Hi Gang,

I see the neuro surgeon today for the first time in 4.5 months, I am at month 9 now.

Lack of sleep, anxiety seem to be the big three things bothering me currently.

Any suggestions on what I need to ask the doc would be greatly appreciate.

Bud

It sounds like you need to ask if he has a treatment for your arithmetic disorder. You said, "Lack of sleep, anxiety seem to be the big three things bothering me currently." That is only two things. LOL

I doubt he will have much to offer.

How does your anxiety manifest ?
What are you doing to reduce your anxiety ?

Mark,

I noticed that after I posted...guess it makes me look authentic here!

Anxiety manifests itself in lack of sleep, panic and I think might be a big part of my feeling so crappy and wasted now. I have experienced anxiety before but this can be so powerful and over silly things....totally unfamiliar to a guy who has been familiar with worry and panic before. Makes me think my head injury is involved somehow.

A for instance here...yesterday I was able to go grocery shopping and take a walk and socialize at a quiet, close by yogurt shop with 2 customers. Last night I slept 1 hr maybe scattered around in 10 minute bursts. None of this adds up.

As far as dealing with the anxiety I speak with an anxiety counselor, spend a lot of time in the scripture and practice ignoring the symptoms (I wish more successful).

Just can't put a finger on it. I have my sincere doubts the doc will help any, oh well.

Thanks, Bud

I find I need to have intelligent sound (voices) going on as I start to shut down to sleep. It is easier for me to ignore outside voices than to ignore the thoughts going on in my head. Those thoughts are often just processing sensory stimulation.

Basically, I need one sensory channel to distract me from the other sensory channels. Since the auditory channel can be dominant, filling it with stimulation that I can ignore allows me to get my mind settled. When my insomnia was at its worst, I would listen to vocalists singing in a foreign language. I knew just the basics of the meaning of the lyrics so I was not consciously trying to interpret the words. I could just rest and listen to the music of the vocals.

Now, I can use any non-important speaking or singing to provide the distraction. White noise does not help me. It allows my mind to get started in conscious verbal thought.

For some, having something to repeat or sing in the mind may help. I use Amazing Grace as a 'singing in my mind' distraction.

Hope this helps.

My best to you.

I think I will give some sound a try....thanks Mark

Nothing really from the doc appt....going to try some pt for my neck and visit a psychologist to see what happens.

He did say that I am dealing with brain damage.....saying that Mri's and Ct's don't show all that happens, I have read that here. Something about diffusion? He also said I was a first for him after 40 yrs of neuro surgery and wasn't really sure how I would respond but did not think it would be as bad as it has been. Also he believed me,how is that!

Bud

He might have mentioned either Diffuse Axonal Injury or Diffusion Tensored Imaging, a form of MRI.

The fact he believed your symptoms are real and ongoing is impressive.

Mark and Bud- my NeuroPsych recommended a workbook called 'the anxiety and phobia workbook' which I got at the library and it has helped with the anxiety. Also I was unfamiliar with anxiety (except before a race) so I purchased the Midwest Stress Center CDs which have been great! And audio distraction like Mark said helps massively. =} But it still comes up at random times and I'm learning just to think of it as something that's not scary but just happening so that I don't panic =}

Hope that offers some help

I don't experience emotional/psychological anxiety except for some PTSD related symptoms that are a recent issue. But, I can experience physiological anxiety where my body goes nuts. I will feel like I am shaking inside. I may struggle to process thought. My OCD manifests as my mind getting stuck repeating mundane and annoying thoughts, like the spelling of a word or a line of lyrics to a song. I have been able to control most of the OCD looping with 5-HTP and L-Tryptophan. Previously, I took high dose paroxetine.

If I need to go to sleep, I just need to stop my mind from actively thinking so I can just relax into my comfortable bed. I take gabapentin to help my body relax otherwise, I have too much muscle tension.