[lookin4answers]

Which of the three would most likely be causing degeneration of my cognitive abilities? Car wreck in 2003, bad bad bad, hit head very hard on windshield, the other injuries in said wreck aren't what I'm worried about. Well, let me say several car wrecks; in the others I didn't get a direct hit to the forehead but certainly got jostled.

Drug overdose in 2007. A plethora of drugs including Fentenyl, cocaine, and alcohol. Boyfriend found me unresponsive on his couch. When I finally awoke in the hospital I couldn't hear a thing! Hearing eventually came back, but, I don't know what is happening to me now.Sure there were some cognitive issues for a bit, but now...short and long term memory loss, confusion, sometimes can't even form a complete sentence because I can't recall words! I have an impressive vocabulary, well, did.

Any thoughts, suggestions....anything would be appreciated. Thanks

[lookin4answers]

Originally Posted by lookin4answers

Which of the three would most likely be causing degeneration of my cognitive abilities? Car wreck in 2003, bad bad bad, hit head very hard on windshield, the other injuries in said wreck aren't what I'm worried about. Well, let me say several car wrecks; in the others I didn't get a direct hit to the forehead but certainly got jostled.

Drug overdose in 2007. A plethora of drugs including Fentenyl, cocaine, and alcohol. Boyfriend found me unresponsive on his couch. When I finally awoke in the hospital I couldn't hear a thing! Hearing eventually came back, but, I don't know what is happening to me now.Sure there were some cognitive issues for a bit, but now...short and long term memory loss, confusion, sometimes can't even form a complete sentence because I can't recall words! I have an impressive vocabulary, well, did.

Any thoughts, suggestions....anything would be appreciated. Thanks

..that this is a very abbreviated post on my medical history. There are more things to add but you see, I think I'm going to have to write them down b/c I honestly have trouble remembering most of it, especially on the fly. I just found this site after excruciating searches as to clues to what is going on with me...Just had a good feeling about you all here and I hope you can bear with me when I struggle to recall events. Thanks again

[lookin4answers]

Originally Posted by lookin4answers

Which of the three would most likely be causing degeneration of my cognitive abilities? Car wreck in 2003, bad bad bad, hit head very hard on windshield, the other injuries in said wreck aren't what I'm worried about. Well, let me say several car wrecks; in the others I didn't get a direct hit to the forehead but certainly got jostled.

Drug overdose in 2007. A plethora of drugs including Fentenyl, cocaine, and alcohol. Boyfriend found me unresponsive on his couch. When I finally awoke in the hospital I couldn't hear a thing! Hearing eventually came back, but, I don't know what is happening to me now.Sure there were some cognitive issues for a bit, but now...short and long term memory loss, confusion, sometimes can't even form a complete sentence because I can't recall words! I have an impressive vocabulary, well, did.

Any thoughts, suggestions....anything would be appreciated. Thanks

I really wish that I had written a lot more here. The mention of a drug overdose surely scares one away. Am I even in the right forum? Should I be in several? BTW: clean for quite a few years...YAY
I needed to be more specific in what I was asking in terms of why I'm scared. I just lose words and have alot of trouble typing fast enough (ormaybe too slowly?) to find the words I am looking for. I have a few for an instant but by the time my fingers get to the right keys they have gone.
I think I will write down what I want to say, then type it out. Maybe it would make more sense that way? Also, I need to do what I put in my bio : obtain medical records from age 15 (first car wreck) through to the more recent stuff.
Please bear with me while I try to make the right connections and head myself, hopefully, toward answers that will help me figure this stuff out.
Thanks,
Me

[Mark in Idaho]

It really does not make a difference. It could be a combination of all of them. If you have these symptoms, there is no blanket treatment for them. There are plenty of skills you can learn to make living with them easier.

Some things that can make a difference are:

Your age

Your hormones

Your diet

Your stress level

More drug use/abuse

Past alcohol abuse, especially as an adolescent

Illness

Environmental toxins


So, there could be so many causes that you should be focusing on skills to work-around these struggles.

[lookin4answers]

Originally Posted by lookin4answers

Which of the three would most likely be causing degeneration of my cognitive abilities? Car wreck in 2003, bad bad bad, hit head very hard on windshield, the other injuries in said wreck aren't what I'm worried about. Well, let me say several car wrecks; in the others I didn't get a direct hit to the forehead but certainly got jostled.

Drug overdose in 2007. A plethora of drugs including Fentenyl, cocaine, and alcohol. Boyfriend found me unresponsive on his couch. When I finally awoke in the hospital I couldn't hear a thing! Hearing eventually came back, but, I don't know what is happening to me now.Sure there were some cognitive issues for a bit, but now...short and long term memory loss, confusion, sometimes can't even form a complete sentence because I can't recall words! I have an impressive vocabulary, well, did.

Any thoughts, suggestions....anything would be appreciated. Thanks

I just re-read my post and realize how very lacking it is in content. I left a whole lot out and if anyone does indeed read it, it might help for me to be a tad bit more informative about why I'm here and what has went on with me for the past 25yrs. Shed some light so to speak.
deep breath*Ok, I'll do my best at typing but I lose my train of thought in between hunting and pecking.
I was in my first major car accident at age 15. Broken legs, punctured lung, crushed pelvis, lacerated liver...ect. ect. I don't even know if this is relevant but there that is. I never quite felt the same after that wreck. I mean, I didnt feel like ME anymore and I don't think it had to do with the aforementioned injuries.
Fast forward about 10 yrs and you would find me bartending, and drinking just as much as I served. Lots of blackouts. Had to get away from that scene so I moved to Virginia. Next car wreck, flipped a truck and went through the windshield...refused medical treatment.
Forward again, 2003, hit someone head on, broke lots of things, thank goodness no one was hurt but me. And I wasn't drinking. Or doing drugs. I do not recall much about my time in the hospital, I can imagine that they did doscans on my head, but I was in so much pain and on so many heavy painkillers that I just don't remember a whole lot of that year.
2007: the year of the heart attack and an overdose. Heart attack from a blood clot, overdose because I hurt, I overmedicated, and I almost died. I have no idea how long I went without oxygen, but as I said, when I finally woke upmy hearing was gone and not only that but the baby I did not know I was carrying was no longer alive.
I was sent home and I did not have the ability t dress myself, carry on a conversation, walk...and I didn't even know it! I thought that I was behaving normally! My friends sat me down and somehow made me understand that something was seriously wrong with my head. I do not remember being in a state mental institution..I was there for three months before I could count to ten.....Anyhow, now I'm noticing that while my mental stability seems to be fine, well, maybe not, because I can't remember things,I have tremors, panic attacks, anxiety. I have trouble verbalizing. I was an artist before that wreck and I cannot even draw a daggone stick figure now. Something is not right and it is getting worse,
Is it possible that I injured my brain from all of the above? If so, then why the lapse in time it has taken to show up. Am I even on the right track?
okay, I'm all hunt and pecked out on this keyboard...Thanks for reading

[Mark in Idaho]

lookin,

You did quite well. I still hold the same opinion. Your multiple traumas accumulate to cause Multiple Impact Syndrome. The passed out drunk episodes are equivalent to a concussion each time. Same for the overdose. If you are on pain meds for long term pain maintenance, there can be some cumulative effects. The heart attack is also a contributing factor. Your brain has been through some intense trauma. Three months at a reduced GCS (Glascow Coma Scale) is an indicator of serious brain trauma.

It appear you are 35 to 40 years old. 40 is about the age where Multiple Concussion Syndrome starts to cause symptoms due to the brain aging. It would be very helpful for you to get a complete hormone assessment. This includes all the Thyroid tests. Here is a link to find a good hormone specialist in your area:
https://www.womensinternational.com/..._referral.html

A B-12, folate, D3, magnesium, calcium blood test can also determine if you are deficient. B-12 and folate are needed for brain healing. The others are needed to balance the brain chemistry. Omega 3, 6, and 9 will also help your brain.

Your symptoms sound classic for Post Concussion Syndrome. Knowing the specific cause is meaningless. Every brain trauma is different.

Many of us minimize our prolonged and/or lifelong symptoms with good brain nutrition like listed above.

We also have a wealth of work-arounds and coping skills for the symptoms. I use the text on the screen as my short term memory to keep track of what I am saying/thinking. I type as fast as I can (2 finger hunt and peck) then reread and edit. I usually read my post 3 or 4 times or more before posting it. I also use the edit button after I post and reread my post. It is amazing how many errors I still find.

Let us know how else we can help you.

My best to you.