Finding it hard to come to terms

[lorrainedickson2]

Since suffering coma in 2013 I'm finding it hard to come to terms with the on going symptoms and changes to my life.

[red_spinel]

hi, what type of symptoms do you have? mine include, memory loss, lack of energy and motivation, unable to concentrate, mood swings, 'drifting off into a world of mine own', as my friends would put it...

[lorrainedickson2 in reply to red_spinel]

Thank you so much for taking the time to reply. Have terrible headaches, lack of energy and motivation and most of the symptoms that you state.

Do your symptoms stay the same or have you had any improvement over time? I suppose all Brain Injuries are different and unique.

[Kirk5w7]

Hi Lorraine, acceptance is the hardest, I was in a coma in 2012 so am more than 2 years on now.the acceptance is difficult because you live with the consequences daily, I certainly never have a single day when I am not reminded of my disabilities.

On the surface they are not major, but I can't walk far without being unsteady

My memory is erratic, somedays it's great others I forget what happened a short time later.

It's the uncertainty of not knowing how I'm going to be from day to day. I find now I plan my days well in advance with at least one rest day in between. Weekends are my most tiring time, for my husband is at home and I take the opportunity to get as much done as possible, coz he's here to help and drive me places I want to go but won't have the energy or desire to do on my own. Unfortunately that means Mondays are wipeouts or in the case of bank holidays Tuesday's and Wednesday's.

I mourn my independence, no more jumping in the car for quick trips here or there, today being Sunday I need to mow the lawn, that'll take about an hour, not coz it's big, but coz of the rests I'll need. I tend to have " my jobs", I can iron( about 10 items at a time), fill and empty the dish washer, I make our evening meal, last job of the day, I fill and empty the washing machine and dryer, I bought a hand held "dyson" it's lightweight enough for me to keep downstairs clean, not tackled the stairs yet, and also a steam cleaner for the kitchen floor, it can be used easily to clean the bathroom, kitchen cupboards etc.

Sounds like I spend ages cleaning doesn't it but I don't I hate it so very little time I spent on that. I've cultivated long lost hobbies and new ones too, I watch a lot of tv and read, listen to audio books when I'm having trouble reading, I just fill all my waking time with whatever. My attention span is short so it's 20 mins of this then 20 mins of that or a rest.

Flexibility is necessary too, if you've planned to do something and find that day is a bad day, replace it with something else then you don't feel it's been wasted.

It works for me, and hopefully it'll help you find a way to cope, if only one of my suggestions helps I'm glad.

My GP said to me , " you've been given a second chance go and enjoy the rest of your life" shows how much they really know doesn't it? He meant well but I am determined to get as much as I can out of my new life.

I'm blessed with a very understanding and long suffering husband who has had to take up the slack but he says rather that than life without me!

I owe it to him and the rest of the family to improve as much as I can, and I'm still getting small improvements now so keep up the good work, don't be too hard on yourself, if you have a bad day or two, put them behind you and start again where you left off.

I send you my love and understanding xxxxx Janet

[lorrainedickson2]

Thank you so much for replying I have a short attention span and have difficulty motivating myself. I have improved in 15 months which is encouraging but I think It is fear of the unknown. My coma was due to low sodium in the blood which made my brain swell hence the coma.

I'm still suffering from terrible headaches and poor concentration. I am trying hyperbaric oxygen therapy tomorrow and I have read encouraging results that it can help to speed some healing. The only draw back is the distance I have to travel to try and obtain it.

I miss the things I took for granted like as you say jumping in the car and being flexible.

I'm glad you are still getting small improvements.

Sorry it's a short answer will reply in more depth later as I tire easily.

Thank you for your love and understanding xxxxx

[Kirk5w7]

I'm very interested to see how the hyperbaric oxygen therapy goes, looked at the cost and it's not totally out of the question, just the distance and I'd need my husband to buy into it too, to help with the transport/ cost. Best of luck xxx

[lorrainedickson2 in reply to Kirk5w7]

Janet - when you get a chance check out the story of curt allen on you tube and oxygen therapy it's amazing xx

[Kirk5w7 in reply to lorrainedickson2]

Will do that later thanks Janet

[lorrainedickson2]

I have the same problem with transport/cost etc. I have checked out some web sites and for certain conditions it seems very effective. I had a small trial last week. Going again tomorrow to see how it goes on a full trial. If I don't manage to get treatment right away it's certainly something I'm going to look into for the near future. It is certainly worth investigating to see if it can improve your condition as unlike medication there are little or no side effects. Take care for now xx

[Hidden]

It is now 50 yes after I had my TBI I got no help after coming out of the coma the first few years were the worst my doctor thinks i have done pretty well

I am however receiving (at last ) treatment for the recurring problems I have had

I hope that my experience s will give you hope to see the light at the end of the tunnel

[lorrainedickson2 in reply to Hidden]

Thank you for your reply. I'm glad you are receiving he treatment for the recurring problems what are they if it's ok to ask? It must have been very difficult for you in the first few years with no help.

I'm glad there is light at the end of the tunnel. Thank you for the 'hope'

[Hidden in reply to lorrainedickson2]

Hi glad to be off help

I didnt even know that I had a brain injury until 12 months ago when my GP found a hospital letter outlining my hospital care after coming out of a coma in 1964 for whatever reason I never attended any booked out patients

I dealt with the problems of then as a 13 year old without any help

as a result of the above my current problems are relatively mild and are generally communication and social problems I sometimes think I suffer from mild peti mals for more info double click on my user name and this should bring up all the questions / posts i have raise

let me assure you that you can get some sort of normality back it is a long road but you will get there eventually sorry it has taken so long to reply --flipping computer types what it wants and i have to keep re typing

[lorrainedickson2 in reply to Hidden]

Thank you for your reply and information and encouragement.

[spartan300]

I got mine in 2006 it has taken me a long time to come to terms it is a long road to recovery I have done it on my own for the most part and if it had not been for Headway and others on this forum I don't know what would have happened, I also have now a physical disability which has come on slowly from the vaccination so two words for everybody, NO SURRENDER, I and many others in our community Know that this is hard but you have lots of support if you want it on this Forum and with Headway, lots of love to you, xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

[lorrainedickson2 in reply to spartan300]

Thanks for your reply. I have been so grateful for Headway and others on the Forum for support and shedding light on things that my GP cant and wont help me with.

Thanks for your encouragement. with love xxxxxx

[spartan300 in reply to lorrainedickson2]

no surprise there with the GP?

[lorrainedickson2 in reply to spartan300]

Yes - I have heard that I am not alone with my GP well 2 women GP's in the practice. Told to "just get on with my life". If only ................ say no more!!!!!