I joined this site to see if I could find some answers and ideas to help me. As a little history, I was born with a tethered spinal cord which started to give me problems in my thirties. I had neurosurgery to untether my cord one year and also another surgery inside the cord to remove a small benign surgery. I have also had multiple other back surgeries including two eight hour fusions.

I am implanted with a spinal cord stimulator and have suffered multiple spinal fluid leaks from myelograms, including ten days in the hospital laying flat with a drain to drain off spinal fluid every hour. Currently my husband took me to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area - my favorite place, because I was having a good day. We were at the end of the portage and moving the canoe. My foot caught on a rock and I lost my grip falling forward on my knee (total replacement six months ago), then hit my back on a sharp rock fracturing my rib, causing whiplash, a concussion and a suspected spinal fluid leak.

I would appreciate any ideas on healing from the concussion. The left side of my head has damaged nerves from the multiple long term leaks. This acts like my other leaks- headache, hoarse voice when I'm upright for awhile, thinking is hard, like brain fog, dizzy, ringing I'm the ears, it's like my life is being sucked out of me and I too sick to do anything. I still have hope that this will improve like the others have. Can I read, watch relaxing tv? Doc said no tv. My faith in God and my family and friends have helped me through it all.

Bless your heart.

You sure have been through the wringer.

Well, for the concussion, flashing, bright light effects most likely trigger things and make you symptomatic, whatever your symptoms at their worst may be. So, try to avoid looking at those type things. Close your eyes when you encouter it.

Falls are your enemy. Take all precautions necessary to avoid falling.

Stress is not good for concussion and bad joints.

Drinking is not good for concussion and bad joints.

Smoking is not good for concussion and bad joints.

Time is on your side.

Pain patterns do change.

You can spend time learning to play an instrument, art, crossword puzz;es, reading current newspapers or listening to audio tapes, (books on tape - sometimes westerns or documentaries are better, as the Star Wars has loud noises, so sound may make you symptomatic, too), or studying another language, to stimulate the brain.

Inhale water. Good for you Brain is mostly water; 75 - 99%

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/in...8153326AA0WlkH

Get plenty of rest.

Become familiar with all your diagnosis. So, keep asking questions...

Welcome to NT!

You have come to a wonderful place full of caring support and understanding!
Please make yourself right at home, as this is a very down-to-earth atmosphere and people are easy to talk to. You've been through aLOT and my heart goes out to you. There are forums here for each of the things you are battling and I hope you will find them as helpful as I have.
I too have a spinal cord stimulator. Come visit the SCS forum! Here's the link to take you there:
http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/fo...ysprune=&f=118

Here's the CSF Leak forum:
http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/fo...sprune=-1&f=78

Here's the post-concussion forum:
http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/fo...sprune=-1&f=92

I hope this helps get you started!

Just holler if you have any questions or need help in finding your way around.

It's great to have you!

Caring,
Rae

adventurer53,

It is great to have you come and be with us. You will fine a great number of dear friends to listen when you are in need of ears. Please, just let us know how we can help you out. You will find out we are supportive and relaxing place.

So sorry to hear what you are going through at this time. Please keep us up to date on your condition. Again welcome, looking forward to seeing you around. My thoughts and prayers are with you.