[Renabrown2]

First of all hello. I just found the forum today and have been reading it for the last 4 hours.
History: I was involved in a 5 car accident in April 2011. I was leaning forward to look out the side view mirror to stop from hitting a car that had been struck and was spinning. I couldn't get over and looked in the rear view mirror to see if I could slow down. I saw the car that had struck the first car barreling down on me. Next thing I know I was up against the wall on the highway telling my son I broke a nail. Lol!!!! Ambulance came and the police were questioning me. They to know what happened. At the time the only thing that I thought that happened was me getting hit and pulling over to the side of the highway. He asked when did I hit the other cars. I told him I hadn't. Well apparently I did because my son told them and I was told to look outside the ambulance at my car.Both front and back were smashed. That's when it was realized that I was knocked out.
Fast forward..... after accident I felt fine minus soreness. 3 days later I felt burning sensations in my face and arm. Went to the ER and was referred to a neurologist. My appt was 4 days later. I started noticing weird things happening like water running for no reason, frying pans on a lit stove for no reason, having trouble talking, not finding the words or not remembering them, shooting pains down my arms, severe muscle spasms that caused my head to turn.
I thought the memory and speech issue was from the pain medicine I was on, so I quit taking them. I went to my neurologist and was diagnosed with PCS and cervicular radiculopathy.
I got better. Never got back to "me."
These last couple of days I've been having the initial symptoms "foggy brain, blurred vision, dizziness, problem concentrating, not remembering what I just read, sharp headaches, muscle twitches. I went to the dr today and she's referring me to a neurologist to set me up for a neuropsychological exam.
That's how I found this forum. Has anyone been for the better part "healed" and had a relapse???

[Mark in Idaho]

Renabrown,

Welcome to NeuroTalk. Sorry to hear of your injury and struggles.

It's sad that the police were more interested in the accident details than your physical condition. Par for the course.

Yes, people often have relapses. Nobody ever heals completely. As you said, you never healed to the old you. The previously concussed brain is left with a variety of long term weaknesses. Some people are very sensitive to slight impacts. Others are very sensitive to stress of any kind, emotional, physical, environmental, etc.

Learning how to recognize these relapse triggers helps us go on with minimal relapses.

There is often an injury that goes undiagnosed. The upper neck can be injured but never manifest pain. Then, when it is strained, symptoms return. A quick turn of the head, a bounce in the road, or falling asleep in a poor position can all cause this injury to be aggravated, get inflamed and cause a return of symptoms.

It is very difficult to get the upper neck (C-1 to the base of the skull) diagnosed properly. It is usually soft tissue (tendons and ligaments) that are damaged. A way you may notice this injury is if you have tenderness behind your ears when you touch that area.

What have you tried to help your brain do better ?

[aldora]

YES! TBI jan 2012. I thought I was healed but then I took on a new job this January and I lasted 2 months. Relapse. It was as if I hit my head all over again but without the impact. I am doing better as long as I take all of the precautions regarding light, noise and activity level. I feel like I am starting at zero again. I have bad days and OK days. Progressing to the good days as long as I do not compromise what is best for me in that recovery process.

[Renabrown2]

Mark,
I have had a consistent tight neck and shoulders since the accident. I also have pinched nerves in C-4 and C-5. I have resolved myself that I'll have the tightness forever. That I can deal with. It's the other symptoms that I'm having the issue with again.
What had I done?
I did all types of "brain" puzzles to help and it was working or had worked.

[Mark in Idaho]

Brain puzzles do not heal a concussion. That is a con. The progression you get at first is mostly due to developing existing skills that are under developed. What brain training system did you use ?

You may benefit from an Upper Cervical Chiropractor. There are referrals at www.NUCCA.org and www.atlasorthagonal.org

A good physical therapist, especially one who is an expert in myofacial release, may be able to help your neck and shoulders release and heal.

I can understand the misery you are in. You have not had the care you need.

aldora, you need to not increase your activity level until you have been at a stable level for a few weeks, at least two or more. Recovery is in slow steps, not a gradual continual progression.

[Renabrown2]

Originally Posted by Mark in Idaho

Brain puzzles not heal a concussion. That is a con. The progression you get at first is mostly due to developing existing skills that are under developed. What brain training system did you use?

A good physical therapist, especially one who is an expert in myofacial release, may be able to help your neck and shoulders release and heal.

I can understand the misery you are in. You have not had the care you need.

aldora, you need to not increase your activity level until you have been at a stable level for a few weeks, at least two or more. Recovery is in slow steps, not a gradual continual progression.

I haven't used any brain training system. I was diagnosed. Went to a chiropractor, had physical therapy and that's all.

[Renabrown2]

Oh I was prescribed Neurontin that I took forever it seems like.

[Mark in Idaho]

Renabrown,

What did you mean by

"What had I done?
I did all types of "brain" puzzles to help and it was working or had worked." ?

I thought this meant you did brain training puzzles.

Did the chiro adjust you with "Twist the head and pop the neck" adjustments ?

These can be too aggressive for upper neck injuries. Traditional 'range of motion' physical therapists can also be problematic.

You need therapies that help your body get free of muscle tension so your injured joints can heal and strengthen.

What is the Neurontin for ?
I have taken it for over 12 years to help my mind and body to relax so I can sleep. It also reduces the twitching that happens when I sleep. It has been good for me. I take 900 mgs each night.

[Renabrown2]

I did puzzles that help children with memory. I did research on memory games and puzzles, cognitive development, logical reasoning.
The chiropractor did the twist and pop but he did other things also like massages, traction, and another exercise.
The PT did massages, stretching, icing, and some strengthening exercises.
I took Neurontin for nerve pain.

[Renabrown2]

I'm new to a lot of terminology here. So, some things I may not understand what it is. Hence, the brain puzzles.