www.incontinentsupport.org

I am putting the wheels in motion to be evaluated for traumatic brain injury. During my military service with the Marines, I was knocked unconcious during to seperate accidents. The first one was in 2003 on Parris Island. I was fighting in hand to hand combat learning bayonet techniques and suffered a severe blow to the head and was subsequently knocked out for several minutes. I woke up with a severe headache and nausea. I was sent to the hospital where I was diagnosed with a concussion and put on 7 days restricted duty. I was given pain killers as well. I could not train for seven days.

My next accident occured when I was rollerblading in a skate park and fell off a ramp roughly 6 feet and slammed into the concrete landing on my back, hitting my head on the concrete which cracked my helmet and rendered me unconcious for around 5 minutes. The skate park manager sent me home but I did not have my wits about me and did not seek medical attention because I thought I was fine. I started dribbling after this accident. But I didn't make the connection. I thought it was normal for a male to dribble. This was back in 2005 while in the service. I continued to dribble on myself for a few years. I dealt with it using guards.

In 2008, I had my first manic episode. Landing myself in the hospital and I was prescribed mood stabilizers and antipsychotics. These compounded my urination issue and I began wearing diapers under my military uniform. I was medically retired for Urinary Incontinence and Bipolar Disorder in 2009. I also suffered from Tinnitus in the service. This was associated with Jet noise.

In 2010, I began having fecal urgency and bowel incontinence. I was also treated for hypothyroidism and nocturnal hypoxemia (which is a breathing disorder where a person cannot keep up the oxygen saturation in their sleep).

It turns out, multiple blows to the head and traumatic brain injury can cause all of these disorders, including the bipolar disorder.

I have had a CT scan of my head in 2008. It was normal. I am now learning more about this TBI issue and pursuing a possible connection to all of my disorders. It could be the key to the puzzle as to why I have so many ailments. Maybe I could finally solve the puzzle. I have an appt. with my doctor next week.

Interesting possibility. It will be useful to know the answer on this one.

Glad to see you are still investigating your issues Don, you never know with head injuries, they can hide a multitude ot things that they really do not understand. The human brain and spinal cord system in itself is so complex. Stay on it and let us know what becomes of it, Puffy

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Puffy
BC, Canada
Fighting the "Bladder Battle" since 1995

Would this apply to a brain concussion, skull fracture and broken nose. I kind of hit my head on the blacktop when I was traveling at 25 MPH (it was long before bicycle hemets) on a bicycle. I was knocked out cold and woke up at home.

I'm pretty sure that counts! TBI is serious.

I saw my primary today. He said that multiple concussions like the ones I received in the military could contribute to some of my illnesses and conditions. It is possible. He is referring me for an MRI of the head with contrast. He said the detail is quite good and the doctors can identify past injuries. He said injuries like mine may not contribute to conditions x,y, and z but may have played a part in conditions a and b. He said he can't cure my conditions only treat them. I am aware of this. It is just for my own benefit of knowing what is causing my many ailments. It's for closure.

Excellent news!

I had my MRI today. I should get the results tomorrow.

Good luck. I hope they find that magic spot that is affecting you.

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When life hands you a lemon, make lemonade.

Good news. My MRI was normal. There is a brain in there. Lol. I have to talk to my doc about what's next because I still face debilitating issues. I don't know if there is a next. Only to treat the issues I have.