gf had a concussion almost 2 years ago...
 

My gf and I went on a zip line and when she stopped she hit her head on the rig. She had a vertical laceration on her left front lobe. At first it was just a cut and she was in shock, than two days later she had terrible trebles and headaches so we went to the er, was diagnosed a concussion. After cat scans, phsyc testing and a DAT scan, eeg, and a sleep deprived eeg.

After it was all said and done, they said symptoms should subside after a few months and have a headache every now and again. Well its been 19 months and I have to help her to bed because of her legs and arms shaking so bad, and these exploding headaches are still around.

We started her on an herbal pill/vitamin regiment and it helps a lot, but about twice to three times a week on average she will have the head aches and almost daily shakes. Shakes will last somewhere around 5 min to one hour. Same with head aches. Also she has a "cap" ( the entire crown of skull), that is completely numb.

Does anyone know of anything else we can try to do? Seen 4 diff neurologists and haven't had any diff results. Ease feel free to post on here or email me personally.

Jared

No idea! But this sounds terrible!
 

Goodness!

This sounds really serious. I hope others with more concussion knowledge will weigh in for your post.

You are so good and kind though to post on her behalf. It takes a support team and caretakers for those with brain issues to heal.

I wish I could say more, but I don't know.

Take care,

pm

Hi Jared,

I'm so sorry to hear about your GF's troubles.

I don't think most Dr.'s have good experience with concussions and that there is still a great deal to learn about them.

I was in a MVA over three years ago and I was told that I'd be all better within a few hours to a few days and I got worse in the first six months. I wasn't able to work at all for over a year and it's been over three years and I'm still unable to work full time. I wasn't able to drive at all for almost a year and I still am unable to drive on the freeway or for long periods of time.

I could hardly move and I ended up gaining 60 lbs. - exercise made me worse instead of better. I was very active before the accident, so it really made me upset that this was happening to me and I didn't understand why.

My cognitive functioning and speech were both negatively affected in many ways for those three years.

All from a single concussion!

I was my own advocate and learned that cutting edge research has proven that many concussions cause hormonal deficiencies from damage done to the pituitary or its stalk - the symptoms of these deficiencies seemed to fit my case. When I presented the data to my neurologist she scoffed at it; although she's been VERY helpful otherwise. (And she's my second neuro through this whole ordeal as well.)

I was turned away by three endocrinologists who told me that the issues I was dealing with weren't caused by hormonal imbalances or deficiencies and that they couldn't help me.

Finally, I found an endocrinologist who was familiar with the research who ordered the tests and proved that I was suffering from hormonal deficiencies caused by the concussion.

I've been on hormonal replacement therapy for only a little over three weeks and the difference is near-miraculous! I'm finally getting better more than three years after the accident I was in!

My point is that, it may be difficult for you to find the answers and you may come up against opposition, but that you both need to follow your gut and pursue treatment if you think it's the right thing to do.

There is a lot of research being done about concussion right now and you may find some data that may be too new for your Dr.'s to know about or to be open-minded about since there is just too much out there for them to know it all.

I encourage you to not give up.

I'm sorry I can't help you or your GF with the numbness or tingling or trembling. Hopefully, as poetrymom said, someone here will be able to point you in the right direction for your GF's recovery.

Maybe there was some nerve damage? Has any of the neuro's ordered an MRI of her spine or neck?

My neuro ordered an MRI of my spine about six months after the accident I was in and it showed that the accident I was in caused all the disks in my neck to bulge. So, I think it's something worth asking for.

Perhaps a consult with a chiropractor or an acupuncturist who has experience with head injury may help?

I wish you both all the luck in the world to get her better ASAP!

Hi and welcome to NT.

Two suggestions:

She may benefit from seeing a MD specializing in physical medicine/rehabilitation (physiatrist). Look for one who specializes in TBIs.

Other than the physical symptoms, does she also present decreased cognative function (problems with memory, concnetration, decision making)? If so a NPA from a clinical neuropsychologist may be in order.

Sorry to hear of her symptoms, best to you both.

Hi my daughter 2+ yrs from concussion gets the shakes if she is cognitively working too hard. She has had 2 major set backs over this time. What has helped with her headaches and shakes is acupuncture. During the procedure my daughter's headache almost immediately goes away and her shakes subside. here is the URL for the doctor that she sees...Dr Rozenn might be able to guild you to a type of acupuncture that would be beneficial to your gf. http://acupuncturesantacruz.net

My best,