Concussion Recovery

[raytseng]

Looks pretty good. I suspect this type if thing is where we’re headed. It’s a ripe field for fraud however. Not that I think they are. A week there which includes two fMri’s, is $9k-$13k with likely no coverage.

Any info on whether fMri’s really show or represent what they claim?

As with a lot of elective medicine; often they'll know you will research, so will level set you to a high price, but inperson offer you a discount to close the deal, so true market price might be a third or even half of that, hard to say.
I think the fMRI probably a bit of a placebo/confidence boost so when you finish, you have some scientfic metric of improvement so you feel accomplished and stay motivated. It looks like they just have 6 broad metrics, there is no way the therapy is tailored to be so finegrained based on the exact fMRI results, and could have been determined with much much cheaper method.
It would be like you saying you want to work on your moguls, first they reserve and rope off a competition mogul course for you with staff to video, score, and do timing. Then after the course they do it again so you can see your improvement in metrics. The competition level metrics totally unneccessary to do the lessons.

Still placebos do work, if confidence and motivation are a part of sticking with recovery work after the class.

 

[James]

I think the fMRI probably a bit of a placebo/confidence boost so when you finish, you have some scientfic metric of improvement

Definitely. Agree, I would think the program could be done by interview and testing. The imaging also gives it legitimacy.
Their program still sounds good.

Much of what we know about the brain may be wrong: The problem with fMRI
Aug 30, 2016 / David Biello
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The problem researchers have uncovered is simple: the computer programs designed to sift through the images produced by fMRI scans have a tendency to suggest differences in brain activity where none exist. For instance, humans who are resting, not thinking about anything in particular, not doing anything interesting, can deliver spurious results of differences in brain activity. It’s even been shown to indicate brain activity in a dead salmon, whose stilled brain lit up an MRI as if it were somehow still dreaming of a spawning run
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Much of what we know about the brain may be wrong: The problem with fMRI

The past decade has brought us jaw-dropping insights about the hidden workings of our brains, in part thanks to a popular brain scan technique called fMRI. But a major new study has revealed that f…

ideas.ted.com

 

[Jerez]

My stroke occurred nearly three years ago (I think), the last concussion, four years. It seems like too much time has passed. Is that logic accurate?

You have raised some good points.

I have serious and persistent head aches. I eat three Tylenol per day. I try hard to limit it to that. I have been warned by doctors about relying on Tylenol, but it works. I cannot take aspirin. Three is just enough to manage the pain. I drink a cup of coffee with the Tylenol, and that helps too.

The balance aspect of this situation is a drag. I tip to the left. I have fallen down the stairs and needed knee surgery. I have also fallen catching myself. I have tipped over into other people... awkward. But skiing still works and helps me to stay focused and remain in the moment. I am thankful that skiing is still a part of my life. Some (or one) people have suggested that I dwell on the problem there by giving it more power.

Then there is memory and speech. Sometimes there is a complete blank on people I know quite well. Not family but the other day... my boss for whom I have total respect - my friend and supporter - the name just wasn't there. That was friggin frustrating. I often show what seems to be laziness by slashing a word and just saying the first syllable or changing to an unrelated word. These are day to day frustrating experiences.

I think it's a combination of stroke and concussion. So it's "onward through the fog."

Have you tried a specialist in vestibular therapy. It takes a while but can really work and help retrain your vestibular system to use different cues for dizziness. But it can't be just whoever in a general PT practice. Needs a really good therapist who only does this. Also there is a neurologist out in California who a friend swears is a miracle worker. I think he is called the dizzy doctor or some such. Name is Ian Purcell. My friend suffered with severe disequilibrium for years. Went to many docs and therapists and claims this is the only one who really helped. But yes there are therapies out there.

 

[Mike King]

@James, how is your recovery going?

 

[James]

@James, how is your recovery going?

Well I finally got to see a neurologist. I almost went into another ER to get around the Catch 22 of the referral game. Still waiting on rehab place for the prescribed therapy. Mri next week. No teaching.
Can’t really go into why two weeks went by without action. Frustrating.

Have you tried a specialist in vestibular therapy.

That’s what the therapy is supposed to be. No idea what it entails. Don’t know why it takes “days” for them to fig out the administrative approval, but that’s where I am. I don’t have dizziness, afaik, haven’t done 3-d movement on snow. Light naseau, headache, tiredness.

 

[coskigirl]

Well I finally got to see a neurologist. I almost went into another ER to get around the Catch 22 of the referral game. Still waiting on rehab place for the prescribed therapy. Mri next week. No teaching.
Can’t really go into why two weeks went by without action. Frustrating.

That’s what the therapy is supposed to be. No idea what it entails. Don’t know why it takes “days” for them to fig out the administrative approval, but that’s where I am. I don’t have dizziness, afaik, haven’t done 3-d movement on snow. Light naseau, headache, tiredness.

I went through vestibular therapy last summer for my concussion. Essentially, it retrains your brain/ear/visual connection which helps some of the symptoms you're experiencing. I found it helpful. Here's a link to my therapist's website which gives some info. http://www.balanceandneurologic.com/vestibular-therapy.html

 

[Jerez]

So sorry for the delay, but glad you are getting after it now. Vestibular therapy is a lot like Physical Therapy: tedious and boring and takes a while to see results. But if you have a good therapist, it really does work. Should help with the light nausea and even the brain fog. Your body/brain will prioritize keeping you upright over all else and so if your vestibular system is compromised, it will take energy away from thinking and other processes.

 

[Tony S]

Your body/brain will prioritize keeping you upright over all else and so if your vestibular system is compromised, it will take energy away from thinking and other processes.

Well that certainly explains a whole lot about skiers!

 

[no edge]

Getting a referral to see a specialist seems to be more of a challenge lately. The delay is often a few months before you will be seen. Yesterday I saw my Neurologist and he released me from future appointments. "Call if you feel one is needed."

The two open issues which are bugging me now are memory and headaches. My routine is to take Tylenol with coffee up to three times a day. He said - stop. He said that my routine was causing rebound headaches. It will take a few weeks for the pain to lessen, he was firm in his directive. I am going to try it.

 

[Jerez]

Good luck @no edge I know folks with chronic migraine who have gone down that spiral of medicine induced rebound headaches. Here's to the moratorium working for you.

 

[Mike King]

So sorry, @James, it sucks to be injured. I hope that recovery goes quickly and your therapy is helpful. Best wishes.

 

[coskigirl]

Today is 1 year since I was initially diagnosed with concussion (2 days after the hit) and it's been an interesting reflection. So much has happened in my life since then and I know that the concussion played a part in a significant portion of those events. Today I am happy that the cognitive and physical symptoms are mostly gone with the exception of the stupid spelling issues.

 

[Jerez]

@James clearly your brain is functioning given your contributions to the CV19 thread. But wondering how you are doing post concussion. Any residual effects? Dizziness?

 

[Tricia]

@James clearly your brain is functioning given your contributions to the CV19 thread. But wondering how you are doing post concussion. Any residual effects? Dizziness?

I would love for you to know James in person(if you don't already).
His thinking is gloriously unusual to begin with. I just hope the concussion didn't create a short circuit.

 

[James]

@James clearly your brain is functioning given your contributions to the CV19 thread. But wondering how you are doing post concussion. Any residual effects? Dizziness?

Well the constant recurring nausea seems to have finally gone away after 3 months- end of March/early April. Usually it came on when changing activities like driving car to walking. Or standing around to skiing etc. Or it could just be seemingly random.

The abrupt tiredness seems to have gone away. I never had dizziness despite what docs kept writing on forms. I had an eye tracking issue, one didn’t track well. I was doing exercises at PT, then went away for two weeks, came back did one, then Corona hit. I think it’s better, but don’t know.

At first I thought I’d go back in a week!
Hah. I finally got to see a neurologist almost a month later. Then he told me he’d see me in a month, no going back to teaching till at least then. I went back the last day of Feb, did two weekends then we closed. I did a half day first day, then all day the second. Both were tough, the all day mostly because it was too damn sunny. Made nausea worse, I think it ended just in time before having a big problem.
Thanks for asking.

 

[mdf]

@James glad you are recovering, hoping it becomes "recovered." I've really missed skiing with you.

 

[KingGrump]

@James glad you are recovering, hoping it becomes "recovered." I've really missed skiing with you.

Of course you do.
Even though you are the head of the MBI. He is actually the creative pot stirrer.

 

[Tricia]

Of course you do.
Even though you are the head of the MBI. He is actually the creative pot stirrer.

I have video to prove it.

 

[KingGrump]

I have video to prove it.

I don't need no stinkin' proof. I know it from my gut.