That is so weird no one did a brain MRI with the neck imaging. Unless you are swelling or bleeding, it will probably be normal. Silly concussions! It seems the feeling of pressure is normal with PCS. Its just if your case is bad enough to be monitored. A CSF leak will lower the pressure so I call it my pressure valve. :/
I have no memory of the accident and from what I've pieced together from my jumbled thoughts, I was leaning over when I was rearended and likely whacked the corner of the headrest and then hit the steering wheel. This is probably what damaged my cribriform plate because this is where the CSF is coming from. A week after the accident, my head felt like it was going to blow up from the pressure until the CSF burst through the cribriform and started pouring from my nose. What my doctors were missing was I bumped my head again 2 days after the accident. A big mistake. Then 2weeks after the accident, I slipped on black ice and reinjured it just from the jolt. That was when all the scary stuff started and my brain was no longer able to find the words to tell people what was wrong. So take it very easy and don't do anything that may jolt or bump your brain. It really is a bad thing to do.
Is your lawyer aware of how difficult it is for you to work full-time? I would make sure that he is because during settlement discussions, the other side are going to bring it up like, well she couldn't have been that bad, she was working full-time. Has your neuro cleared you for full-time work? Touch base with your lawyer, k? (Speaking from experience here.)
Yes, and I am also keeping a very detailed journal of everything that is going on. I will talk to the neuro about full-time work. Basically she made me feel like this was all not a big deal and even got snippy with me when I told her that the medication was making me feel like ants were crawling all over my body. I can't wait to go to a new doctor, luckily it's pretty soon. I'll talk to lawyer as soon as I can, too, regarding work stuff.
And now, for real, I am getting off the computer and leaving work. I have had enough for today.
Post by themoneytree on Aug 31, 2014 13:49:19 GMT -5
I have two friends who have had serious concussions that have been life altering. I don't think that telling you the details will be helpful, but please take the time you need to rest as much as you possibly can. I really hope your next doctor is more understanding because it IS a big deal and for the doctor to make you feel like you're making a fuss about nothing is unfuckingacceptable.
I'm sorry you're going through this. I've had it twice and it sucks. I was in an accident last August and am just finally feeling back to normal. It started to improve a few weeks post-accident for me. From what my neuro said, it can be anywhere from days to over a year, depending on the person. Hopefully you will be on the shorter side!
Post by MarmeeNoir on Aug 31, 2014 14:22:40 GMT -5
The vertigo took months, I've always had headaches, the really bad confusion took a couple months.. It'll be three years Wednesday and I still don't feel 100% right in the head. Something to do with my working memory. I can't even really remember what all was wrong. I also have PTSD, so that could be some of it. I should probably go back to see the neuropsych, but we're still trying to pay off bills from the accident.
I do remember that I had a above average verbal recall. It was pretty high if I remember right. I did all these test 1 month after the accident.
Post by racegrrl714 on Aug 31, 2014 14:57:08 GMT -5
I was in a pretty horrific car accident 5 years ago and I will just ditto everything aswartzw said. My brain and body have not been the same since. I still have fatigue and my brain just does not work the same way it used to. It's rough. Just give yourself lots of time and rest.
Have you thought about seeing a concussion specialist? I saw a sports doctor, but he specialized in concussions. Way more helpful than the neurologist was.
I forgot to mention in my previous post that my first accident, my head was directly impacted by another vehicle. Technically, I suffered from a traumatic brain injury, but thankfully not severe. I was very lucky (otherwise) to suffer minor physical injuries, but the post-concussive syndrome from that accident never really remedied itself. Having had a prior concussion made it easier for it to happen again with last year's accident. I used to have excellent short-term memory and that still suffers. I jokingly tell people how well-spoken I used to be, but it's true. It's just that most people (especially professionally) don't realize that because the first accident happened when I was barely 22.
All that to say, now that it has happened, you are at a higher risk for subsequent concussions and PCS. My neurologist stressed this to me and I'm sure you've heard it as well, but thought I would mention it in case anyone was not aware.
That is so weird no one did a brain MRI with the neck imaging. Unless you are swelling or bleeding, it will probably be normal. Silly concussions! It seems the feeling of pressure is normal with PCS. Its just if your case is bad enough to be monitored. A CSF leak will lower the pressure so I call it my pressure valve. :/
I have no memory of the accident and from what I've pieced together from my jumbled thoughts, I was leaning over when I was rearended and likely whacked the corner of the headrest and then hit the steering wheel. This is probably what damaged my cribriform plate because this is where the CSF is coming from. A week after the accident, my head felt like it was going to blow up from the pressure until the CSF burst through the cribriform and started pouring from my nose. What my doctors were missing was I bumped my head again 2 days after the accident. A big mistake. Then 2weeks after the accident, I slipped on black ice and reinjured it just from the jolt. That was when all the scary stuff started and my brain was no longer able to find the words to tell people what was wrong. So take it very easy and don't do anything that may jolt or bump your brain. It really is a bad thing to do.
I thought it was weird and my PCP and my PT thought it was weird, too. I am going to follow the advice of others and seek out a concussion specialist. It sounds worth it, especially with what I've got going on.
My goodness, I am SO sorry for what you went/are going through. That sounds absolutely awful and scary. I am glad you are recovering.
I have two friends who have had serious concussions that have been life altering. I don't think that telling you the details will be helpful, but please take the time you need to rest as much as you possibly can. I really hope your next doctor is more understanding because it IS a big deal and for the doctor to make you feel like you're making a fuss about nothing is unfuckingacceptable.
I hope you feel much better soon.
Thank you, I will do my best to rest rest rest and take it as easy as possible. The other neurologist is my PCP's neuro and gets very high ratings. I was very turned off when this doctor kind of acted like nothing was a big deal. In fact, she was just very blank the whole time. Maybe she's burned out, but I'm not interested in a burned out doc. I'm glad I still have this other appt, I was just being very impatient and wanted to get in before six weeks because the symptoms limit my life so much.
The vertigo took months, I've always had headaches, the really bad confusion took a couple months.. It'll be three years Wednesday and I still don't feel 100% right in the head. Something to do with my working memory. I can't even really remember what all was wrong. I also have PTSD, so that could be some of it. I should probably go back to see the neuropsych, but we're still trying to pay off bills from the accident.
I do remember that I had a above average verbal recall. It was pretty high if I remember right. I did all these test 1 month after the accident.
I was in a pretty horrific car accident 5 years ago and I will just ditto everything aswartzw said. My brain and body have not been the same since. I still have fatigue and my brain just does not work the same way it used to. It's rough. Just give yourself lots of time and rest.
You had a concussion? You poor thing, I didn't realize.
Yeah. I went to the hospital in an ambulance from the wreck, and they diagnosed me there. I felt ok the next day - really, for the next couple of days (minus the soreness in my body and the fatigue) but then I started getting really exhausted, bad headaches, dizziness, nausea/vomiting, and just overall weird feeling (very out of sorts, I feel like I'm stupid half the time - can't remember words and such). That stuff hasn't gone away. The weirdest things set it off. I was in an office I've been in many times before and the floor has a slight zig zag pattern to it. Never bothered me once, now I can't walk by it without wanting to puke. Same with certain shadow patterns, like mini blinds. Light next to dark in general.
I haven't really posted about it on fb bc i generally hate it when people post health drama on there.
I forgot to mention in my previous post that my first accident, my head was directly impacted by another vehicle. Technically, I suffered from a traumatic brain injury, but thankfully not severe. I was very lucky (otherwise) to suffer minor physical injuries, but the post-concussive syndrome from that accident never really remedied itself. Having had a prior concussion made it easier for it to happen again with last year's accident. I used to have excellent short-term memory and that still suffers. I jokingly tell people how well-spoken I used to be, but it's true. It's just that most people (especially professionally) don't realize that because the first accident happened when I was barely 22.
All that to say, now that it has happened, you are at a higher risk for subsequent concussions and PCS. My neurologist stressed this to me and I'm sure you've heard it as well, but thought I would mention it in case anyone was not aware.
No, she didn't mention being at higher risk at all. She sucks. /gavel
Your accident sounds terrible. I am so sorry. I was very lucky that this was just a high impact rear-ending, but man - even a "minor" wreck can do some pretty bad damage! I can't even imagine what you went through. I hope your memory improves with time.
All that to say, now that it has happened, you are at a higher risk for subsequent concussions and PCS. My neurologist stressed this to me and I'm sure you've heard it as well, but thought I would mention it in case anyone was not aware.
No, she didn't mention being at higher risk at all. She sucks. /gavel
Your accident sounds terrible. I am so sorry. I was very lucky that this was just a high impact rear-ending, but man - even a "minor" wreck can do some pretty bad damage! I can't even imagine what you went through. I hope your memory improves with time.
It may be just because this was my 2nd time around, but it is good to know, since I didn't know after my first accident. The accident I was in last year was rear-impact and it's amazing how little it takes to trigger a concussion. Take care of yourself!
walterismydog meant to reply earlier and forgot (amusing, considering the circumstances ). I'm in final phases of PCS recovery (hopefully!), and suffered a concussion back in the beginning of June. It's such a frustrating/terrible thing. I ended up having to stop work completely for well over a month, couldn't read/think, head pain when I tried to do basic things. My cognitive function is hopefully now near normal but my memory still isn't what it used to be.
I'll pm you. This recovery process is a nightmare and depressing and frustrating beyond belief.