Concussion & PCS
 

I've got a few questions.

I was recently about 8ft from a massive chemical explosion. I went to hospital by ambulance and was diagnosed with concussion and pcs. I follow up today. This is a workman comp accident. Since the accident I have terrible headaches which get worse everyday. Hearing loss, neck pain and severe nausea. I'm dizzy, can't sleep and have to stay still as possible. I vomit riding in a car. Is this normal?

I feel horrible, I can't sleep at night. Im scared this is going to cost me my job.

How long should I expect to be out of work? I have insurance to cover my pay (work comp, short term/long term disability and accident insurance)

I feel like this has changed my life!

Welcome to the Forum.

I'm sorry about your injury.

The symptoms you are describing are common to TBI.

I wish I could provide you with a timeline for recovery. However, every concussion is as unique as the person who sustains it.

For now, one of the best things you can do to maximize your recovery is to get as much physical and mental rest as possible. The less stimulation, the better.

It is also advisable to abstain from alcohol and to eat a proper diet. Many suggest vitamin supplements, and you can learn a lot about your options by reading through the sticky on that topic.

Don't be shy about advocating for care.

Keep a journal of all your symptoms/odd behaviours. As brain injury can rob one of self-reflection, ask your spouse/friends/family to do the same.

Consider taking a family member with you to medical appointments, to ensure that all your questions are asked and that you understand/remember the answers.

Push for a neuro-psych exam and for any cognitive and occupational therapy it indicates might benefit you.

Do not be ashamed to seek psychological help. Many TBI patients find themselves battling depression, anxiety, panic attacks etc...

Listen to your body and don't let ANYONE try and push you past your limits. Overdoing things is the surest way to suffer setbacks and slow and/or compromise recovery.

Good luck, and remember, you are not alone.

Thank you so much, I can't even describe how I feel.


I'm a commercial truck driver I haul hazardous chemicals. I can't drive because I get sick and I'm so scared this workers comp doctor is going to send me back to work.

Sadly, I think you're right to be wary of the workers' comp doctor. Workers' Comp should be renamed Employers' Protection Scheme. Are you unionized? If so, turn to your steward for some advice and support.

As a professional driver, hauling dangerous cargo, you are well aware of the importance, to public safety, of your being in top condition. You're the guy behind the wheel. Don't let anyone put you back there until you're able.

If you go back, too soon, and are involved in an accident, it's not the Workers' Comp doc they'll be coming after.

I'll add getting a proper amount of sleep. It's taken till my concussions and the aftermath for me to finally regulate my sleep schedule and get a good night's sleep. Prior to this I was all over the place. I am on medication (amitriptylan) to aid this, though, because at first I couldn't sleep more than a half hour at a time. I feel much better now after a full 8 hours.

And I second the advice to have someone with you at appointments. Because my mom was with me we were able to catch my neurologist in a slip-up that I probably would have forgotten had I been on my own.

Good luck!

Welcome to NeuroTalk. You have been given good advice. You likely need to prepare yourself for a Work Comp struggle. Check out www.tbilaw.com and www.subtlebraininjury.com . They are put together by a very knowledgeable attorney.

Be sure to get diagnostics and treatment for your neck. Neck injuries and concussion go hand in hand. Many concussion symptoms are magnified by a subtle neck injury.

Please keep us informed with your progress. We are here to help.

My best to you.

I am not unionized. I am going to see what's said today. I'm currently unsure if I should consult a WC attorney. Workers comp is already questioning how I have a concussion from a explosion without hitting my head. A explosion that was heard and felt 3.5 miles away, I was 8 ft away when it happend. I feel lucky to be alive!

I will not drive like this, I hope I get a good doctor, I vomit just riding I don't think I could drive. Headaches are getting worse everyday meds don't help at all :-(

The military calls them Blast Concussions. Concussion for the blast force of an explosion are very common in the military due to road side bombs. Google "blast concussions." You will find plenty of information and government research supporting the damage done by blast concussions. Here are two good articles, http://www.washingtonpost.com/nation...GUU_story.html and http://dvbic.dcoe.mil/about-traumati...ary-concussion.

You might even print out an article to take to the doctors in case they try to minimize or doubt your symptoms.

Hope this helps.

My best to you.

To think one has to hit one's head to get a concussion is complete rot -and WC darn well knows that. For example, many, many people get concussion from whiplash. The damage is done by the brain getting slammed into the skull's INTERIOR.

For an analogy closer to your situation, look at the number of DOCUMENTED cases of soldiers, serving in Afghanistan/Iraq, getting TBI - without striking their heads - when they are in vehicles when roadside bombs explode nearby.

Thank you all. I will read the articles as I gather myself, I'm feeling bad but I have a 5:30 appt. I will keep everyone posted.

I'm so glad I found this website.

Well I went to the worker comp doctor. According to him I have just PCS. My neck hurts due to my headaches. My headaches, dizziness, nausea, and fogginess becoming worse is normal nothing to worry about. Vomiting is normal from headaches.

My ear drum is ruptured but no biggie it will heal up within 30 days. My PCS will be gone by 5/27 so he will probally release me on 5/28

I'm not happy. He said no need for a neurologist. He said he could tell I was fine, with no brain injury and none of it would be permanent or long term.

What do I do? I don't trust this guy at all!!!

You are 100% right not to trust this idiot.

You have PCS, but you don't have a brain injury? That's like saying your leg is broken, but you don't have a fracture.

He can predict, to the day, when your PCS will be gone?!? Then he's a psychic, not a physician. Nobody knows that. No reputable doctor would dream of making such an unqualified statement about your possible recovery - let alone attaching a date to it. Unbelievable!!!

Don't hesitate, get another doctor, pronto!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

My new plan in life may be to see that all WC 'docs' have their license revoked!!

I am so sorry... and as you will find here from those of us that are 'new' to this that being 'new' means that we have been dealing with this for at least a few months... me personally, accident was on January 12th... I will go to the neuro tomorrow and my guess is that I will STILL not be released to go back to work and I sit at a desk all day...

I would encourage you if possible to see a neurologist... get a scan and make sure nothing bigger is going on...

**

My damage was caused by 'contre-coup' injury. Below is a link to a you tube vide showing what happens inside your head when your head is whipped back and forth.

My neuropsych said on a level they can't see, cells are stretched, torn, twisted and chemicals leak in and out of them. I don't completely understand it all or remember all I've been taught about it, but there are very knowledgable people here to help you.

http://youtu.be/Vqlkpt9d89g

My head went many different directions as there were multiple impacts during my car accident. It's been 18 months today and I can't function normally. What you are experiencing is real and so hard emotionally, mentally, and physically. Do not doubt yourself.

Your workmans comp doctor is the same as my 12 year old diagnosing you. Actually worse, my 12 year old has a brain injury and knows what it's like. The doctor is ignorant of a brain injury and can do MUCH damage to you than help or is trying to save $. Go to a neurologist!!! A very good one that handles brain injuries. You have a brain injury.

It CAN cause PERMANENT damage or you may end up healed but it's not like a broken arm. Brain injuries take a long time to heal.

Lean on people here. If you have someone to help you have them read up on here too. It's hard to understand what it's like if you've never had a brain injury.

Peace and wellness:),

Jace

Sorry if I seem agitated...your doctor lit my nerves!:mad:

Thanks for all your support.

I put in a request for a new doctor, in fl I read I can request 1 change only. But what if the new doc is the same way? Then what? I'm 30 minutes from UF why wouldn't they send me there?

I'm also contacting a attorney!


Help please, I need to be covered and paid by WC I'm 26 yr old male with a wife and 2 kids depending on me!!

Can you request going to UF?

I think an attorney is a good move!

I know you are worried and stressed and you may want to smack me when I say this... but please, try not to get too stressed... it will only make it worse... (heck, I want to smack me for saying that) but it is true... I am very nervous, anxious about my apt tomorrow... and I am paying for it..

Like Hockey said... advocate for yourself, demand things like scans if you have to... the only way you are going to help your family is to get better and to do that you need the best care you can get...

I hate lawyers - but you need one or WC WILL screw you. Comp doctors aren't selected because they are good patient advocates.

I guess, thankfully, the rules are different in the States. In Canada, accepting any Workers' Comp negates your right to litigate. How evil is that? :mad:

Thank you all.

I feel helpless, scared and like it's all against me. I just want to be diagnosed and get better! The WC lady did not like my request not sure what they are going to do.

But I spent awhile on the phone (killed my head, I'm so nauseated) but I now have a lawyer (gotta sign and make a contract but we are good).

He was able to advise me and assured me that if WC didn't get me checked out that he would!

All I can think is why me? I try to be a good person!

On a side note!

This forum has been a great source of advice, everyone here has been so supportive! It's bittersweet because I really like reading and learning here but it hurts sooo bad! My wife tries to understand but my kids don't. (2yr old boy, 6 yr old girl) voice text helps a lot!

I'm not sure what I can do. I was advised in FL I don't have a choice on doctors and I only get 1 change request! I was told if I seek outside care of my own it would compromise the entire case.

At this point I'm to contact the lawyer about any changes or appts. He really seemed to care!

Not stress? Are you crazy! That's all I can do and it's killing me! I went to take a drink out of a glass coke cup, lost my perception and slammed the cup into my tooth! Is that normal? Normal to lose your depth perception?

m

Your agitation tells me your concerned and know how I feel. Thank you for taking the time to inform me and god bless you. I will be praying for you and everyone on this forum!

You don't deserve what is happening to you. Many of us have been there. You are a good, honest person, about to deal with a bunch of people, who are neither. I wish you courage. Be brave and believe in yourself.

Loss of depth perception is another TBI symptom. Are you having convergence issues, you know, seeing double?

Poor soul, I know, from experience, how stressed you feel. I wish, with all my heart, that patients didn't have to endure such inhumane treatment. All the wrong people run the world.

I am so happy you have an attorney... hopefully this will relieve some of the stress.. and yes, i know how hard it is not to stress... I am there...

Another thing that you may want to do is start making a list of things that you do that are out of your norm... Have your wife make her list as well... this will help the doctor as well as your attorney.

There are a lot of veterans on this board that are great!

I am a newbie still... and look to them for advice.. they are great.. .ask away!

I know that kevbo is going through WC as well... and he may be able to tell you what he has done....

I have had some blurring vision, and my depth perception being off. Not constant kinds hit or miss these symptoms started 2 days after the initial accident seems weird to me.

Sounds familiar, to me.

Hang in there.

Thank you, I'm trying to stay positive.

** you will get through this, for your kids. My daughter was little when I was hurt and it was, for her, that I battled back and continue to battle every single day.

For them, you will discover that you are stronger than you think.

I know I will get through this but it's so difficult, I'm sick constantly! I tried washing some dishes for my wife while she's at work and I got sick!

Still awaiting my doctor change from W/C. Woke up this morning with a small amount of clear fluid in my right ear. Maybe because of the rupture?

Has anyone dealt with the loss hunger? I have no hunger at all since Friday I force myself to eat.

Hi,

Your posts are so familiar to my earlier months.

I lost my appetite for about 6 months. Ate only to survive basically. I did have certain cravings at times though. First four months my body only wanted sweets if I ate. Not candy, but bakery items, pancakes, waffles. I don't eat that stuff so it was very bizzare for my family and me. Mostly I didn't eat.

Carry peace with you in some form knowing there are many of us here, like you, that understand.

My husband does next to everything. He's a solid, good, loving man. It's not easy for him, but he understands and makes our lives about what works for us now and goes to any length to enjoy life.

I couldn't do hardly anything in the beginning. I slept 80-90% of the first 100 days. That's what my brain desired. Everything is dictated by my brain.

Peace and wellness,

Jace

It's crazy you said that craved and ate pancakes last night. But I never actually got hungry. I'm so bored and miserable!

I would ask about the clear fluid.. could be something more than the ruptured ear drum

As for appetite.. I have been the opposite... I have gained 40 lbs since January...

Workers comp claim nurse just implied by phone that she thinks my symptoms are being exaggerated!

WTH?

Ignore the witch: it's WC's job to screw you over.

From just the few incidents you've described, any unbiased person can tell you're in medical distress. If anything, what I'm hearing from you is a tendency to minimize and/or doubt obvious - and serious - symptoms of TBI

As I said earlier, you will have to advocate for yourself. It's so obscenely unfair, but it's the way it is. :mad:

At this point my lawyer has stopped all communication with WC. I will no longer communicate with them. Now if only I could get a good doctor.

Your lawyer might well recommend a doc.

Just got notification from my lawyer of a appointment tomorrow 25 miles away at a carespot. Praying it goes better than Tuesday did.

I am happy you have a new doctor! I really hope that this person listens to you!!

I am so sorry you are having to go through this... WC just stinks!! Sorry!