Brain Injury Support Group
Traumatic brain injury occurs when a sudden trauma causes brain damage. TBI can result from a closed head injury or a penetrating head injury. Symptoms of a TBI can be mild, moderate, or severe, depending on the extent of the damage to the brain. Outcome can be anything from complete recovery to permanent disability or death. A coma can also affect a child's brain.
Has anyone gotten their medical records for their TBI? I want to read mine. I want to understand why and what is going on. I was told that I had several subdural hematomas and shearing on the left side of the brain but what else did they see on my MRI? I told someone the other day that I had a TBI and I have trouble putting thoughts into words, he obviously knew something about TBI by the things he said about TBI, but when he asked me what percentage of damage did I have I remember hearing that I have 20-23% damage came to mind. When I told him that he looked at me funny, like that can't be true. My wife tells me that when I was in a coma, the neurologist told her that if I came out of a coma there is a very good chance that I would be in a 'vegative state' the rest of my life according to my MRI. Well that was over 4 years ago and I have not even come close to being fully recovered but I am alive ( actually not far from a a vegetative state sometimes :) ) I also remember a doctor telling me that I at least have to try to walk before I could be let out of the rehab center I was in, 'but based on your MRI there is a very large possibility that you won't be able to walk based on the amount of brain damage you have'. Within two weeks I was walking not well and 4 years later a little better.
Anyways, I am rambling again :) how do go I go about getting a copy of my medical records?
Anyways, I am rambling again :) how do go I go about getting a copy of my medical records?
Just ask for them! :)
I lucked out though. The first time I saw a neurologist (outside of the hospital) I mentioned that I'd never seen my file and the fact that I had no rights to see it without a charge. I must have struck a cord because he had it copied for me by the time I left.
Doctor's have to have a copy of your records in order to treat you. Any time you switch, they have to make a copy and foward it (yeah, tell me who's payin'?)
Ask any doctor you see, if you could possible get a copy. Keep your fingers crossed and hopefully you'll get a doctor with some common sense and empathy.
Tell us how you're doing.
hugs/peace & luck
You sound a lot like me. We should chat sometime...But, on the subject of medical records...It's not difficult to obtain them. You can simply go to the hospital's "Medical Records" department and request a copy of them. They will probably charge you per page, but I think if you tell them its for Social Security Disability, they will give them to you for free. At least that's what they did for me. If your no longer in the same state/city as that hospital, you can call them and see about getting it faxed or mailed to you.
Good luck, I'll send you a friend request so we can chat sometime.
Nick