11 months PCS - Functional Brain Mapping and Neuromodulation
 

Hello,

I've been on this website for a while but this is my first post. I sustained a concussion in early August of 2019. I was rushing to catch a train and ran (face first) into a sign on the platform. I did not black out. Even though my head hurt, I was very embarrassed and rushed to work. I iced my head as best I could and kept going. I eventually saw my primary doctor who diagnosed a concussion, but only suggested rest. Over the next 9 months, I saw a neurologist (migraine treatment didn't work), concussion specialist (physiatrist), and neuro optometrist (completed 4-5 months of vision therapy). I’ve been on and off and back on disability, as the pandemic has made screen use for my job unavoidable. I should mention that I’ve had an extremely difficult time distancing myself from the stress of my job (even while on disability). My main lingering symptom is that I cannot do anything visually stimulating (computer, phone, TV, reading, riding in a car) for more than 25-45 minutes without a burning headache (cluster headache?), that sometimes turns into a deep, dull throbbing.

I recently saw a neuropsychologist who believes my recovery will not continue without further intervention. I'm scheduled to begin testing with him next week. He plans to do blood work, additional imaging, and functional brain mapping; and then use those findings to perform some neuromodulation procedures. Has anyone here had experience with brain mapping and/or neuromodulation? Even though I've met my high deductible, the doctor’s office wants to charge me a ~$300 institution fee for the brain mapping and I also fear the modulation treatments will not be covered. I don't mind paying these fees if this will actually help my recovery, but I've already spent a significant amount of money on treatments that have been ineffective, so I'm wondering if anyone can speak to the effectiveness of brain mapping and neuromodulation??

Any advanced PT evaluation?
Any NUCCA/ upper c spine /gentle chiropractic adjusting.. even just an evaluation to start...
seek out skilled & knowledgeable care providers for best results...

soft tissue injuries, trigger points , c1/c2 misalignment..can cause some of your issues also
A face hit can knock the c1/c2 out of alignment
I like this site for info on that.. Up C Spine
and- Up C Spine - A New Approach - Sign / Symptom Checklist

I DITTO what Jo*mar has posted.

Your neck should be considered.

For many, the neck will manifest no testable/imageable irregularities.

The proof is when the upper neck is treated like it is injured and unstable with 24/7 discipline, it can start to improve and symptoms can reduce.

You sound like me in 2002. I was still struggling from an injury Jan of 2001. When I started treating my neck as the point of the injury, improvements slowly came.

The dr's diagnosis of concussion was likely based on your subjective complaints and the mechanism of injury. Those are usually just 'shot in the dark' diagnoses. Anybody who hits their head and tells the doctor they hit their head and do not feel good will get a concussion diagnosis, even if the injury is just whiplash.

Hi there!
We are twins! Hit my head in August of 2019 as well.. was doing better but then the demands of work and life in general made symptoms so much worse.. Similarly, I have a burning headache (top of the head) with any visual activity ( screens, driving etc) and extreme neuro fatigue !
Yet to see neuro-optometrist for evaluation. You might want to seek functional neuro ( I saw one in February) and it was really helpful.

What did your neuro-optometrist day about your vision? What was vision therapy for? Did you get re-evaluated?
How are you doing with brain fatigue? Conversations?