Brain injury symptoms

[Jpdee75]

Been living with bi for 3 years still struggling with long term symptoms like fatigue and mood. Been told that some sort of 3 year barrier on improving. It’s sent me into a tail spin and feel this is my life, I don’t have to do a lot to tire me and psychology bring me right down e.g a short walk surely this isn’t it ?

[Pairofboots]

Hi JP, the three year thing isn't really a thing. There are wild generalisations about recovery, at best they are guesstimates at worse, they become a mental barrier.

Throughout life, with or without brain injury, we progress, everyone is different, no rights or wrongs, we have to live the best life we can. Not everyone will reach the moon, but everyone can have an ice cream.

If you are struggling keep chatting here, but also have a chat with your GP, or the rehab team, tell trusted friends, tell family, contact Headway, their details are pinned to this page.

The community is here for you, take care 🍀

[Jpdee75 in reply to Pairofboots]

Thanks for reply, everyday is still a struggle and negatives can make me feel that this life isn’t worth the hassle a glimmer of hope means the world cheers

[Pairofboots in reply to Jpdee75]

It is always worth it, never loose sight of that, every beed of sweat, every tear is there to wash away the dust, to welcome the future. 🍀

[paxo05]

Hi,

Like pairofboots as said the 3 year thing is a general rule. It also mainly relates to the physical side of bi

As you progress and adapt you will find your life will improve whilst medically staying the same, if that makes sense.

Think of it as learning a skill or job it takes a certain amount of time to learn yet after this time you improve as you improve with experience .

Pax

[Jpdee75 in reply to paxo05]

Hi paxo I’m new here so helpful input from anyone is great thanx

[Leaf100]

Hi Jpdee75The three year thing is a guidleone they use as the healing happens faster inthe first 3 years and then they think generally slows down.

BUT and it is a big but - healing keeps happening, doing variuos things to improve your situation is still worth while.

I am unregognizable from where I was at year 3 compared to now.

Yes, it is a transition point as you may get diffferent attitude or changes return to work options etc, but it is no means the end of your healing.

(At least for me at year 3 my job no longer had to hold my position. That was quite confronting for me. This may be different for you as I dont live in the UK.)

You can and will keep progressing. Yes, there will be residual symotoms and fatigue is one people do strughle woth ling term, but you still make progess and learnto oace yourself and also get to know what wears you out faster and what doesnt wear you out as fast.

Life can still improve, though you will feel stuck in a rut in a manner of speaking as life will have changed so much and your old life isnt coming back and that really starts hitting home at some point. It can ne very challenging and coming and talking here can help. You are still you and life is still worthit and you can find things to enjoy. Life diesnt have to be about bi all day allthe time even if you struggle with this and that because you get used to it and everythig is also relative. Some days I feel evry discourages whenI remember how it used to be pre bi, and sometimes I feel very happy whenI think of how I am how compared to the period after injury. Being able to walk simetimes without a walker is amazing, for instance. Heck, being able to pulll off walking in a straight line feels miraculous.

Hang in there, we are here, talk about what you need and how you feel.

We are here listening. You matter. You are still you.

Leaf

[Jpdee75 in reply to Leaf100]

Hi leaf that is a great insight into how things can still improve my life is still in bits and I’m hopefully rebuilding it brick by brick. It so much helps to hear the point of view from a co- survivor. You sound like you have a gritty determination and I wish you all the best. Thanks for your input