New to group
 

Hi all! I am new to the group. I am 40 years old and suffered mTBI on January 11, 2012. Now suffering with Post Concussion Syndrome, Cognitive Dysfunction, ADHD, some speech issues, headaches, dizziness, blurred vision...etc. I also have a family history of Alzheimer on Mother's side. Just scared as he**. I have a 12 year old daughter and a wonderful husband. They try to understand, but it doesn't help that I try and hide my symptoms but its exhausting pretending.

You've found a great place :) I'm still new here too but truly a wealth of knowledge and similar lives going on in here will help you feel better. :grouphug::hug:

Dear jmsarge,

Firstly welcome!!
You will be cared for here. You may not always like what you hear but it will be accurate info. The main guy is Mark. He has studied our condition for years. Read some of his posts on nutrition etc, very helpful.
Generally there is nothing that you are experiencing that has not been covered in older posts on this site but if you feel you need support or want to ask anything etc then start a new post and we'll all chip in and help.

Secondly please do not worry about the Alzheimers. It is not yet proven to be hereditary. And logic says you will die from something, do not worry from what till it starts to happen.

However being scared is normal as you are suffering symptoms that you have not had to deal with before.

The more we know about you the more we can help.

Take care and keep in contact.

sarge,

Welcome to NeuroTalk. Sounds like you are living with classic PCS. Check out the thread Vitamins. It has some good links at the bottom for you to share with your hubby and family. They need good information so they will understand and be supportive.

There is no reason to try to hide symptoms. It is much easier to be open with your symptoms as long as you try to not pout and complain. Understanding your symptoms allows you to look at them from an objective viewpoint. They do not mean you are deficient or bad, just that you are injured.

What have you been doing to help with recovery ?
Are you trying to work at a job ? What kind of environment do you live in daily ? Noisy, busy, visually stimulating ????

Are you taking any meds or getting treated by any doctors or other professionals?

Where are you ? Different areas have different systems of health care and support for PCS.

Please feel free to share here. You are with a good group of supportive people. Unload your burdens when you need to. We have heard them all.

My best to you.

Welcome! Looking forward to your posts around the board.

Some of us are here asking lots of questions (like me!) and some are further along in their journey so they are great advisors. I've found great support here. I don't know what I would have done without it actually. Found these guys about six weeks after injury and have been posting ever since. (Now at 4 months)

A true testament to how being here affects my recovery: I have iced my neck DAILY sometimes multiple times a day thanks to Mark's advice, and truly believe this has helped me... Yet not one doctor, specialist nor physiotherapist mentioned it.

I've also made great connections with many types/ages of people going through the same struggles, and really bonded with a few moms!

Thanks so much! I keep telling myself that I'm not a bad person, just have to do things differently.
I am currently seeing a therapist for PTSD and PCS. She is really helpful. I am currently under the care of a Neurologist, Neuropsychologist, Primary Care Physician and Therapist. I deal with the recovery by doing regular walks, going to start yoga soon. I live in a pretty quiet environment, I don't work because of the complications after the mva. I do have issues with with getting too visually stimulating, even at the grocery store. The docs currently have me on Elavil (50mg) at night and Extended release Ritalin (60mg) daily.
I am located in Pennsylvania, and I'm just feeling comfortable talking openly about my condition. I am very frustrated with this and it is very difficult to describe to the uninjured person.

Symptom
 

I was wondering if anybody has had issues with eye twitching with PCS? My eyes twitch crazy sometimes when there is too much stimulation and/or I am over exerting myself. Also issues with blurred vision that comes and goes. Sometimes I think I am going nutz!

Yes, I do.

I have it. And it amazed the I.M.E. of the insurance company people so much he even noted it in his notes, we are awaiting their fact finding thoughts on it now.

NOTE: he is their I.M.E. not mine - but I used to work with him about 10 years ago, so he was funny when he said that he knows this is not something thats pre-existing and he has to note it as "new" - lol.

It twitches to the point of blurring, or just that vision in that eye is like an old time movie; and periodically one finger on the same side of my body will start twiching almost at the same time .

sarge,

What is the Ritalin prescribed for ?

Stimulants are not usually recommended for PCS.

A newbie FYI : If you use the Post Reply button at the bottom left, it will not quote the previous post. It save effort trying to scroll through long quotes.

My best to you.

It is for the acquired ADHD that decided to show up after head injury.

Neuropsychological Evaluation
 

Tomorrow I am undergoing that dreadful neuropsych eval. I am absolutely dreading it. I have been so on edge, in addition to my symptoms being elevated, the last few days haven't been great ones. I hope some good days are around the corner.

I am not sure whats to dread. My only concern with any portion of my health care had to do with poor opinions of a rather frustrating neurologist. The NP will help you prove your case. Yes it will be tiring and yes it will be frustrating. Rest as best as you can and plan to address any fatigue and headaches after. You amy have to break the visit up into pieces just let the Doctor know if you are getting overwhelmed.

Some doctors recommend neurostimulants to help people deal with focus problems, sensory overload, motivation, apathy, etc. Amantadine does something similar. They work on the level of dopamine, which helps enhance neurotransmission...often a problem with brain injury.

I have never read anything about using stimulants to deal with sensory overload. Sensory overload is usually a problem because it over stimulates the brain.

The concussion experts I follow have never recommended stimulants. They are usually recommended by GP's, PCP's, and others as a way to help with concentration.

Any doctor that tells you that you have acquired ADHD from a concussion is not aware that a concussion can cause symptoms that mimic ADHD. A NP who has a practice treating ADHD may be overly focused on ADHD diagnoses. Being easy distractible is a result of the brain's filtering function failing to filter out distractions. Lack of focus can also be due to poor immediate and short term memory functions.

I've been learning a lot about visual issues since my mva 7 months ago and was diagnosed with convergence insufficiency.

I didn't really quite grock how the eye is a part of the brain! So I've been told eye twitching and blurring are signs that your eyes are fatigued and need rest.

I have also heard that your vision may change with PCS/mtbi, but you may want to get your eyes checked out by a neuro-opthalmologist or binocular vision clinic if the blurry vision continues.

I have had multiple issues with blurred vision and fatigue with my eyes. It is so frustrating. Thanks for the suggestion. I had my mva 14 months ago and still suffer with PCS, PTSD, etc...