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Have been reading for some time and wanted to ask some questions.

Background
Was rear ended about 2 years ago. Had vertigo, nystagmus, balance issues, brain fog, not feeling myself, extreme nausea. Had vestibular therapy for several months which helped with the nausea.

Haven't been diagnosed with anything except PTSD so was sent to a psychiatrist for a year which hasn't helped at all. Honestly, I think the Dr's thought I was exaggerating. Well trying to get back to normal life has been anything but. A friend recently asked me if I thought I had some frontal lobe damage. I said no but after researching, it sounded like me.

So off I went to the Dr to get diagnosed. No one wants to diagnose me with PCS/TBI. I am going to a neuropysch soon but I'm really worried that it will be inconclusive. The Dr keeps saying PTSD and depression.

I have cognitive issues, memory issues,balance issues which they say are symptons of PTSD/depression.

Has anyone else have these issues? What should I do. I'm about to lose my job because I have been on sick leave for so long.

Who "diagnosed everything except PTSD and Depression"? - your PCP or a Neurologist; were they your docs or the insurance docs. If so, either one is behind the times with their knowledge base on Concussion/PCS, because the root causations of your problem sounds like concussion /pcs secondary to the whiplash of the mva, leading tothe PTSD and Depression..they only need to do research to find that there is literature out there to prove these connections...they need to read more current literature.

Anyway, you are being referred to Neuropsych which isa good step, so cudos to whomever; but your Psychiatrist needs to be replaced if he believes, truly that you are a 'faker' - is he an insurance doc? If so, it figures.

One thing : have you still got sick time/ vacation time available at work? And are you being threatened about work regulations about losing time? Then you need to go to HR and request FMLA paperwork and have your M.D.'s complete them for your problems, for "long term, intermmitent, time off" so you can use time as necessary for those days you need to miss or take parts of days, etc. with or even when you run out of available time . The answer to the question about when do they expect you to return to full duty is "Undetermined". It is a protection mechanism.

Also, ask your docs to make a listing of possible job limitations for possible work accomodations from your employer; to cover all bases.

These are just steps to take towards trying to work with your employer to keep working, in some fashion. Its up to them to accept or deny wanting to work with them.

Its very complicated as I've seen about 50 different specialists over the last two years. Mainly psychiatrists who have diagnosed the PTSD.

I am now attending a hospital that mainly deals with strokes. They aren't sure if I have a brain injury or PTSD. I think my stress over the last two years is overtaking my other symptons.

I am in Australia so we don't have the football injuries and the concussion research over here. One neurologist I saw said it would disappear soon. The other said it was PTSD (but is known for working with workers comp). They were for opinions only not treatment.

Work has asked me to prove I am fit to work. So have to see other specialists for more opinions. I am so tired of this as I'm sure you would all understand.

That does complicate things.

FMLA is only USA, sorry.

Australia pllays by its own ruleset.

Still can't believe they are not aware of the research thats out there.

brainmush,

Welcome to NeuroTalk. Your struggles with the system sound all too familiar. A NeuroPsych may be helpful, it depends on whether the NP has biases against Post Concussion Syndrome as a cause of prolonged symptoms.

There is some very good information at www.tbilaw.com and www.subtlebraininjury.com that addresses wrong diagnoses and the struggles to get a correct diagnosis.

Another issue to consider, especially with a whiplash injury, is upper neck injuries. The joint between C-1 (atlas) and your occiput (base of the skull) can get injured. It takes a long time of gentle therapy and strict posture discipline for it to heal. Otherwise, it gets inflamed and causes a myriad of neurological symptoms.

Psychiatrists tend to look at everything as specific to psychiatry. If your symptoms can't be diagnosed as having a psychiatric cause, they will discount them.

Have the docs put you on any meds ?

What kinds have been tried ?

Read the Vitamins thread for some information about brain nutrition.

My best to you.

Thanks for your replies.

Mark, I agree that pschyiatrists only look at mental health and discount everything else. In fact I'm told all my symptons are due to stress etc. which means I've spent a lot of time being treated for the wrong thing.

I did see a chiropractor ages ago and he wouldn't touch my neck unfortunately he doesn't practice anymore so I'm not sure where I can get treatment.

Concussion, I was told that my symptons fit several different things and because I present so stressed out, I think they immediately think PTSD. I'm stressed cause I have trouble doing so many things.

Thanks for the links, will be reading these and trying to get a diagnosis.