If it is covered by your insurance, I think it would be worthwhile.

I have had a WONDERFUL experience with my neuropsych. 2 weeks post accident my PCP turned me over to a neurologist. He "treated" me by telling me to rest and at 3 months said, this can't be nuerological any more, it's all in your head. I was so appalled, I started researching concussions in my area and got some advice from a few people I knew who had sports TBI. That is what sent me to my neuropsych.

So I guess I say go for it, with the caveat that it's only useful if you have a neuropsych who works primarily with just TBI patients. Mine did testing, and then referred me for vestibular therapy for balance and dizziness; physical therapy for my neck and back; vision therapy for visual problems; and a physical medicine and rehab doctor to help me work on nutrition and got me started on meds for migraines and anxiety.

Without this help, I think I would still be stuck back where I was 4 months ago, when I was just resting. I still rest constantly, but doing these various therapies is making daily life more bearable and liveable.

So if it's covered, and it's someone who knows TBI well, then I'd say go for it.

smilin,

You NP is one in thousands. Referring out is so not common to NP's. The referrals you got are of the most benefit to recovery.

From what I have experienced and read on TBI legal web sites, NP's are either biased against long term problems from concussion, especially concussion that did not have a Loss of Consciousness (LOC) or of the belief that recovery is psychologically based. Very few will actually accept the organic nature of PCS and direct the patient to appropriate diagnostics and treatment. NP's often think they have all of the answers.

Finding one who actually takes an interest in your recovery in a comprehensive way is fabulous.

The most important value of an NP in my view is two fold, to identify and quantify any dysfunctions and to direct the patient to help with coping with those dysfunctions with the possibility of therapies to overcome or reduce such dysfunctions. i.e. Work-arounds, accommodations and coping strategies.

Getting referrals to the other specialties is just icing on the cake. Good for you. It would be nice if there were other NP's for all of us to see.

postconcussion,

An occupational therapist can evaluate your ADL's and direct or counsel you in strategies.

The headaches and nausea are hard to treat, or at least hard to find a doctor who is knowledgeable at treating if they are concussion related.

Good neck injury diagnostics and therapy can be valuable since neck injuries can be the cause of headaches and headaches can impact nausea.

Sometimes, like smilin said, a specialist in Rehabilitation and Physical Medicine can help, if you find a good one. I have been seen by three. Only one was worth the time. He directed me to a fabulous Physical Therapist for neck and upper back issues.

I spent $18,000 searching for help and the insurance companies spent about the same. Only about $7,000 was worthwhile. The rest was a waste of time and money.

It sounds like you should get an application in for Social Security Disability Income. Your current condition from a functional aspect sounds like a SSDI qualifying disability. If you are making less than $1,000 per month due to your condition, you will likely qualify. SSDI pay is not much but it helps and includes Medicare.

As smilin said, do some research to find a NP who specializes in mTBI. Even then, the value of the NPA is questionable. The Halsted-Reitan battery of tests is the gold standard for mTBI.