New Neuro, New Diagnosis, New Medication
 

So, I went to this new Neurologist yesterday, and came away with a completely different diagnosis: post traumatic headache, and possible occipital neuralgia. He gave me scrips for norotryptyline and psychobenzaprine, and that was about it.

I like this guy better than the WC one, of course, but he did say I probably didn't have a concussion b/c I did not lose consciousness or become confused at least. Old school thought, for certain. BUT, I don't necessarily disagree with his diagnosis; my symptoms are basically daily headaches, light and sound sensitivity, and now trouble with my 7th nerve and lots of tension and pain in my neck. I've never had a bad problem with cognition or memory, unless I was in great pain at the time.

I'm wondering if anybody else has heard this diagnosis instead of PCS, and/or taken the Norotryptyline? I won't know for a while how I do on it naturally, just asking for stories.

The Cyclobenzaprine is a muscle relaxant. It may help your neck settle down by relieving the muscle spasms. You need to be careful to rest with good posture so your vertebra will be encouraged to stabilize into the correct position. Some icing may also help reduce inflammation so the return to normal position is more likely. It can cause drowsiness and reduce your body's ability to protect itself with proper muscle support. Be careful to not do any heavy lifting or other staining work.

The nortriptyline is an anti-depressant that can help reduce the anxiety and improve sleep and relaxation and help with head aches. It is similar to amitriptyline. It is usually prescribed in a light dose. Many on NT have been prescribed it.

The doctor is dead wrong in trying to rule out concussion. The experts say to assume a concussion when any of the trauma or symptoms can lead to a concussion. The No LOC shows how weak this doctor is with his knowledge.

Problems with cognition and memory are not required for a concussion diagnosis. Besides, a proper battery of NeuroPsychological Assessment tests is needed to fully understand cognitive and memory dysfunctions.

The SCAT 2 exam will show the many symptoms that can add up to a concussion diagnosis, even though it relies on self-reporting.

Hey Scott,
I was on Noritriptyline in the beginning. i was taken off of it becuase combined with the Amantadine the doc also put me on, I was getting lightheaded and even fell. After a few other concoctions, I am now on Amitriptyline and Diazepam (also to relax the neck/spine muscles).

Just curious if you were seen by the same one that did my Neuropsyche?
(Check you PM if you forgot) this guy tried telling me concussions had to have loss of consciousness too. Even with the Dazed, disoriented, confused state I was in. UNREAL!

No, this one is new to Wash U but he has been in private practice before in another state. They called him a "fellow" which I always understood to me "Post Doctorate Fellow", but in this case I think it just means he's a new guy and they haven't promised him a full time job yet. LOL

I was prescribed the lowest dose of nortriptyline @ 12 yrs. ago after complaining that I was going nuts during the witching hours after carpool & through dinner, wanting to down a bottle of wine. Though it's generally an old-fashioned type of anti-depressant, it also has an anti-anxiety agent in it. I saw it begin to work relatively quickly, noticing great tolerance during the stressful hours w/ the only downside being dry mouth, which was helped w/ more water. I no longer craved the alcohol. At first I balked at taking an anti-depressant knowing I wasn't depressed, but the Dr. said it's the anti-anxiety agent in it that would work for me & it did. Good luck, Scott. Champ

champ,

Do you have a history of concussion or other brain injury or repetitive head jarring prior to the Nortriptyline need of 12 years ago?

Nortriptyline is a tri-cyclic antidepressant that also has anti-anxiety effects. It is a single compound. It works by increasing the availability of neurotransmitters allowing the brain to function in a more normal and balanced way.

I have been taking amitryptiline for a while now which is similar to your anti-depressant med. Generally I found the lower the dose, the less side effects. They often start fairly low in hopes that your pain will be dealt with with less side effects. I often found I was nauseaus when ramping up my meds and the first two weeks I was taking it, on and off of course. It should go away. The dry mouth is one of the most common ones that people notice, I just drink lots of water! (it's good for your brain anyways! :P) I found it makes me sleep a lot, but it depends on your dose and your tolerance for a medication. I found the medication was not worth the side effects for me, but I've read lots of people on here who have gotten relief!

All the best,
Kayley