[Aims]

So at the end of July I was in a car accident. The police officer who arrived on the scene barely asked if I was okay and never offered a ambulance, even though I was complaining of neck pain and rubbing my neck. He ignored me, obviously throwing me with the reckless teenagers and was more concerned with the older lady who actually was the cause of the accident. She turned left when there was a UPS truck blocking my car from sight.
Anyway after getting my car towed I had a friend drive me to the walk in clinic. Who said I didn't have a concussion and gave me ibuprofen 800s and a muscle relaxer that made me sick. I dealt with the headaches thinking they were from the whiplash but when they got to the point where I felt like my head was exploding I went to the ER. The kept me for several hours and CT scan before saying that I had post concussion syndrome and should follow up with my regular doctor. They did give me pain meds for the headache. When I called my regular doctor I found out she was moving and was unable to see me. This mad me really mad and I refused to see one of the other doctors in the office and figured that it would just go away. My treatment for just about anything.
Now however it's not going away. I'm getting dizzy spells, my neck still hurts, in fact my body just generally aches, I'm nauseous, sometimes it takes for ever for me to think of the word or thought that I need. My eyes feel funny like they won't focus, and even as I write this I'm going to need a break because it's making my head hurt. I can't concentrate on anything for too long without making my head kill.
I'm depressed, and while I have enough going on in my life without the PCS to make me depressed, this isn't helping and I'm no longer able to cope with and calmly think about the stressors in my life, making me agitated and more easily depressed.
I'll have random pains, usually where I was once hurt. Or my heart beats fast, or feels like it's going to beat it's way out of my chest. And I'm cold all the time, now I realize that I'm in Michigan and it's getting colder out, but it is not rational for me to be cold unless I can hear the furnace running, even if the thermostat is turned up to 80. Thankfully I live alone or I would of over heated anyone else.
I find it hard to sleep, and often wake up in the middle of the night. It takes hours for me to fall asleep, and when I'm completely still my legs feel tingly and restless. My ears ring unless I have a little noise running in the background, yet sometimes even the sound of my dog breathing is enough to make my head kill. Light also makes my head go nuts.

I guess what I'm looking for is how do you cope? How do you function when all this is going on and you feel so overwhelmed you just want to lay in bed all day? I'm trying to find a new doctor and go in to see them, but so far no luck as most doctors in my area are coping with my regular doctor moving and all her patients needing new doctors.

So until I get into a doctor is there anything I can do to help with this?

[Aims]

The doctors office I was trying to get into just called and said that they won't accept me and that I need to see an internal medicine doctor. At least I think that's what they said because as I sit here and type it I'm not so sure. At least I have the voice mail to listen to again if I need it. (I didn't get to the phone in time because I was still sleeping.)

Is this normal? Is this the kind of doctor I should be seeing is there is a better one? I understand that different doctors specialize in different things.

[Mark in Idaho]

Sorry for your struggles. Welcome to NT.

It is very difficult to find a doctor who truly understands concussion.

What you are experiencing sounds like normal PCS.

You sound like you also need to see a chiropractor. An Upper Cervical Chiropractor might be worthwhile.

If you truly believe it was the older woman's fault, you should see a lawyer. You need to find one who understands head injury/concussion. www.tbilaw.com has a referral system to find one local to you.

You also need to download and print out the Tbi Survival Guide. It is available at http://www.drakecenter.com/file.axd?...vivalGuide.pdf You can read it online at www.tbiguide.com

It will help all concerned if you use paragraph spaces every 5 or 6 lines. It is easier for those of us with visual struggles to follow and read from line to line.

I feel lousy right now so this is it for me.

My best to you.

[Aims]

Thank you. While looking through this site yesterday I found the TBI Survival Guide and printed it off, I find I read better on paper than when it's on the computer screen.

That's been helpful in realizing that I'm not just crazy, that there is a reason behind some of the stuff going on. Thank you for posting it on this forum.

[PCSLearner]

Hey, Aims! I agree with Mark that this seems very consistant with other PCS folks.

You sound like you live in a relatively rural location (i.e. one doctor moving causing chaos). I do, too, so I thought I might share a few experiences with you.

First, we tried to deal with our local general practitioners for way too long. We should have taken the 250 mile journey to see the neurologist way sooner. Second, if you end up having multiple appointments in a day make sure you schedule the "harder" one second (i.e. more emotional, most confusing, most irritating, etc). Third, and this sounds lame, but make sure you Google map your whole route because you will be processing a lot of information and you don't want to get lost.

Believe it or not, you are still relatively early on in your healing process. But while I'm on an advice-giving-roll, let me share another thing I wish we had done for my daughter. I wish we would have made a list of her exact symptoms and then asked the neuro for a referral to a specialist in each category.

In your case:

Neck injury...Upper Cervical Chiropractor

Eye Issues...NORA-affiliated optomitrist to check ambient vision system

Anger/Depression...endochronologist to check adrenal/pituitary/thyroid function

Anger/Depression...psychologist who knows brain injury (check with your nearest university's sports training staff...they know where to send concussed athletes)

Dizzyness...ear, nose and throat doc to check vestibular system

You get the idea. You might make all these apopintments only to hear, "your fine from this perspective". That's ok, then at least you know that you've covered your bases and you need to let rest, relaxation, good nutrition, and good old TIME heal you up.

I realize you're having troubles finding one doctor, much less several. And I realize this is all expensive. But this is a strategy that might just reveal some therapy or treatment that can help you recover and suffer a little less.

Finally, I'm not sure if you are navigating all of this alone or if you have help. Either way, ask each doctor you see to write down exactly what they want you to do, what they need you to remember, etc. And I'm not just talking about prescriptions or when your next appointment is. If your neuro wants you to see a certain specialist, have him write it down. If he/she wants you to focus on stress reduction, they should write down what they mean exactly. If he/she says, "call me if you don't feel better in 3 months," ask them to write down more specifically what they are talking about.

Also remember that doctors don't also value each other equally. Our neuro was not super thrilled that we were going to see a vision therapist. Make them explain their reasoning to you.

One more thing...feeling unusually cold is (so we've been told) a classic symptom of migraine. You might be in a migraine cluster. I don't know exactly what the heck I'm talking about, but don't leave that seemingly unconnected symptom out when you talk to your doc.

All the best-

[Aims]

Thank you PCSLearner for the advice. The Internal Medicine Doctor that I got a hold of today said they don't have any openings until November. That seems a long time to wait while dealing with symptoms like massive headaches ya know.

So my mom suggested that I go to the Med Express again in the meantime while I wait for my November appointment. My boyfriends mom suggested looking for another Internal Medicine Doctor that can get me in sooner.

Now reading your reply I'm wondering if I should track down a couple different doctors that specialize in all those things like you said and just skip the step where I go through doctors who just refer me to these ones.

I've been making a list of my symptoms as I realize they are happening so that I can take it to any appointment with me. I get really nervous and anxious around new people and already tend to forget things and that hasn't changed with the PCS.

I'm glad to hear that feeling cold is something connected because the sites I had searched didn't talk about that and I was worried it was going to be something else wrong with me entirely.

--Aims

[Toni S]

Hi Aims,

I agree with PCS Learner in regards to the different type specialists as their training in those areas are much more qualified in detail. Mark as well on the Chiropractor.

I would still hang on to the appointment with the Internal Med doc though in case the others are just as booked - out. A Neurologist is another who may be able to help you.

I totally understand the heart racing & feeling as if it's gonna spring out the front & back at the same time. B-complex (morning, afternoon, dinner), Folic Acid (1) & B-1 (1-2) (Night).... these are for the Central Nervous System and continue to work wonders for me!

Are you anywhere close to the Mayo Clinic?? Just another thought....

Best of Luck to You,

--Toni

[Mark in Idaho]

fyi,

I have read the Mayo Clinic's online resource about concussion and mTBI. I was shocked to see they are no better than the average family practice doctor. They downplay the long term symptoms of concussion.

Hopefully, they have a doctor or two who knows more than the online comments.

If a specialist says you are fine in their specialized area, don't completely excuse that specialty. The ENT said my nystagmus test was normal but a PM&R doc ( Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation) saw that I had a problem with horizontal nystagmus, a common symptom of brain injury (and intoxication)

The neurologists rarely do a thorough enough neurological work-up. They very rarely do a Mini Mental Status Exam (MMSE) thai is used to check memory functions. Research shows that some neuro tests will start out normal but if continued over an extended period, cause a fatigue that leads to a positive result ( symptomatic ) in that specific neurological test.

Concussion needs a much more thorough and consistent way of being diagnosed. The medical and psychological professions are still fighting over this territory. At least a neuro-psych assessments can identify the dysfunctions, even if it may miss on causation.

Regarding the B vitamins, I take ten times the RDA (Recommended Daily Allowance) of B-12 and B-6. Most B-complex are at RDA unless they are a B-50 or B-100 complex. Toni is right at taking it multiple time during the day. I only take in the AM. My forgetfulness make the AM tough enough. I have zip lock snack bags filled with 24 pieces. Now, that is a mouthful. And yes, I can take them all at once, including the 6 horse pills. Gulp.

Don't forget D3 and the minerals, especially the trace elements. Magnesium helps with sleep.

Be careful with your doctors' appointments. If you develop a medical record of too many visits with no problems found, it can be used against you. You want to avoid the dreaded word "somatoform" in your medical record. Our health care system looks for reasons to call patients hypochondriacs.

And, do not self diagnose. Just tell the doctor your history, your symptoms or experiences. Doctors are becoming very savvy to cyberchondriacs, Patients who read about something online and just know they have it.

[vini]

sorry you are going through this

medication can help but may not be good in the long run but talk it through with a doctor

controlling the breath, I am lucky that I had this skill before my injury, it seems silly to say we should learn to breath properly but for me it works

slow rhythmic breathing allowing your and pushing your abdomen out on the in breath and in on the out breath,

the object is not to hyper ventilate, but the opposite just to slow every thing down

practice this when you are calm , it really can help

[vini]

Originally Posted by Toni S

Hi Aims,

I agree with PCS Learner in regards to the different type specialists as their training in those areas are much more qualified in detail. Mark as well on the Chiropractor.

I would still hang on to the appointment with the Internal Med doc though in case the others are just as booked - out. A Neurologist is another who may be able to help you.

I totally understand the heart racing & feeling as if it's gonna spring out the front & back at the same time. B-complex (morning, afternoon, dinner), Folic Acid (1) & B-1 (1-2) (Night).... these are for the Central Nervous System and continue to work wonders for me!

Are you anywhere close to the Mayo Clinic?? Just another thought....

Best of Luck to You,

--Toni

welcome toni

the b vitamins are all good advice, glad you found us and look forward to reading more of your posts