ASK DR. H: Symptoms linked to brain injury
Q: I’ve had a hard time with daily headaches, concentration, moodiness and insomnia since having a car accident six weeks ago where I hit my head on the steering wheel and blacked out for a few seconds. The MRI of my head was normal, but I still don’t feel right. How long will I feel this way? – P.F., Atlanta
A: You have the classic symptoms of “post-concussion syndrome,” also known as “mild traumatic brain injury.” When the head is suddenly accelerated and/or decelerated during an accident, there are shearing forces on the brain’s nerve fibers connecting one part of the brain to another. Also, the blow from the steering wheel injury caused further nerve fiber injury.
The good news is that your brain will likely heal itself, and you should return to normal over the next few months. A neurologist or a neuropsychologist can help you with the various symptoms you’re still having as a result of your head injury.
Dr. Mitchell Hecht is a physician specializing in internal medicine. Send questions to him at: “Ask Dr. H,” P.O. Box 767787, Roswell, GA 30076. Because of the large volume of mail received, personal replies are not possible.
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One comment Add your comment
Robert A.McKernan
January 6th, 2010
8:36 am
I had an MTBI as the result of an automobile accident, in 1995, When I was broughte to the hospital via ambulance, I did not know if I had been unconscious or not. My cheif complaint was numbness in my hands and feet mostly on one side (right). I was sent home with a soft collar and some pain medication. In a few weeks I started having word finding difficulties, and developed a stutter. One day while at the grocery store check out, I could not remember what denominations of currency to use to pay the cashier. Thankfully, I knew her and she took what she needed. I went for treatment with a neurophycologist, and after a while things started to adjust. I have had tinisis ever since, and severe erectile dysfunction that Cialis and Viagra do not help. The insurance company completely dismissed my claim as “vodoo-ism” and that my doctor was nothing short of a “gun slinger”,.to the point where even my attorney started to think I was “gold bricking”.
Even today, some fifteen years later, when I get over tired, I
have profound speech problems, and some cognative ticks. I hope this is not a sign of something worse in the future. I can remember in exacting detail things that I did forty to fifty years ago, but many times have difficulty remembering things of a year ago. but will eventually recall when prompted. Thank you for allowing me to tell my mtbi experience with you.
Bob McKernan
Cape Cod Massachusetts