I tried doing a search on this but didn't come up with much specific....

There's a lot of reference to being in the acute phase of PCS and my neuro psychologist has told me we won't do any cognitive testing or treatment until I'm out of the acute phase. Anyone know what the acute phase is?

My understanding is that she wants the headaches to be better and the dizziness and blurred vision. She says they will affect/skew the test results. I guess I understand this.

My question though is that when those things are gone or going doesn't it just mean that I'm recovering/recovered? I'm sure I'm just missing something here.

I'm at about 6 1/2 months now and can finally say that I'm seeing improvement. Am I almost out of the acute phase and if so should I bother having these $2000 tests if I'm getting better?

Because there is no insurance company involved in my case I'm responsible for all my costs and I just don't have it. If it will help me identify areas that need help so I can get back to work then it might be worth it but if I just need more recovery time then maybe I should just wait it out?

As always your thoughts are greatly appreciated!

CC

The acute phase is when you are continually symptomatic, like head aches, dizziness, mental fog, etc. One those symptoms subside, you can start working on strengthening your weak cognitive and memory skills.

Personally, I think a neuro-psych is a waste of time. They rarely teach you any skills that you can not learn on your own and for free. It is better to find a good local support system where you can meet people with similar struggles. The NeuroPsych Assessment will be expensive and not offer much for the money spent, especially if it is your own money.

Knowing your dysfunctions can be helpful but you still are early in the recovery process. If you are still struggling in another year, it might be worthwhile to get a NeuroPsych Assessment done. Hopefully, by then, you will be in better shape.

Keep your stress levels low and get good quiet rest and brain nutrition as as you said,

"My brain WANTS to heal itself... I just have to let it and stop trying to get better! "

My best to you.

I had a bit of a change 6.5 months post injury...One huge change was that I rarely had the massive belt tightening electrical shock around my head with cognitive effort. I still have symptoms and feel awful a lot of the time, still unable to work full steam, but I did feel a change at that time.

Re neuropsych....not sure if I would pay for it. My LTD plan wanted it, so I did it. he was able to tell me my main problems were with visual memory, but was not able to tell me things I know are affected....concentration, emotional things, stress management, apathy feelings from time to time, etc. It depends why you want it, I suppose. I would spend my money on visual testing (neuro), physio, ice packs , etc.

Hang in there. It gets better!!!!!!

Sounds like I'm coming out of the acute phase then! My symptoms are not constant and are weaker when there. I think I've come back up to about 40% of my former self and I'm grateful for that but a long way to go!

I will pass on the neuro psych testing for now for a couple reasons... too expensive and I think the 10+ hours of tests would just make me worse again.

Thanks for the advice and Mark you're so right about stress.... one upsetting phone call and all my symptoms magnified or came back. I can only imagine what constant work stress would do to me right now! I'm so grateful for long term disability!

I hope you are having a good day!

CC