Hi, I'm new and in TBI recovery
 

Hi all...
I'm new here and am dropping around as I have a doc appt tomorrow. I actually posted this at the bottom of another thread but now realize I probably should have posted here.

I fell 18 months ago at home, when I was 39, and ended up with what was described as a mid-grade TBI and whiplash. Since then, I have been dealing with a lot. At the time I fell, I was a grad student and planning on doing a PhD. I had to leave my program and then turned down a scholarship for a PhD as I just didn't think I could do it. I think I made the right decision but it's very depressing.
I suffer from headaches near the site of impact, as well as across my forehead. My headaches also stem from significant back and neck pain. I'm fatigued and have very low tolerance levels when aggravated. My daughter says she wishes mommy would come back and that kills me. So, I'm struggling right now. I just don't feel like the same person. Depression, anxiety, and fatigue, as
well.
So, I haven't been back to see a doc about this is in over a year. We moved out of the university community we were in and I have just gone on, trying to just plod my way through, focusing on what needs to be done. Finally, ready to go back and face that I need some help in dealing with this, whether it be on the physical or mental/emotional, or all of it. I have been scheduled for another MRI in June but tomorrow have my appt to discuss my symptoms with my doc. I know I have to do this but am nervous just the same. I have been living on my determination to get through and on homeopathics for a year and am really not excited about the potential of perhaps needing to get on to meds. I see there is talk in this stream about diet so I'll do some research.
Just looking for a place to learn and get some support from others who have been down this road.
Thanks.

Sorry you are going through this
 

I can relate, as I have a daughter too, but she's too young to know what I've been going through. I'm thankful for that. It's been a hard road.

I would encourage you to give meds a try. I recently had to go back on antidepressants to help me get through a tough time, and you have to remember, you are not treating a personal weakness, you are treating an illness. You can't fix it just through positive thinking or bucking up: medicine can help you and so can talking to a therapist.

Also, medicine could help with your headaches. Your doctor should probably recommend seeing a neurologist and a neuro-opthamologist. If not, ask him/her about seeing both kinds of doctors. What I recommend is don't give up until you find the answers you seek. Headaches can be caused by neck injuries, vitamin deficiencies, hormonal imbalances, etc., so it may be the concussion, but it isn't necessarily so.

Can you tell us more about your symptoms and what if any treatments you have tried so far? Also, what has your last year been like? Have you gotten any opportunities to rest and take good care of yourself? What have your stress levels been like?

I think the people on this board can help you, and you are doing the right thing for yourself and your daughter by seeking medical treatment!

Thanks for your reply.
The last year has been difficult with lots of transition as we moved. I have had zero treatment this year. I have just been feeling like I have to get on with things. I have been taking Tylenol when needed and icing with an ice pack.It's been extremely stressful because I haven't been able to find a job and am unsure what I can even do. Before the fall, I had been dealing with scoliosis and now, with the whiplash, I feel it's gotten worse. I have pain in neck and back, and worse, numbness now. I know I can't physically handle a job where I am on my feet 8 hours a day.
Other symptoms: dizzy, light headed, have fallen several times, confusion, exhaustion (like loading the dishwasher is exhausting), anxiety, depression, nausea, headaches at point of impact and just wherever, disorganization.
After the fall, I took several months to rest. But, my husband is not a citizen of the country were in, so I have always felt, and still feel, like I have had to step up and really hold things together for us. I'm "head of the household" so-to-speak. Although that is starting to change as our business grows. So, there has not been a lot of rest this year. I have also been noticeably much more irritable and I don't tolerate foolishness as well as I used to (maybe that's not a bad thing? Lols)
I'm off to see my doctor. This is a new doc and she has been fabulous. She has scheduled an MRI and definitely wants me in to see a Neuro doc (can't remember what term she used). It's been a hard year but I know I am doing the right thing and am hopeful that I may get some relief moving forward. After I fell, when we were in another province, the doc at the university wished me well but did not suggest any more treatment after we re-located. I knew there was a good possibility I'd be dealing with symptoms but had no idea about aftercare. All that he did for me was order an MRI and deal with the immediate symptoms. I think he felt good that I was feeling better after several months of rest. But clearly, I'm not "recovered."
Thanks again for the message.

Just back from my doc app't. She's just a great doc. She has scheduled an MRI of both my head, and now neck, for next month. She's suspecting that I very well may have a pinched nerve in my neck from the whiplash and she is thinking that if that is the case, a lot of the physical stuff can be attributed to that. She has also put me on a medication called Amitriptyline. She wants to start me out very slowly since I am not a big fan of meds, and then we'll reassess in two weeks. She is also recommending acupuncture.
She has talked to me about dealing with the short term needs first and then has acknowledged (and I'm so happy she has) the need for long term treatment here. She has made me feel very safe and relieved so very happy I found this doctor and didn't have to go through several before finding what seems to be a good one.
Anyway, that's where we are today.

Welcome to NeuroTalk. So glad you found a doctor who is understnding of your condition and listens to your concerns, particularly in regards to medications. I was likewise fortunate to have received great medical care. As you will read here not everyone who has experienced a TBI has been so fortunate.

Let us know your experience with the accupuncture. Alternative therapies I have found useful have included gentle yoga and massage therapy.

Best to you as you recover.

Welcome.

Have you checked out Mark's useful thread on Vitamins and Supplements for brain health.

And Brainline.Org is a very useful site for information.

And as you are here, many folks are in similar situations and willing to be there for venting, and conversation.

We are all in this together.

Best Wishes .................. :grouphug:

Thanks for links...
 

Thank you very much for the links. I will definitely check these out...
Julie