Brain injury as a child.

[Fireblade999]

Hi all,

I had a fractured skull at the age of 5 in a road traffic accident but only found out in recent years (now 51!) that it may be related to the problems I am suffering now.

I am in receipt of PIP and have a blue badge and am very grateful but looking for further support/advice.

The endocrinologist has diagnosed me with hypogonadism possibility being related to the injury.

I am also diagnosed with fibromyalgia, some say this could also be related, although disputable.

Am I in the right place? Should I consider myself a person with a brain injury or acquired brain injury?

I'd be grateful for any suggestions and or advice. Thanks in advance.

Bill

[cat3]

Welcome Bill. Can you tell us more about the symptoms you have ? It might be tricky discriminating between those caused by the Fibromyalgia and those which are a result of the childhood brain injury. Brain 'fog' for instance, can be a symptom of either condition.

It's often documented that Fibromyalgia could be triggered by trauma, as I'm sure you know. Have you sought a professional medical diagnosis ? Cat x

[Fireblade999 in reply to cat3]

Hi Cat and thanks for the reply.

I have what I understand are the common symptoms of Fibromyalgia, I.e. joint pain, fibro fog, fatigue, cold extremities, fingers toes, poor sleep etc. Pain more often when joints compressed than extended. General feet and heel pain and throbbing calfs at night, perhaps symptomatic of medication to some extent.

The onset of this condition was when in a high stressed job and although I was fit and well suddenly fell ill with fatigue and joint pain. Later diagnosed by Harrogate dist hospital as Fibromyalgia

I've always struggled with short term memory which is stopping me working. I can't remember directions or planned routes and as a professional driver/chauffeur finding it harder to excuse mistakes!

My hypogonadism was detetected later in life, researching fibromyalgia symptoms my doctors found levels that require top ups of Nebido injection 8wkly and the endocrinologist suggeststhis maybe connected to the Head injury at age 5.

Thanks again for for the reply and I look forward to hearing from you.

Bill

[HAWK77]

i had a brain injury from birth i am 50 years old now after a recent ct scan and other doctors medical evidence i was issued with a brain injury i.d card my advice get a ct scan on your brain for proof

[Fireblade999 in reply to HAWK77]

Hi Hawk and thanks, I've had a scan and the doctor said he sees evidence of some unidentifiable grey matter by the pituitary and when asked he thinks this maybe related and could be scar tissue or something similar.

I'm interested in the brain injury I.D. card, I've heard of these recently and wondering if i can obtaim one and what benefit they have?

Thanks again 👍

[cat3]

I agree with Hawk that a scan could reveal, once and for all, whether you have an old brain injury. An MRI scan shows fine details which might be missed on a CAT scan.

I'm presently being treated for osteoarthritis but my GP suspects Fibromyalgia, so trying to unravel the raft of symptoms (including those from the brain bleed) might be pretty hit & miss.

i hope the Nebido helps to regulate your endocrine issues ; I'm unable to have hormone therapy owing to historic breast cancer, so my endocrinologist had to discharge me without treatment.

I hope you can get a referral for an MRI Bill ; it might, at least, throw a more definitive light on your symptoms.

I really do sympathise with the pain levels, especially in the feet. Take care............ Cat x

[Fireblade999 in reply to cat3]

Hi Cat,

See above reply to Hawk re: scarring and scan.

Regarding your osteoarthritis/fibro diagnosis, i understand the conditions can be similar but the osteoarthritis is easily ruled out. I had tests for this and once ruled out a diagnosis of fibromyalgia was concluded. No doubt this is hampered by your bleed. Guessing either diagnosis is a bad thing.

I was on high levels of morphine, both MST and oramorph (long term) to help with pain but the side effects have left their mark. I've weened myself off the opiates now and trying to cope with the pain with other coping strategies. I've just completed a pain management course which has helped, we'll see how that goes, winter months are not good in my experience.

I see an acupuncturist every week that helps to some degree.

Thanks again for your message x

[cat3 in reply to Fireblade999]

Thanks for your help Bill. You might want to contact the Headway helpline for a Headway card...............

The number is 0808 800 2244 - free call/office hours.

Best wishes. x

[Fireblade999]

Thanks for that info Cat, what does the card do? I kind of assume it is just an identity/info card?

The reason I ask is that I have a card from a fibromyalgia support group in my wallet which I show (seldom I must add) to people when trying to explain my situation/condition.

A card that officially explain my poor memory and related issues related to the brain injury would be very useful. I findit very difficult to explain things and this would help. Are there any other benefits to having one?

Thanks

Bill