On December 12, 2009, I fell backwards (about 5 feet) off a piece of equipment at the gym, onto a concrete floor. I did not lose consciousness - although I wish I had - it was so horrible. I couldn't open my eyes, I couldn't focus at all, and instantly felt my left ear "block-up" I was bleeding from the nose.
Putting me on the stretcher was the most horrible thing. I felt like I was on the most violent carnival ride ever. I was screaming at the EMT's to stop spinning me.
I was violently ill at the Trauma Center. It was determined that I fractured my occipital bone. There was no bleeding or swelling, so "no further intervention was required" I remained hospitalized for 4 days, most of which I barely remember, I was coherent some times and other times was not. I could not stand up or walk without holding onto walls.
It was also determined that I had a hemotympanum (sp) and was given a 35 day tapering dose of prednisone. While in the hospital, I realized that I could not smell a thing, and could barely taste.
It is over 60 days later, and feel that I have barely improved at all. I still have extreme vertigo, but I seem to be getting used to it. I stopped taking the meclizine about a month ago. I do sometimes feel extremely nauseated, but just deal with it. I am still partially deaf in the left ear, and it has been determined that I have some type of sensoneural hearing loss. I have had three hearing tests, and the most recent one (last week) showed a little bit more hearing loss than the second one.
Of course, still no smell and taste. My ENT told me he has never seen such widespread symptoms from a head injury (???!??!?!) After all, I only fractured my occipital bone!!! WHAT!? He said if I wanted, he would do the vertigo testing to see if the vertigo was from the hearing loss. (DUH, of course I want that). But he wanted to wait until May (!?) I asked if I should see a Neurologist, and he told me I could, but that a Neurologist would tell me the same thing, it's all a matter of time, and there's nothing that can be done to help.
Today I called my PCP, and demanded that I be referred to a Neurologist. I have an appt in the beginning of March. I just want some answers. If at all possible, I want to know where the damage was done.
I am a 45 year old female. Does this mean there is no hope for recovery? Will I ever feel even kind of normal again?
Diane