Great Information! Thanks for posting it. :)

Record of impact to the head suggested.
 

One expert suggests all impacts to the head be recorded in the patients medical records so that later manifestation of symptoms can be considered as possible PCS. Without this possible concussion in the medical record, the later manifestation of a cluster of PCS symptoms can be confusing to the doctor and patient leading to errant diagnoses.

The following International Code of Diagnostics are recommended for the patients' medical record.

2012 ICD-9-CM Diagnosis Code 850.9
Concussion, unspecified
A violent jar or shock, or the condition which results from such an injury.

2012 ICD-10-CM S06.0X0A Concussion without loss of consciousness, initial encounter

Brain Injuries more visible with new technology.....
 

Here's another article about how New MRI technology can spot traumatic injury deep in the brain where standard testing doesn't reach. It makes the invisible injuries visible.


http://healthland.time.com/2012/03/0...rain-injuries/

GlassHead posted this in the forum and I thought it was too good not to sticky:

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases...0329170220.htm

mTBI and HBOT therapy
 

New to this. May do it wrong. Treating mTBI for over 5 years in both civilians, and military blast victims (IED, RPG, mortars, etc) with HBOT. (hyperbaric oxygen therapy) with excellent permanent results. *edit*

Anti-malaria drug contra-indicated for TBI subjects
 

If anybody with a history of TBI/mTBI will be traveling to an area with risk of malaria, mefloquine hydrochloride ((also known as Lariam or Mefaquin) is strongly contra-indicated. it's an orally administered medication used in the prevention and treatment of malaria. It can cause paranoia, hallucinations and other psychotic episodes. The US DoD states: Mefloquine is specifically prohibited in the treatment of patients with head injuries, and in particular, a TBI (traumatic brain injury). It is also contraindicated for patients with post-traumatic stress disorder.

There is some question that Sgt Bales, the soldier who went on a killing rampage in Afghanistan may have been treated with it prior to his episode. He had a documented history of TBI.

Disability Cards
 

If you want to get cards made to carry with you informing people about your condition:

http://www.pantheracards.com/

These cards are a good idea. I make my own. They can be easily laminated with packing tape. I even make a pull tab so I can easily pull it from my wallet. Some people I know put the card so it hinges off their driver's license.

I find it is best to have multiple copies so you can hand the card to the person who needs to read it. I do this at TSA at the airport. With no need to take it back, there is a better chance they will read it all and refer back to it.

Mine says:

Please be patient with me. I suffer from a
brain injury that causes me to over-react
when confronted with shouting or someone
barking orders. I respond by getting loud.
Any assistance to help limit excessive
auditory stimulation is helpful.

I can easily print this in 12 pt type on a piece of paper that is smaller than a credit card.

I also have my ICE information on my cell phone. Emergency personnel know to check cell phones for ICE ( In Case of Emergency) information. Start the name as ICE plus 'wife Susan' or 'mother Diana, mil Debbie, ' ect. Emergency personnel know to check this right away.

This issue is an important one. One TBI survivor I know uses an iPhone/iPad app that will speak for him when he is under stress and struggling with word finding. It states the issue based on an icon he selects.

I know members here have already benefitted from vision therapy.

In Brainlash by Gail Denton PHD, she highly recommends Vision Therapy for mTBI survivors as well - it helped her recover from a mTBI a great deal.

Here is a link to NORA, Neuro-Optometric Rehabilitation Association, where you can find more information about Vision Therapy and find a practitioner: http://www.nora.cc/

And here's a link to a blurb with a statistic that 90% of mTBI patients who needed it and 100% of stroke patients who needed it benefit from vision therapy: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18156092

"Oculomotor dysfunctions are among the most common abnormalities found in the brain-injured population."

Sports Concussion Library
 

Hi,

A good source for info on concussions / pcs is: 'Sports Concussion Library'. (google it). It includes SCAT2 test and an 'Educational Module' if you care to inform a group about concussions and post-concussion syndrome:

Good luck to all.

I don't recall seeing anyone post a link to this site before. It has lots of helpful information:

http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/tbi/detail_tbi.htm

Limits of Computerized Concussion Testing, ImPACT, CNS-VS, etc.
 

A study published in the Journal of Head Trauma Rehabilitation analyzed results from almost 400 high school and college football players during the 2008-2009 playing season in Milwaukee, WI. A total of 28 players sustained concussions during the playing season. and were monitored using Quantitative EEG (qEEG) recording, balanced & body control systems, and cognitive testing.

The qEEG results showed that abnormal readings in the concussed players continued long after more traditional tests (balance testing and cognitive testing) for concussions came back "clean," These results point to more evidence that there is a "recovery window" in the brain as it heals from a concussion that might be significantly longer than most athletic trainers and physicians have traditionally assumed.

Here is a link to the abstract: http://journals.lww.com/headtraumare...Related.6.aspx

Here is an article that discusses life styles choices that enhance or encourage neuroplasticity and some choices that inhibit neuroplasticity.

I found it very interesting.

http://www.healio.com/Psychiatry/jou...ve-Functioning

Basically:

Increasing Activities:
Physical activity
Education
Social interactions
Intellectual pursuits
Cognitive remediation

Decreasing Activities:
Poor health
Poor sleep hygiene
Poor nutrition
Substance abuse
Depression and anxiety

Of course, take it with a grain of salt since it is written about the general population and not in regards to people recovering from brain injuries. (Don't overdo engaging in activities that are believed to increase neuroplasticity as they may cause set backs.)

But I see several things here that members of this forum usually engage in, when possible, to help their brains to heal or at least function as well as possible: good nutrition, good sleep hygiene, avoid substance abuse, reduce anxiety and depression, etc..

Here's a link to a great article that explains the fatigue brain injury survivors experience:

http://twilightinsight.wordpress.com...i-and-fatigue/

Scroll down (a few paragraphs) past "My Story" to find it.

You can find .pdf files at the bottom so you can print this article out in an easy to read format too! :D

Coffee/caffeine link to less dementia risk
 

Coffee/caffeine link to less dementia risk

http://www.upi.com/Health_News/2012/...?spt=fsb&or=hn

"What Is Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy?"
http://www.brainline.org/content/201...halopathy.html

"Single Traumatic Brain Injury May Prompt Long-Term Neurodegeneration"
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases...0718171401.htm

"Minor head hits can chip away at a football player’s brain — even when there’s no concussion"
http://www.minnpost.com/second-opini...%E2%80%99s-no-

-GlassHead

Hormone imbalance after head injury
 

Lots of good links on this page.

http://braininjuryselfrehabilitation...balance-links/

Attorney Gordon Johnson has put together some very good information.

The links are www.tbilaw.com

and www.subtlebraininjury.com

Here is a study on FL-41 tinted glasses as a treatment for light sensitivity:

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2701948/

Can come across as a controversial review of PCS

http://www.talisconsulting.co.uk/pdf...ain_injury.pdf

This article is a classic attorneys' 'hired gun' opinion that twists and cherry picks the research. She completely ignore the decades of work by Dorothy Gronwall, Ph.D. of New Zealand that shows the long term effects of concussion.

This is why PCS victims involved in litigation need to read the web pages of Attorney Gordon Johnson at www.tbilaw.com and www.subtlebraininjury.com .

Fish Oil Enhances Effects of Green Tea on Alzheimer's Disease in Mice
 

Mushrooms!
 

This study shows than Lion's Mane mushroom extract enhances myelination.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12675022

Thank you for the links!

This is an excellent article about living with a brain injury.

http://www.brainline.org/content/201...u-to-know.html

"Young offenders should be screened for brain injuries"

http://www.guardian.co.uk/science/br...oung-offenders

Orthomolecular nutrition for brain dysfunction
 

Here are two link to the research and finding supporting orthomolecular nutrition. My vitamin regimen was first presented to me by a specialist in orthomolecular nutrition.

http://orthomolecular.org/index.shtml

http://orthomed.org/

If anybody has questions about orthomolecular nutrition, please start a new thread in the main forum with your questions and comments. Please do not discuss orthomolecular nutrition in this 'sticky thread.'

US navy presentation on balance problems after mtbi

http://www.dcoe.health.mil/Content/n...d%20Injury.pdf

www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/tbi/detail_tbi.htm

This is a great link from a British site all about TBI's and the research going on for it.

Hi I found this site http://happy-neuron.com/

It has some free tests that stretch and analyse your mind. It has a one week free trial.

When I tried the memory tests I got 50% of what my wife got - not heard the end of it yet.

The one that really threw me was the test where you have to identify a series of pictures of hands - and whether it is a left or right had. There are no intense pictures or sounds just simple photographs of hands in different positions- sounds simple? I did the test once and it overloaded my brain so much it took me 5 hours to recover.

CTE research
 

iLs ("Integrated Listening System") is an emerging treatment used by OTs for treating various disorders, such as autism. It can be used to treat audio and visual hypersensitivity, information processing, and (I think) vestibular problems as well.

Here is a brand-new case study in which iLs was used to successfully treat someone who has had mTBI for 11 years:

http://www.integratedlistening.com/c...-brain-injury/

More Useful Links
 

Good information about TBI and concussion.

A patient's perspective.
"Sixteen years ago doctors assured me that I would return to my old self in a matter of months. To date nearly 200 months have passed since that fateful day in 1982, and I have yet to be restored to my pre-injury splendor. At this point I am pretty much convinced that the effects of post concussion syndrome will plague me into my golden years."
http://www.headinjury.com/linktbinih.htm

I found the Tool Kit helpful as well.
http://www.headinjury.com/library.htm#toolkit

Short overview and symptoms list for Visual problems after a head injury

http://www.visionhelp.com/vh_braininjury_04.html

Thanks Chemar for the help and the links!! MUCH appreciated! :o)

Can Just One Concussion Change the Brain?
 

A Segment from NPR's Science Friday on Concussions:

http://www.npr.org/2013/03/15/174409...ange-the-brain

So sad and lost
 

Thanks for the recommendations. I am really lost after 2 incidents of MTBI I feel like I am barely holding on. I feel very alone and sad. Can't find a neurologist to work with me because none of the want to deal with Motor Vehicle Accident victims. Each day is a bigger struggle. Just got on an antidepressant- hoping it will help.

Great comprehensive resource
 

http://www.labryshealthcarecircle.co...n_workshop.pdf

Useful article on brain nutrition.