Still struggling for help for mum.

[Hannah07]

Hello, I've posted a while back about my mum falling down stairs banging her head having a bleed on the brain resulting in brain damage. I'm just just after some advice really. I was wondering if my mum will get a diagnosis? I mean by this we no she's got a head injury and brain damage but will they ever find out what happened? She's had MRI and CT scans and we get the results tomorrow. It just seems every time we go to a doctor, therapist, Ect she gets referred to some one else, So she still hasn't got the help she needs I.E visual aids walking aids Ect. It's been 5 months now since her accident should she have things in place to help her? And should she of seen a physio ?

[ncmurphy1951]

wow are you both sadly being let down if you feel thagt you are not receiving the suport mum needs request a second opinion from a neuro consultant first through your gp if no satisfaction go and see your mp not dsure if headway can help but my view and it from someone who injury tbi in 2007 is that a brain injury cannot be left to fester get her seen diagnosed and you both be given a prognosis asap hysios are not caable of diagnosing a brain injury only mobility afterwards

[brighton88 in reply to ncmurphy1951]

I agree we tend to forget that we can ask for a second opinion, that is how I managed to get treatment after 2 1/2 years of misdiagnosis and then a consultant who was 'monitoring' the situation as I became worse

[headwayuk Partner Headway]

Hi Hannah07,

Very sorry to hear of the situation with your mum, and I hope the results of the scans tomorrow will help. Do keep us posted.

From what you have said, with her bleed on the brain following her fall and the continued effects of this, it would usually indicate a diagnosis of traumatic brain injury - it is quite surprising you are still struggling to get a formal diagnosis after such a serious injury.

If your Mum is experiencing physical difficulties such as moving around, picking up objects etc., then a referral to a neuro-physio would be a benefit, at least for an assessment and to get the walking aids you mention. It sounds like she would also benefit from an assessment by an Occupational Therapist to look at any aids and adaptations she could access. Her GP should be able to make a referral here.

It would also be worthwhile contacting your local council's Adult Social Services department and asking for an assessment of need (sometimes called a Health and Social Care Assessment or similar). She has a right to the assessment which could help to guide her future rehabilitation, although social care services themselves do need to be means tested.

I'd also suggest you contact our helpline on 0808 800 2244 or [e-mail] to discuss this in more depth. They can give further information on getting the services she needs, as well as support from Headway etc.

Best wishes,

Headway.

[Hannah07]

Thank you all for your help, hopefully the neurologist will have some answers tomorrow. We will defiantly be seeking a second opion if there are no answers tomorrow.