Hi there...
I've been suffering now for a couple of years since my accident and am frustrated and confused...
in that my doctors say this is my 'new normal' and for me just to accept the fact that I will always have mood swings, ED, fatigue and the rest...and won't perscribe anything else than an anti depressent and increase the dose from time to time...they dont want me to be addicted
my insurance company is now asking me to see there doctors for assessments...
any suggestions please would help...thanks

Hey Goale48,

Welcome. I'm sorry you have been struggling with this for so long! The frustration and confusion are awful!

I am not the most knowledgable member here, but I can offer you support and an ear to vent. I'm sure the others will be along shortly to offer suggestions for you.

Can you give us some more history about your accident, the meds you are on, and any therapies you are trying? Any information can help.

Again, I'm sorry you find yourself here, but it's a great place to find people who understand what you are going through. It has helped me so much to have people listen to me and give me practical advice.

Goalie,

Sorry for your reason for coming here, but it is the right place for any answers that may be available. This group has seen anything of value that is out there. I have 40 plus years of experience living with concussion. Others have extensive life experience too.

Like kate said, some more history would be helpful. What meds are you on? What meds does your doc not want you to become addicted to?

What kind of symptoms? Are mood swings? Just irritability and outbursts or do you get badly depressed and have anxiety issues?

What age are you? The ED could be from neuro causes, medication causes, or male andropause. I understand your frustration. The fatigue can also have multiple causes similar to the ED.

Some starter issues for you to consider. Are you on any kind of vitamin and/or other dietary supplementation yet?

What are the stress levels in your life?

Have you tried to learn or develop any work-arounds or other accommodations for your symptoms?

What, if any, cognitive and/or memory problems do you have?

Have you had a neuro-psychological assessment? What other diagnostic tests have you had?

What kind of insurance company is requesting you see their doctors? health insurance, disability insurance, accident insurance? There are some needs to be careful about what doctors examine you at an insurance company's request. Gordon Johnson, brain injury attorney has some serious concerns in this area. See www.TBILaw.com

And an important factor to consider. What is your complete lifetime history of any head injury or concussion? Even high fevers or getting blotto drunk are issues of importance.

Knowing your location will help with referrals.

My best to you.

hello

sorry you are going through this

an advocate in the form of one of the brain injury associations listed on the sticky,s at the top of the page

maybe of use to you, do not refuse an examination, but request that you cannot under go an examination until you have taken advice due to your tbi

I know this is hard to take , but it is so easy to just trust in others, you can decide, but if you are like me you need time.

to think through any decision and have the implications explained untill you understand

wellcome

Thanks so much - a little history-
Well it was a car accident - head on into concrete wall - I dont remeber much about the first few months after - grade 3 concussion - I went for rehab for the accident and the doctor stopped it saying more harm than good and shut me down for another 3 months - the only meds are cylexa - and tylonol 3 - the docotrs - say all my sympotoms like fatigue amnesia, mood swings, anxiety etc are normal - and its the brains way of healing - no additional therapies - had a cognitiuve test once - results were bad - and it may take years or this is the way it is - I can't work - or play for that matter - exercise by walking or pool - the doctor said pool is great if I get dizzy and fall it won't hurt - really funny eh?
my kids, family and girlfreind are very supportive not so the ex-spouse ( divorced long before the accident) - have been on accident benefits since the accident about 40% of wages - now insurance company wants me to see their doctors - very nervous about that - for sure - but maybe they can help?
that why I am at a loss for help and I appreciate it all
Regards

I am 2 years post injury and struggle with many of the same issues as your self . just talk it through with someone who understands the system you find your self in. and can give you good advice, for your long term support

unfortunately many on the payment side will seek to reduce there cost

so trust in god but tie up your camel and proceed with caution

Goalie,

I'm sorry about your car accident. It's fantastic that you have a support system in your girlfriend and kids! That's extremely helpful.

What type of physician have you been seeing? Is it just a regular practicioner or a neurologist?

Like you, I also cannot work, and am in the grueling process of applying for disability. It's pretty tough- lots of questions and reports that my doctors and I have to fill out. My neurologist here in Buffalo has been very helpful, and although I have not been given any hope- they are helping me try to treat some of my symptoms and believe me.

I guess the support in any fashion is a small miracle for me. :-)

Keep your chin up, and keep asking questions here and giving info. There are lots of people who can help you!

Hi Goalie and welcome to NT!

Like you, I got my TBI in a car accident and have been struggling for the last three years with symptoms like yours.

Educating yourself about brain injury is important as many doctors are indifferent and/or uniformed when it comes to our condition. There are treatments out there, but you may well have to advocate for yourself to get them. NT is a great place for information. Others I would suggest are www.tbiguide.com and the Brain Injury Association of America (BIA)at www.biausa.org. The BIA has branches all over the States. It's a great way to hook up with local support groups and to find people who are really looking out for you.

On that note, I would be very careful about the insurance company's doctors. Their job is to save their employer money, not to treat you. Car insurance doctors would dig up your great, great, great grandmother and certify her fit for the Olympics. You need to be careful here - I speak from experience.

I know it's hard, but don't let anybody tell you to give up. If I'd listened when my doctor told me "to accept what has happened," I wouldn't be able to do 10% of what I'm doing now. There are medications, cognitive therapies and coping strategies that could enhance your recovery and/or improve the quality of your life.

Cheers

Goale,

It sounds like you need some legal advice. The insurance company will likely use a doctor they have had good results with in the past. Read Gordon Johnson's website, www.tbilaw.com before you allow the insurance company to have you examined.

Have you applied for Social Security Disability yet? At least if you are in the States. Your location will help us direct you to help.

An SSDI attorney with experience in head injuries, especially Mild Traumatic Brain Injuries (MTBI), can help you find doctors who will not write you off as psychologically injured.

It also sounds like you need to get your medical records organized. Get a three ring binder and three hole punch. Get copies of everything in your medical history since the accident. The cognitive tests can be easily misinterpreted. Get the scores from them, not just the diagnostic report.

It is obvious you have not been seen by any doctors knowledgeable in Post Concussion Syndrome. I suspected this when you mentioned Grade 3 concussion. Grading concussions is usually done by textbook oriented doctors, not those with brain that think for themselves.

You said they said<the docotrs - say all my sympotoms like fatigue amnesia, mood swings, anxiety etc are normal - and its the brains way of healing - no additional therapies - had a cognitiuve test once - results were bad ->

These symptoms are the direct result of a serious concussion, not a part of the healing and recovery process. Sleepiness may be a part of the recovery process. The Celexa can also cause the sleepiness and fatigue. Your typing/typos are very symptomatic of Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI).

The way you have been treated is par for the course. It is because the medical industry is based on prescribing drugs or doing surgery. If neither will solve your problem, then you don't have a medical problem, at least according to most doctors.

Please tell us more specifics about your current ongoing symptoms. Many of us will know exactly what you are talking about. Remember my recognizing your typing style. Been there done that, still doing it, but I have learned some ways to correct for these brain farts.

Hockey gave you great advice to get the TBI survival Guide. Download it and print it out. It may be the script for the rest of your life. Hopefully, we will be able to help you find some answers to improve your ability to live a functional life.

Print out these posts so you can use a highlighter to highlight the important points. You need to have hard copy to put in you 'take along file' so you can get some of these tasks done. You should have your girlfriend read this thread too. She should also read the TBI Guide. She needs to take a shared ownership in your recovery. You need her assistance in finding answers.

btw, I have to correct about 40 brain fart typos before posting this. Yes, we can learn to overcome some of our symptoms. Others we learn to put up with.

My best to you.

hi gaole

the typos,

well my spell checker has been in therapy.

it used to take me hours trying to post, even being so far out with spelling the my computer could not understand, what I was trying to type.

being able to re read what we write helps put into words what we are trying to say

at our own pace , this is a work around many of us use , I have instant memory deficit , eg I instantly forget, so in a split second hit the wrong key

as for organizing paperwork it makes me ill so ask for help our paperwork is all in neat colored folders now,

but for me to find anything is still a nightmare I find I have to lay the files out on the floor

pic up one letter / piece of information at a time physically walk to the file and put it in one at a time

kooky huh but this is how we work round missing cells

I know you will find great support here

a good book to read is the brain that changed its self , there is hope and healing for us, so hang in there and keep on posting, you not only help your self but others too



N/B we are what could be termed a group of vulnerable people, so never give , too much information, as to your location or identity

good advice with any Internet activity