[March9]

Wow I am so happy that there is a forum like this available. It's not good to hear that so many are suffering with so many horrible problems. But is somewhat comforting to have somewhere to go and chat and get feedback.

Ok. I have PCS. On March 9, 2010 I missed a step and went head first onto a concrete walkway. I have no idea if I was unconscious for any length of time or not as I was by myself. I had a cut and bump on my temple and have been seen by the emergency room physician, my general practitioner, and a neurologist.

I've had 2 cat-scans and 1 mri. They showed up normal with the exception of some white spots on my brain which were revealed in the mri. The neurologist says that it could be from the accident or from a few other factors. He said that my headaches should go away in about 4 months.

Today is April 11, 2010. Last week on Easter Sunday I went for not even a 1 mile walk. I thought that would be ok considering I had not had any pain for well over 24 hours. So, Sunday I went for a short walk. What a mistake! My headaches came back and I developed other symptoms as well. My eyes had the sensation of a constant pressure behind them. And I have been in and out of it mentally and physically.

In the past I have almost never if ever lost anything and for the most part been a pretty organized person. Since the fall however I have become disorganized, misplacing things, in a fog, and even losing things. Everyday it seems I should really have someone with me as I just don't feel right and feel weak sometimes even to the point that I think that I'm going to faint like a sort of dizziness and cloud over my head that won't leave. At other times it feels like I'm going to blackout from the headache. The painkillers only cut the pain somewhat. But I'm trying not to take them as I don't want to become addicted or anything.

Anyway, I have more complaining to do. And having said that I have noted that some other weird thing that's been happening again since the Easter walk is that I get this strong sense that I have lie down and lie down that very minute. And, I mean that minute one minute later won't due.

I live by myself and don't have any family in this town. It really frightens me. I'm not sure what to do or who to talk to about getting help and maybe just have someone just check in on me. Do you have any suggestions?

Thank you.

[Friend2U]

I am so sorry for the pain and complications you are experiencing. I am sure you will get many responses from the kind folks here.

I don't have much helpful advice...but please take it easy. Take it slow. Don't over do. Communicate with you doctor so he knows what is going on.

What I can offer you are gentle .

Hang in there.

[vini]

welcome March

you are not alone with this condition please post on our PCS board .this is a frighting condition but there are many things you can do to help your self, coming to NT is one step in the right direction,

here,s the link

http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/forum92.html

cut and paste your post there or type some more hope to see you there

[Hockey]

Hi March and welcome to NT!

I am so sorry that you've become a member of our little brain boo boo club.

The first thing most of us learn is that doctors are not well-versed in concussion. As a patient, the best thing you can do is educate yourself about TBI so you can be a strong advocate for treatment. Vini has already given you our forum link. Some other excellent sources for further reading include: the Brain Injury Association of America (BIAA)www.biausa.org; and www.tbiguide.com If you're not in the States, other counties have brain injury associations, for example www.headway.org.uk. If that's too much reading, there are a number of excellent Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) videos on You Tube. (Who knew it wasn’t just idiots surfing on cars?)

As you don't have family about for support, the BIAA could be very helpful for you. In addition to being an excellent source for information, they can help you access care and put you in touch with local support groups in your area. TBI can be isolating - reach out.

You are at fairly early stage in your injury. While you won't like to hear this, probably the most important thing you can do right now, is rest. Pushing yourself will only make your recovery slower and possibly less complete.

I would also urge you to abstain completely from alcohol while your brain heals. Other members will be along with advice on diet and supplements.

If your symptoms persist, you may want to seek better medical attention. Sadly, clear scans mean nothing. Conventional CAT scans and MRIs cannot show damage to the millions of tiny axions on your brain. As a result, people with obvious cognitive deficits can have "clean" scans. If you want to image your injury properly, you will need a specialized - and expensive - MRI. At some stage, you might also want to undergo neuro-psychological testing to see how your brain is really functioning. For now, you should at least keep a journal of your symptoms.

Like you I was a very organized person before my injury. Unlike me, I hope you don't waste a lot of time kicking yourself over your errors. Instead, I would urge you to make your life less frustrating by doing what you can to compensate for your injury. For example, I carry a "memory book" where I write down important things like appointments, medication schedule and where I left my glasses the night before. If you tell us what particular problems you're having, we might be able to share some other tricks we've picked up along the way.


Cheers

[Rrae]

So GLAD you've found this wonderful forum! So many caring people here!
Some have already pointed u in good directions.....

I also find it very helpful to use the 'search' feature at the top of the page to type in key words of interest and you'll find previous posts that may be of help.

Best of luck!

Caring
Rae

[Lady]

Hi March,
Welcome! Nice to meet you.
You have been given lots of good information and sites to read. I hope you heal fast, and don't have any lasting problems from your fall and head injury.

As a kid I fell often and had many concussions. Half of them I didn't even tell my Mom. The last one I climbed a 6 foot ladder and fell off, hitting the corner of a concrete wall and then the ground.

I was unconscious. At the hospital they had to shave my head where the bleeding was to stitch. As a teenager, I thought that was the worst thing that could happen. Shave a big hunk of my long, head hair.

I fainted many times for no reason after that time, who knows. It was eons ago.

Things happen fast. So rest and take care. Call your doctor if you still don't feel well.

[Darlene]

Hello and welcome to NeuroTalk. Happy to see you have come to be with us. Just let us know if we can be of any help. There are great number of fellow members here to assist as possible. My thoughts and prayers are with you.

Again welcome, looking forward to seeing you around.

Darlene

[azoyizes]

Hi, and welcome to NT! This is such a great place with so many caring, friendly, and helpful people.

We're so glad you found us!