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.