[floridaman]

Is there a list of the best providers who deal with brain injuries?
I wonder if I'm getting the right advise. Would be good to know I'm dealing with an expert rather than relying on the luck of the draw.
I looked through the sticky's and on************, didn't see anything, sorry if I missed it.
Thanks.

[Lightrail11]

Originally Posted by floridaman

Is there a list of the best providers who deal with brain injuries?
I wonder if I'm getting the right advise. Would be good to know I'm dealing with an expert rather than relying on the luck of the draw.
I looked through the sticky's and on************, didn't see anything, sorry if I missed it.
Thanks.

There was a thread on this a couple months back, didn't really go too far and was somewhat controversial.

http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/sh...hlight=doctors

There is also the standard US News list which lists by specialty area.

http://health.usnews.com/doctors

Another idea would be to check the Florida BIA website

http://www.biaf.org/

[Mark in Idaho]

It's virtually impossible to list the best doctors for concussions. Every concussion presents differently. Plus, there is no one treatment for concussion. You treat each symptoms individually. If there are vestibular problems, a vestibular specialist would be good.

There are plenty of concussion clinics. They are set up to treat sports concussions. Most are more about comprehensive insurance company billings that true specialists. Most are followers of the ImPACT or other Computerized Neurocognitive Testing systems.

What are your worst or most problematic symptoms right now ? What have you been doing to help with recovery ?

What advise have you been getting for your doctors and others ?

A multi-vitamin and 1000 mcgs of B-12 is far less than what a recovering brain needs. A single multi is usually only good at preventing malnutrition, not supporting best health.

[floridaman]

Originally Posted by Mark in Idaho

It's virtually impossible to list the best doctors for concussions. Every concussion presents differently. Plus, there is no one treatment for concussion. You treat each symptoms individually. If there are vestibular problems, a vestibular specialist would be good.

There are plenty of concussion clinics. They are set up to treat sports concussions. Most are more about comprehensive insurance company billings that true specialists. Most are followers of the ImPACT or other Computerized Neurocognitive Testing systems.

What are your worst or most problematic symptoms right now ? What have you been doing to help with recovery ?

What advise have you been getting for your doctors and others ?

A multi-vitamin and 1000 mcgs of B-12 is far less than what a recovering brain needs. A single multi is usually only good at preventing malnutrition, not supporting best health.

My symptoms at almost 8 weeks is the same as in the beginning - nausea, dizzyness and head issues - tingling, pressure, widespread headaches, laserbeam headaches (more painful).
Most of the issues seem to happen at work. But I don't do much since the accident other than work. All my normal activities have been put on hold or greatly reduced.
Most recently I realize I can't even watch a movie.

Basically I've been advised to keep working and told "you will get better".
I was told when I first went to the ER "no restrictions, just don't hit your head again". I called the next day questioning that and was told to rest until my symptoms subside. Afterward, another doctor told me there is no evidence that activities are detrimental.
I really don't know whats best. My gut tells me I should not be working until recovered. Work and the stresses and strains it brings seem to be my main trigger point. But this is the first time this has happened to me, these doctors probably have seen hundreds of mTBI cases.
But this is my brain we're talking about, not my ankle. I don't want this to get worse or be prolonged any more than necessary or rely on someone who just does not know whats best. I've read that trying to tough it out is the wrong thing to do and it concerns me I may be doing just that on poor advice.

I'm very active and healthy and some may say fanatical about my diet. I eat a lot of fruits and vegetables, whole grains and good protein. I take a multi mineral/vitamin, vitamin e and d and some natural supplements like tumeric and ginger root. B12 seems to disagree with me so I'm stopping that for the time being. I exercise every day but since the injury have cut that down to a minimal, basically easy stationary bike and very light weights just to maintain muscle tone. Some days I don't even go which is unheard of for me.
I'm trying to get as much rest as possible even taking naps.

[Mark in Idaho]

I doubt the B-12 disagrees with you. The dehydration you mentioned has nothing to do with water soluble vitamins. You are dehydrated because you are not drinking enough water. A head injury can change how things taste and alter appetites. You are likely doing something different with your diet.

There are many different versions of B-12. Get the methyl version in sublingual lozenges. Chew it and let it soak into your mouth.

You have been overly dependent on the doctors and others who have told you to keep working. As you say, your gut tells you to not work until you are recovered. You should trust your gut. The doctors do not have a clue what is going on at your job.

Take time off. Get some quiet rest. That means limited stimulation. Do light activities that do not require cognitive focus.

I don't understand why you have curtailed your non-work activities but are still plowing ahead at work and feeling lousy when you do. If you had made the same choices about work, you would be weeks ahead in your recovery.

Stop the work, not the B-12.

My best to you.

[floridaman]

Originally Posted by Mark in Idaho

I doubt the B-12 disagrees with you. The dehydration you mentioned has nothing to do with water soluble vitamins. You are dehydrated because you are not drinking enough water. A head injury can change how things taste and alter appetites. You are likely doing something different with your diet.

There are many different versions of B-12. Get the methyl version in sublingual lozenges. Chew it and let it soak into your mouth.

You have been overly dependent on the doctors and others who have told you to keep working. As you say, your gut tells you to not work until you are recovered. You should trust your gut. The doctors do not have a clue what is going on at your job.

Take time off. Get some quiet rest. That means limited stimulation. Do light activities that do not require cognitive focus.

I don't understand why you have curtailed your non-work activities but are still plowing ahead at work and feeling lousy when you do. If you had made the same choices about work, you would be weeks ahead in your recovery.

Stop the work, not the B-12.

My best to you.

Thanks for the reply.
How much time would you say is reasonable to take off from work? I know it's subjective and everyone is different, a best guess is what I'm looking for. Since the majority of my problems are brought on by working it may be difficult to know at home resting that things are better and it's ok to go back.

On the B12 issue, you may be right but I suspect otherwise. This is very convincingly a cause and effect situation.
And why would I take 1000mcg of b12 if I'm already getting 300% from my regular vitamin and data MrsD provided showing that the body will only absorb 13 of the 1000mcg and expel the rest. I'm already getting 18mcg from the vitamin plus some from diet.
And my eating habits have not changed and I have been drinking plenty of water.

[Mark in Idaho]

The RDA (recommended daily allowance) is worthless. It has more to do with avoiding malnutrition than promoting good health. If you choose to allow Big Pharma and government institutions control how you think about vitamins, you are on your own. I will not argue against the false data promoted by government health organizations.

300% is pure poppy cock. You are struggling and choose to ignore the best treatments. There are no set standards for time off work. You need time off until you heal. You need B-12 and the others for weeks to let the slow healing take place. If you choose to let your anxieties limit your choices, you alone will suffer.

B-12 did not cause your dehydration. Enough said.

My best to you.