Question: Hi, I would like to know if for the following symptoms I need to see a neurologist, if not, what type of doctor I would need to see. In brief, this is the situation and symptoms. I was physically assaulted 1 1/2 years ago. I sustained brain, neck, shoulder, and back trauma during this physical assault, and I was intoxicated, so I was unable to defend myself. I was thrown clear across a large living room and collided head/neck/shoulders first into a very hard couch/wall. No doctor has taken the time to do testing, nor document my symptoms on or off base while living in XXXXXXX for the last 1 1/2 years + all PCM's and Specialty clinics in the county in NY I just relocated to, as my husband has been assigned to a new base, is not taking any new patients until Fall 2021. My symptoms are the following (I apologize if I spell anything wrong):
- Vertigo and Tinnutus throughout the whole day, affects hearing and ability to see straight. Causes dizziness and imbalance as well.
-Memory Issues, difficulty remembering information, dates, appointments, etc. Lose focus and concentration very easily, and have retention issues as well.
-Imbalance, will suddenly lose balance while walking, and my body will fall against a wall or any solid object to prevent myself from falling.
-Suddenly trip and fall for no reason.
-While sleeping, I will wake up "gasping for air" as if I stopped breathing and with a rapid heart rate.
-Upper body bilateral weakness in my hands, wrists, arms, shoulders.
-Decreased flexibility and mobility in my upper body.
-Neck stiffness, prevents my neck from moving, and if I force it to move, feels like it is breaking even though it isn't.
-Sharp pains on the top, right side, and forehead of my brain, sharp pains travel into my neck and will contribute to my neck stiffening.
-Shaky hands, loss of grip, suddenly drop things for no reason, suddenly break things.
- I've had 3 small "blackouts" while driving. My neck and head suddenly snap downward, with eyes open all I see is "black", and my "gut feeling" will suddenly wake me up and for example after waking me up my head snaps up and I have said "oh shit, deer", and slammed on my breaks. No accidents thankfully.
-Numbness and tingling sensation in both arms and legs, travels into my feet. Followed by loss of feeling, and by my body dragging my leg, legs feel heavy, and feels like I cannot walk, and causes me to stumble or fall.
-Sharp pains in neck and shoulders.
-Sharp pains and stiffness in rotator cuff area - cannot flex or bend shoulders like I used to.
-Displaced right shoulder blade (side effect of a scoliosis fusion I had in 2005-2006, rods in my back) sharp pains are worsening.
I just need honest help in figuring out what type of specialty doctor I can see, and who can help me identify these injuries and who can help figure out why these symptoms keep progressing and worsening like they have over the last 1 1/2 years, as they are now greatly affecting my ability to function at home and outside my home.