So happy to have found this site!!!
 

Hi,

Was rear-ended by a drunk driver at over 60mph last summer while waiting for a light to change. Never hit my head, but had a death grip on the steering wheel that took my head and neck for a wild ride that resulted in a short loss of consiousness and all of the wonderful symptoms I have today.

Been through a bunch of doctors that said I would get better in 2 to 3 months and handed me a bunch of pills. After that time passed they said that it could be up to a year and as that time is about to pass, they now say two years.

I am so tired of being put through this. Because I can talk and function semi-normally people pass me off. They don't understand what this is like. I took great pride in my brain, and now part of me is gone. They keep saying that I am depressed, and that I get irritated easily.

I'm sorry but feeling sad at times because you realize you now have limits on your concentration, memory, and attention span is not depression. It is grieving a loss. Get hit in the head hard and for the next hour your bell has been rung see how chipper you are. For the irritability have your life stolen and see how ****** you get.

I think that is a huge factor in PCS not being taking seriously. They list depression and anger issues as symptoms as if there is no reason behind it. I believe sadness and anger are rational reactions to a horrible event. I deeply resent being told that depression is just a condition of PCS so you must have it, as if that negates the root cause of it.

For the first three months I had constant migraine type pain. I would point to a long muscle in my neck and tell them that whenever that would get really tight (like steel) that the head pain would be worse. They wouldn't listen. It wasn't until today that I found out it was Splenius Capitis Muscle Syndrome. Apparently it's fairly common in auto injuries. This can cause severe headache like pain and visual disturbances.

For the first six months I would have visual disturbances that looked like stationary objects were flying at my face. I would literally flinch and jerk my neck all up in response. My peripheral vision was deeply affected for the first few months with what looked liked someone smeared vaseline all along the sides of my eyes, it has gotten better with time but still had short periods where I would go blind (No incidents in past 5 months). Still can't drive at night because of the peripheral loss (looks like cars next to me are driving into me), and the lights disorient me.

It makes me really upset that no one ever mentioned that the headaches and visual disturbances could be caused by that or Occipital neuralgia. Why is it that when it comes to a diagnosis with PCS that they just hand you pills and say it will all go away? As if it realives them of any duty to find a real cause.

Anyways I'm sure you can tell I am mad. For the past year I have been so out of it and listened to them telling me that I will get over it. It really bothered to have to deal with anything regarding my injuries because I always wanted to believe that it was going to go away.

Today I took the first step in researching it and came across these two solid, concrete items that make perfect sense. The Splenius Capitis makes perfect sense for the headaches, and the occipital neuralgia explains the horrible, acidic burning in my scalp. So I am angry that we could of done something sooner with a diagnosis, but also feeling empowered that there is something solid to hold onto.

I finally started to get good medical care toward the end when my $15,000 PIP coverage ran out. For so long I had the most idiotic of doctors. My current neurologist was awesome and finally gave me some real answers. Not all, but at least some. I was such a mess before seeing her.

She currently has me on exelon patches. I can't tell you how much this has helped with feeling normal again. I am concerned, though, as it is used in alzheimer's patients and can only be taken for up to two years. I am 4 months on now and have forgotton to take off the patch or it has fallen off and I feel myself slipping back into that black hole. I would highly recommend it to anyone suffering like I have.

It has made all the difference in being able to think right again and advocate for myself. Before I can not believe how much I was taken advantage of because my brain would shut down and I couldn't defend myself.

I would so love to meet people like me who have dealt with this and share tips and concerns. Is anyone else on alzheimer's medication? Any support would be greatly appreciated. I can't even begin to tell you how happy I was to find this site and read some of the posts. Finally someone who does actually understand. I can't tell you what it's like getting pat answers and well meant sentiment when others don't have a clue.

Anyways, have to go. Got a lot of research to go over with my lawyer on tomorrow. Like did you know that people with TBIs are 4 times as likely to develop alzheimers later in life. We also can develop plaque on the brain as seen in much older individuals. Scary stuff.

Take care all,

Angie

Hi Angie and welcome to NeuroTalk. Here is the link to our
Occipital Neurologia forum

http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/forum105.html

I'm glad you've found us. :hug:

http://i489.photobucket.com/albums/r...rGroupWTTG.gif

Hi Angie, and welcome to NeuroTalk! This is a wonderful site with many interesting topics, and a large number of very friendly and caring people. :)

We're glad you found us! :D

Hi Angie. You poor thing, I'm so sorry. And, I completely understand. I was rear ended while at a complete stop - twice - tboned once, and tboned someone else.

Lots of neck and head trauma. The splenius capitus trauma was awful. The head pain for the longest time was unbearable, let alone the neck pain. I also have dealt with the pain from the splenius cervicis. I found some excellent illustrations. here is that link

I blame those car accidents and subsequent injuries, in part, for my fibro.

My massage therapist has helped tremendously. I also started going to a good chiropractor who does not use that awful and excessive manipulation. I never liked those guys til I found this one!

If you could find a good massage therapist trained and skilled in release techniques, I think you would find it a good investment.

I also found in the beginning, anyway, that putting myself in traction helped some. A physical therapist did that for me.

I still have problems with the pain and pressure behind my right eye.

And like you, it took awhile before I landed in the office of an excellent doctor who FINALLY told me what was going on!

I'm glad you found this wonderful forum. Take care. :grouphug:

Welcome


I too was rear-ended at a red light 9 years ago. Lots of problems. Lots of mishandling by providers. Lots of anger yet over that. (anger is a negative for recovery) ...and I paid for that. Seems like a crime to me too. I'm working on the forgiveness aspect of that. I just don't know why they can't say "I dont' know" or "I can't help you this time." I guess in the real world that's asking for to much.

I will tell you, you have to do what you have to do for now. Pain patterns will and can change.

So sorry you have these problems. It's no fun but this group understands.

There's lots of info here.

Knowledge and understanding is empowering.

Hang in there. Keep searching and researching till you find things that help you.

Just ask and someone will try to give you answers. We all support each other.

(Broken Wings)

Hi I too have PCS and some other issues. Wasn't rear ended like you.

But did a lot of falling issues. I have been to some different type of
treatments that were not known for PCS but technically helped it.

I have used Physical therapy for the stiff and non moving neck I had
for over 9 months. Thanks to one of my falls. My therapist did everything
she could and more.
A tens machine, traction, taping the neck(to release the tension and muscles)
The electrical machines that sooth. Don't know the names.

I have also had to go to a great neurologist for balance issues.

But the thing that he did that was the best was send me for physical
therapy for balance issues.

And that retrained my brain.

I am now in massage therapy and am also doing something about my
feet problems. Man I just seem to be a mess.

I got angry with myself, I seemed to cause my own problems.

But my primary didn't realize a neuro was needed. But the physical therapist
at the time was her idea.

Donna

I went through vestibular rehabilitaiton for my balance issues. It helped. Sometimes I have to go back to the pages of exercises to get back into balance if I've fallen off the wagon, so to say. LOL !!!!!!!!!!!