My son had a TBI and one problem is fatigue. He is so so tired and has to push himself whatever he does. Any suggestions to help with this.

[jeanni]

[Hidden]

My husband has an ABI and we found he was very fatigued at first. Our way to cope was to get blackout blinds and curtains in the bedroom so that if he shows signs of tiredness he could go and lie down. I'm making this sound simple but getting someone with a BI of any kind to admit they need a rest is virtually impossible. How we ended up doing it was to make a note every time he got angry/upset/frustrated later in the day when he DIDN'T have a lie down and use that as evidence to persuade him that it is the right thing to do. We're now in a pretty good routine where he'll even volunteer to go lie down! Keep at it, it's worth it x

[jeanni in reply to Hidden]

Hello. Thank you for your advice. My son tries too hard to keep awake-often falls asleep during the day then cannot sleep at night. I do keep suggesting he has little rests and we have noticed the more tired he is the more"overwhelmed" he gets with small problems that at one time would not have bothered him. Also the medication he is on I think makes the problem worse.They are anti-convulsive that he has to take for another year.As you say he has to take it on himself to stop and rest at the right time-give in to it basically..Thank you again. x

[davee in reply to jeanni]

Hello again Jeanne. I also get lack of sleep. I not only have had two brain injuries but heart troubles also. I suffer with missed beats (ectopics). These wake me up and like your son can't get back to sleep. Causing utter tiredness exhaustion, and don't do much for depression. I now take depression tablets, and also sleeping tablets. Oh wonders, gorgeous sleep. Hope your son can get the help he needs and deserves. Good luck. Dave x

[ladyjane]

Hi jeanni. I had meningitus which gave me some pretty bad cognitive problems. Being tired is one of the worst problems that ive had.

Is your son under a neurologist? My neurologist was amazing and truly helped me get back to as normal as i can be.He prescribed me Modafinil. It is an expensive drug but the most effective. It doesn't have the side effects of Ritalin and other drugs of the same kind. It has been amazing to be awake after two years half asleep!. It just helps you be a little more alert, so its not so hard to focus.

Perhap your neurologist would recommend this for your son?

God bless you and your family

Abbie

[jeanni in reply to ladyjane]

Hi Abbie,

My son has had some sessions with a neurologist and he found it very helpful He is now awaiting to see another and we have hopes this will be good for him-it is just the waiting -no-one moves fast and time is rushing on and help is needed with cognitive issues but there are not enough qualified neurologists -there is a 4 month waiting list on the NHS.

Hopefully he will get some more help soon but I did find that from leaving hospital there was very little help. I should have come on the web-site sooner.

Thank you for your advice it is most welcome.

Jeannie.

[headwayuk Partner Headway]

Hi jeanni,

Thank you for your post, and very sorry to hear of the fatigue your son is experiencing.

Fatigue is an extremely common effect of brain injury, and can make rehabilitation/recovery very difficult.

We have a booklet called 'Managing fatigue after brain injury' that might be helpful. If you send me a private message on here with your name and address I can post a copy out to you.

Best wishes,

Headway.

[jeanni]

Hello Headway,

I did put my address on-line to you then I deleted it-not sure if you would get it or not-or if it would go on public view?? regards, Jeanni

[headwayuk Partner Headway]

Hi Jeanni,

You can send us a private message on here by clicking on our username, then the 'Send me a message' link on the left hand side, just below our logo. That should keep your address private.

Alternatively, if you just send me an email to [e-mail] I'll get it posted out to you today.

Andrew.