[sunshine1alb]

Hi there I have had PCS since March 25, 2009 when slipped in the shower and landed on my head. I am a neonatal ICU nurse, but have been on disability since the accident. The main issues I am dealing with at this point are headaches, photo sensitivity, attention problems and vision problems. I also have occasional dizziness and 'feel drunk' when I am over stimulated or stressed out.. I have one more test to take with the neuro-psychologist, but at this point it seems my main issue is attention and concentrating. She has told me that I am definitely not able to go back to work yet. My short term disability runs out next month, and I can't believe that I am still not able to work yet.. I came to this site to find others that are going through the same issues.. Unless you have lived with this condition you just don't understand..

[Mark in Idaho]

Well, you came to the place where most of us have lived with these issues and do understand.

We agree than most others, including many doctors do not understand.

What kind of deficits did the neuropsych diagnose?
Did she try to say you also suffer from depression? It is a common neuropsych diagnosis after concussion. Some of the tests will indicate depression because there is crossover between concussion/Mild Cognitive Impairment and depression, especially on the MMPI-II.

What have you done to try to heal?

The over-stimulations and stress situations can take you right back to square one. Avoid them like the plague. Prevention is a big part of your recovery.

Nurtition is very important. Some blood work to determine if you have a B-12 deficiency would be worth while.

Getting your vitamin levels up, especially B-6 and B-12 along with all of the rest is very important.

Have you been examined by a ophthalmologist or neuro-ophthalmologist?

Normal run of the mill neurologists are often not much help. You need to find one who has a special knowledge of concussion.

Down load Dr Glen Johnson's TBI Survival Guide at www.tbiguide.com.

I suppose you have had a CT done since you concussion. If it was shortly after, you might want to have it repeated. Many concussion injuries will show normal right away but show problems a few days later.

Let us know what else is going on. There are plenty of knowledgeable people here to help.

You may also want to look into neurofeedback. Google it and you'll find loads of info on it for rehabilitation for head injuries. Also, in addition to what Mark suggested, eat lots and lots of protein and drink plenty of water. Hope this helps and good luck.

Originally Posted by Mark in Idaho

Well, you came to the place where most of us have lived with these issues and do understand.

We agree than most others, including many doctors do not understand.

What kind of deficits did the neuropsych diagnose?
Did she try to say you also suffer from depression? It is a common neuropsych diagnosis after concussion. Some of the tests will indicate depression because there is crossover between concussion/Mild Cognitive Impairment and depression, especially on the MMPI-II.

What have you done to try to heal?

The over-stimulations and stress situations can take you right back to square one. Avoid them like the plague. Prevention is a big part of your recovery.

Nurtition is very important. Some blood work to determine if you have a B-12 deficiency would be worth while.

Getting your vitamin levels up, especially B-6 and B-12 along with all of the rest is very important.

Have you been examined by a ophthalmologist or neuro-ophthalmologist?

Normal run of the mill neurologists are often not much help. You need to find one who has a special knowledge of concussion.

Down load Dr Glen Johnson's TBI Survival Guide at www.tbiguide.com.

I suppose you have had a CT done since you concussion. If it was shortly after, you might want to have it repeated. Many concussion injuries will show normal right away but show problems a few days later.

Let us know what else is going on. There are plenty of knowledgeable people here to help.

[sunshine1alb]

thanks for the replies I have seen an opthomologist.. My eyes are fine. Any visual problems I have is because of my brain. I asked them about visual therapy, and they said it doesn't work and is a waste of money. I still have one more test to take with the neuropsych, so she has not plugged in the data, so all she told me is that so far I have a problem with attention. I do know from taking the tests that I also had problems with the tests using word lists and pairs. When it came to me reciting groups of numbers in order and backwards I did fine with. On the hardest ones I was only like one off or something, if I didn't get it right. I will be interested to see what she finds with the final report. The neuropsych I am going to works full time for the hospital system I work at. She is the head of the neuropsych department for a large hospital system, so I am confident that her results will be accurate. I am pretty much in limbo, waiting on this testing to be done before I go back to the neurologist. I am considering on going to a psychiatrist to get on an antidepressant (I have been on them in the past, but quit taking them..) Who wouldn't be depressed living with what we are going through? I have been trying to stay positive, but the longer it is since the injury, the more anxious I am getting.

Amy

[Dmom3005]

Hi the kind of vision problems you are talking about are treated by a
neuro-opthomalogist. They can send you to a physical therapist that
does some work helping you retrain your brain to work with your eyes.

I've done this already and it helped me a lot. you might check with
your hospital and see if they have a physical therapist that does
this kind of physical therapy.

They also use it for strokes and some other kinds of things.

Donna

[sunshine1alb]

thanks Donna Can the neurologist order that kind of physical therapy as well?.. I would think we would have someone that specializes in that since we have a stroke program at the hosptital. I will have to make some calls to make sure.

[Mark in Idaho]

Until you have a better idea of what is going on with your brain, like the neuro-psych assessment and neuro-ophthalmologist exam etc, I would not get started toward neuro-feedback. It should be reserved for the physicians to prescribe. You will only confound the physicians if you start trying to self treat or seek treatment outside their knowledge. They will be less able to tell what treatments are effective and what are causing complications.

When you get the neuro-psych report, be slow to interpret the results. Neuro-psychs have a propensity to biases based on their training. That is why I cautioned about a diagnosis of depression. Neuro-psych Ph.D.s have more training than Psy.D.s do. The specifics of their residency can also lead to a bias.

I have had two full neuro-psych assessments done six years apart. The scales for both were the same but the diagnosis was not. The first diagnosed psychological problems due to stress and depression, the second was vague with a tendency to diagnose somatoform causation or malingering.

Upon review of the scales, they both overlooked the indicators of Mild Cognitive Impairment. Part of their problem was my top 2% intelligence scores. They reasoning was, How could I have a MCI issue if I was so intelligent?

The research shows that the big differential between IQ scores and memory scores points to brain injury.

Both assessments reported very high scores in validity, meaning they did not show any malingering.

So, twice, the neuro-psychs made a diagnosis that was contrary to the evidence. Go figure.

The biggest value I took from the NP Assessments was the validation that I had cognitive deficits. The self doubt is very hard to deal with. Especially when the doctors dismiss you.