How do I know if my symptoms are a TBI?

[Ren1983]

I've been suffering from migraines and headaches for the last 15 years, during which time I've sustained at least 10 concussions, mainly through playing rugby. About 10 years ago I started suffering from panic attacks and constant anxiety. The headaches have recently got a lot worse and I'd like to get a referral to see if theirs a link between this collection of symptoms that aren't responding to treatment and previous head injuries. I'm willing to see someone privately but I don't know where to go as I don't have any brain injury diagnosed, it's just speculation. Does anyone have any ideas? Many thanks.

[Hidden]

Neurologist is gonna be ur best bet.

I'd tell ur Gp ur symptoms n let him refer u.

Even call a local clinic n ask there thoughts on ur symptoms.

Better to find out its stress then something worse.

I'm dealing with something sorta kinda similiar n I'm at a standstill per COVID where I am,as dont want to go in with one problem n come out with 2.

Best to u.😁

[Ren1983 in reply to Hidden]

Thank you so much for your reply - my GP is putting the headaches down to stress at the moment and I really hope I'm just being paranoid and that's all it is! I'll look into specialist neurologists I think and see if I can get a referral - otherwise my health insurance might cover it, but probably not as the first concussion was so long ago. Thanks again, x

[pinkvision]

Get a neuropsychological assessment, if you have not got a scan showing brain injury a neurologist won't know what to look for, your symptoms will be classed as psychological, a neuropsychologist can assess cognitive and personality issues etc. Find a really good one and go private if you can afford it. Concussions are accumulative and manifest over time. Hope that helps. Also contact the RFU in your region or country ie Wales, England Scotland etc. No matter what level you played at they will help with a recommendation or if you are lucky even arrange it for you with one of their people.

[Ren1983 in reply to pinkvision]

Thank you so much for replying - I will definitely contact the RFU - it didn't actually occur to me to do that as I thought they would only help professional or semi professional players - I was semi pro a long time ago but definitely not recently. It's interesting about concussions being cumulative over time - I've been feeling like that might be the case but as you say I need to get some evidence. Thank you again x

[Marnie22]

I would strongly recommend that you call the Headway helpline on 0808 800 2244. They will have all the information that you need and they are very supportive. They have helped me many times since my brain injury over four years ago. They have a good website too.

I had a long battle to get any medical help as although my brain injury was caused in hospital, the surgeon who caused it lied on my discharge papers, so no one would believe me. I don't know what I would have done without Headway.

I wish you all the best.

🙂🌸

[sospan]

I was much the same until I got a "big one" that put me out of action for a long time.

Firstly, if you have some damage through repeated concussions then there is no treatment to fix the damage there are only coping mechanism to deal with the symptoms. So whilst there is some comfort in having a diagnosis, this is as far as it get you. Hard news, but it is better to accept that at the start.

However, hopefully the symptoms won't be down to brain damage but more simple things like needing spectacles or some referred pain from things like a neck or shoulder injury.

I broke a bone in my neck and that gave me exactly the same symptoms as a head injury - headaches, memory and balance problems. Over the years i have broken around 100 bones in my body and as I am ageing each one

A lot is down to the quality of sleep that you are getting. If you have

If you haven't done it before, have a chat with your GP and try to work out the simplest things to address first. Getting to see a Neurologist / NeuroPsychologist wil take a long time on the NHS and be privately - £400 consultation fees and an MRI and £600 for an MRI. Be aware that most NHS MRI scanners don't have the finite resolution resolution to detect brain damage as they need to be 1.5 to 2 Tesla's and above.

[Ren1983]

Thank you so much for your reply - I'm sorry to hear about your ongoing symptoms. My sleep is appalling and always has been but more recently I can go for a couple of days with no sleep at all so I'm aware I'm getting exhaustion headaches on top of my normal headache. I'm going to look into whether my health insurance will cover a neurology consultation a think so I don't have to wait forever - thank you as well for the info on the scanners. Best wishes x