So, what do you really know about TBI?

2015-06-11T11:14:59-04:00

TBI seems to be the combat injury of our current era.

But, what do you really know?

TBI can result from penetrating injuries, which are much more obvious... or non-penetrating injuries such is blast waves, impacts to the helmet etc... The latter are the harder ones to detect.

But, what do you really know? Many of us, have TBI in varying degrees. For me, as an example, since Jun 07... I have had recurring headaches since I was blown-up and got debris in eyes (even with ballistic glasses); luckily my eyes were not damaged long term. I have given up on Drs. as they just argue on the cause and treatment... Could be much worse...

This is an interesting article, and there are many out their on this topic. I recommend some additional research on this...

http://taskandpurpose.com/10-myths-about-traumatic-brain-injury/?utm_content=buffer974d1&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter&utm_campaign=tp-buffer

10 Myths About Traumatic Brain Injury

Traumatic brain injury and its causes, symptoms, and treatment are often misunderstood and can lead to mishandling of the issues surrounding it.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 11 at 2015 11:20 AM

2015-06-11T11:20:15-04:00

I've had a reoccurring migraine, but I don't know why. Of course there were Mortars that landed several feet away, or a couple of trailers down... I often wonder if we were exposed to something...

AND WOW on #5. I have every one of those symptoms. It's crazy.

"PTSD and TBI have a lot of overlapping symptoms.." So it might just be my PTSD. Who knows... I'm just Cray

But seriously, if you laid out all my symptoms, it is leaning much more toward the TBI. Weird.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 11 at 2015 11:21 AM

2015-06-11T11:21:12-04:00

Great Share Sir! The more we know as Leaders about TBI and PTSD the better the Military will be for sure. We need to know the signs of when to watch someone closer and get them additional help!

Response by SPC Jan Allbright, M.Sc., R.S. made Jun 11 at 2015 11:29 AM

2015-06-11T11:29:55-04:00

I am a Vietnam Head Injury patient and took part in this study.
Interesting additional reading.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3093742/

“Studying Injured Minds” – The Vietnam Head Injury Study and 40Years of Brain Injury Research

The study of those who have sustained traumatic brain injuries (TBI) during military conflicts has greatly facilitated research in the fields of neuropsychology, neurosurgery, psychiatry, neurology, and neuroimaging. The Vietnam Head Injury Study (VHIS) ...

Response by LTC Stephen F. made Jun 11 at 2015 1:03 PM

2015-06-11T13:03:39-04:00

COL Charles Williams, well the only TBI's I experienced were as a child - one was a result of a fall backwards on ice resulted in amnesia for the whole school day which was distressing because nobody seemed to believe I lost my memory at first. 2nd time while working on building a tree fort, a neighbor dropped a hammer which hit me in the head and briefly stuck there resulting it blood matting my hair and steaming down my face - pleasant surprise for my mom as I walked into the house.
In the military group punishment - front leaning rest to parade rest caused chin lacerations but no lasting damage just a scar. Wearing a "steel pot" for long times and getting banged around while wearing it injured my cervical spine but generally protected my head.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 11 at 2015 1:35 PM

2015-06-11T13:35:11-04:00

COL Charles Williams, I've only had one TBI and that's when I was hit by a car from behind and my head broke the windshield. So far, for over 60 years, I haven't had any problems. What were we talking about? Where am I ? Hello, Hello!

Response by LTC Stephen C. made Jun 11 at 2015 7:09 PM

2015-06-11T19:09:05-04:00

Thanks for the tag COL Charles Williams, but it's 1LT Sandy Annala who might best "weigh in" on this topic.

Response by CPT Pedro Meza made Jul 13 at 2015 1:02 PM

2015-07-13T13:02:55-04:00

COL Charles Williams, my TBI is a re-wiring of my CPU, that has caused deletion of knowledge and memories and the feelings of Love. I have become an Idiot Savant. Now my PTSD is like a virus in my CPU that creates subroutines that are illogical. TBI and PTSD is a bad marriage too.