2 months PCS and still no CT or MRI?

[Chris4329]

It is starting to look like I'm in this for the long haul...

I have many of the pcs symptoms. Worst being concentration headaches at work, headaches in general throughout the day, lack of energy, and my head just feeling bad. I've been to a few doctors and rest and time off work are the only recommendations.

Problem is I don't know if I'm getting good care. Should I have had a CT or MRI by now? My file has been sent to a neuro clinic but who knows if or when they'll contact me.

The waiting and anxiety is killing me. I asked for anxiety medication but they said they don't want to prescribe addictive drugs. Hell, I'd much rather be addicted to anxiety pills than continue on my current course.

Any help is definitely appreciated!

[Mark in Idaho]

The doctors have told you right. You need quiet rest. An MRI or CT is going to be a waste of time and money. Anxiety is the worst for recovery.

If you broke your leg, you would have a cast and be on crutches for 6 weeks or more. Your brain needs the same treatment. It needs quiet rest. That does not mean sleep all day. Just, quiet rest. No loud music, bright lights, stimulating conversation, stimulating TV or videos, etc. In fact, talking with more than one person stresses the brain as it tries to switch between voices.

Get a deck of cards and play solitaire or a one on one card game with a friend. No computer or video games. Get away from noise, even the ambient sounds of suburbia. Foam ear plugs can be a big help.

Going back to the doctor and asking for help will be useless if they ask if you have been resting and you say no.

Eventually, if you do not get the rest you need to recover, you will mess up at work and they may give you unlimited time off with a pink slip of paper.

Quiet rest, and then more quiet rest. Go fishing if you can. Sitting on the bank with a line in the water or casting and retrieving a lure is all the stimulation you need.

[Chris4329]

Thanks. And thanks for the fishing idea. I didn't think about that. Kind of assumed that anything outdoors was too much stimulation for the brain...

[Mark in Idaho]

I have this odd belief that God has made our brains to relax best in His outdoors with nature. I escape to the mountains as often as we can afford to. Just stay away from noisy stereos and voices. The sounds of nature are very therapeutic.

[srgallan]

Chris,

I was very much like you worried of something else being wrong until I got my CT. Eventually got it around the 2 month point and nothing showed up except to simply relieve a bit of anxiety. I am in my 10th month and have yet to get an MRI or even see a neurologist here in Canada.

I am recovering and in much better condition now than I was and perhaps a bit wiser of my limits with some good cautionary advice from Mark.

Have you tried some alternative therapies for your headaches? Depending on your injury perhaps Chiro, Massage, Accupuncture or Osteopathy may be helpful? I was getting these odd headaches and the therapies above basically eliminated them (or time), some people have mixed successes. I know those odd sensations of what felt like nerve pain/tension headaches was definetely helped by those therapies.