Diagnosis or prove brain injury?
 

Its a long long long, long story for me. But I say and ask a question for now, please.

I asked about eight nurses one day at a hospital about my health problem that started 28 years ago. I started describing it and then they would ask me something like"did you talk like you were drunk?" or "did you hit your head?"
I said yes, I couldn't remember my own phone number, I could barely walk and talk and had to teach my self how to read and do math again over several years. All eight nurses said I was describing a stroke and head injury. I said
but the doctor I went to told me it was an ear infection?

I talked to a neurologist on vacation one day at a bus stop here in my city and I told him the same thing and he said i had a stroke and head injury. I made an
appointment with a neurologist and he said, it sounds like a stroke and head injury but there is no way to prove it, since it happened 28 years ago and getting an MRI won't show anything after 28 years. He said I should have gotten an MRI right away, but I said how could I ? since my doctor said it was an ear infection? I've been fiancially bankrupt for about 25 years now because of trying to get jobs and hold down odd jobs but started to get a disability pension a couple of years ago. I said to my doctor, my life ended 28 years ago. about 75 percent of my brain power left and hasn't really come
back and nobody cared or helped not even my family who always said i was either lazy or just dumb. I spent about 15 years practicing reading and writing and math, I never owned a television but would practice. I take
certain herbs and supplements which help alot but still feel like an elephant is sitting on my head. The first neurologist said something about brain ischemia and blood clot possibly.

So my question is, since the neurologist said its too late, he said there is no test to prove i had a stroke head injury, is that true, he said there is nothing I can do just survive and nothing else?

thanks.

richardbrock,

Welcome to NeuroTalk. I am sorry to hear about how you were misdiagnosed or even negligently diagnosed so long ago. Many of us have had an uphill battle with the medical professionals as we seek a diagnosis.

At this point, it probably is impossible or at least extremely difficult to find a cause of your injury. Even with a known cause, it would not change anything.

Have you had any professional assessment of your abilities and disabilities ? There may be some therapies that can help you. A neuro rehab hospital would be a start. Such a rehab hospital associated with a teaching hospital may be good. Or, a college that has Occupational Therapy and Speech therapy programs.

Your writing shows you are still very functional, even if it took you a long time to compose that post. It sounds like you have taught yourself excellent coping skills and work arounds. Good for you.

I have a friend who took 10 years to get through college after a severe brain injury. I know others who have been able to serve the brain injured community because of their experience and perspective.

Please, never give up.

My best to you.

Thanks for the reply. So I guess S___ out of luck then, oh well, like
the neurologist said I just have to survive the best I can. Maybe not
knowing what really happened to me helped in a way. I tried for the last
28 years to get back what I lost, I was motivated to try get back
my brain power and for 27 years didnt own a TV. I think my practicing
and some more school helped some.

But I think what helped me the most was when the doctors told me not to come
back, since I was a waste of money they said. I then began to research with difficulty herbs and supplements and experiment. I looked at the list
on this forum and see their list is completely different than mine, so when I get time I will post my findings of 23 years later. My list is very different, but I'm pretty sure alot more effective than the supplements I've read and tried myself before. Many will disagree with it, oh well , this stuff works miracles for my brain ischemia problem, maybe for others who have a different condition it won't be as effective. I only take things that are very effective and don't bother with minor stuff like omega 3 and vitamin b12, can't afford to.

I'll never get this blood clot, elephant off my head thing, but these supplements I will list later made a major difference, also to my immune system which was shot. I had a fever for 11 months after my head injury and a permanently weakened immune system, but now almost never get sick.

My list is what you say; controversal. I tried telling my doctors and neurologist about these herbs and supplements but they wouldn't listen to any of it,oh well I tried.

I won't list things that do not work, which is approximately 2000 to 3000 herbs and supplements, but will only list stuff that is effective.

Thanks again.

Please go ahead and list your supplements. I am very interested. I appreciate you taking the time to post on here and share your story.

I'm so sorry about the stroke and your suffering.. :(

It's great that you have had the opportunity to try so many substances and found what works for you. The vitamin and supplements regimen is well know to be helpful with overall brain health but some claim to not notice a difference.

As you say, there are myriads of substances. Nootropics, ayurvedics, chinese herbs, and herbs of all varieties, amino acids and the like, etc. Chiro neurologists and functional neurologist have long lists of substances they work with.

Have you ever tried CBD oil ?

Many of us look forward to seeing your list of what has worked for you.

Have you compiled a monthly cost of your regimen ?