Ughh

[Huwbo31]

It's been 1 year and 7 months since my TBI and it's still ongoing! These things don't heal do they? You just have to work around the problems.

[Kirk5w7]

It's not like a broken arm or leg or an operation, when brain tissue dies it does not regenerate, what has to happen is you have to re- programme your brain to do those functions that have been impaired or lost using another part of your brain.like a child learning it's way in the world.

Some things come back quicker than others.

In a recent discussion with my GP my main issue is balance now and I said that's going to take a while because as a child, you run and jump and play on pkaygrounds, walk on walls and climb climbing frames etc, but we don't do that as adults,we had a good laugh at the thought of my husband holding my hand while I walked along all the neighbours walls.

You get my drift though, he thought I was spot on, that's what recovery from brain trauma is, so a big dollop of patience is needed, balance wise I'm about 12, how about you? Xx

Happy learning Janet x

[Hidden]

So true. 14 years living with an ABI and my family think I have `got over it` but you never do, you just learn your limitations, the triggers which you need to try and avoid, rest when your body tells you to and make friends with the new you. Because it is invisible, folk assume all is well but boy oh boy, is it exhausting! About to grit my teeth and head out into the busy streets and face the noise (yuk) to go to work. Happy Wednesday, all

[randomphantoms]

Hi Huw

Welcome to the wonderful world of work arounds. People have found some fantastic ways around issues.

I was once told, and I don't know how true it is, that natural healing after a bi occurs in the first 6months. Then for 2 years or more after that any improvement has to be worked for. After that progress is still possible you just have to work harder.

You still have lots of progress to look forward to and good luck.

Lovenhugs

Xoxo

[amvamp]

Hi Huw

It's so frustrating isn't it? You are tho still unbelievably in the early stages; I kept saying to people 'no I'm not, it's been over a year' but I'm now nearly 3 years on since my TBI and have seen recovery even in the past 6 months. Some things don't go away; for me that's fatigue, memory and difficulty with noise and it becomes about making changes to accomodate those difficulties. But it can be done, and I like the changes!

Anna x x

[Sem2011]

Hi Huw

I do empathise how you are feeling. I was frustrated with the slow progress of my TBI, which I sustained four years ago. I lost my job, and fatigue is my biggest barrier. My TBI has affected my short term memory, processing information, and have problems in conversations of trying to say what I need to, but cannot find the word. I have left sided weakness and spascitity.

From personal experience I was unaware of how slow BI progress, no professionals said until I contacted Headway. I do feel your frustration. Life does improve it just unfortunately takes time, and because of the invisibility of our problems, it is harder for others to understand. My neuropsychologist's input for the last 18 months has been invaluable. Have you had input? If not I would ask to be referred. they help explain why I react differently to situations/people, help to overcome the problems, and cognitively test me to see which weakness are caused by my TBI. I have just had results of my second cognitive test, and improved on first test.

We are here if you ever want a chat

[celtic2746]

hi huwbo sorry to see your still having problems after you tbi ! everyone is different and heals differently i can sympthise with the fact you have short term memory problem i find also that i can find it hard to maintain a conversation were i forget what i was talking about ! i had my brain anurysem 2 1/2 years ago ive gradually got a improvement but have been told that this is as good as it gets ! i have depression and anxiety also which can get me down ! i really hope things continue to get better for you take care david

[RogerCMerriman]

I'm 1 year 8months on, and i'm still finding improvements sadly also the occasional this doesn't work as well.

in terms of the 6 months thing, thats when people get discharged from GP/NHS etc thus far not seen any proper proof other than "people say"

[Huwbo31]

I've had such a great mindset on the whole situation so far and everyone is amazed at how far I have come from such a very serious TBI, I've just tried to think ahead all the time and not think about how this is probably what is going to make me into the person I will now be for the rest of my life! It's just starting to grow on me that I've let things slip and problems are getting me down.

[malalatete]

Hi Huwbo

'It's just starting to grow on me that I've let things slip and problems are getting me down.'

Ahhh. so you are normal then.

Things might be slipping and getting you down even without the TBI, you know. Career going slightly off the boil, money slipping through your fingers even though you were supposed to be saving for that new car....you know the sort of thing.

You have had a traumatic injury, and you are in recovery. That recovery will be lifelong, that is the first (indeed probably the only) thing you need to get your head round. That sounds worse than it is: it's actually just about being self-aware. Everyone is on a lifelong learning process, it is just that most people go through life thinking they know it all already (and being constantly blown away by life as a result). You now have this additional filter which makes you see life slightly differently: treat it as an asset. You are more sensitive to the world around you. You have greater knowledge than other people of the fragility of life and of the power of the spirit. You know that healing involves the growth of new tissue - and that such growth can be a hard and painful process - but that it is always worth it in the end.

You are blessed in so many ways, and I am sure that you are learning to share this with those around you. When the steps get wearisome halfway up the mountain, never forget to turn around and look back at just how far you have come....

All the very best x

[spartan300]

well i cannot add to the replys you have just about got it all from other victims, i will just say one thing ,, NEVER GIVE IN YOU WILL FIND WHAT SUITS YOU AND WHAT DOES NOT, lots of love xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx john.