Hi, one of the best things about finding this site is that you realise that there are others experincing the same as you.

The best thing that you can do is rest. I didn't at the beginning and I think that is the reason why my symptons are still with me 8 years on. I simply did not understand that while I was fighting the symptons for so long I was making things worse for myself. Dorothy Gronwall kept talking to me about "waiting to get better" - I never knew what she meant until after she had died. I don't think I was rational enough to understand!

My MRI and CT scan did not show anything. The only test which showed was the QEEG.

Has your eye socket been checked out - the sound of that does concern me. Perhaps you should go back and have that looked at.


Good luck
Lynlee

When reading the posts on this website, I feel like I was "robbed" of my recovery. My neurologist never really listened to me and never once told me the things I should/shouldn't be doing. After my fall, I went right back to work because I didn't have enough sick time to stay home. I used to take 1/2 hour naps at lunch time just to get through the rest of the day. So, I never did get the rest that I should have nor was I told not to work or given any kind of "release of work" memo for work. I was offered this after 4 months of severe headaches by my family doc. I just couldn't take that time off and not be paid my full amount. I'm just wondering if my first neuro doc would have given me some suggestions instead of pushing me out the door if I wouldn't be "healed" by now. Twelve months out and I am still having headaches daily and more so when working out. I know it is a no-brainer to not work out, but can become depressed without it. I feel that if I would have had the neuro doc that I have today, things may have been different. I also think that because the hospital is at fault for my fall that the first neuro doc did not want to acknowledge my PCS. She never admitted that I had it even though I fell off a gurney in the ER onto the floor. I am lucky that me husband is understanding of the situation and will stick by me. Otherwise, life would really suck.

Thank you for your reply. I am seeing a neurologist on 1/20. I wish that I had more time to rest. I am a high school teacher and have a 2nd job tutoring 2 hours a day, 4 days a week. I take naps every Friday and Sunday. My biggest concern is still having a painful bump on my forehead since the accident. I feel as if I have pressure starting at the bump which goes all the way to the back of the head.

Sheds, I am surprised you have not filed a claim against the ER. Wage replacement might have been agreed to, especially if there is an understood need to just slow down for a bit.

Corki,

After a concussion, most of the damage happens after the visit to the ER. I am glad to hear you are seeing the doc on 1/20. A CT might be in order. Persistent symptoms like you mention would justify more investigation by my book.

I have read where some have tried to suggest that concussions be followed up rather than released. I would like to see the ER or Doc have a protocol of at least a phone call follow-up each day for a few days. This would go a long way toward catching the brain bleeds and other issues that are delayed. A trained person could ask a few questions and get a good idea of function and such.

There needs to be as much focus on concussions as there is for strokes.

Mark,

Thank you for your reply. I agree that people with concussions need more after-care. I did have a ct at the er; it stated that nothing was wrong. I believe that they should have taken an x-ray to see if their was a hairline fracture of the skull. I am actually taken off from school (I am a teacher) because I am having increased pressure in my head near the bump. Any time I touch the bump or near it, I become nauseated, dizzy, and pain radiates toward the back of my head. I have been resting all day and I still feel horrible. Tomorrow I will attempt to get an appointment for tomorrow, instead of waiting another week. I am surprised that doctors are not taking my symptoms seriously.

Corki

Mark,

I have filed a claim against the ER. They are not disputing what happened in the ER, but are trying to say that my year-long symptoms of PCS may be a result of underlying medical problems or my seizure disorder. I can tell you that I didn't not feel any of this before the accident - as far as an underlying medical condition, plus I haven't had any other medical conditions. As for the seizures, once I switched medications, I was less tired, but still have headaches after a year and can't be in loud spots and have ringing in my ears constantly. My attorney wanted to know who I thought was the "quarterback" in my treatment, meaning who would know my symptoms the most. I told her that the neuro that I saw initially worked for the hospital, so she wasn't going to say that I had a concussion. My family doc said I was depressed and that was why I had a headache and loss of interest in most things. She increased my Prozac. I then went to see a psychiatrist who told me that I was not depressed and took me off the antidepressants. I went to a sports medicine doc because he deals a lot with concussion patients. He told me that the symptoms I had were due to a concussion. I then saw another neuro for a second opinion. The attorney doesn't want to use the info from the concussion doc because he is not a neurologist. In short, I am the "quarterback" because I am the one who made all the appointments with different people to just get some answers and the help that I needed. I have learned that you have to advocate for yourself because no one else does.

sheds,

Sorry, I missed this post. Your attorney needs to understand that neurologists are not necessarily the best and concussion. In fact, most are lousy at diagnosing concussions. If they cannot diagnose it with an image, EEG or standard neurological test, most will say that you must be OK.

Check out www.tbilaw.com