Will I ever recover from my head injury?

[MoonFace35]

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

[meccamaggie]

Oh Diane I hope you check this.
   I haven't been on here for awhile.  I have a very similar story to yours, I lost total smell/taste after a contra coo concussion to back of head during an ice skating afternoon.  It's been almost 2 months, and other than my head hurting less, no smell no taste.  We have jammed our brains to the front of our skulls and it either severed or damaged severly the olfactory nerves and other nerves in our brains.  I also have continuous loud ringing in both ears.  (I can still hear fine, I'm so sorry you lost that).  You are experiencing a shut in feeling, you've lost half of your bodies means to engage in the outside world.  It's horrible, and yet I've read stories that make me say we should be grateful for what we can do.  At least we're still cognitive.   You are smart, and are right to get ticked at your docs.  My neurologist broke smelling salts under my nose and then just shook his head, like get used to it.  The doctors can't fix us, but I believe the body can heal itself it we give it ample time and rest, good food etc.  If the nerves are severed, I've been told our senses will never come back, but there is no reason to give up hope.  Look up Trace80 on here, she and I have become friends, her story is very similar to yours, and she has the dizziness (which I don't).  I will try to connect to this site more.  Or try me on Face Book, Maggie Stern , I have a butterfly mast in face paint on.  Good luck, I feel you pain, Maggie

[EricaR]

I have also had trouble with doctors taking my symptoms seriously. My occipital was fractured on both sides and temples crushed, jaws broken and my right ear bones shoved thru my carotid. I've had 12 surgeries in 3 years, still have deafness, vision problems, difficulty eating, facial paralysis, and on and on. While my Doctors are busy patting themselves on the back for making me 'appear' normal to anyone passing me on the street, I can't seem to get anyone to help me find solutions to the problems that make my life miserable. I'm a nurse and I can't find a way to get these Doctors to listen to me but I keep on trying beause no one is going to do it for me. It's my head and my pain and I'll keep searching for help as long as I need to. I am my own best advocate. I had a nerve transplant from my tongue to my temple that the Drs at the U wouldn't even consider untill I saw a plastic surgeon and he recommended it. So I'd say keep pushing, they're not there to be friends, just get the patients in and out. There is hope for recovery, I've been told brain injury recovery is measured in weeks and months, not hours and days. best wishes! Erica  PS As far as getting in for testing appointments, make sure you're on the call list for when someone else cancels.