12 year old nephew suffering from TBI
 

Hello,

My nephew was hit by a car 10 months ago on August 13th 2011. Doctors diagnosed it as Diffused axonal injury. He was 4 on the Glasgow coma scale when he was admitted.
Approximately after 20 days he was removed from life support. He started opening his eyes. After 35 days he was shifted to the ward from ICU. Nearly after 4 and half month on the day of Christmas he started obeying commands. Started recognizing people, he even remembers things before his accident He is improving day by day even though the progression is very slow.
We brought him home 5 months after injury. Everyday physiotherapist is coming home. They are making him sit and start every day.
He is still not talking only make a sound to give response. He is still did not gain neck control.
Physiotherapist is worried about it, in their experience they did not see anyone taking this long to gain neck control.
Can anyone help me suggest things we can do to improve his situation.

I really appreciate your help.
Thanks!

Hi sparklep, sorry to hear about your nephew; a GCS 4 indicates a severe TBI, as does your descriptions of his condition. Other than empathy and prayer, I don’t have any specific suggestions on the neck control and other deficits he is experiencing. Some patients with severe DAI never regain consciousness, so it is encouraging that he recognizes people and can follow some commands. It will likely continue to be a slow journey back, best to all of you.

sparklep,

Welcome to NeuroTalk. Sorry to hear about your nephew. I can't imagine what you and your family are going through. I know how my family struggled when I was injured at 10 and I was just talking in a slurred voice.

There are substances that help the myelin sheath heal. He likely needs help to heal his nerve fibers and myelin. Myelin is the coating around the nerve fibers. It insulates the nerve fibers so the signal does not short circuit. Here is a link to help you understand myelin. It is the focus of some MS research. http://www.myelinrepair.org/

Here are some other links:
http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j...3bQ2zUeFW7mnTg

http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j...jyEFHQiNUL8tfw

There is also a post in NT at http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j...eIDxcoeLlFW5IQ

My best to you.

Thanks Mark, Would you mind sharing your TBI story and how long did it take you to recover. I know every brain injury is diff but it always gives me hope when I hear the success stories.