Hi there, never used one of these groups before, but I am at the end of my rope right now. I was hurt in an accident on July 13 last year. No one really knows what happened, I was found on out cold on a cement floor with a heavy bag over my face. No one knows how long I laid there, but my co workers had been looking for me for over an hour before they found me. Was taken to hospital in ambulance and released that day and was told to go to my PCP if I had any problems. Had to take a cab to work to get my car.
I spent the next couple of days rolled up in a ball in a dark room, lights and sound would send me "over the edge" My head would pound so much I could not stand it. I did get an appt with my PCP, but by the time I got there I was in so much pain I could not tell him anything. I just gave him the papers from the hospital and he sent me home with Soma (hurt back, neck and shoulder also) and Xanax. Next time he gave me Fioricet and told my to see a neurologist--boy, are they hard to get into!!--
The first neurologist was only a resident, only saw the Doctor once for about 2 minutes. Saw this resident twice before she told me to see a pain management doctor. I was not happy with that because I was still having vision problems (no peripheral vision and still very light sensitive. and non stop head aches 24/7) So I found another doctor. She is trying several things, which I will be happy to go over, if anyone wants to know. But the thing that seemed to help the most was vestibular therapy.
There in lays my problem...well one of them... They only way I can do the vestibular therapy is to take ALOT of pain pills both prescription and over the counter mixed together and even that does not work all the time. I can not seem to explain to either the pain management doctor that percocet is not enough to keep my pain in check, nor can I explain to the vestibular therapist that I could do the exercises better if I was not fighting off a migraine (though the pain is worse than that)
Any ideas on how to make these people understand that I have been walking around with a pounding headache for almost a year. I went from being a very active person to sitting in a darken room most of the day. From being a speed reader with a 90-95% retention rate to not even being able to read a sentence. I lose track of a conversion while I am having it. I am also having problems with my emotions. I cry at the drop of a hat, which I never did before, which makes my worry that they might just pass me of as being depressed.
If any one out there can give me some guidance I would really appreciate it.
Thank you in advance

Have you found our TBI & PCS forum yet?
You might want to copy your post on it for more help.

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

Sometimes it takes finding the best dr & therapists in your area for the condition. If they aren't understanding of what you are telling them, they are not the best for help..

Thank you for the information. I will re-post this at the correct link. I live in a very small area and there are not many "good" doc. around. My current one is over a hour drive so I have to find a ride every time I have to go, makes finding new doctors hard.

Thank you again and I will re-post in the correct area

I forgot to say Hello & Welcome to you
I'm sure you will find knowledgeable answers & help on our PCS/TBI forum.

I am sorry you feel so bad. I empathize with being at the end of your rope, as I've been there myself lately. It must be very hard to be doing that poorly, especially not being able to read!

Did you have any other problems before your injury? And what other therapies have you tried? I'm had vision problems and terrible headaches where all therapy makes me ill, but I was able to find a Physical Therapist through my neurologist who is helping (albeit slowly) get me feeling better. Sometimes I actually feel better after I see her, not worse! But over time I've noticed slight improvements, and she says she's been able to help people in worse shape than me after a few years of PT (patience...).

I looked her up online and this is her description: "SPECIALTIES: Outpatient orthopedics and treatment of the spine and women’s health issues; eclectic approach with craniosacral therapy, myofasical release, neuromuscular reeducation, joint mobilization."

Basically I lie on a table and she moves things around. No exercise or strengthening at this point because I'm not ready. Have you tried something similar?

I was a perfectly healthy and very active person before this happened, which I think might be making the slow recovery time seem even worse.
When I fell, in addition to the hit to the head, I hurt my neck, shoulder and back. Went to PT for awhile for those, but they did not seem to do anything and everyone was afraid to touch my neck because of the head injury. I tried a chiropractor, who did help my back, but was also worried about doing anything to my neck. I did therapeutic messages for a while, which really seemed the best. In addition to standard message he also worked on just my head. He said he could feel the plates not moving and said that was because of the swelling and once the swelling went away, the pain would also. in theory, unless more damage has been done because of the swelling...
I looked up the specialties you listed and the closest to me is a 3 hour drive! (I live in a very rural area!)
I do vestibular therapy which always knocks me out for the rest of the day, but if you say sometimes you feel better afterwards... maybe there is still hope!!
Thanks for your response and I hope you get to better soon!!