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Neurology (Expert Forum)
TBI Problems
This forum is for questions and support regarding neurology issues such as: Alzheimer's Disease, ALS, Autism, Brain Cancer, Cerebral Palsy, Chronic Pain, Epilepsy, Fibromyalgia, Headaches, MS, Neuralgia, Neuropathy, Parkinson's Disease, RSD, Sleep Disorders, Stroke, Traumatic Brain Injury
TBI Problems
by 2112, Oct 30, 2006 12:00AM
I am a 32 y/o female w/ a current dx of TBI after a accident 2 years ago. I have been having some things happening the last 3 months or so, and wondered if they could be associated w/ brain injury. Since the accident I have had migraines, balance problems, and confusion and I was told it could be possible seizures. Anyway the last couple months, I have had problems walking ( I know where I want to go ,but have problems controling my movements), jerking and twitching of muscles, and more problems w/ confusion, and thinking. I have had a negative mri of the brain and a neg eeg a year and a half ago . Does a brain injury coninue to produce symtoms over the years, or could these problems be from something else. Thank you
Doctor's Answer
by CCF-Neuro-M.D.-SH, Nov 06, 2006 12:00AM
First of all, keep in mind that I am unable to diagnose you because I am unable to examine you, this forum is for educational purposes.
It is possible that the headaches, balance problems and confusion are all due to migraine headaches. These are common symptoms and migraines are usually at their worst in the 30's for females. I would suggest that you start a migraine preventative medicaton such as Elavil, Topamax, Nadolol, etc. daily to see if this improves your headaches. However given you complaints of jerking etc, I would suggest that you evaluate more for seizures. Trauma to the brain during a car accident, most frequently involves the anterior and middle frontal lobes, and anterior temporal lobes (as well as a diffuse axonal injury). The damage to the frontal lobes can give rise to strange atypical seizures that are hard to spot on the EEG, because they are deep in the brain. In addition, routine EEGs are only 20 minutes long and patients often do not have there jerking/confusion spells while getting the EEG recording (thus it would be missed). I would suggest a longer, sleep deprived recording that is albe to capture one of your spells (you may need to be admitted to an epilepsy monitoring unit for several days for this). A PET scan may also be helpful by showing an area of hypometabolism (where seizures may come from). In light your symptoms that may be due to siezure or migraine, Topamax, neurontin, lyrica, etc may be your best choices (they work for both) until you can have your prolonged EEG. I hope this has been helpful.
It is possible that the headaches, balance problems and confusion are all due to migraine headaches. These are common symptoms and migraines are usually at their worst in the 30's for females. I would suggest that you start a migraine preventative medicaton such as Elavil, Topamax, Nadolol, etc. daily to see if this improves your headaches. However given you complaints of jerking etc, I would suggest that you evaluate more for seizures. Trauma to the brain during a car accident, most frequently involves the anterior and middle frontal lobes, and anterior temporal lobes (as well as a diffuse axonal injury). The damage to the frontal lobes can give rise to strange atypical seizures that are hard to spot on the EEG, because they are deep in the brain. In addition, routine EEGs are only 20 minutes long and patients often do not have there jerking/confusion spells while getting the EEG recording (thus it would be missed). I would suggest a longer, sleep deprived recording that is albe to capture one of your spells (you may need to be admitted to an epilepsy monitoring unit for several days for this). A PET scan may also be helpful by showing an area of hypometabolism (where seizures may come from). In light your symptoms that may be due to siezure or migraine, Topamax, neurontin, lyrica, etc may be your best choices (they work for both) until you can have your prolonged EEG. I hope this has been helpful.
I have lost a part of my memory and also face other health issues due to my injury and it all comes over time. Alot of it is treatable as long as you stay strong and keep reminding yourself not to give up the battle. It is a long road but have faith and you will make it.