Post concussion syndrome

[Pk-fe]

I’m struggling with post concussion after an accident six months ago. Is there anybody that has similar issues described in y story?

[Timotei0612]

hey there - I think so yes, although I’m earlier in my journey (3 months since my cycling accident). Somebody on here suggested to me that there were 3 phases to TBI -

1. What the hell just happened to me?

2. I’m going to be just fine!!

3. I’m not fine (panic!!)

I rushed through the phases to prove to myself and others that I was still the same Tim. Consequently I rushed back to work without addressing the trauma of hospitalisation for the first time in my life (I’m 57) and losing two weeks of memory completely. I went back to work and tried to do everything I did before my accident. Consequently I have not recovered properly. My head is still quite foggy, I have big problems with depression and anxiety, and I’m worried I won’t be able to do my job well enough. My memory is better but not sharp like it was. Not sure if any of this is relevant or similar, but be kind to yourself, don’t rush it like I’ve been doing. You’ll be fine when you’re ready to be fine, not before. It’s a long road, you’re further ahead of me I suspect, so keep going. It’s going to be ok right?

[Pk-fe in reply to Timotei0612]

thank you for taking time to reply. We have some similar experiences. Have you found anything that helps?

[Timotei0612 in reply to Pk-fe]

Talking to people close to you helps. My work have been brilliant. Now whilst I’m not sure they fully understand what I’m going through they are trying to be helpful. Sleep problems are my biggest worry currently - insomnia is slowly killing me and worried I’m at the point where I’m just going to fall off the rock face. I’ve started talking therapy so we’ll see how that goes and also Accupuncture. I guess it’s a long road we’re on and I just want to enjoy life again.

[Teazymaid in reply to Timotei0612]

I’ve not read the 3 points before .. but wow they are spot on .. I’m 4 years post accident so did 2 years of I’m going to be fine etc (stage 2) 18 months plus of I’m not find panic( stage. 3) But stage 1 is still with me as I’m still feeling this bit 🤔

All I do know is this forum is the best place to be with people who do understand as it is a long road and complex at times ….Sue

[Timotei0612 in reply to Teazymaid]

It’s the trauma of first sage (what the hell just happened to me) that’s tricky. One minute in going to bed on Saturday night, and the next I’m at a nurses station at the hospital asking where to toilet is and being asked if I knew who I was, where I was, and why I was there. Because I rushed my recovery to prove to myself and everyone else I was ok I never treated the trauma. And I think this still troubles me. I’m hoping some talking therapy might help because I feel as though this is at the root cause of my anxiety issues and sleep issues. We’ve all got to hang in there and believe there’s a positive future right?

[Teazymaid in reply to Timotei0612]

Yeah it is the trauma and I am now starting to see a councillor how specialises in TBI so I’m hoping this will help address the problems I have with losing the person I was and the emotional dead person 🧍 am know ..

[Graceissufficient in reply to Timotei0612]

I find it helps to focus on the improvements since the bang. And the word is that improvements do continue, it's just the slowness.

It gets scary when I start wondering if I will stay stuck at the current stage.

I could cope fine if I didn't have stuff to do. But trying to make decisions - even changing house insurance - when tired and anxious is draining, huh? And makes one lose self confidence, self esteem.

But at the start I could barely get up the stairs. Now I can walk half a mile. It's easy to forget the progress.

[Pk-fe in reply to Teazymaid]

Thank you also for your reply. I'm just in a really odd place. Convinced i will be better, embarrassed when im with other people and have to explain somthing. Take forever to write something. i have moments i feel positive but then something quickly knocks me back down so so frustrtating.

[Timotei0612 in reply to Pk-fe]

I hear you. I find myself talking to people at work in a garbled nonsense and then feeling stupid when somebody points something out that I said wrong. But we have to be kind on ourselves and remember that none of this is our fault, it’s just the hand we’ve been given. I’m trying to embrace the new version of myself but not quite ready to yet.

[Teazymaid in reply to Pk-fe]

I’m the same everything is so frustrating .. I’m being to find ways of coping but I’m 4 +years so fo lots of us it takes a lot of time to heal emotionally and physically ..

[Graceissufficient in reply to Pk-fe]

We're all the same.

[Jonty77 in reply to Teazymaid]

I think I might be on a constant cycle through the three stages, like a circle rather than progression 😂

[Teazymaid in reply to Jonty77]

Yes I think I’m improving and then something else goes wrong . It’s like my brains playing tricks on me where even I think I a quite moment that I’m imagining it .. it actually feel realised when I fall over do to something stupid as that is reassured me I’m not imagining it .. 🥴the whole thing is totally bonkers …Sue

[Pk-fe in reply to Teazymaid]

Sorry to hear about your issues. It’s really scary to think this might continue for so long.

[Teazymaid in reply to Pk-fe]

We all very so much and this doesn’t mean you will be where you are now in 12 months time .. for me it’s been a roller coaster of hi and lows .. also I’ve had situations that I never knew existed before ..

keep reading and sharing on here and gather as much information as you can on what your are dealing with from books ,on here, Drs … etc .. this has been my way of going forward as it has helped me understand this me 😊Sue

[Writeronstack in reply to Jonty77]

Isn't it strange - I am three years on but I still feel that all these things are cycling back - one day I am surprised that this is me, and the next, embarrassed that I can't recall things, and the next day much more optimistic, because something small went right.

If we can get a sense of distance from ourselves, and just observe the thoughts come and go for a few minutes, that helps a lot, I found.

[Graceissufficient in reply to Timotei0612]

Two weeks!

[WonderingWanda]

I am nearly 2 years on from my bicycle accident and I am now living with the consequences. There is a proportion of us who never fully recover so you do really have to take things as they come and accept that some days are just gonna be tough. If you try to push through you can make matters worse.

Speak to your GP and see if there is a rehabilitation in your community to advise you. There will be some exercises that you can do. Gentle cardio activity can aid sleep and a regular sleep hygiene routine is essential. Rest is the key to success.

Good luck

[Pk-fe in reply to WonderingWanda]

I so get trying harder makes it worse for me when having a really bad day. I’ve been referred for rehabilitation but have to wait until November. I think I’ve been assessed already. Well I spoke to someone for an hour then told I was being referred for support. I can’t remember too much. But that was a month or two ago.

[V8Lurcher]

Hi PK. Sorry you're having a rough time.

If you look on my profile, I have a post the same title as yours from 3 years ago. It has some fantastic advice and experiences from the lovely people on this forum. Possibly worth looking at.

I would recommend resting and giving your brain time to heal, sit in a dark room for a rest during the day if you can. Make sure you eat and drink properly. And tell people what you have going on. Ignoring it won't make it go away.

All the best

[Bevyx]

Yes struggling too. What are your symptoms? Mines only been two months but got constant headache

[GoldieHamster in reply to Bevyx]

Hi Bevy,

Mine was 9 weeks ago, so a similar length of time to you, and like you I have a constant headache. The headache gets worse with bright lights, loud noise (can't tolerate listening to music) and exercise, so not great. Have you found anything that helps relieve your headache?

My GP said to go back in 2 weeks if the headache is still there, and they will refer me to a neurologist.

Best wishes

[Nemo24]

Yes over 3 years in and each day has to be managed in its own way. Best tip I can offer is get reading up on it. Headways website is full of information.

[Writeronstack]

Read read and read some more. There is a lot of stuff on this site itself. Slowly it will sink in. And slip out again, and sink in again.

I get phases of opting out of reading what is on this site, and then come back to it, and feel that I am in a safe and useful space. That is three years on.