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..

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.

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

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

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.