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Old 08-17-2012, 05:30 PM #1
Mrs-B Mrs-B is offline
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Question MTBI after fall

Hello everyone,

It's my first post here, so sorry if it's not totally up to standard.
I have been reading some posts around the website and it has helped me to understand a bit more about what's going on at the moment, but I'm still very much lost.

I had a fall on Aug 01st, and landed on my back, breaking a left back rib. I heard the crack as it happened. Also, when I was going down, I hit the right top side of my head on the frame of the door, you know, the sharp edge - that was the first bang, where I managed to get a 2 inches cut on my scalp. After hitting the door frame, my neck Twisted and I also hit the floor with the back of my head, where the cranium ends, flat out on the wooden floor (and this was the second bang).
Everything went foggy for a while. I was home alone when it happened.

Somehow I managed to call a friend and the ambulance service (can't remember exactly what rapper, there's some gaps here in my memory I can't fill).

When the paramedics got to me, they placed the neck brace on my neck and put me on the stretcher. They took me to the ambulance and straight to a hospital in the Uk. They took some X-rays, stitched my head and sent me home with paracetamol and ibuprofen for pain management.

I had some terrible pains on the following day, so much so that I couldn't move to even ask for help. I was staying in a friends house, but she put me in one of her guests room upstairs, and disapeared for most of the day. I couldn't breath properly because the rib, my head, neck and back was so painful, and the headaches started hitting me, and I must say I never again since the accident had a day without headache.

I went back to the hospital 3 days after the injury, they changed the medication to paracetamol 1000mg + tramadol 100mg - 4 times a day.
They also did a head CT SCAN and the result was normal, they didn't find anything else. The doctors at this time said that anything else I needed it would be related to pain management, and I should contact my GP for that.
The same night I got back from the hospital, I fell again going to the bathroom, but managed to hold my upper body straight and avoided another bang to the head.

I fell again because I have been feeling my legs wobbly since the accident. Also, my other symptoms are headache, dizziness, nausea, esporadic vomiting, buzzing in both ears (but right one is worse), light sensitiveness (been wearing sunglasses since the fall), I also have been dropping things around the house and broke a few dishes already, confussion when comunicating (have been answering people in Portuguese without knowing I'm doing it), difficult in writing down my words (it has been taking a long time to do this post) and also feeling quite emotional and depressive about myself, my situation at the moment and the future.

I went back to the GP on the beginning of the week, to complain about the symptoms worsening and new ones showing up, and her take was that this was happening because I wasnt resting as much as I should to recover from my fall.she said I should lay down in the dark, all day long, just go to the bathroom, and I would feel much better in a week, ten days. After I started feeling better, I should still stick to her advice and keep myself in the dark for at least another week, and that it would give the brain plenty of time and the ideal environment to recover. No phone, no Internet, no iPads, no books or tv allowed during this time. She said if I didn't do something this dramatic, I would manage to get even more symptoms and some of them could last for years, or maybe I would need to leave with them forever.
She mentioned that I was pushing my brain after the accident by staying in the computer, etc, and that could make me worse and even give me seizures in the future.

You must have an idea of how I felt when I left the surgery. She was happy for me to stay in the tramadol and paracetamol, but all the punk advice was not expected at all.
I got home and spoke to a couple of close friends about it, and one of them oferred to take my dog away with her for a while, maybe with that helping me to concentrate on spending as much time I could sleeping in the dark room. the other friend offered to come around and manage my emails, and sort it out things around the house, cooking my meals, etc... Until I feel better.
The night after the visit to the GP, with all the new info and excitement, I went to bed quite early, had a good sleep and woke up around 2am with a violent nose bleeding. It eventually slowed down, but after a couple of minutes repeated again and again.

I waited until the gps surgery was open, got there and was the first attended. My GP was really concerned about my symptoms and my lack of proper good rest, and called the hospital and organise by phone for them to see me back in the a&E, and she also asked them to repeat the head ct scan, as she thought maybe they were overlooking something. This last bit happened today.
I spent the whole day in hospital, they repeated the head ct scan, did some blood tests, and I was admitted to the neurological ward to wait for the results. When the doctor came to see me first time, I spoke about my symptoms and what the GP sayed about worsening symptoms while using the computer, and that I should spend all the time inside this dark room in bed to recover without further symptoms, etc...

The doctor went bananas e called a neurosurgeon to speak to me. They said I should go back to the GP if I have further problems with my mTBI. When I asked them what should I do to make things better, they said I should be stronge and deal with the pain, as it will be with me for a while, maybe 3 to 6 months, it all depends on me... They sent me home with paracetamol and tramadol, same dosage as before, didn't explain why I had the bleeding and how I could cope to the other symptoms like sleepiness and vomiting ( I was wondering during the day if they could send me home with some meds to help me with this problems, so I would be able to sleep better and have a more smoth recovery from the mTBI.)

Sorry for the long thread, just feel lost, don't know which one to listen to now...

The GP that gave me the especific advices on how to cope and how to get better, she said also that she had concussion herself 10 years ago, and her concussion lasted for 4 weeks, doing what she said to me to do as well. She was very concerned with the fact that I could have this horrible headaches for years to come, and how would I be able to cope with work, etc...

The doctors at the hospital said they couldn't do anything to help me, I should be stronge and learn with the pain, and I could go out tomorrow and have my normal life back, maybe resting a bit more, but I could stay in the computer, etc, and eventually, in 6 months maybe, the symptoms would go away.

I need help with all this info that has been thrown at me on the last few weeks.
This is my first head injury, I'm scared, and don't know who to trust as the advice I've got is so different.
I'm feeling very frustrated about it all, and all this on top of the headaches and dizziness and the light sensitiveness, etc...
What to do? Whom is speakim better sense?


What are you guys with more experience on situations like this have to add to it?
Any advice will be very much appreciated.

I am a photographer, 30years old, self employed, and cancelled my sessions since the accident until the end of the month. I can't live with the symptoms while working, or the insurance won't cover knowing I'm unfit to work.
Also there's the problems with the flashing lights. And I definitely couldn't afford to cancel everything in the 6 months to see how I'm gonna be when we get there....

So lost, so confused, so frustrated...

I'm sorry for such long text, hope it all makes sense

Can anyone here help me to understand what is going on?!

Many thanks
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Old 08-17-2012, 06:18 PM #2
Mark in Idaho Mark in Idaho is offline
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Mrs-B,

Welcome to NeuroTalk. Sorry to hear of your painful and confusing ordeal.

What the doctors have told you is not uncommon. Your symptoms are at the high end of the Post Concussion Syndrome spectrum.

The rest comment is correct. I would state it as quiet rest. The 'go to a dark room and try to sleep' is a bit extreme.

You want to rest the brain from both physical and mental effort. If you can find a simple task to keep busy with, it may help you endure. Working with your hands can be therapeutic since your hands cannot work fast.

I find that I can use music, especially music with soft vocals, to help my brain focus lightly. The music needs to be familiar so my brain does not try to understand the words. When my brain can rest knowing what sounds are coming next as the CD plays, it gets into a rhythm that helps it relax. You may need to try different genres of music to find something that does not stimulate your brain. Think of it as like someone massaging your back the same way, over and over. You know what to expect and can just relax.

You should also be routinely icing the back of your head and neck. This can help with your head aches and sore neck.

Ginger can help with the nausea. It can be taken a variety of ways. Teas, cookies, supplements/pills, in juices, grated over other foods, etc.

This should help you get a start. Others will comment, too.

My best to you.
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Old 08-17-2012, 11:06 PM #3
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Hello. Sorry to hear about your injury.

It is very nice that your doctor is familiar with concussions.

I would listen to her, ecspecially about the dark room.

It is so important right now to rest from computer, etc. as she mentioned.

Do not worry too much about other issues, work, etc.

Put all your effort into resting, eating well, staying positive.

No one can tell exactly how long it will take to get better, all you can do is give yourself the best possible chance of recovery.

If you do too much physically and mentally you will feel tired, foggy. This means you need to rest ASAP.If you are tired at any time take advantage and try to sleep.

Try to not get to the overworked point. You are in the acute stage of healing.

Don't worry too much, be nice and patient with yourself. It sounds like you have access to great medical care and assistance.

People here are very knowledgeable, ecspecially Mark in Idaho.

I hope that you get better soon!

Also, I was prescribed Zofran for nausea. Helped a lot!
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Old 08-18-2012, 05:30 AM #4
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Default Thanks for the replies

Thank you so much for the replies -postconcussion- and -Mark in Idaho-
I really appreciate your input.

I must apologise again for the long thread and also, for not proofing read it, as in some places the words were as confused as my head.

I will try today adding some ginger on my food to test your advice Mark in Idaho, thanks, will do the same with the icing of the back of my head.

It's the inconsistency on the advice from different medical professionals that make me anxious and confused. The neurosurgeon said I could resume my normal activities, even drive, if it felt confortable to do so... The GP says forget the world for a month, put yourself in your room, close the blinds to help with the light sensitiveness and rest, sleep as much as you can, to help prevent new symptoms to develop.

There's a big gap between one advice and the other... I kind of felt good when the GP told me that she had a concussion, and that she was worried about what could happen if I dont do the right thing now, but again, the neurologists said that I can't control what is gonna happen, if my brain has been shaken hard enough on the fall and has a pre-deposition for seizures, they will happen more down the line, doesnt matter what I'm doing now...

Confusing, confusing...
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Old 08-18-2012, 08:19 AM #5
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Welcome to the forum and to the world of head injury in the UK. I had a fall in January and received a similar piece of advice from my GP. From my experience in the UK the Dr's are quite dismissive of long term head injuries unless you have had a really obvious head injury (fracture skull) as they feel it should clear up in a couple of weeks.

At least your GP seems relatively sympathetic - I saw my new GP yesterday because I was starting to feel like I was developing tendencies towards seizures. Rather than explore what the symptoms were, he looked at my records and suggested migraine tablets for my headaches to go with the paracetamol and then ushered me out!

If you can stand some screen time have a look at these UK based resources - there isn't available and Headway would be a good starting point

http://www.channel4.com/health//micr...rain_help.html
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January 2012 tripped over a power cable and life has changed - memory, mood, balance and puzzled. Now how do I fix it ?
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Old 08-18-2012, 08:19 AM #6
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I am so sorry you have had this experience and are trying to cope with your new circumstances.

Listen to your body.

And listen to the people on this site they really know what they are talking about as they have had exp similar to you, as I have.

The people here have done much research and want to help you.

I suffered an accident 3 weeks ago , was unconscious afterwards but was fortunate enough to meet a great consultant who kept me in hospital.

You seem to have not had the appropriate care at the start of your ordeal.

Take in as much info as you can about your new condition but only a little at a time because your mind needs rest.

Today is a new day which means you are more progressed than yesterday.

You may feel worse because your accident was terrible and I am so sorry you were not kept in hospital. But the healing is on it's way.

The best advice I was given is to tell your friends what you need and how and when. Explain what you can and cannot manage.

They will not understand how you feel but they can take direction.

So if you need dinner, ask, if you need quiet, ask, if you need help walking to the bathroom ask etc.....

Do not worry about your dog, it will be fine. It will worry about you but that is what dogs are best at - caring and being loyal.

For now, enjoy the sun and learn and accept your new current circumstances.

Take care
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Old 08-18-2012, 02:06 PM #7
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Mrs B,

The goal in recovery is two things.

You want to rest your brain and protect it from excessive stimulation. This is a relative term. The PCS brain is very easily over-stimulated. Light, sound, visual images, voices, tactile sensations, etc all add up to excess stimulation.

But, sleep is not the only way to rest your brain. It needs just enough stimulation to keep a reasonable blood flow through the brain. It needs this to try to purge the toxins that result from injury and normal brain metabolism. Additional nutritional support can help with this. B-12, folic acid, magnesium, calcium, Omega 3's plus 6 and 9, strong doses of anti-oxidants, all will help the brain purge of these toxins. The mild stimulation will help the blood flow carry these toxins away. It is a slow process.

It can help to spend time in a room with minimal visual stimulation on the walls. If you find your eyes are constantly 'noticing' every object in the room, you need a less stimulating room.

Your doctor who had experienced a concussion is thinking in the right direction, it is just that too much attempt to sleep often results in very little deep sleep. Sessions of deep sleep with mildly stimulating awake periods are best. Mildly stimulating tasks can be doing laundry, washing dishes, grooming/brushing a pet, a quiet gentle walk, etc. Try to avoid any need to make sudden moves. Bending over and then back upright too many times can be rough of the brain's need to control blood flow. Take it slow and be aware of a change in symptoms.

btw ALL, As much as it is appreciated to have ample use of double spacing, a whole post of individual lines doubled spaced can become just as difficult to follow. Short paragraphs ( 3 to 5 lines) are easiest to follow. If others have a different perspective, feel free to post your comments.

Mrs B, I hope this helps you understand how to look at your day's activities so you can get the quiet rest your brain needs. At the first sign of getting spacey eyed, you are doing too much. It is best to learn to avoid getting to the spacey eyed level of brain fatigue.

My best to you.
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Old 08-22-2012, 09:05 AM #8
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Default Thanks for all the advice and suggestions

Thanks -Mark in Idaho- & -peacheysncream- & -sospan- for reading my posts and for taking the time to answer. Very much appreciated

I have been reading the threads here since my accident 3 weeks ago, and I feel reassured learning about everyone's struggles. So thanks everyone for sharing your experiences.

Since I first wrote this thread, I made some changes on my diet following advices found here on this forum. I cut out caffeine and also have been taking multivitamins (mega men) and oily capsules with omega 3,6 & 9.

The tinnitus hasn't improved since the accident, but I found that if I leave the fan on, the noise helps with the buzz in my ears and also, helps cutting out other sounds (cars passing by, neighbours coming into the building, doors opening and closing, keys rattling, etc) that have been accentuated since the accident.

The nausea has improved a lot since I started taking cyclizine. I was vomiting after every single meal before taking the pills, now I only have morning sickness, so that's a improvement.

Headaches are the most inconstant of the symptoms, I've been getting it very bad sometimes. Other times it's manageable. I have been applying ice to the back of my head Mark, as you suggested, and it helps most of the times, thanks!
I am taking tramadol 100mg and paracetamol 1g four times a day for the pain.

Sleep has been inconsistent as well, with me having lots of naps and not so many whole nights of good sleep. I'm trying my best though, I listen to my body and everytime I feel sleepy I go straight to bed and try to get comfy.

The light sensitivity is the same too, I have the blinds down in my bedroom and living room to cut down a bit of the light coming into the flat. Otherwise I'm wearing dark sunglasses wherever I go. I still see flashing stars and bright shapes moving around me when I get too tired.

My balance is still quite bad, can't walk around without holding onto walls or furniture, my legs are wobbly all the time I'm standing up. I have been dropping things all the time too, so no improvement on this area either.

My memory is playing up... It started last week, and I can't remember anything about the last Saturday or Sunday. Because I'm home alone, it's quite scary to know that I can do things that I won't remember later on. I started a journal and have been writing down everything I do, symptoms and thoughts I have on a daily basis.

And also there is the depression, but I have dealt with it for 16 years now, so I know that next time I go to the docs I will need to have a chat about it too.

I have been wondering if the fact that I have had depression for a long long time, and considering all the medication I have already taken during all these years of on/off treatments, could have made my mTBI symptoms worse.
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Old 08-23-2012, 12:36 AM #9
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Sounds like you have made some good choices. Glad to hear it. Just remember, rest and good brain nutrition is a long slow process.

I learned about brain nutrition 30 years ago. I recovered from a severe depression in 8 weeks with mega nutrition. Just in time for my daughter to be born. Now, almost 30 years later, she is about to pop her first baby out in the next week or so.

Please keep us informed about how you are doing. And, as you keep track in your journal, try to note any possible triggers for any fatigue or other relapses. Learning from experience is a valuable part of recovery.

My best to you.
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Old 08-23-2012, 05:49 AM #10
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Don't worry about being depressed or what has gone on in the past. but you can do something about what happens from now on.
I do recommend that if you have suffered in the past from depression, you too will probably respond to counseling.

When we suffer trauma and are medicated it inhibits our ability to process daily. You have suffered something very severe, you need reassurance and help to dissect the accident and the continuing effect it has placed on your life.

If you have a close friend who will sit and listen, use them. But a specialist councilor will help the most because they are trained to help us draw the right conclusions.

However so as not to feel inadequate in your own ability to control your own emotions, maybe start a simple diary charting what you experience daily, how it makes you feel, and the reasons you think these experiences make you feel the way they do.

This will help you to keep a check on yourself and not allow your emotions to run away, like they may have in the past or may seem to be doing now.

Sleep is important but so is a tiny bit of exercise. Listen to your body and work with it.

Do not let the depression control you, take control of it.
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