Hi All.
I had a head injury on the 16th April 2007., i.e. a gymnastic beam fell on my head and knocked me out for a while, not sure for how long. When I came round, I was disorientated, didn`t know where I was etc.
Since the accident I have suffered post concussion syndrome and it has completely changed me from being an active martial art instructor to someone who has consistent headaches, nausea etc.

During the past 3 weeks I have had 2 blackouts, each blackout I can`t remem ber. All I can remember before the blackout is feeling giddy, nausea, and feeling as if Im somewhere else, completely vacant. On coming around from the seizure, I have noticed that I have dribbled and that I have accidentally wet myself, together with a feeling of extreme tiredness.

Is there anyone here that has experienced this; if so I would love to speak with you. I have an urgent appointment with the epileptic clinic in Wales, I have had one CT scan but all normal, I am due for another this month.

Hi, I'm Donna and I had a post concussion syndrome that happened in August of 2006. I still have some issues with this. We have a forum for this here.
Its called Tramautic Brain Injury and Post Concussion Syndrome.

Its a brand new forum about 1 month to 6 weeks old, its growing with members, and your more than welcome to come and post. The things you post sound very much like some of the things I've gone through.

Now about the epilepsy and seizures, these sound very much like things I've heard of too. I'm a adult that had seizures or epilepsy as a child, I had absence which were staring spells, and now I have two son's that have seizures. One has uncontrolled complex partial that can 2nd generalize.
Which is exactly what it sounds like yours do. The other has had a few that
are Complex Partial that I believe go to 2nd generalize too. They happened
when he was driving down the road, luckily he just ended up in a ditch.

This luckily is behind him now and he has been successfully treated with depakote and now can drive again. But it was definately something that
scared the heck out of him and me both.

The fact that you have things that happen before it goes to a complete seizure, sounds like what we call a aura, and this is good. This is a warning
sign.

I hope that you can also visit the epilepsy forum here. It has some nice folks in there too.

Donna

Hi Lyntole... Welcome to Neurotalk!

I'm sorry to hear what you are going through... I understand what it is like to go from being a very active person to the frustration you must be feeling of what you are going through.

Please feel free to roam around, ask questions when needed and help out others when you can. You will find many helpful and caring people here.


Here are links to the TBI/PCS forum and the Epilepsy forum.


Tramautic Brain Injury and Post Concussion Syndrome Forum:
http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/forumdisplay.php?f=92

Epilepsy Forum:
http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/forumdisplay.php?f=11


If you need any help finding your way around or have any questions... just give us a yell and someone will be around shortly to help you out.


Abbie

traumatic brain injury even "mild" TBi can have so many Life changing affects --short term & longer lasting. Many common but different symptoms can occur in our different bodys & unique brains-- based on location (what area damaged) Severity of Injury and more....


Post Concussive syndrome is complex issue. besides Sx of PCS --headaches, nausea --you're having black outs w/ amnesia--no memory of event--that may be Seizure. Sounds like that's what these episodes are-- esp. w/ loss of bladder and tiredness after.

Seizures can occur after TBi. Good that you'll be seeing Specialist soon. Often anti-convulsant meds are given when seizures are suspected, even before testing. Getting formal seizure DX can be challenge, as can be finding the Right meds. Hopefully Drs will quickly determine what's going on & provide most appropriate treatments.

Whatever Dx, preventing more damage & injury [esp. to head] is vital. Do you get any "warnings" prior to black out episodes, or even if do , have adequate time to take preventive measures. I'm assuming that you do fall down when this occurs. You don't need another injury.

Be Careful ... easier said than done. I'm speaking from my Hx of "falls" and multiple head injurys, that began after TBi when I was hit by car.
Seizures were suspected but ruled out per tests. but have been on various anti-convulsives and am trying a new one--Keppra.

I don't "black out"--I drop like a rag doll; I can hear but not move for 1-20minutes. These episodes still do NOT have a formal Dx. I have been injured in falls-- I've lost count of how many concussions-- 2 "bigger" Tbi's --considered "mild" -- I was unconscious for less than 30 minutes.

Since 1st accident 10+yrs ago, plenty problems; another TBi 6 mths ago exacerbated & manifested "new" issues.{this Not from a fall but a strange accident when I was struck in head & knocked out} Dx: PCS w/ many ongoing problems, physical, cognitive, perceptual & more...
Chronic pain disorders- nerve damage, neuropathies -worst at nite, result in little rest or sleep. Vicious cycle of pain, fatigue... Tried several meds but none that helped enough to justify side f/x.

do you have sleep issues?? many w/ TBi sleep Lots- for me -insomnia ,
always feel tired. My blood tests "normal" but Neuro-endocrine problems can result. as well as other Neuro issues....NeuroBehavioral , etc.

You aren't Crazy-tho may feel that way sometimes. My biggest problems were cognitive, perceptual & emotional but I'm improving. You may not be able to do everything you did before TBi-- or at least not yet. Do what you can--exercise helps w/ healing--but you may need to modify & adapt for awhile.
[what martial arts do you teach? do?? Utilize the Breathing --i'm sure you already know benefits.

I recommend Learning all can; pace self--rest when needed; don't be "hard" on self , on any level. Things may occur that you don't understand, or are "embarrassing" ..
You've been thru a Trauma. there may be damage to brain that hasn't shown up on the tests you've had, like CT scans. You'll probably have more testing--MRI's, other scans; for most w/ "mild" TBi these are "normal".
You'll go thru more tests for Seizures. may need to see other specialists


Recovery is a process and each is unique as the brain injured. Some heal quickly --others go thru more, and longer term. New symptoms may emerge, while others alleviate--like nausea.
Depression can hit hard; this may be more relevant if Seizures are occuring.

There is so much that can occur after head injury. Be aware & Positive. Healing takes time & that time varies...

Access support--Tbi can be hard on family, friends & you; other's who've experienced TBi can be very helpful & supportive.
Forum for TBi/PCs is where I usually post. But forum for Epilepsy may be beneficial --if determined you're having seizures.

Hope I've not overwhelmed you w/ all this-- and that you'll update & share more -- Praying for the BEST outcome!!

Hi Lyntole. It's very nice to see you, and welcome to NeuroTalk.

You're not alone with this! There people on this board who deal with the same problems as you. I have a cousin who was in a very bad car accident March last year. Along with numerous other injuries, she also has been dealing with TBI.

I'm glad you are seeing a specialist and I assume you've also been seeing a neurologist.

If you have any problems navigating the site, be sure and let us know.

Again, welcome to a place with very caring people.

OMG, Pono! I never heard anyone describe so well what my 15 year old daughter had gone through, the whole "rag doll" experience, where it appeared that she had passed out, but she was well aware of everything going on around her, just not able to respond. Eventually she was able to move a finger, then squeeze someone's hand and then mumble/grunt. And then as time went on she could often tell that one of these episodes was going to happen within a few minutes, so she could get herself to a safe place. This was happening one to three times a week. We even had her hospitalized under 24/7 video and EEG monitoring and induced one of these episodes to see if they were seizures. (They're not.) She also had a complete cardiac workup to rule out a heart problem. (None.) Normal MRI's and CT scans, of course. (Well, the MRI showed some compression of her cervical spine.) This, in addition to other symptoms such as vertigo, headaches, pains in her chest and extremeties, light and sound sensitivity, sleep problems (my husband just told me the other day that he read a medical article stating that the circadian rhythm of people who have suffered brain trauma often gets thrown out of whack), and difficulty concentrating and focusing. You are living a nightmare, I know, and it can feel most discouraging. And it doesn't help that this is a condition that is not well known or understood. Several doctors felt that it was a completely psychiatric issue. Bogus. Surely, this resulted from their frustration that they didn't know how to treat it. Finding this web site has been a big eye-opener and source of emotional support for me. Every doctor who has dealt with TBI should study it.

By the way, as a point of information, my daughter's injury resulted from a fall during a basketball game where she was going for a rebound and someone swept her legs from under her, her head hit the floor and then the other girl fell on top of her head. Then, three weeks later a fellow student was retrieving a 30 pound backpack from on top of the lockers at school and bopped her in the head. She felt nauseous and unfocused for the rest of the day, but her migraine-like symptoms didn't start until two weeks later.

Anyway, despite several wrong turns, as I stated in other fora (Headache and TBI/PCS) she had a major turnaround in the last few weeks when she started on a course of therapy involving Effexor and acupuncture with neurostimulation. The former helps reestablish nerve pathways and the latter opened up blockages in her neck and upper back to allow proper blood flow. She is also taking Melatonin at night to help her get to sleep.

Listen, I know this may sound whacky, and most likely time was a factor in her recovery, but the fact is that she is almost all better (at least 90%) after having suffered for 16 months. Her headaches are almost gone, she can concentrate for longer periods of time, is no longer as sensitive to light and prolonged loud noise, doesn't have the body pains and hasn't had a rag-doll episode in about 5 weeks. (She had a minor experience last week and two weeks before that where she felt a little weak and unfocused, but after lying down and resting for five minutes she was fine.)

So, anyone who is reading this, there CAN BE HOPE. I didn't feel this way 6 weeks ago, believe me, but now I see that it's very likely she'll live a normal life. Our lives have completely turned around.

I'm sorry if it sounds like I'm trying to sell something, and you may feel that these treatments may not help you, but don't knock it until you try it.

God bless and don't lose hope.

lyntole,

Hello and welcome to NeuroTalk. You will find a great deal of help here from a number of people.

I have had Epilepsy the majority of my life. At one time after having a seizure I usually couldn't remember much and was always tired then ending up laying down for about a hour, but now if I have one it only last about 3-5 seconds and I am up and running after ten minutes. At times when one is coming I feel as though I am drafting off somewhere.

During this time I am unable to talk. Some how I feel I have my words formed but my mouth will not move(sounds a little crazy). I have had no problem with wetting myself.

My neurologist currently has me on Keppra and Lamital. I feel he is trying to ease me off the Keppra. Since I started taking thr two I have felt a lot better, because of not feeling as tired after a spell.

Hope you will find some answers soon. Keep us all informed on your condition.

Darlene

I am looking for a support group and a place to share my experiences with others with similar issues.

I had a driveway reflector peirce my frontal lobe, entering through my right tear duct. Full right oribital blowout fracture. This required a frontal craniotomy and much time in intensive care/rehab. This happened when I was 15, i finished high school sans the football, but could wrestle and participate in track and field.

At age 21 I suffered my first grand mal seizure and have had them sporadically ever since. I was on keppra then switched to 600mg twice daily of trileptal. Throughout this time I also was diagnosed with lymes disease and was also a carrier of TB when I was 16.

My main complaints are constant tiredness, headaches, euphoria, and lost time. Does anyone have any coping strategies for the tiredness and lethargy? Sorry if I am posting this in the wrong forum but any help or incite would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!!

Hello and welcome to NeuroTalk. Great to see you have come to be with us. Just let us know if we can be of any help. We are all here to assist each other as possible.

Check out the Epilepsy forum there are agreat number there willing to help you.
http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/thread82205.html

Again welcome, looking forward to seeing you around.

Hi lyntole and jswartz, and welcome to NeuroTalk! This is a great place to hang out with many friendly and caring people.