[CrimsonGhost]

Hi, Im somewhat new here. Ive lurked here before just to read, but I recently had an experiance that has prompted me to write something finally. I recieved two concussions very close to one another years ago. The symptos were fairly standard I think.....CT scan showed I wasnt dying, but I was confused, couldnt read, moody, depressed and I lost some muscle control in the left side of my face as well as got numbness in my legs and hands and face.

The issue though is this. Though its been years.....it can be aggravated...and it scares me. Doctors dont seem to ever have an answer and are even disinterested in it. Two weeks ago my girlfriend was learning stick and stalled the car apprubtly jerking me forward in my seat. I didnt say anything, but was afraid I was going to "feel" that later. Sure enough. All my symptoms are back strong again. Cant read well, easily confused and irritable... and the numbness in my legs and hands is back.

Does anyone else have this type of PCS in which it aggravates? And if so...what is there to do...and how long will I not be me?

Sorry if I seem angry or depressed, but I guess after this long.....it affects me this way.

Thank you to anyone who answers back and I hope all of you find healing and answers as well.

[vini]

hi cg

have you had your neck checked out thoroughly and skull base
just a thought

and yes jolts effect me too

wellcome

[CrimsonGhost]

Originally Posted by vini

hi cg

have you had your neck checked out thoroughly and skull base
just a thought

and yes jolts effect me too

wellcome

I dont think I have I guess...at least ive never requested it. What is it that you are thinking?

[vini]

Originally Posted by CrimsonGhost

I dont think I have I guess...at least ive never requested it. What is it that you are thinking?

hi a misalignment of the vertebra at the juncture of the spine and skull putting pressure on the spinal cord , thus giving you the symptoms in your body extremity's kind of like whip lash but being caused by slight jolts, I dont hold much with chiropractors there are some good ones but its a bit hit and miss if you find one, so best to see a doctor first, I put my neck out once and a friend who is a chiropractor sorted it for me he had a degree in physiology and was a trained radiologist, thats the only type of person I would let loose on my spine
but this is just a thought

[Simmons]

Hi! I've had PCS for 2+ years now. I'm also injured from neck to hips, all due to a slip and fall on a tile floor. I just saw my neurologist and he's referring me to a neuropsycologist for testing. The most important thing I can tell you is that your symptoms are real and don't let anyone kid you about it. I'm back in physical therapy for the fourth time, can barely move sometimes, and misplace and throw things away without realizing what I've done, ie. money, bills, keys. And, I'm better than before! What does your physician say about you PCS?

[Mark in Idaho]

CrimsonGhost,

You must get seen by a good spine specialist. There are some good chiropractors but you need to be very careful. There are also some Physical Therapists that are good with spine issues. Don't just take their word for it, question them, if they sound over confident, find another.
You also my get help from a Physiatrist, These are Doctors who specialize in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. Some times they say Spine Rehabilitation.

You want to stress "whiplash" as the most likely problem. Or whiplash with concussion.

The whipping action can dislodge your cervical vertebra. It can pinch the nerves or cause inflammation that strangles the nerves. I have a problem like this. I bet your problem from years ago was never properly diagnosed nor healed.

This is a tough area to get good help. Doctors pass you off because they do not have a way to help you. Rather than saying they can not help you, they just say nothing is wrong. Even neurologist are not good at this.

BTW, A good way to teach your girlfriend a stick shift is from outside the car. First, have her stand outside and with the drivers door open, have her watch your feet as you use the clutch and gas pedal. Then you can have her try and you watch her feet. It is amazing how much better women do when they can get a good view of what your feet are doing. I taught two daughters to drive sticks this way. I also only do this in a large empty parking lot so they are not confused by other traffic.

[Mark in Idaho]

Simmons,
A word to the wise, try to determine if the neuro-psych is going to use a Test Battery designed for head injury. He may put together his own battery of tests or use a battery arranged by others. The Halstead-Reitan Battery is a common one. The problem with neuro-psychs is some think that unless you were in a coma or unconscious for a long period, your symptoms are from psychological problems. I have had two neuro-psych assessments. Both tried to do this to me. It is even tougher to get a good assessment if you have a high IQ.
You want a good test for malingering. It will help you show the insurance company that this is a true injury, not psychosomatic or somatoform. Somatoform disorder is the kiss of death when it is put on your medical record.

Here is a good link to an explanation of the tests used.
http://www.brainsource.com/nptests.htm

Check out the tbi guide at www.tbiguide.com It is a fabulous resource.

The MMPI-II is commonly used and it can be misread. It can indicate a depression when in fact the same score can mean a brain injury. The neuro-psych usually will try to say you are depressed. Lloyd L Cripe Ph.D. writes about the misuse of the MMPI-II for brain injury patients.

I have been fighting with my injury for 8 years. Been there, done that, been screwed royal.

[Mark in Idaho]

CrimsonGhost,

I just though of something else for you to ask a physiatrist about. TOS, Thoracic Outlet Syndrome, google it and compare symptoms. It would be more related to numbness in your hands. Some say there is not such thing a TOS, but others know better.

Your face muscle problem could be a problem with the 7th cranial nerve. It comes out of the brain stem. You could have inflammation to the brain stem or lack of blood flow to part of it.

Ask questions, don't just let a doctor tell you what he wants to say. Become educated about your own body.

[CrimsonGhost]

Wow. Thank you so much to everyone who answered my post. Youve given me alot to research and look into. I feel like I at least have something to pursue. As many of you said, i is EXTREMELY frustrating when doctors look at a CT scan or an MRI and flat tell you nothing is wrong.

Thank you again to everyone who posted. I will update you on what I am able to find.

[Mark in Idaho]

I just ran across an article I printed out some time ago. I would suggest going to this web site and printing the PDF version

http://www.ejbjs.org/cgi/content/extract/86/5/1047

On the right side are links to a full text version in pdf that you can then print and take to your doctor. maybe the CT and other images need a closer look.

I hope this helps you.