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 ..

[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 ..

[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

[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