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| Traumatic Brain Injury and Post Concussion Syndrome For traumatic brain injury (TBI) and post concussion syndrome (PCS). |
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01-26-2013, 02:55 PM
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I recently went through balance and vestibular testing to be diagnosed with vestibular hypofunction, which accounts for much of the persistent vertigo, dizziness & eye issues. I have now found out they want to do an MRI with contrast to rule out an acoustic neuroma, which is a slow-growing tumor of the nerve that connects the ear to the brain. It's not cancerous and doesn't metastasize, but can grow and impact neurological functions. It is technically considered brain tumor.
Needless to say I'm quite concerned - that's putting it mildly  . I am wondering if anyone on our tbi/pcs board has ever been diagnosed with one? They are quite rare, which is one thing working in my favor. I'm still waiting on approval from insurance to move forward with MRI, so I've got to settle down and just take it one step at a time.Feeling overwhelmed and praying for peace. Thanks for listening.
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Musiclover . PCS "survivor" - first concussion 10/2010 with PCS for nearly a year. Hit back of head on a shelf. Symptoms were head and neck pain, vertigo, nausea, lethargy, anxiety & depression. Experienced greatest amount of recovery between 9-12 months, with the following year being much, much better . 2nd concussion 12/2012 - hit front left forehead on wooden edge of couch. Currently dealing with a return of PCS symptoms including headache, nausea, vertigo, brain fog, and lethargy. . ~ just trying to take it one day at a time . ~ |
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01-26-2013, 09:18 PM
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Sending you good thoughts. This is all brand new information for me so I definitely have no advice, the only thing I thought though is : here they go, they are doing the typical "rule all else out" diagnostic practice. (Which understandably makes us all crazy)
Thinking of you and sending prayers for peace of mind.
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About it: October 26, 2012 I fell backward on an icy parking lot at work. I was on Workers Comp for 9 months. My PCS : everyday headaches became once in a while headaches, and neck pain became manageable. Still have occasional mild dizziness, sometimes fullness in the ears, convergence insufficiency, sequencing struggles, short term memory struggles, verbal processing delays. CT neg, MRI neg. Therapies: prism glasses, acupuncture, icing neck, resting, supplementing, Elavil 20mg at bedtime. NEW: Completed 12 weeks of physical therapy and returned to work full time. About me: I'm a marketing manager, a mom with a blended family and wife to a heart attack survivor. I believe my brain injury taught me more than it cost me. I'm grateful to still be me! |
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| "Thanks for this!" says: | musiclover (01-27-2013) |
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01-26-2013, 10:27 PM
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music,
Try to think of it this way. This MRI is not looking for an Acoustic Neuroma. It is looking to rule out an Acoustic Neuroma. Most of the diagnostic procedures related to mTBI are to rule things out. Health care these days is about ruling things out, not finding a cause. Differential diagnosis is about finding what is and what is not present. To put it in perspective, many times, doctors make things worse when they do these tests because they find something totally unrelated to the symptoms and get sidetracked trying to treat something new that has never caused a problem. This is the inherent problem with defensive healthcare. If we keep the doctors comments in context with this tendency to practice defensive healthcare, we can take some of the scare out of the situation. We want to find out what is wrong. the doctors want to make sure something serious is not wrong. You should be fine. Remember that anxiety is not good for PCS. My best to you.
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Mark in Idaho "Be still and know that I am God" Psalm 46:10 |
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| "Thanks for this!" says: | musiclover (01-27-2013) |
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01-26-2013, 11:14 PM
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Lol this is exactly what happened to me! I went to the doctor with stomach pains, during the rule everything out they found a totally unrelated cancer, when I was being checked out by the oncologist before surgery she says.... do you know you have a heart murmur?! Finally I was like.....ok everyone stop looking! Never did find out what was wrong with my stomach.......
 One thing thats weird about having a condition that doesn't show up on any tests (I also have fibromyalgia, same problem) is that you almost want them to find something, so that it proves you're not crazy! Of course it has to be something treatable and totally simple so that it all goes away  Don't worry you'll be fine! And don't search it on the internet! CC
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I'm a 39 year old, female, accountant. On July 2, 2012 I crashed my bike at the end of a 65KM road ride. I was fine that day but woke up the next morning to my current world. Ongoing symptoms include: dizziness, blurred vision, light and noise sensitivities, cognitive problems, uncontrollable emotions/depression/anxiety, headaches (but they're getting better), mental and physical fatigue, difficulty communicating and sleep disturbances. Currently seeing a fabulous Neuro Psychologist and vestibular physiotherapist and hoping to soon see a neuro ophthalmologist. I am currently doing 20 minute stationary bike rides daily, 20 minutes of meditating, 15 minutes of Lumosity and lots of resting. I have not been able to work or drive since the accident. The things that have helped me the most since the accident are vestibular therapy, gel eye drops (for blurred vision, sensitivity and dryness), amitriptyline (10mg), and meditating. I am finally starting to see some slight improvements and am hopeful! My brain WANTS to heal itself... I just have to let it and stop trying to get better! |
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| "Thanks for this!" says: | musiclover (01-27-2013) |
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01-27-2013, 09:08 AM
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Thanks Mark, Ms Rio & Cycle - I greatly appreciate your kind words and perspective. I'm trying to stay off the Internet, which is challenging for an information-seeking person.
The anxiety doesn't help at all. If anything, sometimes I feel the worst part of PCS is the anxiety that we have to deal with. I know it is different for everyone, but I am really struggling with it right now. Thanks again for the support - wishing you all a peaceful day
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Musiclover . PCS "survivor" - first concussion 10/2010 with PCS for nearly a year. Hit back of head on a shelf. Symptoms were head and neck pain, vertigo, nausea, lethargy, anxiety & depression. Experienced greatest amount of recovery between 9-12 months, with the following year being much, much better . 2nd concussion 12/2012 - hit front left forehead on wooden edge of couch. Currently dealing with a return of PCS symptoms including headache, nausea, vertigo, brain fog, and lethargy. . ~ just trying to take it one day at a time . ~ |
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01-27-2013, 09:16 AM
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Music~
I am sending positive thoughts your way!Hope it is like Mark stated.Have you started taking the klonopin?If so is it helping your anxiety?  Quote:
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What Happened: In 2011 I was in a MVA . Symptoms: Physical: I am always cold in any season!!I cannot tolerate anything pressure on my head(sun glasses,hats)longer then a hour,Lock jaw/Displaced TMJ, Dropsey, Hands go numb, Arms go numb, back of head numb (when asleep),Muscle spasms in face & upper body,migraines, concentration headaches, dizziness, nausea, neck and back trauma (from accident), tinnitus, extreme light sensitivity, noise sensitivity, EXTREME fatigue, impaired vestibular system, balance off, Pupils NEVER equal, disrupted sleep cycles,speech problems. Cognitive: Cognitive Behavior, Brain fog, impulsivity, speech problems, word finding problems, slowed processing speeds, impaired visual memory, impaired complex attention Emotional: Unable to handle stress or overstimulation without getting extremely irritable or angry, easily overstimulated, MAJOR depression, major anxiety, Panic attacks Treatment so far: Treatment for PCS,PTSD,Depression & panic,Vestibular therapy, Physical therapy, Vitamin Schedule,Walking,No Dairy, No eggs, No caffeine, No artificial coloring, Sleep with 2 pillows, Very little sugars consumed, Eat healthy,No alcohol, Medications, limit stress and overstimulation. ~*~Learn to treasure yourself and your Divinity. Be willing to accept yourself completely. Be yourself, be graceful, be kind, be wild, be weird ... be true to yourself~*~ |
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| "Thanks for this!" says: | musiclover (01-27-2013) |
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01-27-2013, 09:29 AM
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[QUOTE=MiaVita2012;951405]Music~
I am sending positive thoughts your way!Hope it is like Mark stated.Have you started taking the klonopin?If so is it helping your anxiety?: Hi Mia - the klonopin is helping me to sleep a bit more soundly, and I'm only prescribed to take it at bedtime. I think it takes the edge off some during the day, but only slightly. What has your experience been?
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Musiclover . PCS "survivor" - first concussion 10/2010 with PCS for nearly a year. Hit back of head on a shelf. Symptoms were head and neck pain, vertigo, nausea, lethargy, anxiety & depression. Experienced greatest amount of recovery between 9-12 months, with the following year being much, much better . 2nd concussion 12/2012 - hit front left forehead on wooden edge of couch. Currently dealing with a return of PCS symptoms including headache, nausea, vertigo, brain fog, and lethargy. . ~ just trying to take it one day at a time . ~ |
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01-27-2013, 09:57 AM
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Music~
I had anxiety before this accident so I was taking xanax and now my anxiety has went into panic without warning so I had got switched to valium and I am new to it but so far seems good....  [QUOTE=musiclover;951409]Quote:
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What Happened: In 2011 I was in a MVA . Symptoms: Physical: I am always cold in any season!!I cannot tolerate anything pressure on my head(sun glasses,hats)longer then a hour,Lock jaw/Displaced TMJ, Dropsey, Hands go numb, Arms go numb, back of head numb (when asleep),Muscle spasms in face & upper body,migraines, concentration headaches, dizziness, nausea, neck and back trauma (from accident), tinnitus, extreme light sensitivity, noise sensitivity, EXTREME fatigue, impaired vestibular system, balance off, Pupils NEVER equal, disrupted sleep cycles,speech problems. Cognitive: Cognitive Behavior, Brain fog, impulsivity, speech problems, word finding problems, slowed processing speeds, impaired visual memory, impaired complex attention Emotional: Unable to handle stress or overstimulation without getting extremely irritable or angry, easily overstimulated, MAJOR depression, major anxiety, Panic attacks Treatment so far: Treatment for PCS,PTSD,Depression & panic,Vestibular therapy, Physical therapy, Vitamin Schedule,Walking,No Dairy, No eggs, No caffeine, No artificial coloring, Sleep with 2 pillows, Very little sugars consumed, Eat healthy,No alcohol, Medications, limit stress and overstimulation. ~*~Learn to treasure yourself and your Divinity. Be willing to accept yourself completely. Be yourself, be graceful, be kind, be wild, be weird ... be true to yourself~*~ |
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