Exhausted trying to function!: Was excited to... - Headway

Headway

10,465 members12,815 posts

Exhausted trying to function!

Crazychickangel profile image
11 Replies

Was excited to finally be getting my hair done this Saturday but 3 hours'out' has totally wiped me out, sickness and headaches. Just exhausted from going from feeling semi 'normal' 1 min to on my knees the next. I never used to sit down before my brain infection now I feel useless and get so frustrated when I have jobs I want to do but can't manage anything. Just feeling meh 😕.

Written by
Crazychickangel profile image
Crazychickangel
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
11 Replies
Painting-girl profile image
Painting-girl

So sorry C - that's such a shame. I'm noticing that I'm struggling more with more social contact coming back, I suspect we're all going to find some impacts as lockdown eases. Hang on in there 🌸

Crazychickangel profile image
Crazychickangel in reply to Painting-girl

Thank you. I've def noticed i have no real desire to be out socialising.

cat3 profile image
cat3

I usually wake up with plans for a single job but if I seem to be firing on all cylinders I'm easily carried away ; getting as much done as I can whilst feeling up to it. But all too often the as much develops into too much and I end up staggering with exhaustion and dizziness.

I'm good at handing out advice on pacing oneself and knowing one's limits, but overstepping boundaries feels so empowering .......and has a hint of the person I used to be -----temporarily ! Today for instance, I did 5 hours gardening and paying the price with loss of appetite, dizziness and headache.

We need to plan, not only for extra projects, but also for the aftermath. You should congratulate yourself on sitting through a long session in the hairdresser's chair, and you mustn't berate yourself for after-effects beyond your control.

It is what it is 🥴 but not failure or weakness on your part.

Take care Cc.. x

Crazychickangel profile image
Crazychickangel in reply to cat3

Thank you darling. I completly get that and get carried away on days I feel good then get annoyed when I can't do it the next time I try.

cat3 profile image
cat3 in reply to Crazychickangel

I'm nine years on but still deluding myself that 'One step forward - several steps back' doesn't apply to me 'cause I'm special/different/tough....

As I said - I'm delusional, and as prone to meltdown as everyone else with a damaged brain. 10/10 for effort but 0 for adaptation ; join the club Cc ! 🥴x

twice profile image
twice

Sounds such a simple thing to do doesn't it, 4 years after my brain injury and I still get like that , it's your brain telling you that you have worked it too hard. It took me a long time before I finally accepted the new me and how much I could expect from my brain before it starts to grind to a halt. Try not to expect your brain to do what it could do before your injury, an injury to your brain is something that you have to live with now, that may sound a bit harsh but your brain won't heal in the same way as a injury anywhere else in your body. I did a fatigue management course at headway and it was then that I finally realised all this myself. If I push my brain too much then I will be wiped out for 2 days at least.

There is so much to learn after brain injury and it's a tough place to be sometimes.

Hope you are pleased with your haircut though 😊

Crazychickangel profile image
Crazychickangel in reply to twice

I am yes thank you. Just got to keep telling myself to be kind to myself.

phoenixraven profile image
phoenixraven

Sorry you are going through that! Pacing yourself is definitely the way to go. x

Pairofboots profile image
Pairofboots

Hi Crazy, lockdown has knocked us all for six. I posted yesterday about two and half hours, I didn't post for sympathy, it was just an experience I think most of us experience. There is always something to do. Mine was to be my kitchen, it has only taken me six years so far to gather everything I need, there is no point in doing a bit, and then stopping, that's how I ended up in the mess to start with.

If you achieve something then you have done good, tomorrow is another day. In our world, we do what we can, when we can. We know if we push the limits, it comes back to bite. We have to get a tad philosophical, Philo says you did well, Sophical (Philo's husband) says relax.

Crazychickangel profile image
Crazychickangel in reply to Pairofboots

Thank you!

Kind345 profile image
Kind345

One thing I’ve learned and is still trying to incorporate in my daily living is I have to listen to my body. Sometimes I want to do things like I did prior to my injury but pays for it days later as I get debilitated. One example is the Easter egg hunt I wanted to keep tradition of doing with my kids and a few of their friends (8kids total all masked and outdoors). My head “told” me this is too much and you will pay. I could not execute the plans for the gathering; I was floored. A friend of mine arrived to assist me with the set up; she was the one who had to execute everything for the event from start to finish. All I could do was call and order some food for them and have my husband pick it up. My head, eyes were beyond fatigued. Had similar episode last wk when I entertained my cousin in a too long video call. My head started to hurt and I ended the call. However that headache resulted in increased blurred vision, increase light and sound sensitivity and feeling like I’m swaying. I have come to terms with I cannot do things like I did in the past and I need to listen to my body. Things will get better and it takes a LONG TIME but it will. Hold on tight

You may also like...

Exhausted

it’s own. .. Does it get better ? Or is it just a part of journey … from a exhausted and and...

Thinking in longhand is exhausting, isn't it?

Yes, got that. Okay, let's get the lead on. Why is the poor dog getting so impatient? As we walked

Exhausted (and really frustrated about it)

Today, I'm absolutely exhausted. It feels as if someone has removed all my bones and replaced them...

Complete Exhaustion

December. First 2 weeks were fine. Getting back to the basics and working from home meant a...

Feeling exhausted,

he can't move very much can't sit up or walk,he's got a pubic catheter in situ, over the last...