Switched off: Hi Although I had a severe brain... - Headway

Headway

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Switched off

12 Replies

Hi

Although I had a severe brain injury many years ago I am only now querying things I do

In Tesco yesterday it was if my brain switched itself of for a moment and I was just looking straight ahead

I was asked if I was alright so it was noticable anyone else had this

12 Replies
scruffycat profile image
scruffycat

I could have written something similar myself.

SAMBS profile image
SAMBS

Hi dillm, I think its possible that's what happened to you. For a few years now back in UK and also, here I find that the bright overhead lighting gets to me in supermarkets. So much so, that when I had new glasses on trip back to UK last summer, the Optician suggested I wore tinted ones in a supermarket and outside in bright light if not wearing sunglasses. I have found occasionally I've 'switched off' from things before BI and since but only realised afterwards!

Bright light has definitely affected my eyes since BI and worse since car accident Nov. If you can also relate to that about bright lights especially in supermarkets, why not speak to your Doctor and/or see a good opthalmologist - not just an 'optician' in a discount Optical centre. That way you would also get a good prescription and then you could choose where to buy glasses if you need some. It may or may not be related to your experience, but worth talking to your doc and/or opthalmologist about. x

cat3 profile image
cat3

Funnily enough, only yesterday I found myself standing outside my local Tesco gazing like a 'duck in a thunderstorm' & only realised it when someone wanting to unchain a trolley said "Excuse me". It happens a lot since the SAH and I can only put it down to brain over-load causing a temporary blip in motor function. But I think it's fairly common in none BI people.........I do sometimes spot others (usually women) with that glazed expression & I think........Mm, I recognise that look.

I wouldn't worry about it too much dillm, the worst that'll happen is you'll turn to stone ! (sorry that's meant to be a joke although it describes pretty well how I'm feeling when it happens to me).

Hope you're generally ok & that your son is recovering well. Love Cat x

I sometimes think I have turned to stone (l appreciate the joke) must be the tesco effect

philstretchdavis profile image
philstretchdavis

Hello, I had my BI in 2004, I have to concentrate fully on whatever I am doing all the time. When my concentration lapses, it's as though I am in a daze. I stare at things not knowing what to do next. Invariably I feel exhausted by midday and have to have a snooze in the afternoon. Even then, I don't sleep properly, so long as my eyes are closed and I switch off I awaken after 10-15 minutes fully refreshed.

Mikesghost profile image
Mikesghost

This happened to me many times over the first two years after my tumour was removed and I too noticed it when in Tesco, I would be come confused when looking at a wall of cans and just stand and stare as if in a trance.

Sounds a bit like my petit mal. Always careful of flashing lights. Hadn't suffered for years until I had my eyes tested last year. The bright light made me feel quite strange and on my way home I was 'vacant' for around 3 minutes. I've mentioned it to my GP but as he said, I won't take the medication so he won't prescribe. It happened again on a number of occasions through summer but seems to have gone for now - not that I'm looking at any bright lights, flashing or not. Good Luck and mention it to your GP when you next see him.

wannagetbetter profile image
wannagetbetter

My husband says I do that a lot just stare off into space and zone out. When too much information to process I guess I shut down. Its been 21 months since surgery to remove tumour

in reply towannagetbetter

Thanks for your input

cat3 profile image
cat3

Odd though isn't it that so many people 'zone out' when supermarket shopping. Surely it's the brain being overwhelmed by far too much choice. With say 30 items on your list and half a dozen different brands of every item it's no wonder we suffer from overload, coupled with chronic indecision.

When my kids were young, long before my SAH, I used to go into a sort of hypnotic state every Friday always at the biscuit isle. I didn't even eat biscuits so choosing for others from the endless rows and rows was my weekly indecision nightmare.

Take care dillm...........Looks like you're not alone in this ! xx

in reply tocat3

Dogs send a lick

cat3 profile image
cat3

Thanks for that m'dear. If I had to choose between a kiss from Brad Pitt and a lick from your lovely pooches.........it'd be the lick every time ! ( you think I'm joking don't you !) xx

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