Worsening TBI symptoms
 

Hello. I am new to this forum and I am utilizing this site to gain information from more experienced members of the community in regards to TBI. My mother was in a car accident in January 2012 that resulted in moderate to severe brain injury. She temporarily lost consciousness, suffered a minor hematoma and was diagnosed with tbi. This happened a little over a year after a fairly significant stroke. Although she is fully "functional" since the accident she has persistent nausea, headaches, memory loss, irregular sleep/fatigue, and what seems to be atonic seizures causing random falls or loss of motor control at times. We have had numerous conflicting mri exams since and her doctor just believes she needs cognitive therapy. The latest mri resulted in the doctor recommending a consultation for possible surgery. Her symptoms seem to be worsening almost a year after the incident. I am her son and only family member, I'm young and not sure how to handle this situation. We are trying to get her back into an inpatient program for brain injury rehabilitation until the consultation with the neurosurgeon. Is anyone familiar with this situation that can kindly offer any advice or an opinion of the ongoing situation? Is it normal to have deteriorating health so long after? Recommended course of treatment or doctors? Thank you so much for even reading this.

nate,

Welcome to NeuroTalk. You have found a good place with great people.

If you tell us your location, we may be able to direct you to doctors who have good reputations.

How old is your mother and how old are you? (So we can know how much you can help)

Please feel free to tell us of all of your and her struggles.

My best to you.

I'll preface this by saying that all brain injuries are different, but with that said I can share my experience.

My TBI was also diagnosed as moderate to severe; my GCS was 11 with epidural hematoma and subarachnoid hemorrhage. After craniotomy surgery, my course of treatment included a neuropsychological evaluation from a clinical neuropsychologist. That identified deficits in short term memory, spatial orientation and executive functioning. My recovery therapies included in-patient and out-patient sessions with speech and occupational therapists. I was fortunate in that 5 month after the accident I had recovered enough to return to work.

The neuro-surgeon should be able to evaluate if surgery is needed, although it would seem unusual this long after the accident unless there was another subsequent stroke, which is possible. You didn't say if you live with her but since she experiences occasional seizures and falling she should not be left alone until after she is evaluated by the surgeon and/or a neuropsychologist for a specific course of therapy, which sound like needs to happen immediately. Meantime she needs to be kept safe, get quiet rest, and receive as much patience and reassurance as possible. With the stroke history I’d ask the doctors if she should be on an aspirin or warfarin regimen.

Best to you both on this recovery journey.