Hi
I'm really hoping someone can help me here - A brief History:

I was involved in a serious car accident in November 2008 where, although I (fortunately) didn't break anything, I sustained knee injuries, whiplash and I also hit my head against the windscreen. I have had a variety of problems including persistent memory loss, loss of concentration, headaches/migraines etc but something that i have started to notice more recently is these blackouts i get. I can get them at any time and anywhere, including when I'm driving the car. I also have big mood swings and my personality has changed, often feeling frustrated and very very angry, and it takes me a long time to "bring myself back down".

The reason I am asking for help is that last sunday i had a particulalry bad episode. I was in the supermarket feeling fine, maybe a little tired, then out of nowhere I suddenly went very very hot, started to feel light headed and was constantly "losing my sight" (everything went black) The blackouts (if thats what they are) lasted for up to five seconds each and i really though i was going to pass out. I continued to feel like this until my mum got me a danish pastry which i wolfed down and I started to feel much better - however for the rest of the day I felt a little nauseous and absolutely exhausted. I am also really concerned that I am getting them while driving where i don't feel hot, but my vision just suddenyl goes momentarlity and without warning.

Also I forgot to say that when I had my episode in the supermarket I was seriously tingling all over. I remember i was stood in the refridgeration aisle and just wanted to feel the cold but it didnt make me feel any better

I have had very bad stabbing headaches (just behind my right eye (area where i hit my head)) on and off since the accident but they seem to have calmed down in the last couple of months. Though when i get them it is excruciating.

I have had CAT scans, blood work, urine tests (not pregnant) and all that kind of thing, though to be honest i haven't mentioned this to my doctor yet (but I don't have that much confidence in him to be honestbecause he always just refers me to someone else). It would be great if i had something to go to him with, maybe actually get him to help me.

Any help or advice anyone could give me would be really helpful

Thank you

First, welcome to NT.

I was in a very bad car accident a couple of years ago and suffered injuries similar to yours: TBI, whiplash, damaged knees, etc…

Whiplash can cause serious, long term neurological damage, especially in people (mostly women) with naturally small outlets. In those cases, it can be difficult to separate the TBI symptoms from the neurological. Either way, you need immediate, specialized medical attention.

See your family doctor without delay. This is way beyond the scope of a GP, so it’s good that he will refer you on. For starters you need to see a neurologist and a physical medical specialist. A CAT Scan isn’t much good for diagnosing brain injury. You should certainly have an MRI and consider neuro-psychological testing to access your brain function.

A lot of your symptoms, like temper and headache, are almost ubiquitous in head injury. Your blackouts are less common - and far more disturbing. By blackouts do you mean that you actually faint or that you suffer short periods of blindness? Either way, please stop driving until you get this problem under control. You of all people know how devastating a car accident can be. You don’t want to hurt or kill yourself or some innocent person.

I could spend a lot of time speculating on which part of your brain is provoking which symptom. The point is that you have a problem and you know it. None of us can say anything that’s going to change that. Please go and get the medical attention you need and the people on this forum will be happy to advise and support you every step of the way.

Good Luck

Yes, I agree, 100% with what "Hockey" has said!

Don't just sit there, (So easy with a TBI),
Get yourself to a neurologist! A DAM GOOD ONE!
Find the Chief of Neurology, At a hospital near you!
It's GRAND, that your doctor is finding, and relating you, to other docs!
Follow up!
Please!
(It's a fine Doctor, who knows his limitations! Be Thankful for that!)

I've had TBI since 98!
It's gotten better, that took about 4 years, I hit my head again, and the hygroma was gone, but, obviously, it merely slipped and spelt, all over the rest of my brain, inside the skull.
Not good.

But, I take Aricept,,(Altzheimer's med). And it really helps!
I'm NOT a doctor, so I cannot tell you what might help.....

Please, don't waste time.
Get yourself to a GREAT Neurologist!

If you'd like to speak more, please, PM me?
OK?

I''m here for you.

Pete


asb

Hi Both

Thank you for your posts - It was so nice to know that maybe i'm not completely losing my marbles.

Am so completely frustrated with everything... my anger is getting the better of me, and having always been a bit of a pacifist all I manage to do when angry and frustrated is let it all build up and start crying my eyes out. I sit here writing this with tears running down my face - what the hell??

I sometimes wonder if it is just "in my head" so to speak. I have had a pretty bad time of things since the accident... my relationship fell apart (i think due to how i was since the accident) and my career that i was excelling it has fallen flat on it's face with me missing out on my promotion, AND, instead of managing projects, I am reduced to scanning little bits of paper and filing them online. This has been going on for the last six months.

I am seeing my GP this morning. Am in UK and as far as I'm aware my GP is my only option. I think my frustration lies in the fact that when I'm referred on the NHS i have to wait weeks and weeks and weeks to get anywhere with the referral. I don't have medical insurance (my "opt in" period was right after the accident - I was too ill to do anything about it and didn't even realise). What i have got in the pipeline however is i have an ongoign legal case. As part of that process I have been to see an orthopeadic consultant who was great at telling me i had no bone/structural issues, but could provide no guidance as to how to fix everything else (not including my head). I have also been referred to a neurologist and psychologist for them to examine me and produce a report for my case. I am a bit scared about this cos I'm worriedthey'll think i'm making it all up.

My other cause for concern is that with work making me so miserable of late i decided (rightly or wrongly) to take a career break at the end of this year - The only other thing i know how to do is ski, so have signed up to do a ski instructor course in the Alps. I am excited but equally frightened - what if it's a terrible idea? I know I need to get out of this hell i am living in now and away from those who pretend to care (i tell you what - having an accident really lets you know who your friends really are)!!

Re the blackouts- I haven't passed out yet though I do feel like i am about to - it's definately a "losing of the sight".

Was in work yesterday feeling absolutely terrible.. I had a huge pressure round the base of my skull and felt so weak, like it was a massive effort to stand up.

I do wonder - is this PCS, or is this Depression, or is it a bit of both. I don't like the thought of being either - I want to be ME again... why can't i be me????

Sorry for the waffle

Hockey

I know your right and i should stop driving, i mean I don't even like it anymore and the only way to get to and from work is to go past the place the accident happened. I saw another accident yesterday on the way home - didn't look as serious but i was still very upset by it. Sometimes i drive past the site of my accident and then cannot recall that portion of the journey at all, or i get very nervous.

I guess i previously put the "blackouts" down to being tired - I'm always tired these days... the Supermarket incident brought it all home to me i think, that maybe I do have a problem.

Feeling pressure in right base of skull this morning - what is that?

You are not going crazy. In fact, it would be unusual for people with brain injuries NOT to see their relationships and work deteriorate. Anger, emotional upset and lack of inhibition are also common due to frontal lobe damage. People in car crashes often don't like to drive afterwards. It's Post Traumatic Stress and needs treatment by a psychologist.

I hear your frustration over your lack of timely access to medical treatment. There are a few things you can do:
1. Get into the queue now – everyday you wait is one day longer you’ll wait for treatment
2. Tell the doctor about the blindness: severe symptoms will get you bumped up the list.
3. Go to a hospital causality ward, tell them your experiencing intermittent blindness and refuse to leave until they give you an MRI! They do emergency ones.
4. Your solicitor should be able to expedient or even arrange treatment and testing. In many instances, they’ll pay for a private MRI, etc… and take it out of your future settlement.

On the litigation front, please tell me that you have an excellent solicitor. Do not face the insurance company alone. If it’s their doctors your seeing, they’re job isn’t to help you, it’s to say your fine notwithstanding your real condition. Call your lawyer now and tell him/her to get off their bum and get your medical treatment in gear. They will: they want to win the case. If you don’t (God forbid) have a solicitor, I guarantee, that with your symptoms, they’ll be fighting each other to take you on.

Here we are telling you what to do and I’m sure it’s making your head spin. We’re not trying to beat you up here: WE UNDERSTAND THAT LACK OF INITIATIVE IS A MAJOR SYMPTOM OF BRAIN INJURY – AND YOU’VE GOT THAT ONE IN SPADES. You desperately need to act but, understandably, you’re finding that nearly impossible.

Fortunately, there is help close at hand. All you have to do is pick up the phone and call Headway UK. The group is a charity designed to HELP the brain injured. Here’s the contact info:

Toll Free Telephone Number: 0808 800 2244
Email: helpline@headway.org.uk

There is even a local chapter that meets right in Swansea!
Contact: Chris Evans
Telephone: 01792 473602
Email: headwayswasea@hotmail.co.uk

Please contact Headway and let us know how you get on.

Good Luck

Well - Just got back from seeing my doctor.

Basically he sent me for more blood tests due to my headaches and constant fatigue and I have to go back and see him next week. If symptoms persist he will refer me to Nerologist. Prescribed me Zopliclone to help me sleep on the nights that i struggle.

Re the blackouts he had some funky word for them but said they are typical of hypertension...

... Guess i just have to wait and see

Hi Hockey

So far my Solicitor has been pretty good to be honest - the other side have already admitted liability so thats good too. They are also supposed to be providing me with physio.

The psychologist and neurologist have already been identified, I am just waitingfor them to confirm when my appointments are. The osteo was good in that he referred me for the private physio.

Thanks a million for the Headway Info. I have called and left Chris a message to get back to me.

Now I need to go rest, very tired and head has been in constant pain since i woke up - draining :O(

I’m sorry your doctor wasn’t more pro-active. Hypertension??? This guy is way out of his league. You’d think intermittent blindness might have him worried about damage to your occipital lobe or a brain injury induced seizure disorder. Your injury is over a year old; you’re way past the “wait and see” point. Get your solicitor to get on him if necessary.

Hang in There

I just hope the neurologist through my solicitor isn't such a numpty and will actually help me and maybe refer me for an MRI - I live in hope