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I have a brain injury [video]

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Re: I have a brain injury [video]

#41

Post by adsteel_ »

donatj wrote: post #24
gentleman11 wrote: post #3

Brain injuries are nightmares. I hope he feels better in the future. Neuroplasticity is at least a reason for optimism

About ten years ago I had the right side of my face go limp. I was under the most stress of my life, in a management position I was not built for. After a CT scan, ER told me it wasn’t a stroke rather stress induced trigeminal neuralgia. I’m not convinced that’s what it was. They gave me some anti-inflammatories for my nerves and sent me on my way, and everything seem to get better. I quit that job within about a wee…

This sounds like Bells Palsy, not neuralgia. I had it and have seen one other person have it. The cause is unknown but it clears up on its own over months. That side of my face is still a touch droopy but it gives me character.

Re: I have a brain injury [video]

#42

Post by pcthrowaway »

adsteel_ wrote: post #41
donatj wrote: post #24

Earlier quoted context omitted.

About ten years ago I had the right side of my face go limp. I was under the most stress of my life, in a management position I was not built for. After a CT scan, ER told me it wasn’t a stroke rather stress induced trigeminal neuralgia. I’m not convinced that’s what it was. They gave me some anti-inflammatories for my nerves and sent me on my way, and everything seem to get better. I quit that job within about a wee…

This sounds like Bells Palsy, not neuralgia. I had it and have seen one other person have it. The cause is unknown but it clears up on its own over months. That side of my face is still a touch droopy but it gives me character.

I had Bells Palsy also, brought on by Lyme disease. It's kind of a divisive topic, but may be worth looking into if you or GP have had other symptoms which are common with Lyme disease

Re: I have a brain injury [video]

#43

Post by forgatmigej »

verytrivial wrote: post #12

I concussed myself (because yes, I was at fault) trying to swing on some monkey bars during an evening involving some rather excellent (hard) cider in Bristol. I felt ... "wrong"? ... for maybe two or three months afterwards. Just never at ease. Forgetful. A bit confused and detached. I didn't even realize the fall was the cause until long after the hangover went away, but the hangover .. sort of didn't go away. Unti…

Sorry to hear that. I've had a few concussions, too, and there is definitely a psychological component. I found myself thinking "Is how I reacted to stimuli X because of the concussions, or due to a flaw in my character?"

One day I realized that I am who I am; no A/B test can be done for my life with and without concussions. Causal inference can't be done by comparing experiences pre and post concussion. At most, it helps guide me as learn to deal with situations better - but not much more.

Still get tired, but fasting helps me stay productive.

Re: I have a brain injury [video]

#44

Post by turtle_ »

turkeygizzard wrote: post #5

I'm not sure if the submitter is Scotty from the video, but I'm sorry to hear this. I hit my head on a rock surfing almost 4 months ago and have been dealing with similar issues. I don't have any tips or tricks to share about relieving symptoms, but just wanted to share in case it's helpful in any way to know there are others, because just watching this video was helpful for me. Feel free to message me if you want to…

Jan of 2021 I fell on a small wave ~2ft. I hit the water with the side of my face in a strange way that felt like a moderate slap but didn't think much of it. I kept surfing and caught plenty more waves. A couple days later I noticed I was very tired and couldn't focus. Finally I figured out I had a concussion, took a few days off work and got better within a week.

In Oct I fell again, in the same strange way, but this time from a much higher height. I didn't blackout but I immediately knew it was not good. My symptoms have still not fully resolved 2 months later. The skin on the left side of my head is at times extra sensitive and at times borderline numb. I frequently have trouble focusing and have ended up taking 50% sick time to recover. The good news is that overall the symptoms are getting better.

I've surfed for over 20 years and fallen on significantly larger, more critical waves with no injury. Losing the ability to focus and think clearly is terrible, I wouldn't wish it on anyone. I also believe that because it's not a visible injury (ie I'm not walking around with crutches) it's harder for others to empathize with. Thankfully I feel supported by my employer, but I now believe that head injury severity likely goes undiagnosed and certainly under-appreciated in our society. The falls I took were very minor, if it can happen from that, my guess is it's more frequent that we realize.

Re: I have a brain injury [video]

#45

Post by emmelaich »

johnisgood wrote: post #32
ttul wrote: post #17

I had a brain injury a few years ago and I literally am not the same person. Be careful with your head, folks. It’s really easy to permanently change your existence.

I have lesions in my brain. It is probably toxic leukoencephalopathy, but no one knows. Some neurologists say it is MS, but we do not know anything for sure. People probably does not or would not believe me, but opiates are the only thing that help with a lot of my symptoms. I do not get messed up on them like others. I get no euphoria. It works for me just like alprazolam (Xanax) does. The problem with benzodiazepin…

What tests have you done for MS? MRI + lumber puncture should confirm it.

Also, Tysabri is effective. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Natalizumab

Re: I have a brain injury [video]

#46

Post by kingcharles »

verytrivial wrote: post #12

I concussed myself (because yes, I was at fault) trying to swing on some monkey bars during an evening involving some rather excellent (hard) cider in Bristol. I felt ... "wrong"? ... for maybe two or three months afterwards. Just never at ease. Forgetful. A bit confused and detached. I didn't even realize the fall was the cause until long after the hangover went away, but the hangover .. sort of didn't go away. Unti…

I have seen lots of (hard) cider accidents in Bristol. An unavoidable consequence of living in the West Country, my lover.

Re: I have a brain injury [video]

#47

Post by johnisgood »

emmelaich wrote: post #45
johnisgood wrote: post #32

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I have lesions in my brain. It is probably toxic leukoencephalopathy, but no one knows. Some neurologists say it is MS, but we do not know anything for sure. People probably does not or would not believe me, but opiates are the only thing that help with a lot of my symptoms. I do not get messed up on them like others. I get no euphoria. It works for me just like alprazolam (Xanax) does. The problem with benzodiazepin…

What tests have you done for MS? MRI + lumber puncture should confirm it. Also, Tysabri is effective. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Natalizumab

Lumbar puncture is postponed due to COVID-19. I was finally going to have it, but they had to lock down the neurology department. That said, I had head MRI twice, 4 years apart. The last one showed no difference to the previous one. I had one just a couple of days ago along with a spinal cord one, I will know more in just about a week. If there are no changes, then it is most likely not MS, I would say. They did this one according to MS MRI protocol; we will see.

Re: I have a brain injury [video]

#48

Post by donatj »

adsteel_ wrote: post #41
donatj wrote: post #24

Earlier quoted context omitted.

About ten years ago I had the right side of my face go limp. I was under the most stress of my life, in a management position I was not built for. After a CT scan, ER told me it wasn’t a stroke rather stress induced trigeminal neuralgia. I’m not convinced that’s what it was. They gave me some anti-inflammatories for my nerves and sent me on my way, and everything seem to get better. I quit that job within about a wee…

This sounds like Bells Palsy, not neuralgia. I had it and have seen one other person have it. The cause is unknown but it clears up on its own over months. That side of my face is still a touch droopy but it gives me character.

Was there facial pain as well?

I had what I described as buzzing lightning bolts across the right size of my face at the time.

Re: I have a brain injury [video]

#49

Post by adsteel_ »

donatj wrote: post #48
adsteel_ wrote: post #41

Earlier quoted context omitted.

This sounds like Bells Palsy, not neuralgia. I had it and have seen one other person have it. The cause is unknown but it clears up on its own over months. That side of my face is still a touch droopy but it gives me character.

Was there facial pain as well? I had what I described as buzzing lightning bolts across the right size of my face at the time.

I had some pain behind that ear beforehand, but it was numb. No pain or lightning for me. I think Bell's Palsy often comes with some kind of pain, but I'm not sure about your kind.

Re: I have a brain injury [video]

#50

Post by neogodless »

My brief concussion story, as a software developer.

Stood up after looking through some stuff in a box on the floor, and hit the corner of a heavy mounted wooden shelf. Didn't knock me out; just hurt a lot. But a couple days later, I almost fell over, and I realized using the computer screen made me really dizzy and extra tired. My description of the symptoms to the doctor led him to assert that it did seem to be a mild concussion / traumatic brain injury (TBI).

To keep it brief... I had to take a good 9 days off work and completely away from screens. But by "luck" I was laid off barely a week later (and no it was not in any way tied to my concussion or reduced performance), and only went back 6 months later (small business, pandemic, yadda yadda). When I did, it took months before a day of work didn't leave me extremely fatigued. I discovered over time that I need computer screens to be higher refresh rate - 144Hz works well. And everything should use DC dimming. PWM dimming does not work for me. My phone is 90Hz, but I don't use it nearly as much and I hope to someday get a decent, affordable 144Hz one with DC dimming.

I think now about 16 months later, I still get can dizzy and fatigued from prolonged screen use.

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