Extreme PTSD - Wife Has Unusual Symptoms From Head Injury

[Nam]

I second the notion to recheck the brain scan. And maybe get another.

 

[Boo-Damphir]

Typically the second MRI is done around 6 months post and every 6-12 months from then on. The doctors will look for signs of continued bleeding or swelling. A neuro psych eval. done after 6 months post-injury can be an invaluable tool for identifying cognitive problems. Then a qualified specialist can help you with rehab.
Good luck; waiting can be one of the hardest parts.

 

[anthony]

Steve, yes, really... a brain scan is the only definitive way in which PTSD can be 100% conclusively diagnosed. Sure, most psychiatrists, psycologists, therapists, etc can spot it a mile away if in full flight, being bad. The brain scan though is the only conclusive evidence that could ever be used in order to actually 100% say yes.

I think most has already been covered from others... and I think the neurologists needs to have a few more looks around, because whilst what you describe with the symptoms is PTSD, the other aspects as outlined already stands out that something is wrong within the brain still, or the knock has had more permanent effects than what they are telling / finding! Sure, time might be the only thing that can help you wife in regard to the other non-PTSD aspects, but atleast having a neurologist tell you that would be nice.

 

[htmldriver]

Hey StevePaul

I've had three brain surgeries ('87, '89, '91). After the last one ('91), I went from Right to Left handed. Recooperation lasts a lifetime. The brain plays those tricks and they are neurological. Now I use a combination of the 2 attempting to teach my brain to rebuild. It is now 2006 and I'm 26 years of age.

Loss of memory of the acident: This can happen with PTSD. But for me, flashbacks always keep the memory up to date.

Anxiety disorder: Yes, PTSD is an anxiety disorder. Once I screamed 30 times in one night from terrible dreams and fear.

Loud noise/ collapse: Yes! I've found that this is called hyper-vigilence or hyper-awareness. It is downright cruel for others to take advantage of this, passing it off as a joke, just for their amusement.

Anxiety attacks: I've had these after getting off the phone with my parents, after a ride with my Dad and during suicidal rage.

 

[carpediem2006]

Hi Steve

Around 40% of mTBI (mild traumatic brain injury) goes undiagnosed, and is sometimes later to diagnose, as a misdiagnosis might lead to legal issues of malpractice, or it simply cannot be seen and there is an overlap in symptoms of PTS and depression, so once depression is diagnosed it becomes the focus, wheras it may be a reaction to the symptoms. I hated not being able to do anything, not knowing who people were, where I was last week etc...it's not an easy thing to understand. It's embarassing to be scared of noise or simply find it too loud to bear.

Regardless an mTBI generally heals but can take over a year to do so...there is a section in wikipedia.

I am convinced that I suffered concurrent mTBI with PTSD and that the mTBI brought that out to a higher level as I didn't understand what was happening to me after being told the CT was 'fine'

The movement and noise issues were the same, as the amnesia. Crowds can be difficult to move around, down escalators hard to negotiate. My memory is loads better, things generally are loads better. The thing is to get understanding of both and get the hope to understand that it takes time. There is help out there but it is limited, being told to keep lists and diaries worked to a point but the third time I went to buy a diary because it seemed like a good idea, only to find the others I felt it was a bit too simplistic an approach for a cure all remedy. Be strong and patient as irritability is common too, probably an understatement and not something we are proud of..that applies to PTSD and mTBI.

I wrote a few posts on it, and will try to put something together more substantial in the new year, but Google it or check Wikipedia (mTBI)

This charity is also available to give good advice about mild brain trauma: [DLMURL]http://www.headway.org.uk/[/DLMURL]

All the best to you both

 

[anthony]

Welcome aboard htmldriver.... glad you found us and decided to say hi.

 

[Terry]

I forgot about this (nothing new). There is a national brain injury site (US) that gives loads of info and most states have chapters in large cities. Sorry I don't remember the name and didn't save a link. Hope it helps

 

[erryyn]

I have had symptoms of PTSD for over twenty years and had one head injury prior to that. However, five years ago, I suffered a head injury that really messed me up. Some dingle-berry did something stupid which led to me falling straight back, splitting my head open on the corner of a stainless steel prep table. I went to the ER, had the scans, got my staples, and was pronounced pretty okay if more than a bit rattled (some swelling of the brain). Here’s the thing. I’ve worked in restaurant for fourteen years or so. For the longest time, after my injury, I couldn’t figure out what to do at work; everything confused me. Simple tasks left me helpless and I was extraordinarily frustrated knowing that I had trained the staff, they seemed to know what to do, but I couldn’t figure out how it all fit together. Once I managed to lock my car keys in the house and my house keys in the car. To this day, I can’t explain how that happened.

For the most part, I have fully recovered though, on occasion, I still can’t do simple math. As I’ve always been good at math, the 1% of the time it doesn’t make sense, frustrates me beyond belief – someone who has always loved advanced math and physics. But it’s been over five years and I still have problems from the head injury. I’ve found a lot of ways around it though, sometimes, I’ll still have to have someone do simple addition for me (1% of the time). Still, on occasion, someone will tell me a story I should remember, but I don’t, and other times simple tasks seem impossible. I get by very well most of the time.

I agree with some of the others. Some of her symptoms sound like PTSD, but a lot of them sound like trauma that was either misdiagnosed or never addressed. I know I was sent out with a clean bill of health when I couldn’t perform basic functions.

I kind of hate to mention this as I find very few doctors I would trust to make a diagnosis … but is there any chance the head injury could have ‘freed’ her in some way that has led to the display of some symptoms of PTSD? Is there anything in her past that maybe is still raw and unfaced? Eh. I’m not a fan of this theory. But I would seek a doctor’s advice and see if she’ll get checked again. To this day, I still have repercussions and, compared to what your wife is facing, if it is all due to head trauma, there’s no comparison. It’s like your combining two different issues. That’s why I throw my hat in the ring with those that say ‘second opinion’.

 

[Nam]

welcome erryyn. :)

 

[anthony]

Welcome to the forum erryyn...