[Virginia in Canada]

Hello all,

I'm 48 and was involved in a rear-end collision on Oct. 9th, 2012. Was diagnosed with PCS when symptoms - headache, dizziness, nausea, lack of coordination, vision problems, memory and cognitive deficits had not improved after 2 weeks - in fact they got worse. I'm lucky because I live in Canada (doctor's visits covered), have good health care for physiotherapy and massage therapy (auto insurance covers these when limits of plan run out) and work in a supportive work environment (I work in Psychiatry) with lots of sick time in my sick bank. I returned to work for 2 hours a day/4 days a week on November 1st. I have not been able to increase my hours yet because of ongoing symptoms. Just wanted to introduce myself.

[Lightrail11]

Hi Virginia and welcome. Your accident was relatively recent so I’d expect continued progress. Keep us updated. Best to you as you recover.

[kwaddington]

Welcome, Virginia. It is scary when things seem to get worse after the accident. Glad you have an understanding workplace and found this web site. Unasked for advice: Just try to be patient with yourself and realize that if you have other "odd" things happen as they may be related to the PCS or associated accident, and write them down to tell your doctor. It is hard to be patient (at least for me <grin>), but try to take it very easy and rest as much as possible--especially as you are working so you can recover more fully. A lot of us cannot get solid sleep at night, so try to grab some nap time (or some type of brain shutdown time) whenever you can! This place is one of the only places I can feel understood and have gotten a lot of support reading posts here.

[Virginia in Canada]

Just got back from the doctor. He is sending me for neuropsych testing now and in 6 months time to see how the cognitive symptoms are coming along. Determined that my headaches are partly caused from ocipital neuralgia and will be seeing me again tomorrow for injections of depotmodicate into the ocipital nerves. Not able to go to work today or tomorrow because of the injections. He is concerned about what I call "Subway vision" - when I am in a hallway or store aisle everything on the periphery looks blurred (like when you look out of a moving subway train window). Says it sounds like my brain cannot process the information quickly enough. Has anyone else experienced something similar to this? Just wondering. I find that the memory deficits are very frustrating - went from a photographic memory to having times when I am standing in the kitchen with a glass in my hands and forget that I was there to get a drink of something (I ended up with orange juice but I might have intended to get milk or water - still don't really know). I know that I am jumping around but that's the way the brain works right now.

Cheers

[rmschaver]

Welcome Virginia, glad to meet you.

[Concussion]

Originally Posted by Virginia in Canada

Just got back from the doctor. He is sending me for neuropsych testing now and in 6 months time to see how the cognitive symptoms are coming along. Determined that my headaches are partly caused from ocipital neuralgia and will be seeing me again tomorrow for injections of depotmodicate into the ocipital nerves. Not able to go to work today or tomorrow because of the injections. He is concerned about what I call "Subway vision" - when I am in a hallway or store aisle everything on the periphery looks blurred (like when you look out of a moving subway train window). Says it sounds like my brain cannot process the information quickly enough. Has anyone else experienced something similar to this? Just wondering. I find that the memory deficits are very frustrating - went from a photographic memory to having times when I am standing in the kitchen with a glass in my hands and forget that I was there to get a drink of something (I ended up with orange juice but I might have intended to get milk or water - still don't really know). I know that I am jumping around but that's the way the brain works right now.

Cheers

Thank you, and Welcome to the Boards.

I was a Practitioner until 7 months ago - let go in the US, do to not being able to "keep up" - My concussion and resultant PCS, mTBI headaches and symptoms resultant from injury on the job, blah blah...........

Anyway, you and your doc, (gotta love the relaxed Canadian system - no pressures, able to take into account the patient's needs and problems WITHOUT the pennypinchers in the way - actually listening to the patient complaints) just hit my one symptom complaint on the head -

- I have always complained about "wobbly" vision sensations - vertigo(?) - and that statement of " He is concerned about what I call "Subway vision" - when I am in a hallway or store aisle everything on the periphery looks blurred (like when you look out of a moving subway train window). " best describes what I feel like when experiencing it - thank you soooo much.

I can be walking my dogs, or moving around in the house, or sitting in my cubby at the computer and it will hit; and my peripheral vision will take off just as you descibe, with the periphery blurring in and out giving me that sense of "wobbly" world.........it settles over short time but thats it .......Oh, thanks again.

I too am waiting and waiting for a Neuropsych eval - depression, anxiety, rage, irritability, listlessness, .............

[ginnie]

Welcome to Neuro Talk. Glad you found this forum. Lots of nice informative folks here to talk to. Take your healing slowly, don't push it. Hope your holidays are peaceful. I am a virginia too, ginnie

[Mark in Idaho]

Concussion,

*edit* The number of PCS sufferers who have struggled to get any kind of care or recognition would be enough to start another forum. Virginia is very fortunate and likely is getting fee for service from the insurance company.

Those in Canada struggle just as much as those in the UK.

Virginia, What is the med that is going to be injected? The spelling you posted does not come up in research.

Have you had any diagnostics of your cervical vertebra? Often, there are undiagnosed injuries that cause tenderness behind the ears and can lead to head aches. Some have needed a cervical collar or upper cervical chiropractic to help the neck injury heal. Occipital neuralgia is more of a catchall term.

My best to you.

[Virginia in Canada]

Hi Mark,

Sorry about the drug spelling - actually is depo-medrol - basically prednisone. I did have c-spine x-rays taken in the emerg following the accident - no breaks (that's about all that x-rays would show). Have been diagnosed with Whiplash from this accident and have a previous whiplash injury from a rear-end collision 13 years ago so very familiar with neck injuries. The headaches that I'm having now are nothing like the one that I had from the previous injury.

I am fortunate that I have a good doctor (i actually interviewed him for the job 20 years ago when my previous doctor retired). I had two visits to the emergency department - one the night of the accident and one 3 days later due to increasing vision problems, vertigo and nausea - the doctor I saw on the second visit basically told me that there was nothing wrong and that I "shouldn't just sit on the couch because I'm in pain, I should go do something to keep my mind off it" - I had gone to the emergency department after doing an 8 hour shift at work as a secretary in a hospital clinic. So, yes, it is hard to find a good doctor who will listen to you.

My doctor injected Zylocaine into the nerve on one side to see if it relieved my headache temporarily before deciding to go ahead with the injections of the steroid. Within minutes of the Zylocaine injection my headache improved from severe to mild on the side that was injected. That was the first time that my headache could be classified as mild since Oct. 9th. Also, physiotherapist has not been able to do much work on my neck because the slightest pressure on the occipital points cause major increase in headache, dizziness and nausea.

In Canada, doctor visits and emergency department visits as well as medical testing are all covered by our government health insurance plan (each province has it's own plan). I have a private health plan through work that covers medications and my physio and massage therapy up to a yearly maximum and the automobile insurance will fully cover everything over that maximum. I have also had an Occupational Therapist approved by the insurance company and have an appointment with a psychologist which the insurance company will cover as well as my neuro-psych testing. My Long-term Disability plan through work covers a Rehabilitation Specialist and I will be meeting with her on Thursday to see what other assistance may be needed. I am fortunate that I don't have to worry about medical bills during my recovery.

Cheers

[Mark in Idaho]

Virginia,

Properly done x-rays or better yet, well done MRI images can detect the ligament injuries that can come from a concussion with whiplash. You are very fortunate to have established a relationship with a good caring doctor. Your treatment at the ER is more common to other Canadians who have tried to get help with their concussion symptoms.

I am quite familiar with the provincial health plans from hearing other Canadians struggle to find good care over the past 3 years on NT. I have had the same struggle with 'managed care' for decades. All of my health care has been due to injuries (lots of cut fingers and broken bones) so I have a thick medical file. Patients with thick files are routinely denied the best medical care. I had to spend 10's of thousands on my own head injury care.

You may find benefit from asking your physiotherapist to do just some gentle traction of your head. Maybe with some mild mobility of your head while under traction. You should also try icing your upper neck as often as possible. 15 minutes on, 30 minutes off. A zip lock bag with 25% rubbing alcohol (isopropyl alcohol) and 75% water will make a soft moldable ice bag.

I have an chronic injury to my left occipital condyle from my head injury. When it gets inflamed, icing it helps. Otherwise, I need to be very careful how I position my head when I sleep or relax in my recliner. I have had this problem for almost 12 years.

I hope you find some relief.

My best to you.