It is very difficult to get good diagnostics of the upper neck. An MRI with the head turned sharply to each side can show instability. Sleeping on ones back without a pillow under the head but instead positioned so the head does not tilt or fall to the side may help. Straight posture is important, especially when relaxed or sleeping. The inflammation that develops from these undiagnosed injuries can cause a myriad of problems. Often, there are no other neck symptoms.

headbanger
 

Hi there.
Been at the hospital a couple days, now my son's in deniel of all of his problems and say's he's ok. The Doc put him on meds and he won't even say how there work, wouldn't eat breakfest, won't take a shower. Life with post concussion sucks!

headbagger
 

And by the way, I've a decent job with good health care coverage, they only wanna pay for 5 days?? we've been there 6 days, Really? They take $90 a week out of my check for 2 of us the doc has to talk to some manager at MVP yes that's them and try to get more coverage! And by the way, I've work for this company for 7 years with the same coverage! Just sayin'

First, $360 per month for health care for 2 means your employer is chipping in at least the same. Or you just have a cheap policy. As one who has always had to pay the full price for health insurance until recently, the cost of a good health plan can be mind boggling.

I am concerned there is something much more than a concussion. His unwillingness to be cooperative with treatment and such makes it very difficult. Could he have done some drugs or huffing, etc. ? Getting a completely truthful answer from him is paramount.

Hi, sorry to enter here somewhat late.

I noted here that you ask, and have to ask some question:

- did you mean Risperdal instead of Resperal? - Resperal is a cold formula, Risperdal is a med for Bipolar Disorder/Schizophrenia.

- Lamotrigine is Lamictal Bipolar and Seizures.

Sadly, as Mark alludes to Mental Health care via Insurance coverages in this country is paltry to say the least, and families are usually on their own; top that with the fact that many problems are caught late and forced to be dealt with by mostly practitioners with their own thought processes and no true experiences with PCS/ Concussions or long term TBI care.

ADHD is often a longtime over-diagnosed condition in the young and adult, according to many, even in the APA, so it has been considered that many conditions might be missed for the long term, and allowed to fulminate before any true care could be offered to curtail long term problems.

Couple that with Bipolar Disorder, Schizo affective Disorders, and ADHD problems being associated with PCS/Post-Concussion problems, you do face a long term course of events, which will take its toll on your son, and the family.

Please try to hang in, continue with a trusted Neuropsych team you can work with, that can reach your son; and you and them work to obtain his cooperation to continue the care.

The neuropsych will have to write a strong, convincing letter to the insurance company to convince the need of longer term care coverage, somehow.

Again, the Neck evaluations are strongly needed, and need follow up , keep up on the vitamin/supplements from Mark's suggestions, keep the Neurologist involved fully.

I am so sorry you are going through this.

Head bangging son
 

It's been the holiday weekend and all the docs have off. Ben's had a tough two days but, went into a cogonic moment where they had to give him ativan an anxiety shot. Not once but 3 times. He was actually good after that and could communicate. He is highly anxious and still having delusions. The Neurogist stop by but he wasn't able to communicate at that point. We meet with the doc tommorow sometime...I'm frustrated for it's taking so long to get the long needed help! I like this doc though he's seems to know his stuff, so I'm praying he'll give us answers . I've been trying to get Ben help for months...I won't give up till I get an answer! Post concussion. :(

headbanger
 

Ben was hospitalize for ten day as was discharged this evening. Apparently he's showing signs of schizophrenia guess there's five different types. He will be entering a day treatment program at a good hospital and does have an appointment with a neurologist next Monday. I'm hope they have other test for the brain besides the mri and catscane which had show nothing. I'll keep posting but I wonder how this could happen? Sad and frustrated.

What is a cogonic moment ?

Thinking of you
 

Momwhocares,

I've been following this post with concern because I didn't think your son's symptoms sounded like PCS alone. I have two friends who were diagnosed schizophrenic, and he reminded me of them, but I didn't want to say anything because I'm not a doctor and couldn't know for sure that's what was going on. I think other posters were attempting to prepare you for the possibility. I know this has got to be a hard diagnosis to hear, and my heart goes out to you.

I'm surprised his doctors have not explained more to you! I was going to tell you that your sons TBI may have served as a trigger for his underlying schizophrenia, but then I found this article: http://www.myhealthnewsdaily.com/159...enia-risk.html

Sp what I said could be true, but it's not entirely clear. Does your son have a family history of schizophrenia or bipolar disorder? Occasionally bipolar disorder will be misdiagnosed a schizophrenia (it happened to my brother), so that's the only reason I mention it.

Schizophrenia can be pretty tricky to treat, so my advice is to brace yourself for some ups and downs ahead. If you want to message me with any questions from my experiences with the illness, please feel free. I haven't had a son with the illness, but I did watch two close friends develop the illness and struggle with getting treatment.

Though this isn't an easy diagnosis, at least you know what you are dealing with now and your son can begin treatment to help him. My thoughts and prayers are with you.

NeuroTalk forum for Schizophrenia
 

Hi Mom,

Also, there is a forum here at NeuroTalk about Schizophrenia. There are stickies there too with helpful sites. I hope you check out that forum too.

I am sure this is a hard diagnosis, and like Defayesmom, I felt what you described was not PCS.

Here's wishing you all the best.

Sincerely,

pm