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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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04-04-2013, 05:02 PM
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Dear CountNomula,
Welcome, sorry to hear about yr predicament. To add to the above info, I do know that if you get the feeling that the floor will move away as you walk this is a concern to neurophysio's. You describe above the unsteadiness you now feel and a lack of confidence. This can be a symptom of the neck spinal area becoming detatched. It is most common in rugby when a player suffers a head on collision. In your case a head up, but it's still the fact your neck took a full on blow. What you need is an MRI looking at the soft tissue and tendens in your neck to see if they have shifted or are unstable. Good luck.
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I am a 36 yr old female who has played football, as a hobby, for 13 yrs. In July 2012, during a game I was slammed to the floor by two angry guys who hit into me so hard that one of them broke their ribs. This knocked me back onto hard ground leaving me unconscious. I awoke to chronic head and neck pain, sickness and the inability to see or balance. The paramedics made me walk to the ambulance, instead of placing me on a spinal board, where I was taken to the ER. I was hospitalised with suspected brain hemorrhage for 1 week, then on complete bed rest for 1 month, in a wheelchair for 2 months. I have been left with PCS, moderate constant head pain, little short term memory, no memory of the accident, balance and sight problems, depression and exhaustion. The worst problem is collapsing regularly. This has finally been diagnosed as Hemiplegic Migraines , these cause my brain to regularly shut down when I am tired and I then feel the full effects of a stroke (without the bleed on the brain!!) of which the symptoms last 2-4 days. I have had 6 CT's, 2 MRI's and am under 3 specialists. I believe everyday is one more towards improvement. Mainly I believe in the power of acceptance not the weakness of complacency or resignation. Last edited by peacheysncream; 04-04-2013 at 05:04 PM. Reason: spelling |
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04-04-2013, 10:33 PM
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CSF leak is very quick and easy to diagnose, it just takes getting a sample of the dripping fluid and test it for sugar -- a simple glucose monitor. Please try to have this done ASAP. CSF leak can be very dangerous for infection. Best wishes!!
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04-08-2013, 01:52 AM
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Quick update:
I visited an ENT over the weekend. He listened to my symptoms and tentatively diagnosed me with a CSF leak. He told me to go to the big university hospital and speak with a neurologist, which I did. I am scheduled tonight to go and have an MRI of my head taken. They did not ask for a sample of my fluid (it is 99% post-nasal anyway, back of throat, so I doubt I could've produced some on demand). I feel like I am making progress toward understanding what is happening to me. I am a bit worried that because my symptoms are lower today, the scan may miss something. HOWEVER, I want to make sure that: a. I am getting the correct testing done b. I am asking the right questions when I speak to a neuro about the scan Can anyone with some experience chime in? Is an MRI sufficient to show a CSF leak? Even if there is no 'brain sagging'? And what sort of things should I be asking the neuro when we discuss the results?
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March 3, 2013: Directly hit top of head while jumping, impact went straight down neck and spine. Symptoms: Congested/plugged ears (along with post naasal-drip and drainage down back of throat), increased tinnitus, sound sensitivity, minor imbalance, difficulty concentrating, difficulty reading and focusing on words and moving objects. |
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04-09-2013, 07:33 AM
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A CSF leak does not always show up on an MRI. The best test is the beta-2 transferrin, if you can get a fluid sample. Those who have a CSF leak sometimes experience fluid dripping out of their nose when they lean forward, and can obtain a sample this way. The sample is time sensitive, and is only good for about 4 hrs. at room temperature, or 3 days if refrigerated. Other tests may include a CT with contrast dye, or a pledget test. Also, you can try increasing your caffeine intake to see if this temporarily helps to alleviate some of your symptoms. Although caffeine is contraindicated in those with PCS, it is recommended for individuals with a CSF leak as it helps to increase the volume of cerebrospinal fluid.
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| "Thanks for this!" says: | CountNomula (04-09-2013) |
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04-09-2013, 07:40 AM
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This is what worries me... I had my MRI taken last night, but I'm afraid they'll gloss it over and say 'nothing to worry about'. I'm not even going to see the same neurologist tomorrow for my results as the one that ordered the scan. The scan was done without an injection and took about 10 minutes total... I'm guessing this isn't anything too powerful, considering its a public Chinese hospital...
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March 3, 2013: Directly hit top of head while jumping, impact went straight down neck and spine. Symptoms: Congested/plugged ears (along with post naasal-drip and drainage down back of throat), increased tinnitus, sound sensitivity, minor imbalance, difficulty concentrating, difficulty reading and focusing on words and moving objects. |
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04-10-2013, 05:39 AM
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My head is officially spinning...
Got my MRI results back - clear! Or so I thought... I consulted a neurosurgeon with my scan. He said that he saw no abnormalities. He also said that he believes I have a small skull fracture, contributing to CSF leak... huh?! I asked why it isn't on the MRI, and he said they aren't always visible on them, and that he needs to do further scanning and a lumbar puncture in order to be sure. I am about to go in tomorrow and get these tests done... 
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March 3, 2013: Directly hit top of head while jumping, impact went straight down neck and spine. Symptoms: Congested/plugged ears (along with post naasal-drip and drainage down back of throat), increased tinnitus, sound sensitivity, minor imbalance, difficulty concentrating, difficulty reading and focusing on words and moving objects. |
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04-10-2013, 05:51 PM
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It sounds like you are getting a thorough assessment done. I have some symptoms similar to yours, but have not been evaluated for a CSF leak. After my car accident, my CT showed that there was fluid in the sinus cavity. It was attributed to sinusitis, which I have never had before. I had fluid leaking out of my left nostril. This stopped after a few months, but I still have congested sinuses, and can feel fluid dripping down the back of my throat. I also have issues with my left ear. It feels like there is fluid in the eustachian tube as well, and I have constant pain in that ear. Hope you determine what your problem is, and that you get better soon. Good luck with your tests.
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04-13-2013, 01:58 AM
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I got my final evaluation. All in all, I saw three separate neurosurgeons (including the head professor at the teaching hospital) who looked at my MRIs. All three had the same conclusion - no leak. I feel both relieved and upset. I'm relieved that I do not have something so debilitating. However, I also feel upset, because now I feel like I am stumbling in the dark, trying to put a name to my symptoms.
I re-visited the ENT today who originally suspected CSF leak to discuss the results. He seems to want to chase the CSF leak diagnosis even though three neuros said no. When I countered that it could be a sinus infection, he said that he saw no signs of inflammation of mucus buildup from the MRIs. I am to return for a sinus CT and possible camera roto-rooter up my nose at the ENT hospital here to see if there's a sinus issue, but I am fearful that will come back clean, and then I will truly have no answers... 
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March 3, 2013: Directly hit top of head while jumping, impact went straight down neck and spine. Symptoms: Congested/plugged ears (along with post naasal-drip and drainage down back of throat), increased tinnitus, sound sensitivity, minor imbalance, difficulty concentrating, difficulty reading and focusing on words and moving objects. |
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04-13-2013, 09:48 AM
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Sounds like you have a brain injury. I guess that can cause so many different problems. Healing thoughts to you.
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What happened: Legs pulled forward by a parent's hockey stick while resting at the side of the rink at a family skate....sent me straight back. I hit the back of my head (with helmet) on the ice, bounced a few times, unconscious for a few minutes. September 11, 2011. Off work since then…I work part-time at home when I can. It has been hell but slowly feeling better (when I am alone☺). Current symptoms: Vision problems (but 20/20 in each eye alone!) – convergence insufficiency – horizontal and vertical (heterophoria), problems with tracking and saccades, peripheral vision problems, eyes see different colour tints; tinnitus 24/7 both ears; hyperacusis (noise filter gone!), labyrinthian (inner ear) concussion, vestibular dysfunction (dizzy, bedspins, need to look down when walking); partial loss of sense of smell; electric shocks through head when doing too much; headaches; emotional lability; memory blanks; difficulty concentrating. I still can’t go into busy, noisy places. Fatigue. Executive functioning was affected – multi-tasking, planning, motivation. Slight aphasia. Shooting pain up neck and limited mobility at neck. Otherwise lucky! Current treatments: Vestibular therapy, Vision therapy, amantadine (100 mg a day), acupuncture and physiotherapy for neck, slow return to exercise, magnesium, resveratrol, omega 3 fish oils, vitamins D, B and multi. Optimism and perserverance. |
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