Here for a friend with PCS
 

Hello all,

My dearest friend slipped on some ice at work and hit his head at the beginning of February (requiring six staples to close the subsequent gash), and has been suffering PCS symptoms ever since. His CT scan came back clear, as well as his MRI, but EEG did show that he's having seizures. When he fell, he MAY have lost consciousness for a second, but suffered no amnesia, and has no noticable changes in personality (I know him very well, we talk every day and he is very open about his symptoms). He was on anti-depressants for about four weeks prior to the fall, and continues to be on such medication (though a different kind, prescribed for his PCS migraines). He is obviously on anti-seizure medication as well. His balance has been severly compromised since the fall, and he's beginning physical therapy for that this week.

I suppose I'm looking for any encouragement and advice you may have for him (and myself). I'm doing all I can for him, found him some books on dealing with MTBI, researched foods that are good and bad for headaches, found mild exercises for him to try, done all the research I can on this condition, but it's so hard to find answers. I'm worried because he's approaching the three-month mark and he does not feel much better than he did in February. He still has a bit of a fuzzy/detached feeling, has headaches every day, spaces off, loses his balance, and is feeling frustrated and lacking some confidence... and I'm sure his physical job isn't helping recovery. I've read that having a history of depression can prolong PCS symptoms...

I just want to give him hope. No one deserves to go through this, and it's painful to see him struggling (though he's handled it incredibly well so far, maintaining optimism aside from a few moments of frustration)

I'm glad to have found a place like this...thank you for reading and any advice or encouragement you may have.

Again, replies would be appreciated...

Sorry!
 

I'm not in this forum all the time. Just recently started with it to help my husband. I joined neuro talk because of my Myasthenia Gravis + something else they're trying to get diagnosed. Sorry you didn't get any responses yet, but be patient. Many with this condition tire easily, so I'm sure they'll be around.

I know exactly how you feel, wanting to help your friend. My husband suffered a TBI with 2 skull fractures, brain bleed and pretty much all over the brain concussion. His doctor said people die from that same severity of injury all the time, so I'm happy just to have him still.

One thing you can tell your friend is that the process of healing the brain is slow. We are at almost the one year mark, and my husband just started working again a few months ago. He lost hearing, smell and taste, having recovered some of his hearing which we have boosted with hearing aids.

Three months isn't very long, and while a brain bleed is a more serious situation, I've read that even little bumps to the head can cause big problems. It's very important that your friend protect his head at all times! We were told that even a screw falling on his head would cause further injury, so he had to wear a bike helmet for the first couple of months.

Rest is so important. The brain needs it's shut down time, and lots of it, to heal itself. You may try making a journal of his progress to keep his hope up. It's interesting to look back to how bad things were and then note little mile stones. It will also help with an assessment at the doctors.

My husband was getting so depressed, frustrated and worried because the progress was slow, and frankly he didn't remember everything early on. Seeing this, I started pointing out every little thing that was better than just after the accident. I still have to do this. He is living through this day by day, so doesn't have the perspective I do.

Still, one year later he gets headaches on occassion (never really had them before), he tires much faster than he used to, and occassionally he still gets the wrong word. He's still a bit self concious about his reduced hearing, and gets bummed that he can't taste anything but sweet or salt.

Actually, because of my current health issues (I'm out of work due to a bout with my disease, and I'm the major wage earner - he owns a garage door company and we have really felt the economy slow down), the stress is getting pretty heavy. He has shown some depression symptoms that he denies, so we are going to the doc tomorrow to talk about some things. I'm not sure he realizes it, but I am seeing some backward motion in his recovery. I'm sure it's due to the stress and depression. I'm hoping his doctor can recommend something so he can keep moving forward.

I don't know if anything I've told you helps. The biggest is the patience. It takes a long time, especially if your friend is back to work and wearing himself out. Has he seen a neurologist specializing in head injury? I think that would be a good move if he doesn't have one yet. What happens early on can set the stage for how well he can recover.

You are a wonderful friend and he's lucky to have you to help encourage him and cheer him on! I wish you both the best of luck and a speedy recovery for him. It's very hard being the one watching all of this too, so you be sure to take care of yourself as well. :hug:'s to you both!

Again, more replies would have been appreciated, but I'm happy to report that my friend is beginning to show improvement. He doesn't have migranes as often, can go several days without a bout of dizziness and feels he's able to concentrate better. I'm very happy and thankful that he's feeling more like himself.

Hello, sorry about your friend.
Does he see a good neurologist?
I think that would be first. Then follow his orders.
I've just written my short story out in another thread. (Long time TBI needs help). I hope you read it there.

Your friend may need to see a neuropsychiatrist or neuropsychologist. Probably the former would be better.
A GOOD neurologist can be tough to find depending on where you are?
Do you have good university hospitals?
This is not a job for a "family doctor".

I hope that the other thread helps you too.. I've had tbi and more since 98. RSD since 83.

Come back with questions!

You may be the best thing your friend has right now! Don't forget that!

Pete
asb

Patience pays with TBI
 

I'm so glad to hear he's getting some good signs. It just takes so long for the brain to heal. As Pete said, it is important to see a good neuro. The TBI's can be strange beasts with symptoms changing and all for a while.

Hopefully, he will continue to recover and won't have any residual effects. Just make sure he protects that head of his!

:hug:

Becky