My daughter was seen by the pediatric neurologist yesterday and although I really wish I could agree with the assessment, based on what we have been going through I just can't.

My daughter has had at least three concussions and third resulted in the full spectrum of really scarey sx and took two months to resolve. Fast forward three years, and three days after doing a 10k run she had a terrible headache, which over the course of the ten days that followed looked in every way like what we went through three years ago. Pretty much every sx of concussion a person could have.

The neurologists assessment is that she was not actually concussed by the run, but due to being stretched to thin all around (too much stress, the run, not enough sleep) it all came together to cause her brain to return to this "pattern" it went into after her last concussion.

Her assessment was also that she didn't really have PCS the last time, rather that due to a hx of migraine in her grandmother she is genetically susceptible to getting into this "pattern". She is 100% confident my daughter will return to her previous level of functioning and she would be more worried if this was due to a hit to the head.

The fact that the headache did not come on for three days was one of the reasons she gave for the jarring from the run not actually causing a concussion.

I'd love to believe that what we are going through isn't another concussion but it has been exactly like re-living what we went through three years ago and it just doesn't add up.

I guess sx means symptoms and hx means history.

Sounds like the ped neuro has some biases against concussion and the effect of sub-concussive impacts, especially 10K worth of sub-concussive impacts.

It sounds like she thinks this pattern is memorized and the memory got triggered by the 10K rather than a physiological result of the trauma of the 10K.

I agree that PCS is more likely. The question is how to find someone who understands concussions better.

Otherwise, what are you looking for besides a diagnosis of PCS?

Dealing with the symptoms is about all that can be done. Treat the head aches and modify behavior and environment for the rest.

What are her worst symptoms besides the head aches?

We live in Canada so we have little choice in who we are referred to. I felt that given my daughter's history (yes hx) we should be seen. It will also be necessary for a neurologist to do the referrals for any other types of therapy, should there be residual issues, that therapy could help with.

Her symptoms (yes sx) are very slowly tapering down, but she has some days where things are better than others. She is out of school, sports etc. and is just resting. She is doing an amazing job of keeping a positive attitude.

She is experiencing a lot more muscle aches (sore all over) and sleep problems (can't fall asleep/doesn't feel rested) this time. The sleep has improved a lot from what it was and I want to let it continue to improve on it's own for now. She certainly would not be able to handle her academics at this point but again there has been lots of improvement with her overall cognition (seems much, much more herself now). We are at about 7 weeks at this time.

Your assessment of the neurologist sounds correct! I hadn't quite gotten a handle on it.

Hi there,
I may not have mush input on the neurologist. I myself had not had much luck with them my last recorded concusion was in august '11. I went to a neuro and he said tht I probable suffered a concussion but the symptoms I was still feeling was from my neck not my head cuz my scans were all fine. Now about 10 month later I'm still having problems and over the past couple months they have worsend. I'm going to see a new neuro on tusday. But anyway. My old neuro told me tht cuz of my history with concussion (I have had over 6 in about a 10 year period) that I could not continue playong soccer or any other competitve sport. He also advised I not even run or jog cuz the shaking and. Bouncing from that can cause another mild concussion (yet it was my neck not head right?) But anyway. Your daugther should stay away from running. For years when I ran I would get a serious headach that would last for days even weeks I thought it was "normal" apparently its not. I hope your daughter heals over a period of rest. Last november I had to withdraw from college and I lost my job. I hope and pray this new neuro has better advice for me. Good luck!

Hi Jaystar,

Thanks for sharing the info. regarding being advised not to run or jog. It really only makes sense. Very, very sad that people are not being advised of this.

I'm really sorry to hear how things are for you at the moment. As a parent it is hard to hear about someone as young as yourself going through this. I've read your posts in other places and you sound like a strong and resilient person I'm going to be really, really hoping that this next neurologist is knowledgeable, and committed to patient improvement. Let us know how the appointment goes.

I'm also in Canada and if you know of someone you want to be referred to, write down all their contact info, take it into your GP and ask for a referral. They rarely deny you unless you are way off base with your choice based on the symptoms.

I am waiting to go to the brain injury rehab clinic in july, so I have no idea if they are good or not, but every major center will have one. (Ottawa, Montreal, Toronto, etc)

My GP didn't even KNOW we had a brain injury rehab clinic in our city. I happened to google search my city and brain injury and found info on their website about it.

I actually called the clinic first and discussed my symptoms and whether or not they were the sort of thing they dealt with and the intake nurse said definitely and gave me all the info to give to my doc.

When I presented it to my doc, he was not all that keen at first, but I told him that I would like them to do an assessment and then if they had anything to offer me, great, if they said I did not have pcs / tbi then I would learn to live with my symptoms (or take the antidepressants my doc keeps pushing!) and get on with my life. That seemed to sell it for him.

Best of luck.
Starr

Thanks Star. Yes it is true that we can ask our doctor to refer us to someone but I do think that services for residual symptoms (such as working with an O.T. for help with memory problems--I think O.T.'s do some of that) would have to come through the recommendation of a specialist or it will be completely out of pocket. In the case of a child we have found that we will be told to see the pediatric specialist and in this case there is only one in town.

We have a brain injury program here as well, but it only serves adults. I hope the program in your area will be helpful for you! I've heard good things about the program here.

Pretdou,
That's too bad that your local clinic only serves adults. Are you near a large center that has a children's hospital, CHEO in Ottawa, Sick Kids in Toronto, that sort of thing? I bet they would be a great resource, even if you had to travel a bit.
Best of luck, I hope you find a good solution!
Starr