Understanding Recovery After TBI and Concussion
Hello everyone! I'm a 5'11" individual weighing approximately 230 pounds. Back in May 2025, I sustained a significant injury that resulted in a skull fracture and a concussion. As I work through my recovery journey, I find myself particularly concerned about an ongoing issue: since this injury, I have lost my sense of smell, and my ability to taste has been significantly impaired—likely due to the loss of smell affecting how I perceive flavors in food. Unfortunately, my medical team has been unable to provide concrete answers regarding the duration of these symptoms or the potential impacts of scar tissue in my brain. My injury occurred just before I turned 18, and my treatment has been managed at Texas Children’s Hospital. The staff there mentioned they have limited experience treating older patients, which adds to my uncertainty. I’m reaching out to see if anyone can share insights about the implications of frontal lobe scar tissue on cognitive functions or memory. Additionally, I'd like to know if there’s any likelihood that my sense of smell will return, or if it may remain permanently affected. Any advice or experiences would be greatly appreciated!
Answers (1)
8/7/2025, 7:10:51 AM
OpenHealth AI
Thank you for sharing your experience. It’s understandable to have concerns about recovery after a significant brain injury, especially regarding changes in your senses and cognitive functions. Let's break this down:
Key Points:
- Loss of smell (anosmia) and taste can be common after a concussion due to the impacts on the olfactory system.
- Scar tissue from a TBI may affect cognitive functions, but the extent varies among individuals.
- There’s potential for recovery, but timelines can be uncertain.
Explanation:
After a traumatic brain injury (TBI), especially one affecting the frontal lobe, it's not unusual to experience changes in sensory functions and cognition. The frontal lobe is involved in many higher-order functions, which include memory and the processing of sensory information. Scar tissue can disrupt normal function, but recovery is possible as the brain heals.
Regarding your loss of smell and altered taste, these changes can occur due to damage to the olfactory bulbs or pathways that send smell signals to the brain. Recovery can happen within a few months for some individuals, but in others, it may take longer or even remain permanent.
Next Steps:
-
Monitor Changes: Keep a daily log of your sense of smell and taste. Note any improvements or variations in sensations. This can provide valuable insight into your recovery process.
-
Rehabilitation: Consider sensory exercises, which can help retrain your sense of smell. These might include regularly smelling a series of strong scents (such as coffee, citrus, and spices) and focusing on different foods to enhance your taste perception.
-
Cognitive Support: Engage in activities that stimulate cognitive functions, such as puzzles, memory games, or learning new skills. This could potentially aid in recovery.
-
Follow-Up: Keep in close contact with your healthcare team. If you feel comfortable, discuss seeking a second opinion from a neurologist who specializes in brain injuries to explore tailored rehabilitation options.
-
Community Resources: Look for support groups for individuals recovering from TBIs. Sharing experiences can not only provide emotional support but also practical tips from others who have gone through similar challenges.
Remember, recovery can take time, and it’s important to be patient with yourself during this process. If you have more specific questions or need further information, feel free to ask.
Related Questions
Experiencing Heart Palpitations Following Chest Impact
I'm a 17-year-old female who has struggled with tachycardia for several years, having been diagnosed with postural tachycardia syndrome (POTS) about five years ago, although I haven't pursued further testing because I haven't completely lost consciousness. Recently, over the past month or two, I've started to experience sensations of my heart skipping beats, accompanied by difficulty in breathing during these episodes. These occurrences have become significantly more frequent, even when I'm at rest. Five years ago, I underwent a Holter monitor test, which indicated primarily tachycardia with occasional premature ventricular contractions (PVCs), but nothing alarming was found. In early December, I was struck hard in the chest by an elbow while in a mosh pit, which resulted in some pain when taking deep breaths for a few days. My sternum became bruised and slightly swollen, and it remained tender to touch for about two weeks, but this discomfort was manageable. I still feel some soreness when stretching, although it’s not severe. Additionally, I have diagnoses of Crohn’s disease and hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (HEDS), and I am currently on immunosuppressants. Given these circumstances, would it be advisable for me to seek medical evaluation, or could these symptoms be considered typical?
Should I Seek Medical Attention for a Possible Spinal Injury?
Greetings! I’m a 20-year-old male, and while I’m not overly anxious about my situation, I've been experiencing enough discomfort to consider it. Three days prior, I went snowboarding and attempted to navigate a box, which is essentially a flat metal structure with a slight ramp at the end. Unfortunately, I lost my balance close to the end of the box and landed squarely on my backside. This caused my back and head to make hard contact with the ground. At first, I didn’t perceive much pain in my back or head; instead, the primary source of pain seemed to be my rear, which felt as if it had developed a noticeable lump. However, I dismissed it at the time. The following day, the soreness persisted, alongside generalized discomfort throughout my upper body. Every time I coughed, I felt pain that radiated from my neck down to my abdomen, which was tender to the touch. I asked my girlfriend to check for any visible injuries, and although my butt showed no bruising, I did notice around five bruises along my spine. I’m questioning whether I should consult a physician. I usually avoid going to the doctor unless absolutely necessary, having only visited twice in the last four years (excluding vaccinations during my teenage years). I tend to prefer toughing things out to save on medical expenses, but if the situation warrants it, I wouldn’t hesitate to seek help as I did last year for an ear infection. What do you think – should I consider getting checked out?
Seeking Insight on Abnormal Neuroimaging Results
A 42-year-old female, standing 6 feet tall and weighing 194 pounds, has been grappling with cognitive challenges for over three years. She has a clinical history that includes a diagnosis of Bipolar II disorder coupled with generalized anxiety, which she manages effectively through a regimen of an antidepressant, a mood stabilizer, and medications for anxiety. Currently, she is under the care of her fifth neurologist in the Boston region. An FDG-PET scan revealed a significant decline in metabolic functions, showing a 30-40% reduction within the left parietal lobe and a 20% decrease in both mesial temporal lobes. As part of her evaluation, a lumbar puncture was performed to assess amyloid and tau protein levels, with results coming back negative. Although a radiologist recommended pursuing an amyloid PET scan to gain further insights, her neurologist has declined this option. Despite the neurologist's suggestion that her indications might fit into the Functional Neurological Disorder (FND) category, she remains unconvinced and believes there must be an identifiable underlying cause for her symptoms and the irregularities observed in her scans. She is seeking advice on the next steps to take in pursuing a clearer diagnosis or understanding of her condition.
Light Pink Discharge After Urination
Just yesterday, after using the restroom, I spotted a faint pink hue on the toilet paper. Initially, I thought it might indicate the start of my menstrual cycle, especially since I didn’t have my period last month during the last week of January. However, today I haven't noticed any blood, and I don't anticipate any appearing this week or even the next. Additionally, I observed small traces of blood in my urine during the week my period was supposed to arrive. While I do experience some hormonal symptoms, I’m uncertain about their meaning. Thankfully, I haven’t felt any burning sensations, but I find myself feeling confused and, to be honest, a bit anxious about the situation. I maintain an average weight, I’m not on any medications, and I do not smoke.
Factors Influencing Rapid Advancement of Leprosy
I'm an 18-year-old assigned female at birth, standing at 5'11" and weighing 150 pounds. I've ceased taking any antibiotics or other prescribed medications, with the exception of haloperidol. I smoke and drink, but I don't engage in drug use. My ethnicity is Caucasian. Additionally, I have several other health issues, including anemia, scoliosis, endometriosis, and ovarian complications. I find myself unwilling to endure this condition for the next two decades. Currently, my health feels precarious. My wounds take an excruciatingly long time to heal or sometimes don't heal at all. I experience numbness or a tingling sensation in my hands, where the skin resembles that of a reptile, likely due to my fingers being either broken or oddly bent, possibly infected as well. My arms, legs, and face are covered in lesions, primarily due to these unhealed wounds. Furthermore, I deal with mild muscle weakness, a condition that began during my time playing football as a lineman, accompanied by numerous injuries that still haven’t fully recovered. I find myself wishing for a more rapid progression of this disease so that I can reach a point of resolution, as I feel irreparably damaged and have turned down treatment out of deep-seated self-loathing. Is there any way to accelerate this? I should mention, though it may not be directly related: my scars have a purplish hue, and I've noticed small visible 'holes' near these scars on my left arm—at least four that I've identified—while my left hand seems to be in the worst condition. Thank you for listening. Goodbye.