Dmom3005@yahoo.com

and I'm a free parent advocate, and I can find help in every state.

Some are free some aren't.

Donna

Okay,
History: Last fall, 15 yr old daughter suffered facial soccer injury, ball to face, treated at ER as head injury. Cleared to play by ER doc due to lack of major trauma symptoms. Returned to play that week. Headaches began shortly after. Headaches persisted. Family doc referred to neurologist, then to long term rehab with neuropsychologist and speech pathologist. Neurological testing indicated possible "permanent brain damage." Daughter continued to complain about sinus and nose pain. Last week lapsed into MAJOR flu-like sypmtoms. Understand, cognitive and memory testing DID indicate major head injury, so I'm not blowing that off, but we/she knew there was more to it...

So...Just back from the ear nose & throat appt. Cat Scan indicated dislocated septum and sinus damage. YAY! ENT doc pointed to areas on daughters face and forehead that were hurting, she said YES, finally someone is listening to me! He showed us cartilage damage that was directly related to SINUSITIS and gave her a prescription. Wants to see her in a week to determine wether surgical repair is needed or not. I'll update then.

Don't EVER give up!

Spudbro and Dmom,
Thanks for your shares! My son is now 5 weeks out from wrestling injury. His life is continuing to fall apart. We are hearing that rest will help symptoms improve. We are seeing a neuropsychologist who has spent alot of time with us and is going to communicate a plan for school. Presently he wants him to show up to class when he can but do no homework, papers or exams. This should be interesting. Most teachers are understanding but some are challeged with this special modification. The sleeping thing has been recently a challenge, not so in the beggining. We have yet to take any meds for anything except Ibuprofen for headaches which have not helped much. This may have to change if he continues to not sleep well, since rest is so important. It is heartbreaking to watch him suffer. I admire all of you for going on for months. We did have IMPACT test done prior to his injury, so we do know that he does have cognitive changes. We are told that he should clear up with rest. It is hard to be patient. He has a terrible time knowing what they are talking about in class. Spudbro, why does your daughter need a speech pathologist? Interesting enough, son did have a thickening of sinus mucosa on MRI, which indicated start of sinus infections. This seems to be a week by week puzzle. Thankyou for any hope offered because the fear that these are symptoms he has to live with for the rest of his life, keeps rearing it's ugly head. Thanks for listening and I will hope for all of us. Son starting school tomm, again.

I can understand why he wants him to show up to school. I would suggest though that he take it slowly still. Maybe two or three hours a day to start.
And I would suggest that you arrange for him to get the notes from the teacher or another student even if he tries to write notes too.
That way he still has a copy of what is said.

Keep us updated as to how he is doing too. That is what we are here for.

Donna

Do the symptoms come and go for no apparent reason? My son has had several days of rest and was doing better but suddenly tonight after watching basketball on TV, he is pretty dizzy and with a worsening headache. Is it 2 steps forward and three steps back sometimes? He seems to be in his own personal hell. It may be because I had to leave him alone all day to work. He may do worse if he gets lonely. Sorry, just randomly thinking to no one in particular. I am obviously frustrated that nothing can be done but watch it.

Yes, you hit it on the nose. It can get better then worse.

But that is also a good sign. Just keep a eye on him. And ask him
to try and not over due it when your not there. That may be part
of the problem. He felt so much better he tried doing to much.

He really wants to feel so much better it just takes a long time.
Its also very frustrating and depressing so just keep working with
him.

He is doing the best he can.

ANd so are you.

Keep asking the questions, and let him know its normal.

Donna

Donna,
Thanks for response. How are you doing?
Nancy