What concussion specialists should I ask my GP to refer me to?
 

Hi, I am going to see my GP shortly and have already asked what blood tests I should get and appreciate the responses.

Since I haven't seen any concussion specialists, any ideas on what kind of specialists I should ask to see? or what kinds of tests or therapies I should ask about?

my main problems are viewing screens, noise, sleep, not being able to do much physically without bringing on symptoms. Thanks in advance.

I suffered my first concussion aug 2013 and my second one march 2014.

I would ask to see a neurologist... I would ask for a neurophych and for some convergence screening (you may need to go to your eye doc for that) and maybe a sleep study

Thanks Sarah, I saw a neurologist here in vancouver after my first concussion and I saw one in mexico after my second one, neither one really helped much, but I will ask him, especially for one that specializes in concussions, I'm starting to think they are hard to find.

what is convergence screening? and is there a specialized eye doctor I should see?

Thanks!

convergence screening just makes sure that your eyes are working correctly and that when you hit your head nothing with the optic nerve was damaged... this may be something of interest because of your issues with screen time...

You could also ask to see a physiatrist - please note that this is a specialist in physical medicine and rehabilitation. My physiatrist did a great job of getting me referred to different rehab therapies that helped me get back on track.

Regarding the convergence screening, you can find practitioners that will do that type of eye assessment at http://www.braininjuries.org or http://www.nora.cc Basically, they are looking at your brain's ability to get your eyes to work together as a team. Concussion victims often have visual problems related to this, even if their normal eye exam is perfectly normal.

Hope this helps!

My advice is to go with someone young, regardless of what type of doctor. Without fail in going through this process the younger one had much better chance at understanding what im going through without wasting time on the psychological side of it.

I told most recent young doctor that my mri was negative and he said most are, that doesn't mean at all that you don't have brain damage. There are other ways of detecting injury and treating it.

Anyone over fifty five is out. late thirties early forties the best.

And yes i have stories to tack these assertions up.

I hear you about going with someone young mark. My GP is probably in his 60's and I haven't seen him in a year, I have known I need to find a new one for a while but after this visit I know I really need to.

He all but laughed at getting hormones and vitamin levels checked. as it is I am looking at the req for the blood test and all he put was total testosterone, serum b12, ca, mg...no D.

I had a list of things to talk to him about, concussion related, and it seemed all he wanted to do was get me out of there. it was like he was to busy to see me, let alone listen to me. I actually felt offended. I really need to find someone to work with.

Thanks for all the suggestions I will look into them.

yeah bro, no freaking way. You get a new young guy, get all your hormones tested that you need to (certain people on this board will know which ones) and of course vitamin D!!! it is shown to be deficient i head injured people. then you go with your list, like I'm doing this week, and you tell him this is your list and your life, and you need help. And don't leave until you get the answers you wanted as best possible