Tampa,Fl doctors and what type doctor????
 

I'm fourteen months post injury. So much attention was paid to my physical injury the post concession or TBI received little attention. Family realized I wasn't myself but all I had done was a ct scan, a test where they check for seizures,and a few questions from a neurologist. His take was if I still had the memory issues and emotional issues after six months, learn to live with it and don't expect it to get better. I'm receiving private disability. Thank God I'd bought the coverage but I think they are going to require more testing to document all this. I don't know what type doctor nor do I have much confidence in those I've been exposed. If you have found a good doctor in the Tampa area please share. Thanks

Delaine,

Are you looking for a doctor to support your disability claim or to seek further treatment for further recovery?

A Neuro Psychological Assessment will likely be used to determine your disability. Expect a push into Voc Rehab, at least for a short term test.

You may find a good referral for a doctor at Give Back Orlando at www.givebackorlando.com

Your neuro sounds out of date on concussion knowledge. There are many ways to continue improving, even if many are learning work-arounds and coping skills.

Please feel free to tell us more about your struggles. We often have more to offer than the doctors.

My best to you.

Issues. Lol
 

Memory is a mess, Multi task results in burnt food or clothes left in the washer, easily distracted, emotions are often irrational, so easily exhausted. I thought most of this was due to the drugs I was taking for pain. They have my pain much better controlled by steroid injections. The fewer drugs I took the more I realized this had nothing to do with my pain meds. I had two concussions as a child. Both of those I was unconscience. This time I didn't go out but I hit hard enough to rupture three disc in my neck and fracture my lower back. All resulted in fusions. I get glimpses of "me" if you will but they don't last long. I can't figure out what triggers the really bad days where I cry all day or wish I'd hit harder. Just trying to learn my new normal so I can live and find joy and not be a burden on my husband.

Re doctor in Tampa.
I saw a Dr Coris at the university of southern florida concussion clinic. He was very nice and seemed to know a lot. Did not follow up with him as I don't live there. He may be a good place to start. Good luck!

Delaine,

The symptoms your describe are the most common of PCS. The multitasking is the easiest to deal with. Stop trying to multitask. I know this is difficult as a wife and mother. Trying to keep a household going without depending on multitasking takes serious discipline.

It may help for you to understand that multitasking is not a normal skill. It is an attempt to be super mom/wife/employee/ etc. Studies show that multitasking causes noticeable damage to even healthy brains.

There are a variety of ways to break up multitasking into individual tasks. Buy a bunch of timers with alarms that will continue to sound until turned off. When you are cooking and know you will be tempted to leave the kitchen, set a timer to 3 or 5 minutes, depending on what is cooking. You can put the timer in a pocket if you will be walking out of ear shot of the kitchen. You can even label the timer "stove." Set another timer for the clothes washer. Or, bring the laundry basket into where you are going to be while the wash is going. It can be a reminder of an unfinished task.

I have had these same difficulties for 12 years. These work-arounds will make a big difference for you. When we give up trying to rely on our faulty memories by using these work-arounds, we free our minds to function in less stressful environments. A white board at various locations in the house can help. Laundry area, kitchen/refrigerator, bathroom, door to and from garage, etc .

As you reduce the stress loads of daily life, you will give your brain a better chance to recover. It will not recover when it is under stress. And, the stress will exacerbate depression and irritability.

There are three valuable resources for you to check out.
The TBI Survival Guide at www.tbiguide.com.
Print it out (84 pages)
The TBI Lost and Found List at
http://www.brainline.org/content/201...u-to-know.html
and You Look Great on YouTube at
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x9Xso...ature=youtu.be
The YouTube is a 6 part series that takes about an hour total.

Share these with your husband. And, try to find a TBI support group to attend with your husband. They can be a great source of support and understanding.

Personally, I do not put a lot of faith in doctors, even concussion specialists. They tend to be oriented toward sports and return to play issues.

Always remember we are here for you.

My best to you.

I agree with Mark that good doctors are few and far between. Very discouraging. But I have found that with a lot of digging, one can find a few nuggets of good information from a doctor from time to time. And unfortunately, employers and insurers and the courts require doctors as their experts, more often than not. Sick leave notes fo example. So finding one that does not make you break down in tears because of their rudeness or ignorance feels like you have won the lottery.

:idea: Mark knows more about PCS than most doctors.... wouldn't it be great if they would let him write out our sick leave notes! Judging from all the sick people here though it might be a lot of work for Mark......


do any of you find that the day or two after you've overdone it you feel hungover and also silly, childish almost.... having one of those days :o

someone should take the computer away from me and maybe my phone too...

Take my phone please
 

There were so many times I wish the family had realized the severity of my injury and taken my phone. It's funny now but God Bless all those I called. Lol

I visited those websites.
 

I visited the websites you offered. Makes me feel a bit empowered. Thanks so much. Every time you help another like me it heals a little more of you. God bless.

When my husband is feeling good and overdoes it (mTBI 12/22/12), the next day is usually very difficult. Take yesterday--he exercised his lower back, requiring raising and lowering his head. I was very tired and crashed early (note to self- take those energy pills!) leaving him alone to channel surf for 5 hours. This morning he could hardly stand or walk without support, was scared and depressed. I gave him 1mg of Ativan and he has slept most of the day. I know that's a no-no, but without Drs care yet I did what I felt was right. What a tough way to set limits. I watched "You Look Great" this morning and it helped me a lot.