What should I be asking the neurologist?
 

Hey guys, figured it would be easier to make a new topic on this. Little back story as some already known, fell on ice and hit my head on asphalt back in the early days of January. Was out of work up until a week ago where the neurologist cleared me to work part time but return to normal work activities. After a few days of shoveling and raking dirt/clay, my symptoms came back completely, like week 1 all over again.

I go to him on Wednesday, and really wondering what I should be asking him about. Im confused as to why they came back (I can only assume I wasnt fully healed) and why no other tests have been done. Ive only had a ct scan and an xray the day the injury occured at the ER.

Hes not really a hard guy to talk to, but he almost seems as though hes been there seen this before in a condescending way. It just seems at this point maybe something else needs to be done to see if anything permanent has happened. Granted, I know most of you here have been dealing with this for months as well, if not years. I just really cant afford to be in that boat. I know its not up to me, but im hoping for something that can help. I really have no where else to go in my career without starting a new one. Hard physical labor is just plain impossible for me at this current time, and now that I already failed my attempted part time return, im afraid work is going to pull the plug on me.

Ive been back out of work now for 3 days, and decided to try a few minor physical activities inside my house, and failed miserably at that. Heck, my wife thought I lost my mind because I told her I was taking a shower. 10 minutes later she asked if I took a shower and I said yes, she went into the bathroom and felt my towel and looked inside the shower and it wasnt wet. Evidently I didnt take a shower, but I swear I did. Im currently back to forgetting things and cant focus, having a hard time even driving.

What should I be asking this dr?! Im afraid to push to hard because he seems like the kind of guy that wont really be interested in being pushed. But hes the one my workplace has deemed the best around.

Try to get him to refer you for a neuro-psychological exam. It's the best way to see how the injury is impacting your day to day functioning.

I don't see much point in pushing for a conventional MRI: they aren't sensitive enough to image damage to the axons.

Good luck

Quick question. My neck has been extremely sore but my wife has been doing PT on it(she used to be a physical therapist.) do you guys think this could be the root of all my problems or no? The PT gives me slight relief for about an hour then it all comes back.

Yes, your neck should be examined. When you fell, there's a chance that your head snapped back and you sustained whiplash or some other injury.

Oh man im going to be so upset if thats what is causing this relapse. Lets hope it is. That seems like a much easier fix

Soft tissue injuries can be tricky. Hopefully, they'll also x-ray to make sure that you don't have any sort of fracture or misalignment.

I also suspect that all of that physical exertion was just too much, too soon, after your TBI.

My guess as to why you have not had any other tests other than day of is because the day of tests did not show any issues (bleeding).. you could ask for an MRI..

Can you ask him to put you on meds? Maybe something for headaches or something to help sleep? Something for anxiety?

Can you get another neurologist?

You need to make a list of all the odd things you have done, like the shower incident and have him look at it... you need to make a table of symptoms and then check off on a per day basis what you are feeling and seeing in yourself... have your wife do this as well.

Yes your neck could be the issue...

I agree with Hockey.. ask for a neuro-phyc exam

Stress will bring back all symptoms as well, at least that is what I am finding.

Hope this gets better soon... let us know what happens...

Yes, and ask your partner and friends to do the same. I was unaware of some of my odd behaviour, like repeating myself, zoning out, leaving items in weird places, etc...

Hockey- I was shocked to see what my family and friends thought about what I was doing...

If your wife's PT helps for a short term, you should be icing regularly to help your neck settle down. You should not be doing Range of Motion work. Your neck needs to rest in a limited posture, especially when you are resting.

Early on, I was very sensitive to repeated turning of my head. It took a long....... time for my neck to heal. Too much PT could be a problem. Some gentle traction with gentle mobilization helped me.

Turning your head and looking down at your new baby could be straining your neck.

Hope this helps. My best to you.