Opinions About TBI symptoms.
 

First and foremost, I don't have a "normal" TBI injury. I'm currently suffering from a CSF Leak/Skull Defect from an unfortunate fight with a metal desk drawer about 4 months ago. Of course, I lost and the drawer knocked me unconscious.

Now my question is, is it normal to feel like you're detiriating? I most definantly don't feel like I am getting better. Mentally, I feel like my normal self. . .at times. I do have occasional mood swings. Since the accident, I have been having regular migraines (some days worst than others), blurred vision and the usual clear drainage from my nose. I am now noticing that my equilibrium is completely off as well as my REM cycle. I stutter horribly, random waves of fatigue, over stimulation and recently, fainting spells. When I stand up, I literally feel like I am losing conciousness every time and sometimes the white flashes and lightheadedness are so bad I have to take a knee before I pass out. I am scared that I am going to actually pass out and cause another skull defect hitting a piece of furniture going down.

Any opinions and advice would be lovely. I am getting to the point where I feel I am prisoner to my injury. I am only 22 years old. I just want my life back.

Recover is often a roller coaster ride. What does your doctor say about the continued leakage ?

I am currently waiting to start a series of lumbar punctures/diversion treatments to relieve the pressure off of the defect. If that fails, I am due for surgery.

Has the pressure inside your skull been measured with a spinal tap?

Have you discussed the CSF leak with your neuro?

I had an increase of intracranial pressure that got worse and worse until the pressure was finally relieved with a spinal tap. Eventually, it was determined that I suffered pituitary dysfunction as a result of the concussion as well. I now take hormone supplements and will probably do so for the remainder of my life.

I have had a lot of the symptoms you are describing (and more).

You should also consider getting an MRI of your brain and pituitary gland with a T3 machine to rule out anything gnarly that it would be able to show.

I have only had it measure once and that was while I was in the hospital getting radioactive dye injected into my back. I had fell extremely ill and they suspected I had meningitis. I'm waiting for another appt. with the Neuro.