TBI + OR - ?

CurtisNeeley · 03-01-2005, 04:07 PM

I have a TBI and am just learning to read these post. Every now and then I get confused with all the abbreviation. ok I HAve DE ciDEd thAT peOPle HEre JUst UsE wEiRd CAPITALIZATION?

OK That was a joke.
I am paralyzed due to a surgery. How do I know if I have a complete or other and a what is it called. I heard about a T-9 but since it was due to surgery and blood vessel clamp it is harder to pinpoint.
I am incompetent due to my TBI. How does one go about getting un-incompetent? I am about the 'smartest' incompetent I know.

metronycguy · 03-01-2005, 07:38 PM

dont seem incompetent to me!

SCI-Nurse · 03-04-2005, 11:20 PM

You should talk with your SCI physician and case manager to get more specific information about your actual level and completeness of spinal cord injury. You may need another exam. Significant return, esp. in sensation, is not unusual with a vascular injury.

Your SCI case manager should also help you get legal assistance to look into your legal situation. I assume you are linked up with the Arkansas Spinal Cord Commission and have a case manager??

(KLD)

CurtisNeeley · 03-05-2005, 06:06 AM

Thanks, I think I have a case worker. I will ask my wife{'guardian'}. Is a "vascular" injury one that would be more hopeless for a cure than a SC sever? Just curious! I am not terribly depressed about it. I am not thrilled to have a SCI either. Just curious and want another opinion, before I go talk to Congress. LOL I see all the research with stem-cells and wonder if that type treatment would help me with a ''vascular'' injury. There would not be a 'spot' to treat. I can tell if I am being touched on the legs etc., but can't tell if I get burned or pinched.

SCI-Nurse · 03-05-2005, 05:11 PM

Actually statistically there is a greater chance with return after a primarily vascular spinal cord injury. Many traumatic injuries are actually vascular injuries too, and very few are actual severing (cutting) of the cord injuries. Most traumatic injuries are bruise or crush type injuries.

Dr. Young would be able to tell you more about the cure aspects of this, but I would think that you would also be a candidate for the same cure therapies as someone who had a traumatic injury.

(KLD)

CurtisNeeley · 03-05-2005, 06:37 PM

Thanks,
Who is Dr Young?
I do not ever expect to be cured. I can still hope.

SCI-Nurse · 03-05-2005, 09:45 PM

Wise Young, MD is the administrator of this website, and the director of the Keck Center for Collaborative Neuroscience, which sponsors this website. Dr. Young is internationally known as a leader in SCI cure research.

(KLD)

Wise Young · 03-05-2005, 11:54 PM

CurtisNeeley,

Thanks very much for posting. You are asking the right questions. Please keep asking.

First, let me assure you that there is hope for both your brain and spinal cord injury. You are recovering and will become more competent. Many people who have spinal cord injury also have had brain injury. As many as 25% of people with spinal cord injury also had memory loss and reduced ability to remember new information. The brain has enormous ability to repair itself after injury. Most people recover from their brain injury.

Inability to remember is the most common and difficult problem to overcome after brain injury. This is because loss of memory itself interferes with learning. If you can't remember, it is harder to learn. Recovery requires learning. There are several ways to improve your memory and learning. You probably know most of these already.

1. Try not to learn too much at a time. The brain can only remember only a few things at a time. You need to give your brain time to take in and store the information. Taking in too much information at a time will interfere with your ability to remember any of it. It is better form one strong memory trace than many weak memory traces that don't last.

2. Reduce the amount of information you must remember. For example, organize your life to be as constant as possible. Have a constant schedule. Put things that you use or need in the same place, so that you don't have to remember where you put them. It helps to organize them in a logical pattern so that if you forget, you can figure out logically where they are. Establish routines that are similar every day so you don't have to remember changes in your schedule or activity. Write down information on tags that you attach to objects. Carry your name card so that you don't have to remember your address and phone number.

3. Use memory aids. Keep a diary and take notes. Use a polaroid camera to take pictures of things that you want to remember and put the pictures in your diary. Read over what you have written and taken pictures of. Use a tape-recorder to record conversations so that you can go over them. Bookmark web sites and pages. To take advantage of memory aids, you must set aside time to review them.

4. Repeat things that you want to remember. The more you repeat, the stronger the memory. Try to think of what you want to remember in as many ways as possible. The more links you make to the memory, the easier it will be to store and retrieve that memory.

5. Attach important memories to other feelings and other sensations besides words and visual images. Your brain stores memories in many places and has many ways to get to the memory. For example, if a memory is attached to a feeling, you may find it easier to remember. Likewise, try associating memories to specific smells, sounds (music), and even body positions.

6. Avoid drugs that affect your memory. Several classes of drugs affect memory. In particular, if possible, avoid taking tranquilizers such as valium because they often affect memory. Reduce doses of drugs for muscle spasticity or bladder spasticity. For example, drugs such as baclofen and ditropan may reduce memory in some people. Don't drink alcohol. I would probably avoid sleeping pills and other medications that affect your brain. Unfortunately, everybody is different and it is difficult to predict the effects of drugs on your brain. You should pay attention to what drugs are doing to your memory and avoid those that reduce your ability to remember.

7. Get sufficient sleep. Not sleeping enough affects both memory acquisition and recall. This is because memory requires a balance of neurotransmitter in the brain. Not sleeping enough (or sleeping too much) can result in imbalance of neurotransmitters.

Wise.

SCI-Nurse · 03-06-2005, 09:38 AM

I would just add that "competence" is a legal term and is determined by a court and judge. Many people with brain injuries have been deemed incompetent to manage their legal or financial affairs, but in nearly every state this must be routinely reviewed and may be rescended if the person has an improving cognitive condition. Seek legal assistance with this.

(KLD)

CurtisNeeley · 03-06-2005, 10:43 PM

Wise Young,
Thank you so much for your concern. I would guess that I am about the most book intelligent incompetent severe TBI you will come across. I took six+ years of college and started my math at Calculus. Incompetent is not incapable and I am glad my wife handles all the tough stuff. I used to be a pro photographer. Didn't polaroid go out of business? I keep an online diary or BLOG. I carry a notebook in case I need to remember a name. I usually just say tell me again cause I will forget in......oops I forgot already.lol I delivered my daughter at home but can't remember it or her. I saw on the web that lady who awoke after 20 years. I have no real memory of most of my life. Why did physics, chemistry, math and photography remain? I would rather have lost a lot of other stuff.It is interesting how a smell can bring back a memory. When I smelled WD-40 I thought about my Dad and I working in his shop. I wish I could pick what comes back, Thanks

03-01-2005, 04:07 PM	#1
CurtisNeeley Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Fayetteville, AR, USA Posts: 50	TBI + OR - ? I have a TBI and am just learning to read these post. Every now and then I get confused with all the abbreviation. ok I HAve DE ciDEd thAT peOPle HEre JUst UsE wEiRd CAPITALIZATION? OK That was a joke. I am paralyzed due to a surgery. How do I know if I have a complete or other and a what is it called. I heard about a T-9 but since it was due to surgery and blood vessel clamp it is harder to pinpoint. I am incompetent due to my TBI. How does one go about getting un-incompetent? I am about the 'smartest' incompetent I know.

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

03-01-2005, 07:38 PM	#2
metronycguy Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: ny Posts: 5,677	dont seem incompetent to me!

03-04-2005, 11:20 PM	#3
SCI-Nurse Moderator Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: USA Posts: 41,515	You should talk with your SCI physician and case manager to get more specific information about your actual level and completeness of spinal cord injury. You may need another exam. Significant return, esp. in sensation, is not unusual with a vascular injury. Your SCI case manager should also help you get legal assistance to look into your legal situation. I assume you are linked up with the Arkansas Spinal Cord Commission and have a case manager?? (KLD)

03-05-2005, 06:06 AM	#4
CurtisNeeley Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Fayetteville, AR, USA Posts: 50	Thanks, I think I have a case worker. I will ask my wife{'guardian'}. Is a "vascular" injury one that would be more hopeless for a cure than a SC sever? Just curious! I am not terribly depressed about it. I am not thrilled to have a SCI either. Just curious and want another opinion, before I go talk to Congress. LOL I see all the research with stem-cells and wonder if that type treatment would help me with a ''vascular'' injury. There would not be a 'spot' to treat. I can tell if I am being touched on the legs etc., but can't tell if I get burned or pinched.

03-05-2005, 05:11 PM	#5
SCI-Nurse Moderator Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: USA Posts: 41,515	Actually statistically there is a greater chance with return after a primarily vascular spinal cord injury. Many traumatic injuries are actually vascular injuries too, and very few are actual severing (cutting) of the cord injuries. Most traumatic injuries are bruise or crush type injuries. Dr. Young would be able to tell you more about the cure aspects of this, but I would think that you would also be a candidate for the same cure therapies as someone who had a traumatic injury. (KLD)

03-05-2005, 06:37 PM	#6
CurtisNeeley Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Fayetteville, AR, USA Posts: 50	Thanks, Who is Dr Young? I do not ever expect to be cured. I can still hope.

03-05-2005, 09:45 PM	#7
SCI-Nurse Moderator Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: USA Posts: 41,515	Wise Young, MD is the administrator of this website, and the director of the Keck Center for Collaborative Neuroscience, which sponsors this website. Dr. Young is internationally known as a leader in SCI cure research. (KLD)

03-05-2005, 11:54 PM	#8
Wise Young Administrator Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: New Brunswick, NJ, USA Posts: 37,988	CurtisNeeley, Thanks very much for posting. You are asking the right questions. Please keep asking. First, let me assure you that there is hope for both your brain and spinal cord injury. You are recovering and will become more competent. Many people who have spinal cord injury also have had brain injury. As many as 25% of people with spinal cord injury also had memory loss and reduced ability to remember new information. The brain has enormous ability to repair itself after injury. Most people recover from their brain injury. Inability to remember is the most common and difficult problem to overcome after brain injury. This is because loss of memory itself interferes with learning. If you can't remember, it is harder to learn. Recovery requires learning. There are several ways to improve your memory and learning. You probably know most of these already. 1. Try not to learn too much at a time. The brain can only remember only a few things at a time. You need to give your brain time to take in and store the information. Taking in too much information at a time will interfere with your ability to remember any of it. It is better form one strong memory trace than many weak memory traces that don't last. 2. Reduce the amount of information you must remember. For example, organize your life to be as constant as possible. Have a constant schedule. Put things that you use or need in the same place, so that you don't have to remember where you put them. It helps to organize them in a logical pattern so that if you forget, you can figure out logically where they are. Establish routines that are similar every day so you don't have to remember changes in your schedule or activity. Write down information on tags that you attach to objects. Carry your name card so that you don't have to remember your address and phone number. 3. Use memory aids. Keep a diary and take notes. Use a polaroid camera to take pictures of things that you want to remember and put the pictures in your diary. Read over what you have written and taken pictures of. Use a tape-recorder to record conversations so that you can go over them. Bookmark web sites and pages. To take advantage of memory aids, you must set aside time to review them. 4. Repeat things that you want to remember. The more you repeat, the stronger the memory. Try to think of what you want to remember in as many ways as possible. The more links you make to the memory, the easier it will be to store and retrieve that memory. 5. Attach important memories to other feelings and other sensations besides words and visual images. Your brain stores memories in many places and has many ways to get to the memory. For example, if a memory is attached to a feeling, you may find it easier to remember. Likewise, try associating memories to specific smells, sounds (music), and even body positions. 6. Avoid drugs that affect your memory. Several classes of drugs affect memory. In particular, if possible, avoid taking tranquilizers such as valium because they often affect memory. Reduce doses of drugs for muscle spasticity or bladder spasticity. For example, drugs such as baclofen and ditropan may reduce memory in some people. Don't drink alcohol. I would probably avoid sleeping pills and other medications that affect your brain. Unfortunately, everybody is different and it is difficult to predict the effects of drugs on your brain. You should pay attention to what drugs are doing to your memory and avoid those that reduce your ability to remember. 7. Get sufficient sleep. Not sleeping enough affects both memory acquisition and recall. This is because memory requires a balance of neurotransmitter in the brain. Not sleeping enough (or sleeping too much) can result in imbalance of neurotransmitters. Wise.

03-06-2005, 09:38 AM	#9
SCI-Nurse Moderator Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: USA Posts: 41,515	I would just add that "competence" is a legal term and is determined by a court and judge. Many people with brain injuries have been deemed incompetent to manage their legal or financial affairs, but in nearly every state this must be routinely reviewed and may be rescended if the person has an improving cognitive condition. Seek legal assistance with this. (KLD)

03-06-2005, 10:43 PM	#10
CurtisNeeley Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Fayetteville, AR, USA Posts: 50	Wise Young, Thank you so much for your concern. I would guess that I am about the most book intelligent incompetent severe TBI you will come across. I took six+ years of college and started my math at Calculus. Incompetent is not incapable and I am glad my wife handles all the tough stuff. I used to be a pro photographer. Didn't polaroid go out of business? I keep an online diary or BLOG. I carry a notebook in case I need to remember a name. I usually just say tell me again cause I will forget in......oops I forgot already.lol I delivered my daughter at home but can't remember it or her. I saw on the web that lady who awoke after 20 years. I have no real memory of most of my life. Why did physics, chemistry, math and photography remain? I would rather have lost a lot of other stuff.It is interesting how a smell can bring back a memory. When I smelled WD-40 I thought about my Dad and I working in his shop. I wish I could pick what comes back, Thanks