Connect
Traumatic Brain Injury: Come introduce yourself
Welcome to the Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) group on Mayo Clinic Connect.
This is a welcoming, safe place where you can meet people who know first-hand about living with a traumatic brain injury. Together we can learn from each other and share stories about challenges and triumphs, setbacks and the things that help.
Pull up a chair and connect. Why not start by introducing yourself? What is your experience? Got a question, tip or story to share?
Like
Helpful
HugInterested in more discussions like this? Go to the Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) Support Group.
Connect
@danieltbi there is no reason to feel doom. My TBI happened 23 years ago. Needed speech, physical and occupational therapy for the first year, after that it was, and still is, my own-self therapy. I think I'm still recovering, because I notice gains quite often. Don't worry about the "new" normal, have it become the "current" normal. There is no calendar for when to expect this or that to happen, recovery is a life time process. As long as you believe in yourself, the injury will not be able to define you.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
4 Reactions@hevykevy You're an amazing man, you've been through a lot, I've a compassionate respect toward your difficult journey. My journey has been extremely similar. We'll get through fine. Thank you for sharing your story.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 ReactionHas anyone ever heard of normal pressure hydrocephalus
I had a Brain injury a year ago and suddenly the other day I couldn't walk very well although my walking hasn't been perfect for the whole year at the ER they told me I might need a shunt to drain a bit of fluid off the brain area
Very routine now I guess but I'm still nervous I haven't heard from the neurologist yet and who knows when I'll get an appointment to have it done if I need it done. But just wondered if anybody else has had this done.
I passed out and hit back of head on kitchen tile. When I opened my eyes everything was spinning so bad and fast. Jumped into bed slept till morning then went to ER For cat scan. Said it could be ears. Gave me dizzy pills no relief. 2 days later went to ER With MRI SAME. Went to Neurologist neither the ER or Neurologist looked at my head. Neurologist sent me for neuropathy test. His notes only one said post concussion symptoms. Went to pcp he felt head lumps. Very big and had water. So now I suffer from extreme headaches, dizzyness and unbalanced. I sleep alot. Do not know what to do now.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
3 Reactions@luckylizardlady My name is Mary Agnes, I live in Melbourne, FL and I was hit by car in 1969. I was 18 and stepped off a curb into the street. I had been married only 2 days. I had very loosely tied my tiny dog to a bush and went into Mr. Donut to get my hours for the week and turned to leave and watched my little dog get hit by a car. I ran to get to her and was hit by a 2nd car in the outside lane right next to the one that struck her. Missy died. The guilt is forever in my head but I had to compartmentalize or we would both be dead. In my life I have had several little dogs and taught them to love everyone and hopefully they have joyfully given comfort to many and made a few moments of someone's life happier. I went on to be a teacher. There is so much need and we get so much back when we volunteer for things that make us smile. I had to learn not to give my guilt the floor. Instead, I had to turn my self around. Over the years, I filled my time doing things that bring smiles to others every chance I get. It works. One of the most overlooked things about recovery is learning to love yourself again.
@randallshields56 thank you for your welcome and I pray as well and I will.pray for you and your family.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 Reaction@margaretallen You sound scared and it is only normal for you to feel so. Something that may help you is to write down the questions you have for the doctor so that you feel like you have a grasp on the diagnosis as it is determined. I am sorry you are going through this. Brain injury is complex and your Neurologist will know the options that will make you feel much better. I hope you have someone that will walk beside you during this time.
@barbeok70 Wow, you must be so frustrated. May I suggest that you go to your PCP and ask for some referrals based on the sequence of events and where you are now. The answers you have seem to have are incomplete and it is more safe to be sure. Let your PCP know you need help, ask for a referral back to a Neurologist and possibly citing the time you passed out and hit your head and the ensuing symptoms lumps on head with possible fluid, the headaches, dizziness and problems with balance. Ask the neurologist to refer you to a vestibular specialist for the balance issues. Additionally, you may need a referral to a cardiologist to rule out cardiology issues that may have contributed to passing out. Write up a simple bulleted list of the sequence of events and doctors seen, test done and where you are now. I think this go around, you will have answers, treatment, and confidence in your medical team. You are worth the effort. This is just a suggestion.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 Reaction@maryagneits not an emergency so that's good. I'm having an MRI to see things more clearly but not til Jan 27th. And a neurologist
T but that could be 3 months too. The fluid is likely minor and slow moving too.
@margaretallen and everything else checked out fine. Healthy heart and bloodwork