I finally made the effort to join the board after visiting for months.
I am 48.
Slipped and fell in a puddle on a pool deck on 10/6/12.
Did not hit my head but sustained whiplash and concussion.
Workers comp case. Almost no medical treatment for months. The insurance co didn't want to do the work or spend the money. I am finally giving up on them and trying to find treatment and having my personal insurance cover it and my lawyer will fight for reimbursement later.
I was a full time high school art teacher, taught fitness classes and tutored students on evenings and weekends. I was highly active.
Now I lay on the couch and work one job part time.
Headaches, sensory problems, taste, vision, balance, touch, nausea, fatigue, foggy thought, slow thought, dizzy, depressed, eye pain, head pressure.
The doc thought I might have bppv so they sent me to the national dizzy and balance center and after all of the testing they concluded that it is my brain, not my inner ear. I just started a ten week concussion rehab program there. Does anyone have experience there? I am also seeing dr staab at noran neurological. Psych testing scheduled for April.
I eat healthy
I want advice
I have already learned a lot from this board.
Thank you
Su

Hi su,

I am fairly new to the board as well, and I hope you get better, it is a frustratingly slow process recovering from PCS. I am personally finding reflexology and massage helpful and quiet rest, whilst trying to do the things that do not provoke symptoms as my activity. Keeping a diary is important both to measure progress, but also to identify what triggers symptoms. I also find hot baths very helpful for fatigue, using earplugs for noise and sunglasses for light sensitivity. I am using the head pressure as my warning to stop activity and rest.

Regards.

First of all welcome, and thanks for joining us. While I sense your frustration and can empathize with not being where you were before the accident, as brain injuries go five months is not that long a time.

Glad you finally got into a rehab program. I don’t have experience where you are going but I’ve had rehab treatment with speech and occupational therapists. I feel that my recovery was a function of time and rehab treatments. Celebrate your progress and know that there will be ups and downs. I felt devastated after my initial neuro-psych evaluation showed significant cognitive deficits, as I thought that I was fine. I wasn’t. I kept at it, did what was prescribed, and three months later a follow up assessment showed a return to normal cognative functioning. Just keep in mind all brain injuries are different and they heal on their own schedule. Best to you as you recover.

Su,

NDBC appears to use common concussion protocols used with athletes with a focus on return to play. I am confused as to how they can predict a need for 10 weeks of concussion therapy. What kinds of therapy are they offering you ?

It appears they put heavy reliance on ACE and ImPACT testing systems. These are Return to Play protocols with very little long term outcome study done.

If you insurance does not cover all they offer, please watch your wallet. Many concussion clinics are for profit first and patient benefit second. I believe there is such a thing as TOO MUCH concussion therapy. The brain needs proper quiet rest.

Is your neuro (Staab) working or in contact with NDBC ? Having to different lines of care can work against each other.

Have you had any evaluation of your upper neck, specifically atlas (C-1) to occiput (based of the skull) ? Injury there is often a major cause of prolonged concussion symptoms.

Do you have a history of any prior concussions ?

It would be worthwhile to check out www.tbilaw.com for information and a possible legal referral to an attorney who has the special expertise to properly represent you. If WC has already denied your case, you need the finest concussion legal representation. www.subtlebraininjury.com is an affiliated web site to TBI Law. They both have great information.

I have looked into NDBC and their business model is extremely profit driven. The founder hopes to go national with his clinic system. This often means a maximization of the clients' insurance benefits with lesser regard for the clients' long term welfare. I urge you to get good legal assistance/advice as you navigate this system.

I am not trying to rain on your parade. NDBC may be the best solution to your needs. No one knows.

My best to you.