a diagnosis is a diagnosis?
 

So, when I was originally seen at the ER following the car accident, I was diagnosed with a concussion and released. I guess I was chatting up a storm, but have no memory of the time in the hospital. (FYI -- they had called helicopters to air lift me and my carmate to the nearest big hospital, but decided that I was fine). No warnings about what to look for, or when to be worried. Just, take is easy for 2 days as you'll be fine. Small country hospital in town of 1000.

I saw my doc the next day and then a few weeks later she diagnosed me with PCS from a moderate concussion.

The occupational therapist that I am now seeing says that I have been misdiagnosed from the beginning. She said something about it being a tbi. She mentioned other stuff, but I was lost in the conversation after that point.

What does this mean? Does is matter? Am I just confused? (usually, yes). :p

It means the Occupational Therapist is ignorant or confused. TBI, mTBI, concussion, etc all blend together.

She may be trying to tell you that she knows more than the doctor at the ER. Or, her training does not recognize concussion as causing prolonged symptoms.

Many think that a concussion will heal completely. If symptoms persist, it must have been a TBI.

But then, others will say a TBI must include a Loss of Consciousness (LOC) and an mTBI will not have an LOC but may have Post Traumatic Amnesia.

As an OT, she is not necessarily licensed to diagnose the difference between a TBI, mTBI or concussion. She can diagnose specific disabilities, symptoms, and dysfunctions.

But then, she will likely tell you otherwise.

okay, thanks. of course, it could be me that is confused, and simply didn't understand the conversation. I wouldn't put it past me. ;)

emme727,
The confusion is normal to a lot of people. We are told so many different things by the different doctors we see. For example, I was diagnosed one thing (contusion) in the Emergency Dept. Then 4 days later, saw a specialist and was diagnosed concussion.

Since I didn't know the seriousness of my injury, I tried working the first 3 weeks afterwards, until my doctor finally explained it was doing more damage and pulled me out.

I supposed my point is, it's no wonder we are confused by the conflicting messages we are given....but then again, I'm confused so that may have not been what I was trying to say.:confused:

A concussion is a traumatic brain injury or TBI. Usually, it's considered a mTBI, mild traumatic brain injury. But a concussion can cause a moderate or severe brain injury too... I've seen 60 year old death certificates that list the cause of death as only "Concussion".

The term concussion is just a word to describe the theory behind the what kind of brain injury it is. There are many kinds of brain injuries and since some of them can't really be seen unless the brain is examined microscopically postmortem - a diagnosis is typically theoretical. Concussion comes from a latin word that means to "shake violently" or something like that.

Typically, in most recent times, the term concussion is used to diagnose a mTBI where the person doesn't lose consciousness for a long period of time or at all. I've seen some articles that say the only difference between a mild, moderate or severe brain injury is length of LOC (loss of consciousness)... but that's not completely true. Although some people are able to recover well enough to work after sustaining a moderate brain injury and some never do after just one concussion, or mild brain injury.

Also, I think most Doctors think of a concussion's effects as those that don't last too long. Even though we all know that isn't always the case. Maybe a few hours to a a few weeks ... maybe a few months at most. And that's where the term PCS comes in. It's for those of us who have to deal with the effects of one concussion for longer than 3-6 months depending on whose making the diagnosis. Some people have to live with some effects of PCS permanently.

(And I'm not exactly sure whether someone like Mark In Idaho or some other members here who have been permanently effects have been diagnosed with PCS or Multiple Impact Syndrome.)

My boyfriend was confused about this too. Some experts said I had PCS and others would say I had an mTBI. My PCP confirmed that they are the same thing.

There are a lot of theories about what PCS is. I've posted about it in another thread... here... http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/thread166784.html

Some professionals have been taught that PCS could be caused mainly by psychological issues - but I think research has changed that belief, especially most recently. So your therapist might just be "old school". :rolleyes:

I personally think it doesn't really matter because you're getting the therapy you need. So my advice, for what it's worth, is not to worry about stuff like this because you're not really doing your recovery a favor by doing so. But if the information can help ease your anxiety - like it does for me - then by all means: have at it! :D

I assume you have a good attorney since you mentioned that you were in an auto accident - so your attorney can do all the research (or hopefully already knows about this stuff) and will be able to easily prove that what you're healing from is a brain injury, no matter what it's been called or diagnosed, and that it was caused by the accident you were in.

I hope that helps. :)