Complex issues following traumatic brain injury (assualt)

[867]

In January this year I suffered a server Traumatic Brain Injury.

On arrival at ED I was GCS 3 and immediate emergency brain surgery was performed (3 crainiotomies). I was in a coma for a few weeks and at first i could not walk or talk. I have recovered a great deal since then. Unfortunately I now suffer extreme epilepsy and interictal psychosis. Sometimes I am of the firm belief that I am actually dead, or possibly in a continued vegitative state. This sense of unreality leds to tremendous and persistent panic, frustration and depression. Often I dont remember days on end, which ads to the sense of unreality. Sometimes I forget my name, i cannot recall who I am. Perhaps I am some form of haunted ghost. I generally don't leave the house for fear of the outside world. I really dislike the constant panic, i want to seek help but this area of neurological trauma is so very unresearched, i do not know where to seek appropriate help, bar being shipped off to emergency during periods of horrible seizures and interictal psychosis that inevitably follows. Perhaps i have an unconsciousness need to return to the place i almost died/was saved, it calms me, perhaps i never left there and remain in a coma

[geoff]

Hello 867, please let me offer you a warm welcome.

I feel so sorry for what's happened to you because I was assaulted at work, developed a blood clot on the temporal lobe in my brain and then had to cope with epilepsy, and unfortunately all of this happened 35 years ago.

I don't know what my GCS was but for you to have an operation and to be in a coma, leaves me speechless, you don't know how much it makes me feel.

I certainly don't want to overshadow your post in any way and just want to explain what happened to me to try and give you some hope and only wish we could talk together, but this is impossible.

I too was in a coma but don't know how long, however, it was nowhere as long as what you had to go through, and my seizures were 'grand mal' where I've fallen through glass tables and broken many windows.

Afterwards, I didn't know who was prime minister, date of birth or where I was, it made me so tired and confused.

Sorry, but I understand exactly what you are saying and I hope other people can contribute to your thread.

Medication has now controlled my seizures but I know that sometimes seizures may still happen and hope you can let me know because it really concerns me.

You could send an email to 'admin@braininjuryaustralia.org.au' or call them on this free call

1800 BRAIN1 (1800 272 461) or + 61 2 9808 9390, there is also a form you can fill out if you google

brain injury AUSTRALIA or

Brain Foundation Traumatic Brain Injury
Phone
1300 886 660

I was seeing a neurologist at The Alfred Hospital Melbourne and also a psychologist who I saw for 20 years and blood tests to make sure medication what it should be.

You don't know how much I feel for you and hope we can still talk to each other.

Please other people join in.

Geoff.

[geoff]

Hello 867, I have replied to you it's waiting for moderation.

I've had brain damage so it will appear it's just that you need to know that someone has replied.

Geoff.

[867]

Thanks Geoff.

I think adapting to this new medication is causing me some anxiety, and perhaps I only just realised the seriousness of what occurred. Previously I tried to dismiss it, but that seems to be getting harder.

I've been in touch with brainlink but they would appear to be massively underfunded. I have emailed and left several phone messages but have yet too hear a response.

I guess I'm becoming more destrestressed by all the absent memories. I recall nothing of two days last week, I'm rather concerned these absences will increase should seizure activity not be controlled.

If the seizures cluster too much or fail to cease they inject me with some benzodiazepines I believe.

Guess itll take time to adapt tona new reality

[geoff]

Hello 867, after my last seizure which put me into the hospital my doctor massively increased the medication that was difficult to accept as it made me 'walk as if I was drunk', lose balance and confused my words when talking until my body had time to readjust, they have stopped all seizures (thank goodness) but make me tired.

Names of medications aren't normally allowed but this maybe an exception as I take the second one you have mentioned, plus I take another anti-convulsant .

It wouldn't hurt to ask your doctor about getting some benzodiazepines, I was given them until I settled down from the shock of what happened, please remember what has happened to you is devastating so you definitely need all the help you can get.

Google this 'brain injury organisations' and it will list places for you to contact, depends on which State you are in?

Try this site 'acquired brain injury support needs'

(03) 9564 1000 The Tipping Foundation

Acquired Brain Injury (ABI) Rehabilitation Unit, Epworth Hospital Tel. 1300 46 REHAB (73422)

and 'Synapse Reconnecting lives' and there is a form to fill out your name when you click on 'contact us'.

The hospital you were in must have a section for you to contact, and can I ask you a question, are you able to drive at the moment or can someone take you where you want to go.

Having a brain injury causes severe cognitive problems that have to be taught to us once again.

Again I'm so sorry you have had to sustain this TBI.

My thoughts are with you and please get back to me.

Geoff.

[geoff]

Hello 867, as you know medications aren't to be mentioned, that aside it still doesn't mean we can't talk about this horrific injury you have had.

I know exactly what you are saying and maybe if I can put it this way, if you haven't had depression then someone who hasn't had it finds it so hard to know what we are talking about, and likewise, if someone who hasn't had a brain injury then it's so difficult for them to try and understand the flaws we have to try and cope with 24/7.

If we have had it ourselves then we understand each other so please keep in touch with me.

Geoff.