Neurologists
 

What is the role of neurologists re TBI and post Concussion, and how might they be able to help? Or not help.

Thanks. Appreciate the views and experiences of others. As a result of reading other people's experiences one looks at other options e.g cervical Chiropractor, and what a difference - apparently injury to top 4 spinal joints is common and I was no exception. Second opinions can be valuable.

Some neuros are helpful. By experience, most aren't except maybe with headache issues. They rarely have much interest in or knowledge about concussions.

A common saying is. If the neuro can't see it, test for it, or image it (CT Scan, MRI, EEG) then it likely does not exist.

So, do some local research to find a doctor that understands.

What symptoms are you wanting help with ?
That makes a big difference.

It is not uncommon for the neuro to confirm a concussion or PCS and just say to rest or that it takes time. Some have a standard protocol. No screen time, lots of rest, limited school, etc. The mix of recommendations is as varied as there are neuros.

I'll confirm what Mark says about Neuros... if they don't have an objective measure demonstrating an abnormality, they won't offer much other then confirming an mTBI occurred.

I actually had one Neuro state things plainly. If you have a depression and/or anxiety comorbidity, the Neuro will always conclude that these comorbidities are the reason for ongoing PCS issues. The only time a Neuro will change his/her opinion is if a Psychiatrist concludes that all comorbidities (i.e. depression) are resolved. If this occurs, time elapses, and other PCS issue remains, the Neuro will then conclude that there must be a neurological etiology.

Seems silly to me, but he was pretty blunt about it.

Going to a neurologist would not be my choice because of reasons you have given and of which I would concur. But it is a requirement by our Government Insurance Scheme, so am awaiting response as to why they want it.

Past experiences with family members who have had TBI have shown it to be a waste of time, just told to continue doing as we are but these appts were made by Insurance Company.

One of the hardest parts of being advocate and support person for loved ones and now myself is finding therapists and consultants who actually know what they are talking about when it comes to brain injury/concussion. When you get past the gravy train runners, often success. Guess it is much the same the world over.

suggestions as to what may work on this blog site and info as to what to research, is how I found the chiropractor I am now going to. An American recommendation, checked the site and a practitioner mentioned in my country, contacted him and he suggested someone in city close to me doing this type of work as first port of call.

My experience with neurologists has been awful.


When I went to a nuero for the first time months back down the road, she looked at me like I was crazy, and needed to talk to someone.


Most likely its because my symptoms are a bit more rare with concussions, ( Dreamy/Unreal feeling etc.) But still, nueros like mark said don't necessarily I guess focus and have so much knowledge on concussions.




My recommendation would be to keep searching. I go to a medical doctor who specializes in sports medicine and concussions. He knows a lot, and is able to try to treat whatever he can.

I've been to two neurologists and they both were suppose to specialized in concussions, but were really not very helpful down the road. The best they can do is give headache medication (topamax) but that had such terrible side effects, it didn't help in the long run. And recommend the usual magnesium and B vitamins regimen.

The neuropsych was more helpful, and the sports medicine doctor who deals with concussion was somewhat more useful.

Time is the greatest healer...

Agree with Mark 100%.
I would say a visit to a neuro is useful after a TBI to rule out any serious neurological damage/issues, if they don't see anything then don't go back.

I went a total of 3 times in the first year and except giving me Ambien she couldn't do anything for me, don't think she really believed what I was telling her.

My neurologist has been very helpful. My eye doctor has been great as well. He uses the ImPACT test to help measure my progress.

*edited per copyright - ImPACT Applications, Inc. © 2015*

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daniellemh33,

Welcome to NeuroTalk. It's great to hear you have found good care. That is rare.

What has your neurologist and eye doctor done to help you with your recovery ? Any special therapies that were beneficial ?

So, how did you get a concussion ?

Please feel free to introduce yourself so we can learn from your experience and offer help with some of your ongoing struggles.

btw. The ImPACT system is a very poor system to track the brain's actual healing beyond a minimal level. It works to show improvement in the specific areas it tests but that has little correlation to actual brain healing. It is designed as a tool to remove athletes from play and sets a minimum standard of recovery before allowing return to play.

It is great as a way to enforce removal from play. Studies show that repeated ImPACT testing can be counter productive. First, the test is a stressor. Second, the subject can start to learn the various testing modules and improve due to the repeated use/practice.

Please be careful if you are using ImPACT as a guide to return to play. If you have any residual symptoms, you should wait for them to resolve, even if the ImPACT system says you have recovered enough.

My best to you.

Hi and welcome to NT.

Another option worth looking into depending on your symptoms could be a physiatrist (often listed under physical medicine and rehabilitation). My experience was a good one, she oversaw treatment from speech, occupational and physical therapists which was helpful in resolving my symptoms. Find one experienced in TBI/PCS.

Best to you as you recover.

Newbie to the site and neurologists
 

I have just started the process of seeing if my issues with zoning out to the point of almost passing out and my lapses in remembering are because of the concussions I have had decades ago. My neurologist is suspecting that I may have absentee epileptic seizures as a result of the concussions.

Believe me that neurologists sit up and notice when you are having symptoms 43 years after the initial injury. I have light and sound sensitivity. I also can get disoriented quite easily, especially when I am tired or need to eat. I have had a sleep deprivation study last week and am waiting for an MRI with contrast. We will go from there. My neurologist is stating that she is really committed to finding a solution and helping me cope with my disabilities.

This is only my experience and I hope that there are more neurologists out there that are trying to figure out solutions to these problems instead of thinking that they always correct on their own.

If I understand you correctly, you had an EEG with sleep deprivation and likely a sleep segment vs a sleep study. The MRI is a shot in the dark but worthwhile to rule out rare but serious issues..

As I said in the other thread, I had petit mal seizures that they now term absence seizures. My doc said to not consider them epileptic but rather trauma induced.

Have you had any health events in your life recently, maybe an illness, high fever, severe emotional trauma ? Do you sleep soundly with good breathing ? Or, do you snore ? Any nightmares or stressful dreams ?

A Neuro Psychological Assessment would be worthwhile to help you understand your memory and cognitive functions.