Woman’s Hour on Concussion

[Tissue1]

There’s a really good discussion this morning on Woman’s Hour. 7th Jan 2020 I hope you can hear it on playback

TBI and Concussion, particularly as to how it affects the bargains of women.

I had TBI in 2007 and I’m still affected......

Happy and Healthy New Year Everyone!!,

[cat3]

Just listened Tissue. Interesting details about the difference in fibres between men and women, and also the low progesterone. I've learned something more today ! x

[Tissue1 in reply to cat3]

Oh I’m so pleased it was interesting for you. It reassured me and confirmed that I’m not daft! LOL.... I’m 80 now and some of my friends are complaining about their memories and cognitive problems as they become older.

I have to laugh to myself because all this happened to me in 2007 and I suppose I’ve got used to it. Hey Ho...on we go!

[cat3 in reply to Tissue1]

It's what we do best isn't it ? ………...accept and adapt. Mine was 2011 so I've 4 years to go before catching up to your level of expertise !

Take care m'dear…. x

[Tissue1 in reply to cat3]

Will do. And you.....

[Freckle1000]

Hello Tissue,

Thankyou so much for posting this. In 2003 it was thought I was concussed from a car accident - but last year I found out it's actually a mild brain injury and right now I'm playing catch up - realising why things have been so different and difficult since then.

I was struck by the comment that its harder to get help for a milder brain injury...…..obviously this is what I've found from the start - but its continuing to be a problem now its been officially diagnosed. (from Australia, so very much hoping things are different there.)

Also the fact that female brains and the hormones that effect it could have an effect on the poor noggin - and how this area is under - researched sounds all too familiar. Its the same with illnesses - the models for research and symptom criteria in the past have been based on the male research subjects.

I also have SLE Lupus which is an autoimmune illness that effects mostly females - and where progesterone has an anti - inflammatory effect (so I wonder whether this is why the lack of it at brain trauma might make things more difficult) suppression at injury ?

Apologies, but I come here a little pre-radicalised regarding gender discrepancies and medical research … probably due to the fact that I've had way too much to do with Doctors over a lifetime more than anything else.

Having thought a bit about gender and medical stuff already - it amazes me that it never occurred to me that female brain and the way it responds to injuries could be different.

I hope it never becomes politically incorrect to talk about and research this subject. I did momentarily want to throttle the Doctor when he said our neurons might be 'finer' but perhaps they are.

: )

x

[Tissue1 in reply to Freckle1000]

You’re really having a tough time and I’m so sad for you. It’s been a struggle for me to get the right help but once I got in touch with Headway I felt understood.

Having Lupus must make it so much worse.....

I was at my Headway group last night Several folk had found the broadcast helpful. Do you belong to a Headway Group?

All the very best to you.

[Freckle1000 in reply to Tissue1]

Thankyou for you're caring response Tissue.

Things are settling a bit at my end and I think the worst of the kerfuffle - finding out the finer details and working things are out are mostly in the past - so you're sugestion of getting in touch with headway ( which I wasn't aware of ) is wonderful timing.

Thankyou so much for you're post and sharing this information.

All the best to you too.

X

[Tissue1 in reply to Freckle1000]

On yesterday’s Woman’s Hour, (Tuesday 14th) there is a follow up talk on concussion with reference to Headway. It’s about halfway through the radio 4 programme.

It’s what happened to me... being dismissed by a male Neurologist as being over anxious! I rang Headway and received wonderful help in in getting the right treatment for Mild Brain Injury. I hate that name because it doesn’t seem ‘Mild’ to me!

However, this was 12 years ago so hopefully things are better now?

So...HeyHo, on we go.....

[Hidden]

I thought that was a very interesting discussion on womans hour and then it was also followed by another program called The Diagnosis which talked about different types of seizures, sleep and the impact of all of them on the brain too. I would like to get in touch with the person who was on womans hour and also speak with the researcher from both of them to see if more can be found out about it cos hormones are so often touched on but never goes further than that and yet all these things impact so much on our lives when you have post concussion syndrome, continuous seizures still, the menopause and brain injury. I dont know one woman who has not been affected by their hormones in relation to brain injury but particularly their seizures.

[Tissue1 in reply to Hidden]

Thanks for the information on The Diagnosis. Very interesting.

I’ve just posted a follow on from The Woman’s Hour programme. Yesterday 14th January halfway through the programme. It’s what happened to me 17 years ago. I would have hoped that things were better now but it seems not, for some folk.