What (if anything) to do for head injury several months old?

[jpennw3]

I didn't know I was injured; I have no memory whatsoever. I blamed the situation I woke up from on existing narcolepsy though it has never presented anything like this; lacking memory, it was all I had. I woke on the carpet of my living room stuck, dried in my own fluids. I remember little. I had new bonding done on several front teeth that had all (6) sheered; I looked a bit like the abominable snow man. I remember trying to get to the bathroom several times, walking my clothes off in the hallway & bedrooms. I fouled my entire home. This, along with additional "pass-out periods, long ones, went on for several months evidently. It has been only in these last recent months I have had the wherewithal to throw the clothes away digging to the carpets to tear them out of the house. I have stopped throwing up, crying & regained bladder control. Bowel is not yet under control but I have considerably more notice. My hearing & sight are both impaired on the side of impact (right front, just above the hair-line, small peach size indentation) What has been interesting as I retain more & more bits of recent memory is that my vocabulary seems virtually untouched but functionally I am reduced to an idiot some days. Example: I couldn't get my kitchen/garage pass door open & had to kick it out. I can't get my VCR hooked up & I AM the one people call for that.
My best estimate after seeing some dated notes I made in big scribbly print almost identical to how I wrote after a serious concussion in 1980 puts the actual injury just over a year ago. Considering the progress made at this point, would there be any benefit in seeking help at this late point in the game?

[caregiver222]

You pose an interesting question. It is not without merit.

The main issue is whether or not (1) your condition has stabilized or (2) is getting worse and the causative agent can be identified and prevented from doing further damage.

Clearly there is some brain damage. Somewtimes, when the damage is due a single cause (traumatic brain injury secondary to a bullet, for example), the damage will stabilize and functioning will remain the same.

In other cases (a slow bleed or a growth such as a neuroma or an infection such as tb), there will be progressive deterioration unless there is medical intervention.

In the case of a concussion, there is often damage caused by swelling, which impinges on blood supply and causes death of brain cells. If a window of opportunity is lost, there may not be much to do.

Something to bear in mind is that the brain is redundant. If there is loss of handwriting control in a right-handed person, therapy may enable them to again write beautifully with the left hand.

Be alert for any sudden change in mental functioning or movement problems that are different or represent change.

I would suggest that:

(1) You get a proper neurological consult with both an MRA and an MRI.
(2) Rule out a condition that can be treated that would cause progressive deterioration.
(3) Consult with your neurologist as to whether or not rehabilitative therapy would improve cerebral function. It usually does.

[Ball123]

Why haven't you gone to a doctor earlier? These are rather serious symptoms. I think it would be good for you to go to the doctor now too, even after this time.

Take care!