newbie
 

hi--- am new to this forum, and just wanted to see if anyone had any comments. I have looked around at some of the posts, and actually feel lucky to not be in worse shape. I have had two concussions due to bad auto accidents in the last 16 months. the first was i was rear ended while stopped by a full sized econoline van going 55. two fridays ago I rolled my landcruiser twice. Lost consciousness both times for a brief period of time. Last time severe enough pressure to cause a compression fracture L1. Have had severe headaches and pressure. Cat scans negative to bleaders, haven't had an mri yet----- to see neurologist again in two wks. More troubling is the scrambling of my thoughts, depression.... etc. Short term memory problems. This morning I forgot my cellphone, and went back to get it off the coffee table, and realized that I had the remote to the tv when I got back to the car......random stuff like this....Am thinking about a neuropsychologist for this stuff. Any thoughts about what I am going through or how to proceed. thanks.....tom

Tom-

Can you tell us more about your symptoms? You mentioned headaches. Any dizziness, naseousness? Sensitivity to light or sound? Ringing in your ears?

You said that your cognitive functiong is impaired as well. Other than the headaches, how does your concussion effect you?

have all of those symptoms exccept the ringing in the ears. Some bouts with anxiety which seem to just fall short of full blown anxiety attack. Foggyness in thought---sometimes lose my train of thought completely and have to backtrack. I am a dentist, and just take more time doing my work.....actually when I am sitting and working in my own little world I feel the best I feel all day. No effect on vision or steadyness of hand thank God. Mainly head hurts almost all the time.....been about 3 weeks since accident.. minimal improvement

Tom,

It sounds like common, run of the mill Post Concussion Syndrome. As long as there are no bleeders, you will just need time to heal. A neuro-psych assessment will help you identify your dysfunctions.

I had to put my cell phone on a lanyard for around my neck. Otherwise, I kept setting it down and forgetting it. Prior to my injury, I never lost anything.

As you said, if you take your time, you can do your work. This is a good system. Avoid all time pressures. Double think your processes.

Fortunately, your work is an over-learned skill. As long as you don't push it, those skills will still be reliable. If you push it, your brain can get both motor skills and memory/cognitive skills mixed up.

You should have a sincere sit down discussion with your dental assistants. You need to give them a code word in case they see you starting to get mixed up.

When you forgot your cell phone, you were likely in a hurry or at least, a little bit stressed. Then, when you went back, you were in a hurry and/or frustrated and your brain got mixed up.

Stress changes the chemicals in the brain and the brain messes up. Avoid stress by making good choice.

Been there, doing that.

My best to you.