Recommendation for PCS specialist in UK
 

I'm looking for a recommendation for a neurologist in the UK (preferably Home Counties, but I will travel if needed) *specializing* in post-concussion syndrome. If it has to take place outside the NHS on a fee-paying basis, that's fine.

My case is complicated by unclarity over whether it is in fact post-concussion syndrome: extreme and long-standing depression, overwhelming anxiety, and a complicated migraine history make diagnosis very difficult.

My one other desideratum is that the neurologist should ideally have some experience with, and sympathy for, the unique (personal, situational, logistical, and psychological) problems faced by people in academic careers suffering from (possible) neurological issues.

Oxo,


Welcome to NeuroTalk.

I suggest you try to contact the sports training dept at your school or others nearby that have strong football/rugby,soccer teams. They will likely have a referral to doctors who have treated their athletes with prolonged concussion symptoms. There is a concerted effort developing in the UK rugby community to address concussions. There may be a rugby team trainer that can refer you to a good specialist.

Usually your doctor will refer you to a specialist. You could try contacting your local Headway if you are having problems getting referred, they could possibly mediate for you.

IMO PCS is not taken that seriously in the UK, hopefully things will change soon with the appalling decisions taken by rugby coaches recently.

UK directory and a couple of possible contacts or starting points
 

A resource to consider (although not medical referrals) is through the UK Acquired Brain Injury Forum's directory of rehab services --it's on the web, easy to find.

That could identify service providers who are geographically close to you. From a conversation with some such provider, you find identify a suitable neurologist.

Secondly, in your shoes, I would try to reach two people who aren't neurologists but might be extremely helpful --

Tom Manly, at Cambridge's Cognition and Brain Sciences Unit -- he's a very long-established psychologist, well-experienced in rehab, academically well-versed, + does detailed neuropsych assessments expertly (but I'm certainly not seeking to sell his services at all!)

Andrew Bateman, at Ely's (NHS) Oliver Zangwill Centre for Neuropsychological Rehabilitation -- (or one of his senior colleagues) -- he's director at research and approachable (as are his colleagues, I believe).

You can easily trace their emails and phone numbers on the web.

They (or colleagues) "in the know" may be able to direct you towards a neurologist.

... In the situation you sketch, having presumably had a concussion some while ago, but being unable to firmly attribute current signs and symptoms to the concussion and/or other causes, IMO a medical neurologist will be less helpful than a neuropsychologist. The latter could test/assess you and compare your pattern of results to the situations for "typical" PCS individuals. A UK neurologist will almost certainly just refer you for neuropsych assessment, possibly charging you lavishly in the process and delaying matters too.

Anyway, sorry to offer an opinion if it's intrusive or meddling -- but most of all, good luck.