Good afternoon,

New here. I posted in the new folks thread but it didn't post.

Recently diagnosed (March '14) with mult-TBI's/concussions and MVA '08 which I received a subarachnoid hemorrhage (frontal lobe) and fractured C6 & C7. My first head injury happened at 4 years old. I raced off road vehicles and dirt bikes for years and have been involved in 2 major MVA's. Was also told that abuse from childhood tosses in PTSD. I was always aware of coping and issues that arise from childhood abuse, had therapy, etc. Toss in the TBI ballgame and it seems a lot more questions about myself are starting to be answered. My neurologist said that they go hand in hand. I am grateful for the diagnosis. Blessing to know and also a curse it seems. It has helped me understand some things but also opened new issues to figure out.

My neurologist last month said it would take years to rehab. It was validating that I am not just a crazy person, actual problem with my brain. He referred me for a neuropsyc eval that is to happen at the end of this month.

I cannot stand tests, never have. I am very nervous and encouraged to have this testing done though to see what is.

Anxiety, brain fog, blurred vision, balance issues, leg numbness, tinnitus, headaches always, light and sound sensitivity, angered easily (mainly frustrated), problems with job retention (about a year and I move on, however, been unemployed 6 years now) and some more I cannot remember.

Thank you for reading.

goldenwillow,

Welcome to NeuroTalk.

I am surprised you have not applied for SSDI. It sounds like you would qualify.

An NPA would be good. Try not to think of it as test. It is not quantifying you as a person. It is quantifying your injury and how it has effected you. There is a not a need to feel like you need to pass the test.

Think of it as a form of medical lab work/ x-rays, etc. that just uses your performance on a variety of tasks to look inside your brain.

Thank you Mark. I appreciate the kind words in regards to the testing. I am mostly affraid of what the results will say. Labeled on paper. Guess it is what it is. I have learned not to share my tbi diagnosis wtih others (in real life) very much. Feel that I am viewed differently.
I have not applied for disability yet because I thought I had to have all my "ducks*in *a row", test results and such. Am I wrong on that?

You should apply for SSDI as soon as it starts effecting your ability to work. The application process often includes SS Administration requesting testing. Your delay in applying has drastically reduced the monthly benefit amount you will receive. They average your income over the past years to come to a benefit amount. The years you have not worked will reduce that amount.

So, get the application started. You can start it online at https://secure.ssa.gov/iClaim/dib

I had no idea.
I have been a stay at home mama the past 5 years. The MVA where I had the hemmorage and broke my neck happened a month before we conceived. I returned to work part time last November, worked for 5 months due to my co workers being hostile and cruel with my mistakes, I quit. My boss at the time was knowledgable of tbi and that is where this journey started.
Thank you for the insight.
I suppose that I am going to have to see their doctors (ssdi) as well? Or, in your knowledge, will they possibly accept the documentation I have thus far?

Start the application process and see what they ask for. They may send you to a occupational psychologist or other professional to asses you ability to work. The first application is handled by a state agency usually called Disability Determination Services. The first issue is whether you have accumulated enough work credits to qualify for SSDI. You can view your Social Security account status online.

Did you plan to return to work after your baby ?

I did eventually plan to work. I started the application. I saved and stopped filling it out when I got to the symptoms portion. Filled out what I know I have problems with. Got tired at that point.

There are two different categories of symptoms to focus on. Cognitive and memory symptoms/dysfunctions is one. Pace and persistence is the other. Pace and persistence means you can't maintain a satisfactory pace (speed) doing the work activity and persistence means you can not last an entire continuous work period. Many of us can struggle through on the cognitive/memory issues with work-arounds. The mental fatigue that requires frequent breaks is often a bigger problem. Employers do not want workers who need constant breaks.

The SSDI Blue Book has a list of symptoms. Here is a link to the Mental Disorders section
http://www.ssa.gov/disability/profes...dult.htm#12_02
This includes both mental illness and neurological injury caused disabilities. Don't get freaked out by the term Mental Disorders.
There is also a section on Neurological Disorders at
http://www.ssa.gov/disability/profes...ical-Adult.htm
But, it refers over to Mental Disorders for non-Epilepsy issues.

There is a description of the evidence needed, lab work, psychological testing, doctor's diagnosis, etc.

Just working through the application can give you a good idea of your pace and persistence issues.

I hope this helps.

My best to you.

Thank you for the information. I have read the tbi section awhile ago. I feel like
it would be a benefit to have help completing this application with someone whom knows the right things to write. Is that a lawyer whom specializes in this? I do not want to make mistakes with this.

What kind of medical records do you have that discuss your disabilities ? Do you have any employment records that discuss your difficulties trying to return to work ?

There are attorneys who specialize in SSDI. Some are national law firms and others are local. Their fees are limited by SSDI regulations.

If you want to discuss any of this in a PM (Private Message), that would be fine. Right click my screen name and click on the PM link.

As I said, The TBI section alone is not complete for our needs. You need to use the Mental Disorders section.