[Dudette68]

I read good stories and bad on here, which at least lets me know I am not alone trying to deal with this. I got tangled with the cat at the top of the stairs and fell, smacking my back and head badly. I was close to a phone and called me husband to tell him to come home. He got me to the ER just in time because I collapsed during admission. MRI, CT, and X-ray were all ok but I was sluggish and sleepy (they gave me pain med cause I hurt all over) and then the docs weren't able to revive me from sleep and had to get quite aggressive. I had a mild seizure upon waking and was kept overnight at the hospital for observation. After the seizure my memory started failing me and I didn't know where I was, what my address was, or what had happened to me. I went home and ate, slept, bathed, etc... but I wasn't able to hold onto a memory of what happened during the day. I would forget who called or what I said to them or just space out during a conversation. I was referred to a neurologist last week and will have an EEG done. The doctor's diagnosis is PCS and I've been given pretty strict orders to rest, which is difficult because I've never been in a situation where I can't remember things, keep track of time, or even speak clearly. My mind words at the same speed but it doesn't always get the words to my mouth clearly. Each day is a blessing because my speech is getting better. BUT the headaches are horrid and I always have a high pitch ringing in my ears. My balance is not the best and today on a drive with my family we got out to look at some scenery and I fainted. Only a few seconds but embarrassed myself terribly. I don't know when I'll be able to work again, I don't know when I can drive again, I don't know when this will all be "OK" again. Sorry, but I'm usually the gal in charge and I don't have the answers. But reading everyone else's stories. I AM NOT ALONE. God Bless and thank you all.

[Mark in Idaho]

Dudette,

Welcome to NeuroTalk. Sorry to hear you are struggling.

I tried to read your post but was not able to follow the text from line to line. Many of us struggle to find the start of the next line when the paragraph is more than 5 or 6 lines. It really helps to put double paragraph spaces every 5 lines or so.

I'll try again later.

My best to you.

[Lightrail11]

Originally Posted by Dudette68

My mind words at the same speed but it doesn't always get the words to my mouth clearly. Each day is a blessing because my speech is getting better. BUT the headaches are horrid and I always have a high pitch ringing in my ears. My balance is not the best and today on a drive with my family we got out to look at some scenery and I fainted. Only a few seconds but embarrassed myself terribly. I don't know when I'll be able to work again, I don't know when I can drive again, I don't know when this will all be "OK" again. Sorry, but I'm usually the gal in charge and I don't have the answers. But reading everyone else's stories. I AM NOT ALONE. God Bless and thank you all.

Hi and welcome.

You are certainly not alone here. You didn't mention exactly when the injury occurred but it sounds fairly recent. I know it's tough around the holidays; I was in the ICU and missed Christmas in 2010.

If your symptoms continue, you may wish to ask the neurologist or your PCP for a referral to a physiatrist (also listed under physical medicine and rehabilitation) that specializes in brain injuries; they can recommend specific therapies to help you recover. A speech pathologist should be able to work with you on the aphasia (getting the right words out), an occupational therapist can work with you on returning to driving and other daily living activities.

Hang in there.

[Dudette68]

My fall happened on 10/23/2013. And tho I was released from the hospital after only one night stay my next few days at home were when my memory, speech, and balance problems started showing up.

I had a sleep deprived EEG this morning and will follow up tomorrow morning with the neurologist to see if anything startling jumps out. It is only to weed out the possibility of seizures I think. I had a seizure while I was hospitalized after I fell, as well as being diagnosed with a serious concussion.

The neurologist is fairly certain that I have Post Concussion Syndrome and he seems to think that although things are not so great right now that in time I will continue to recover.

Thank you for your thoughtful replies.