41 Days out from Injury. TBI/PCS. All and any help welcome.
 

On 10/3 My son was playing football-- helmet to helmet several times in a row. The medic after said she felt there was no reason to go to the er. He had initially failed the tests on the sidelines, but after about 20-30 minutes he came back talking thinking just a hit. I called the next morning to his primary care physician and they basically had the attitude of "just a concussion, he'll be fine." after a week of prolonged symptoms (going to school all the while) I called and insisted he be evaluated-- they referred him to the concussion clinic (took a week) then to a TBI team (another week) then to a concussion specialist (another week). Headaches have decreased in pain some. He has been going to school on a modified schedule the last 2 weeks. His focus and concentration are out the door, but atleast his headache broke day 33. We are now 41 days out. Still symptomatic. I have been reading anything and everything (sometimes not so good with the internet) to try to find a way to help him. He was a straight A student. He is currently taking 10mg melatonin/night to get him to bed. He is able to drive (or maybe he is just pretending to me so that he can??) He has stopped letting me know how he's doing, doesn't want to talk about it. wants to press through symptoms and get on with life, but I am so afraid of permanent damage without rest. If anyone has any advice or knowledge it would be greatly appreciated. Thanks:Sob:

k8,

Welcome to NeuroTalk. Sorry to hear of your son's injury.

He needs quiet rest. No driving. Minimal activities. Since we do not know what his day is like means you have to decide what activities are acceptable. He does not likely risk permanent damage but he will delay his recovery.

He needs time and rest for his brain and body. There is no other remedy.

Others will echo this and add their comments.

Thanks Mark. We are in Idaho too ;) And thank you for your advice-- That is what I am thinking as well--- time and rest....It's driving me nutts and can't happen soon enough. He says that when he drives it's calming for him. (Do you buy this? I'm not in his head so I don't know if he says that because he doesn't want to lose his driving privileges, or because it truly is relaxing for him).This is his 5th or 6th Concussion. First time with continued symptoms.

He was hit repeatedly from what I understand in the 4th quarter--Helmet to helmet, over and over. His headaches have gone down(not gone), he is able to go to sleep better), but he is really down, Can't concentrate or focus whatsoever and his whole life has been changed for the time being. I have been trying to get him on a schedule, but he isn't listening too well. I feel like I'm constantly hounding him (and I am). I don't feel he's making good decisions and taking care of himself the way he should be, but I don't want to cause him any more stress either (that's hard on the brain too). What to do. This last month has been awful.

If he can't concentrate or focus, this is a big risk for his driving. That is why I do not drive.

Where in Idaho ?

If it is his 5 or 6th concussion, he has a far greater number of sub-concussive impacts that are even more damaging.

Matt Kaiserman of Boise State football does outreach for St Luke's Neuro and concussion. He was permanently sidelined from football by concussions.

Thanks. Just sent him an email. My son is currently working with St. Lukes ELKS. Much appreciated!

Oh, and too-- we're in the Boise area.

Tell him to say hi to Greg from Mark. I attend a Brain Injury Support Group at St Luke Idaho Elks when I can be in town on the fourth Thursday of the month at the St Lukes Idaho Elks building. Greg is one of the facilitators along with Kathie Smith at St Al's. The holiday dinner next month is well worth attending.
There is a sub-group that is for family and caregivers that is very worthwhile. My wife gets great benefit from it.

We just returned from Boise to our home past McCall. We moved away from Boise in September.

I did not get much support at Idaho Elks from Dr Greenwald, a supposed specialist. She does not really understand concussions like I would expect. But, very few do understand the prolonged symptoms of concussions.

Elks is focused on more severe head injuries. I hope they can help your son.

My best to you both.

katie,

I see you asked about recovery time lines. This is an impossible question to answer. There is a saying: If you have seen one brain injury, you have seen ONE brain injury. They are all different. Most recover spontaneously within a few weeks. Those that don't have a wide range of recovery times and levels. To make things even more confusing, impact intensity can appear to be irrelevant to the severity of the injury.

If you have a chance, read and watch the YouTube links at the bottom of the Vitamins and Supplements Sticky at the top. The "You Look Great" series is very good.

I see you are also looking for a good neuro. You might try the Sports Medicine Institute at Boise State. They have had enough Broncos with concussions to hopefully have found a good one or two.

Dr. G is the specialist working with my son, currently that is all we have seen. She seemed frustrated with me today at the appt(I ask a lot of questions). I asked if she suggested any vitamins or suggested diet that may help him benefit. She told me "No". (it did kind of bother me with that response, we all know that when the body is fueled properly, the body will have a better response with healing---and the head is attached to the rest of the body). Currently I feel as if none of the medical providers can help him resolve his symptoms, but atleast have given him some tools to work with to get him through his day-- which is good, but I wish there was a regimine he could follow (ex: take these vitamins eat this, in bed at this time, etc) . They do tests with him weekly (which while I'm there, I'm thinking to myself "If he is supposed to rest then why do we have 3 hours of appts after a full day of school--it seems that would be taxing on the brain" (The pt with his neck I am sure he needs though). I wish I could find a medical provider who has actually had PCS. I didn't know their was a brain injury support group for the patient or for families either. This has been horrible, I would take it from him in a second if I could, a mother's love for her child is one of the biggest loves someone can have on this earth, and I ache, and worry and read read read. If we run into any of them I will definitely say hi. Which would you say is a better team since it looks like you've worked with both (between St. Als and St Lukes). I called in as well this week to get Dr. G's opinion on hyperbaric therapy--- I can't seem to get an answer of why from anyone, not even his primary care physician--just a "we don't do it". (I've read a lot about it with PCS and the NFL and it helping athletes-- I definitely am not trying to diagnose or refer, but would like to be educated. I am not trying to challenge their scope of practice, i am just trying to gauge their opinion and educate myself.) This has been rough, and I can't wait for the day for it to all go away.

katie,

Go to facebook and search Treasure Valley Brain Injury Support Group and ask Greg to approve you for membership. Or, ask to see him at Idaho Elks. He is a Social Worker who oversees many patients.

Dr Greenwald was the same with me.

Vitamins and supplements can be a big help. B vitamins and folic acid help strengthen the myelin sheath and blood brain barrier. Omega oils help and meat protein provides the essential amino acids the brain needs. Pork is the best for Branched Chain Amino Acids.

Reducing cognitive and physical stress are very important. I believe Elks over treats in an effort to generate income. There is no need for all the therapy. He must be exhausted after a day.

There is a husband wife team of chiropractic neurologists who may be helpful. Check out http://www.meridianchiropracticclinic.com/

Keep him away from energy drinks and caffeine.

fyi, Neuro rehab is usually based on the need to wake up dormant pathways that became dormant during coma. Coma is the brain's reaction to its need to rest. During this rest/coma, pathways become stagnant. The rehab therapies are designed to push signals along these pathways to slowly reopen them. This is appropriate when there has been prolonged coma or even low Glascow scales.

Your son does not need neural pathways re-established. His need to rest and strengthen. The myelin sheath and glymph systems need to rebuild. They are slow to recover. Nutrition is helpful for both. The glymph system is the microscopic drainage system that carries the toxins away from the brain cells. It is a layer that lines the myelin (the nerve fiber insulation). These both are slow to heal in a stressful environment.

He needs just enough activity, both cognitive and physical to provide good blood perfusion through his brain. Not too much that can cause head aches. Many of us have used simple manual activities as that stimulation. Playing solitaire with real cards. NO smart phones or video games. Limited screen time. No cardio exercise.

He may also need some gentle physical therapy for his neck. There is a fantastic PT in Boise. Check out Jill Thompson at PT180 (Physical Therapy 180) on State Street. Tell her Mark and Yvonne referred you. Getting neck spams under control can help with brain issues.

If you want, email me from the drop down under my screen name. Left click and the box will drop down.

Please feel free to ask any questions you have.

My best to you.