Traumatic Brain Injury: Come introduce yourself

You might try a grounding sheet to help you sleep. You can get more information at http://www.thegrounding.co. I read about this and checked it out. They claim it can do all sorts of things: improve sleep and mood, reduce inflammation, etc. It cost about $100, so I thought I would give it a try. I've been using it about a week now. I can't confirm all they promise, but I do seem to be sleeping better. I also take a tumeric gummy before bedtime which also seems to help.

@gablou17 ...thank you for confirming that i'm not crazy

I had a fall 3 months ago with a brain bleed and concussion and now some permanent brain injury. I am doing fairly well, but have two issues I'm working on. I have dizziness off and on and haven't found PT or OT that seems to reduce that. They tried treating me with vertigo exercises but then when they concluded there was no vertigo there wasn't another solution. I cannot sleep more than 4 or 4-1/2 hours. I tried melatonin but that doesn't work. I am wondering what others have done to secure sounder sleep following TBI. No problem getting to sleep, but wake up after 4 hours and can't get back to sleep. Love to hear ideas about regaining sleep quality! I know healing occurs over 6 months and maybe I am premature in thinking I should have a solution.

You are so right. And you offer some great suggestions. There are brain injury organizations all over the country, but their message doesn't seem to be reaching a critical mass. I wonder if one or more of the sports leagues could be persuaded to adopt this issue and run public service commercials during their games. Given the popularity of football and the NFL's focus on this issue, just running a couple of ads every game (or even just one ad during the Super Bowl) could have a HUGE impact. Would the Mayo Clinic be interested in partnering with a sports league to spread the word?

Hi , I'm Rachael. Im 59. I've had three concussions in the last two years. The last one was significant.

I just spent an hour typing a letter into this field, and I lost it all. So frustrating!

Succinct summary: Sports persons have concussion protocols and knowledgeable people around them. I found that the emergency room and my primary care physician had no clue about what resources were available for the general person. In my research, i found out that I was supposed to be in physical therapy within three days after my fall.. my PCP had no availability for 2 weeks, and even then told me you just need to rest. My entire body became a pogo stick. 100% of my weight landed on the back right side of my head, and I was told to stay calm and things would go away on their own.

I propose that an education initiative should be started with PCP Doctors who deal with middle aged and old people. Perhaps a detailed brochure can be developed that gives if/then scenarios that patients could follow. After I experienced extreme dizziness four or four days, I should have immediately been sent to physical therapy, and referred to a concussion specialist for evaluation.

Perhaps public service amounts on television, pamphlets delivered to where people live and work, school programs, community center programs, might benefit everyone. A LOT of people fall down and hit their head.

I did not receive any helpful education or therapies for the first twelve weeks. My primary care had no idea what to do.

Normal people doing normal things should have access to this information. People in the sports industry know exactly what to do. Regular, middle aged, persons thatt happen to fall on the top of their head ought to have easy access to that as well.

Don't worry. I did lots of research and found things out for myself. It's been eight months since I hit my head, and I am getting all the therapeutic interventions that I need. I'm still working with therapists, and have come to understand what my capabilities are at this point. They may/ may not get better. Yes, head injuries take time to reveal their possible consequences. But they should not be ignored. Instead, they should be educated and referred to an appropriate care team.

End of rant. Thank you for reading.

I will introduce myself at a later time.

@westwoman3698

Very much so! I am hitting 80 and have a variety of ailments, none life threatening. I have found these pages immensely helpful for many reasons. And different things come up which may be of interest to a friend, so I pass Mayo on to them. Keep on keeping on!
Dolly

Absolutely! Welcome to the group!

Does having 6 concussions (in-hospital diagnosed) from MS falls (not trip and falls) , some w/brain bleeds qualify as TBI? Feels like it. Am 78 yrs old, 2 strokes in last two years, MS, sarcoidosis in eye and lungs, cognitive impairment, PTSD. I’m a mess (oh, and five spinal surgeries in 1970s through 1992) and major depression since early childhood. Occasionally can summon a sense of humor, have no family and living independently for almost 45 years. Would I benefit or contribute to the group? Thanks.

Nancy here aka ponygirl because back in 70s, worked at Belmont Race track and would have liked to become a female outrider, then known as ponygirls. Well many years later, since tumbles off OTTB hunter Jumpers on LI NY since age six, to ….Northern Maine, bunch of kids, giving pony rides, some lessons, shows, training horses, and becoming an Equine Assisted Learning facilitator and a six week round of radiation to my sinus (post surgeries for ‘06 cancer)…… anyway, started TBI flooding symptoms in 2012. I’m so thankful EALP Is as good for facilitators as clients but continuing head injuries and late effects of radiation have altered my life a lot. Yes, horses are a hazardous sport, even just riding trails bareback in snowy woods. 🥰. I have a lot of home/self care experience and some clinical. Presently mostly retired, caring for me, two horses and a cat is all I can handle. Besides my six kids, finding ways to enhance people’s lives through my passion for horses has been most meaningful. AND I PRAY A LOT, CHRISTIAN ALL THE WAY!!!!

Thank You.