How do I overcome my tireness

[Dynamite36]

I’m doing a course and it’s holding me back I want to achieve but it’s just frustrating me,I’m impatient and want to get on to the next course

[sca2013]

Yep, I get it. That's me too. Enjoy the journey, it'll make it easier and hopefully less frustrating.

[malalatete]

Whaat kind of course is it? Home sftudy/distance learning or class based? Full ir part-time? What problems are you coming up against? I amstudying too. It would be helpful to have more info to make suggestions.

[Dynamite36 in reply to malalatete]

Im doing English as I need this to do my computer course, I was quiet clever before my Bi So find it frustrating not been able to do it I’m working my way up to GCSE level I bought while I’m doing it I may as well go to the top and I’ve had to learn to write again,lol as I did everything in note form with my job so did everything in capitals so I’ve had to learn to write in lower case sounds easy but I’m know writing normal again, I find I just get to a point in lesson we’re I’m zoning and getting tired and just can’t do it so I take a break it’s just very frustrating as I’m so impatient

[Kirk5w7]

Hi Dynamite, if we knew it wouldnt be an issue and many more of us would be able to get back into work.

Why does a baby sleep so much?

Its because your brain is rewiring and needs that time when less stimulus is bombarding it to help it recover.

The fact that you are awake means your brain is having to process everything coming in visually and audibly that leaves less capacity to do anything else, so it says enough and tries to shut you down.

Not helpful i know, but i find a short time in a quiet place where i sit with my eyes closed can just boost me .

Janet xx

[moo196]

One has to accept and adapt is my answer.

I find that sometimes the more I do, the more I can do, yet other times I know I must sleep masses. I've been known to sleep 12 hours plus a night for a week or so.... But try not to let it stop me from doing things I want to do (just back from long trip overseas).

I'm starting a new part time job tomorrow and have arranged the hours to include rest breaks, and a day off mid week.

I also find that a yoga type relaxation cd for 30 mins can be a great mini break midday. Worth a look?

Good luck

[Dynamite36 in reply to moo196]

Have you got any recommendations on the cd thanks

[lcd8]

I used to really struggle during the working day and would often find myself falling asleep by the afternoon. I tried everything from sucking sweets in tired periods to having a nap in my car at lunchtimes. In the end what worked (touch wood) was getting plenty of fresh air and exercise. So I walk in my lunch break and also wear clothes that aren't going to get me overheated in the office (the problem is worse when I am warm). I also altered the time I got up in the mornings a little. Best of luck.

[sealiphone]

I've read your profile and it's unclear when your TBI was and how your course relates to your previous skill base.

As others have said plasticity (rewiring) can takes years and during this period your sleep needs can double. Combine that with the common symptom of acute fatigue and you've potentially got the perfect storm. It's 16 years since my first bleed and one of my symptoms is still fatigue but you can begin to identify activities which bring it on, then limit these tasks or do them in small segments (rest in between)

If you're trying to learn a totally new set of skills your brain is having an extra demand placed on it. Statistically being able to return to your old area of work you have a greater chance of success, as often all your old skills and knowledge are still intact.

Another potential problem can be that your impairment, cognitive skill such as concentration, attention and executive skills can make learning new information very difficult, the effect of this is more fatigue and stress.

It's clear from your profile that you've come through lots of physical recovery it's likely during that period your cognitive dysfunction wasn't your first priority. People often find these symptoms become obvious if the return to their old job.

Time is worth waiting if the end result is a better outcome, so don't feel slow isn't the best approach, don't push yourself too hard.

[malalatete]

Hi Dynamite. This is advice I got from the ME rehab clinic I went to -not so much a physical injury to the brain I suffer with (though I do have an aneurysm and a flow diverter in my brain too) but the impact is pretty similar.

Thing to try and work out is how long you can go for before you start to get overtired. For me, cognitive overdoing tends to mean that my brains signals to the rest of my limbs go heywire, so if I spend too long reading or studying, then if I try to get up I find the legs and brain are no longer communicating. If, having worked this time-limit out, I then try and stop at 50%, take some time to rest (lie down with eyes closed) then I find I can get back up again after a short while and go for another two or possibly three sessions.

At my worst, my 50% was after about 10 minutes (and my legs were useless almost all of the time). These days it is much better, and except with say three or four occasions at college this year and last year (I do one Saturday a fortnight in term time) I have managed to keep up with my course which works on a 1.5 hr on, half hour off, x 4 basis.

At home I try and pace similarly but knowing that I have other stuff to do too I will study for an hour, do some housework for half an hour, then rest for 15 mins. I try and alternate brain and legwork as much as possible and always chuck in plenty of rest time if I start to feel like I am waning. If I am out that is with a mug of cappucino somewhere, people-watching.

It is really hard to adjust to the slowness of pace but in the end you do begin to appreciate life in the slow lane. I have quite fond memories of the days when hanging washing took at least an hour -because my arms weren't up to the task. Hang an item, read a paragraph, have a sip of coffee and admire the birdsong, repeat till basket empty...

You can't get there any quicker than you can get there, that is a fact, and in the end you will also get a lot more satisfaction from being rewarded for your efforts with a good grade than scraping through. Getting your knowledge into your long-term rather than short term-memory is also important when you have cognitive dysfunction problems to make your learning more sustainable.

Hope that helps - and best of luck with your studies and well done for all the progress to date.