1 Year on

[Circadian-rhythm]

Hi guys

I'm new to this forum so I'll explain first why i'm here. Last year I was hit by a car whilst out riding my bike in hit and run incident. I was placed into an induced coma on scene, and transferred by air to my nearest Major Trauma centre. I remained in the coma for 13 days with an Extra Dural Haematoma and a Diffuse Axonal brain injury, among other injuries.

Over the last year, with limited rehabilitation support, i've progressed to returning to work full time as a Paramedic. So, my first question to the community would be what support have others experienced following brain injury and during a return to work(both from their employer and their community support teams)?

On my return to work, this is when any real issues have become apparent. I'm experiencing quite drastic fatigue even following one shift, sometimes only a couple of hours into my shift. I've been advised that it could be worth reducing my hours as i'm still in my phased return to work. So my second question, what sort of hours do others work if part time? What do you feel you can manage?

More on the fatigue side of things. I've had no input from my community ABI OT regarding fatigue management. He is aware I experience this fatigue, but still no input or advice. I'm due to start receiving support with this through another avenue, my question here is what sort of things do people do to manage their fatigue? Other than just trying to rest...

As a result of my brain injury, I lost my c1 driving licence (the one for ambulance sized vehicles) for a two year minimum period. I've appealed this decision with support from my Neurological Rehabilitation Consultant, as I never experienced any seizures or anything similar. It's now been 8 weeks since I submitted this information, and true to form, the DVLA are still yet to review this information. Has anyone else had a similar experience with the DVLA? If so, how long did it take? I'm frequently advised by them that my case is 'the highest possible priority' in their queue, however this doesn't seem to make a ton of difference...

I'm almost constantly being advised by every Health Care Professional (hcp) that I encounter that the period of time for recovery from brain injury can be 'Up to two years'. That's great to know, but i'm never given any real world examples of how exactly this recovery continues. My question here is following the one year point, has anyone continued to see improvements in their fatigue levels or any other issues? It would just be interesting to hear from someone who's actually experienced a brain injury, not just another HCP.

I'm aware i've asked quite a bit here, and i'm sure i'll probably want to add more at some point...Any help or advice to any of the points mentioned would be very much appreciated, thank you!

[Kirk5w7]

Hi, i want to acknowledge your post because it is important that you know we are here. And yes you did ask a lot of questions. I will do my best.

Firstly i did not return to work, i suffered from PRES and wwas soon apparent that my limitations precluded work and i have not resumed driving although there is no reasin why i should not, i manage my peripheral vision loss very well.

So what can i tell you, in my case the fatigue is much more manageable now but I am now at 6 years, all i did in the early years was sleep when i had to.

I take co enzyme Q10, i am prescribed pregabalin which has given me back the ability to say i can do something every day.

You may get an answer from someone who has returned to work and find that far more useful.

Best Wishes

Janet

[RecoveringH]

Hi, welcome and many questions! Many posters here have personal experience of a BI either themselves or through a loved one. If you search Headway (top right of screen) for 'fatigue' you will see hundreds of posts entitled fatigue and in those answers, you will answer some of your questions.

With your medical background, you will appreciate pharmacist Isabella Wentz (youtube and her website) and her personal experience through fatigue. Benfotiamine (vit B1) may help you but research first to see if you feel that would be right for you. Hope you are taking a good multi vit B.

As Janet says, CoQ10 or the bioavailable form ubiquinol will also help and in your phase, would benefit from 3 times per day with food until you see improvements.

My previous posts (click on my avatar) to see my profile where previous posts and comments can be read) refer to many vitamins and supplements which I have taken on my road to recovery and return to work.

Ask away if you have more questions. All the Best.