Advice for Neurologist's Appt?
 

Hello all

I am a newbie here, so please bear me. This is my story:

About this time last year I was struck on the left parietal area by a patient (I'm an ER RN) and was knocked to the ground. I was stunned (I was told) but had no loss of consciousness, or any sequellae afterwards.

On Aug. 2 I was struck in the head again, this time on the right temple/parietal --- was literally headbutted by an animal. (Long story.) This time I did have LOC. I didn't think anything more of it (nurses make the worst patients) continued on with work and normal activities, but began to get severe headaches, dizziness and nausea, and also ataxia and some expressive aphasia over the next week. Finally I got one of the emergency docs to look at me, and got a CT (which was normal). He diagnosed cerebral contusion and probable contre-coup injury --- my headaches are on the left side of the head. I've been off work since, and my GP has forbidden me to drive. Fortunately my benefits are good.

Anyway, after almost three months, I'm finally getting to see a neurologist. My symptoms have improved a lot but they are by no means resolved. The aphasia is gone, but still I'm having HA, dizziness/ataxia, and also photophobia, problems with short term memory/concentration (I leave taps running, and I've left the stove on a couple of times, for example), fatigue --- doing too much pretty well wipes me, as does a lot of noise or crowds. The scariest bit (for me) is the emotional lability. Before the HI I was pretty easy-going, and now I become almost uncontrollably angry over very trivial things.

I've been documenting my symptoms over the last couple of weeks in anticipation of the appointment, and I was a bit surprised to see my "good" and "bad" days are still just about equal. (Not having a great day this morning --- one of the things I am learning is patience!).

Anyway, from your collective experience, what sort of things should I be asking the neurologist when I go? What do I need to tell her besides the obvious history? Treatments? Further diagnostics? Return to work? Any pearls and/or pitfalls would be greatly appreciated.

And thanks for letting me tell my story. I would not have believed how incredibly isolating having a brain injury is until having one. My spouse is hugely supportive, but the loss of control and frustration is nearly overwhelming.

PtboHI

PtboHi,

Sorry to hear about your struggles. Sounds like classic PCS to me. I would suggest asking the neuro about getting a good vestibular exam and possible vestibular therapy. There are others on hear who have more experience with vestibular therapy. You might search vestibular and read the posts.

Other than a vestibular therapy recommendation, I would not expect much from the neuro. PCS is difficult to treat. Some have benefited from vision therapy. Again, search vision therapy to find the posts. PCS mostly takes time. Download and read Dr Johnson's TBI Guide at http://www.drakecenter.com/file.axd?...vivalGuide.pdf He has the best resource online.

If you are a woman, sometimes hormones can get out of kilter from a head impact. It takes a good specialist to help with hormones. Bio-identical hormones can be a Godsend if they are needed. The brand name and generic hormone substitutes can be problematic compared to bio0identical.

Try to be objective about symptoms. Wining can get the doctors on the wrong path. A neuro-psych assessment may be called for if your memory/cognitive symptoms persist. The NP Assessment can help you with back to work decisions.

Hope this helps.

My best to you.