My First Post

[craz4u3]

Hi all--
My son suffered a TBI after being hit by a car in February 2008, so I was thrilled to find this board. In addition to brain trauma, he suffered several broken bones, as well as all the other problems that come with coma and long-term hospitalization. To make a long story a bit shorter, my son (he was 21 at the time) has made excellent progress, although he still goes to therapy (pt, ot and vision) several days a week. However, as a result of the TBI the right side of his face is paralyzed. Tests showed that the facial nerve is either crushed or damaged (not severed.) The surgeon put a gold weight in his eyelid to help it close to protect the eye, but there doesn't seem to be too much that can be done to help with the paralysis. The only procedure that seems to be available involves transplanting nerves and muscles from his legs to his face. Unfortunately this will result in him permanently losing some sensation in his legs and feet. In addition, there's no guarantee that he will regain any - if even at all - movement in his face. Does anyone have a similar situation? Or, does anyone know of other newer procedures (stem cell, maybe) that could be more successful? My husband and I have been looking online, but to no avail. Anyway, thanks for reading this!
Nancy

[Buttons2]

Just wanted to welcome you to BT Nancy. I hope you will feel at home here & get alot of support. Some of the threads might not be too active right now because of the holidays & it being a weekend.

Good luck on finding some answers! Hope your son will improve.....

[craz4u3]

Thanks for the welcome, Pati. I would have joined sooner - been lurking for a bit - but I don't think I was ready until now. I'm sure most everyone on this board can understand that. Happy New Year to all - only good things ahead!

[Buttons2]

Nancy,I want to invite you to join on the emotional support forum. We have a wonderful bunch of gals (even a few guys once in awhile) that try to provide daily support.

Just pop in & introduce yourself if you feel like it!

Happy New Year to you also......many of us are hoping it will be a better year!

Also, I was thinking about B12,is there any chance that might help to do some nerve repair for your son? Just a thought....not the simple B12 but the shots or B12 Methylcobalamin that breaks through the blood/brain barrier.

[craz4u3]

He's actually taking a lot of supplements, which may be one reason why he is recovering pretty well. I know that he's taking a B12 that's called "triple action B12 as cyanocobalamin." We're going to check with our nutritionist and ask him about the B12 you mentioned and see what the difference is between them. Thanks for the suggestion. I'll check out the emotional support forum, too.

[Buttons2]

We have a ton of info here on the vitamin forum. Rose is the guru of B vitamins. I can't explain the difference myself so I urge you to post on that forum or read the past posts.

Time might be the best healer also.....patience?

[vini]

welcome Nancy and your son

omega 3/6 fatty acid fish oil has help me a bit I have no sensation in the right side of my face but I have movement although a bit impaired we had someone post a wile back and I think I suggested the stroke forum may have some ideas on therapy. there is also a post on g therapy also look into this http://www.ahrq.gov/clinic/epcsums/hypoxsum.htm

or tell us what you think about them its a bit quite on this board so it good to share

for me its important to keep pushing myself, but please be aware that in the early stages rest is so important

welcome again

kind regards vini:)

[craz4u3]

Hi Vini- Thanks for your response. G Therapy looks interesting. It actually looks a lot like what we've been doing for our son - lots of therapy (pt, ot, st, vision) and LOTS of nutritional supplements (we have a cousin who's a nutrionist) including the omega fatty acid you mentioned, and we've gotten really good results. It's been 11 months since his accident, and he's already back in college part time, and driving too. (We had taken him to a special driving school to be evaluated a few months ago before letting hime drive on his own again.) I'm finding a lot of really valuable info on this website, and have only just begun to scratch the surface. The stroke forum suggestion is a good idea. I agree about how important rest is to him. In the beginning, after he awoke from the coma, the doctors were pushing him so hard. I don't think they realize the importance of sleep for TBI patients. Now, we let him rest or nap whenever he wants. Thanks again for taking the time to respond. I can see that you're dealing with some tough issues yourself, so your input is really appreciated.
Nancy

[vini]

hi Nancey


its important to not relearn to have limitations although they exist but I read using a damaged part of the brain doing to much to early, can cause the body to destroy more nurons in the surrounding area for that function, it was the case with my TBI, cause I try ed to get back to normal to soon, I think that is why they keep, some patents in a drug induced coma to limit damage

my best wishes to your son, keep finding ways round limits