Type everything up for them.

One doc which is: History of the Problem. Start with your fall, complete description. Then go through progression of symptoms to date.

Next: History of Treatment. Summary of what all, who all, has been treating you. List of tests, scans, etc. Get copies of reports, if you can. They will want to see all this.

Next: Listing of symptoms. all the problems you now have. Put them in categories that make sense. And then Miscellaneous for all the little odd things that don't fit anywhere else, who knows, some of those little things that seem inconsequential may actually matter, so write them down, too.

Also, type up a list of current meds.
Type up a list of previous meds that you no longer use, and why (didn't work, caused side efffects, etc.)
Type up a list of your current doctors, and a list of your previous doctors, name, address, phone, etc.
Type up a list of previous medical conditions, surgeries, etc.

You have almost a month to work on these, which gives you plenty of time to go back through them and fine tune them and make sure you've included everything. Work on them a little at a time, so you don't cause yourself problems.

This way, you have everything ready to give them, and don't have to worry about getting interrupted while talking and losing your concentration, getting frazzled, confused, or that they're not really hearing it all and mess up what they record (ever read your records? It's SCARY how bad a job they do of listening and recording!).

And it saves you writing it all down on the endless forms they give you to fill out, I just write "see attached" and give them the appropriate sheets from my files.

They actually seem to appreciate having a typed sheet handed to them. Then as you and they talk, they can just go down your handouts as they listen. Helps them keep the story and facts straight.

And after 2 years and countless doctors and such, no one is going to fault you for looking overprepared.

This is great. I suppose after a while you feel like no one listens and all have a predisposition to that attitude. Thanks for taking time to put that together. I had my wife look at it and she was impressed. Thanks again.
Mike

you're welcome. I'm 21 months after a massive car accident, and actually I was in better shape right after because then I only had broken bones and very impressive bruises to heal. Now I have complications upon complications, a two page listing of current and former doctors, a three page listing of scans & tests, a two page listing of symptoms and problems, and FINALLY, maybe, a physical therapist (this is PT person #7 at place #6) who is treating ME instead of just an isolated body part, so MAYBE I might now at least stop getting worse.

They may not listen worth a damn, but what will be their excuse for not being capable of reading? It definitely gets their attention and keeps them on their toes. Wish I'd gotten fed up enough to start typing over a year ago.

Thanks again. Sounds like you've been through the mill. Hope things get to looking up for you soon.

It was actually my vestibular therapist who thinks I have a neurological problem. Guees what, the doctor ignored him. I tried to tell these folks all along something wasn't normal besides my vestibular system. Maybe Mayo. Good luck.
Mike

Has anyone had luck with the procedures-Epley, Dix-Hallpike, etc?

My bppv has lessened since my accident, but three months in, I'm still having small bouts every day. In the beginning, I had upwards of 20-30 bouts of vertigo a day lasting anywhere from 30 seconds and longer. I'm now down to a couple of times a day-usually if I look straight up, straight down, or turn over in bed. I sometimes get just a little dizzy walking-not too bad though and now they last roughly 3-5 seconds. Physical therapist tried everything and I still have it although its 1000 times better than in the beginning. I have to go back to see her in a week-she wanted me to take a month off to see if it would resolve on it's own. So far, nope.

I haven't driven in three months-I go back to the neurologist later this month and I'm wondering if she'll release me to drive yet?

Just wanted to say thanks for saying your head feels like you are carrying a cinderblock. This is the exact way i describe my everyday head pain and pressure. Funny how we all use very similar ways of describing our experiences. A friend of mine talked about how he got better from his TBI and he felt like he came out of the big cloud over him. I got so giddy and excited because i called it "my fog".

The easiest way I know to write it all down is to journal it all.

In some ways, you can write it all down here for us, and then take
the report you wrote here to your doctors.

Donna

Do any of you have increased problems when you pick up things with some heft to it. I'm talking a couple gallons of milk, taking the trash out, a sack of poatatoes, etc. If a pet runs by your feet or brushes against your leg does it immediatley increase your imbalance and make you uncomfortable.I know I've lost a lot of muscle mass in the past 18 months which bothers me terribly. I feel weak when picking anything up. In relation to the cinder block post the weight makes me feel as if something is on top of my head pushing my body straight downward to the ground.
Mike