Suspected TBI

[Pinklady48]

Hi, I'm new here and don't know really what I'm looking for but maybe just some advice or guidance....my dad had a heart attack back in August. He was in the gym ironically and fell to the ground. His head hit a solid concrete floor. They rushed him to hospital and he was straight into a heart ward. Stent was fitted and they seen to the cut on his head. Nothing much else was done about the head injury. I did ask a nurse and she said neuro exam was fine. Fast forward to October and he started getting dates confused, then forgot where the fridge was, started getting money and numbers confused. Now he is totally different person than before. He can't do anything alone, confused, disorientated, doesn't know days or weeks, can't remember PIN numbers repeats things and can't follow any type of instruction. He has had a CT to rule out stroke and just had an MRI 2 weeks ago. We have been told they suspect a TBI but we don't know for sure. So it feels like we are in absolute limbo waiting on this outcome. I don't know what to do to help. I can't believe this is my dad. Can he get better? Will it get worse? What does this all mean? Not questions for anyone to answer but just all whizzing about my head constantly. I don't feel I can talk to anyone about how hard I am finding this as I can't imagine how frustrated my dad is. He is definitely aware of his situation, he knows how bad it is. Hopefully we will get answers soon, thanks for reading

[Painting-girl]

Hello Pinklady,

Sorry to hear this, but welcome to the forum you can ask anything here.

The really good thing is that the CT and MRI are clear - that's a good start. You can have clear scans and still get quite a few symptoms from a concussion/ mild traumatic brain injury. The length of time that the symptoms last vary considerably between different people. Everyone is different. There's a saying that if you've seen one brain injury, you've just seen one brain injury - because no two are exactly the same. If it happened in August, it would seem unlikely that it would get worse, and it is likely to improve over time. I do wonder if there's any connection with his heart attack though.

I think it may help you to ring the Headway helpline in office hours and get some more information from them, and perhaps ask what questions you could ask his doctors, for instance. The helpline number is 0808 800 2244.

I hope you get answers that will help you and your father.

[Pinklady48 in reply to Painting-girl]

Thank you 😊 we are still waiting the MRI results, those should be with the Neurology department in the next few weeks then need to wait on an appointment to see consultant to know what we are dealing with. The Cardiac nurse seems pretty convinced its not to do with the heart attack but I just don't know anything right now. Think that is the hard thing

[Painting-girl in reply to Pinklady48]

Must be horrible for you, glad they don't think it was connected to his heart attack though. Hold onto the fact that it's a really good thing that the CT was clear. Do try and ring Headway for some emotional and practical support though x

[Pinklady48 in reply to Painting-girl]

Yeah I think I will do that tomorrow x

[cat3]

The best of luck for your dad's MRI. I hope the results don't take much longer ; hopefully a couple more weeks at the most...

Sometimes a heart attack can cause temporary loss of oxygen which can affect the brain. Or perhaps your dad sustained concussion from the impact with the concrete floor.

Whatever the cause of his confusion the doctors will get to the root of it, but in the meantime your dad needs reassurance, and acceptance of his issues.

The early days, before a sound diagnosis is reached is always quite nerve-wracking for loved ones, so keep in touch for moral support and, as Painting-girl advises, phone the helpline for professional advice and support.

We're always here m'love....

Cat x

[Leaf100]

Hi Pinklady,Sorry about this all happening to your Dad and your family.

There are lots of different things in play here, everyone is different.

In my case, I thought I was OK after , but 3 or 4 months is in, things went sideways.

There was some inflammation and it melted tails of neurons over time. This does not show on MRI or CT.

The neurologist looks at the brain through a particular lense. You can have a brain injury and look ok to a neurologist.

Then the professional who diagnoses brain injury is a neuro psychiatrist.. you can ask the neurologist for a referral or a name... not sure how it works in the UK. This specialty can go by clinical observation and having an MD verify there is something like , say, post concussion syndrome, is very helpful for getting disability benefits, correct medication, etc.

It can be a confusing process and it is hard on everyone , partly because injuries are so different, and becoming aware takes time.

Brain injuries do heal, quicker in the first 3 or 4 years while they are fresh. Healing happens after that as well, just not as fast.

People do often have some residual symptoms.

The main thing is for him to take care of general health - eat well, gentle exercise- say going for a walk if it's possible...if not possible get fresh air somehow. Sleep and rest are the most important thing. Healing happens during sleep. Reading, watching TV, listening to music don't count as resting. They all are a lot of work for the brain. Rest is either sleep or sitting with your feet up doing nothing. It is good if he takes naps - he likely needs them.

All you can do is stick with him, keep in touch with Headway and learn as much as you can, get him to docs as best you can.

Having a brain injury is like when a factory that needs 100 people to run suddenly has to run with 20 people. They try hard, there are no procedure manuals for the jobs of people who left, so they figure it our best they can - and can't do as much.

It is not like a broken leg with a clear healing period and clear direction on how and when to build up to using the leg normally.

Oh, he should avoid alcohol and caffeine- too hard on the brain - and a little can have big consequences.

Mostly, be around him and help him from where he is - ie accept - and discover your hidden well of patience. He will also need you to advocate for him with docs and whoever - he is not aware of as much as you are and he also won't remember.

keep a log - who he saw, contact, when, result - get copies of all his documents notes; note symptoms you see or he tells you and get an idea if they are better or worse.; include when you call Headwa6 and what they say and who you spoke with - anything to do with the injury, including seeing a lawyer re benefits etc. Do find brain injury literate professionals. It is very easy for some professionals to misread brain injury symptoms into something else. And he doesn't need that.

Going to a dentist may also be useful to see if teeth are misaligned. This can contribute to headaches.

He is still him in there.

I wish I could tell you this is easy but it is not. (Since he hit his head on concrete I would be very surprised if he doesn't have a brain injury.)

Keep us posted.

Leaf

[Teazymaid]

hi and welcome to the group … so sorry to hear about your dad … I very much hope you get some answers soon from the MRI as the unknown is so difficult to deal with .. has your dad had a urine sample tested ? As this can cause a lot of confusion … just a random thought as it is quite often missed ..

your dad certainly could have had a TBi from his fall and I would ask for his medical records from the hospital about what they actually did to access his head injury at the time of the heart attack . You can get these if your are in the uk and I’m guessing from other countries . Having this information will help clarify what was done or not done . I’m sure on here you will get lots of support as we all are on here dealing with head trauma from either ourselves or family members . Sorry you have had the need to join us must also welcome to the group it was definitely a good decision for me to join 3 years ago and one that has helped me more than any anything else .. Sue x

[Tony-Muzzy]

Hello you, Sorry to here you and your Dad are going through this horrible time. I had a TBI in 2007 & yes memory loss has been an issue. However, I had a heart attack in May last year & luckily there have been no additional issues.

Now I am no medical specialist & the following information is only knowledge that I sought out for own self protection. This may not be the case in your father. Depending on what type of cardiac arrest you have, it can cause brain damage due to the lack of oxygen and blood flow. This can lead to memory problems and other cognitive and neurological issues.

It may be in this case that the mild concussion alongside a lack of oxygen may have left him with these after effects. I send you my positive intentions & hope that there is a quick recovery.

[LostGenius]

Sorry to hear about your Dad. It can be a very scary and stressful time. My Mom fell and broke her 2 arms a few years back. She hit her head but they never did anything about that since they were trying to save her arms! Then a year or so later she had a stroke and they said there was already a previous issue )likely when she’d fallen).

Seems like a similar thing with your Dad. Just stay strong and try to figure out what you can handle as caregivers in this situation can burnout easily.

The brain is miraculously able to heal but the progress is slow and depends on how much work the injured party puts in. It will take a lot of effort on your part (and your Dad) to help him get somewhat better.

We are here to listen when you need to vent! ❤️

[pleyland]

I’m still finding improvements 10 years after a stroke. I’m not saying things have returned to normal. Be patient and ask your dad what he’s finding difficult. It might be background noise, telly, car journeys, almost anything. The more you can shield him from these the better.

This is the best place to share your experiences so keep in touch. X

[skydivesurvivor]

like my dad after his heart attack, lack of oxygen damaged the brain. Mine was impact. smile sweetly gets y through it!