Traumatic Brain Injury and Post Concussion Syndrome For traumatic brain injury (TBI) and post concussion syndrome (PCS).


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Old 11-24-2013, 08:40 AM #1
Halfnelson Halfnelson is offline
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Trig Suicidal thoughts...

I know I am supposed to convince myself that I can still enjoy life and do important things - but every day is too much of a struggle.

It has been over 2 years and, despite plenty of rest and time off work, I'm not improving at all.

I really don't want to end it but I cannot keep going either. What's the point? I wake up, feel like crap, work, feel worse, go home, sleep, repeat. And for years!

My family and friends have stopped asking how I am - which is fine and I don't blame them for trying to move on. I've also seen every specialist under the sun but to no avail.

So I am starting to plan which is worrying.

I guess I'm looking for some inspiration or hope that things will get better but I just can't see that happening.
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Old 11-24-2013, 10:05 AM #2
St George 2013 St George 2013 is offline
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Default Good morning Halfnelson :)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Halfnelson View Post
I know I am supposed to convince myself that I can still enjoy life and do important things - but every day is too much of a struggle.

It has been over 2 years and, despite plenty of rest and time off work, I'm not improving at all.

I really don't want to end it but I cannot keep going either. What's the point? I wake up, feel like crap, work, feel worse, go home, sleep, repeat. And for years!

My family and friends have stopped asking how I am - which is fine and I don't blame them for trying to move on. I've also seen every specialist under the sun but to no avail.

So I am starting to plan which is worrying.

I guess I'm looking for some inspiration or hope that things will get better but I just can't see that happening.
I am so sorry for all your troubles. I am usually on the PN site but saw your post and just wanted to say 'hey' from Georgia.

Please know that u have support here. Want to tell us what's going on ?

I'm pretty new here but I know others will follow with posts.

My life is an up and down roller coaster with pain 24/7.....I have small fiber neuropathy due to diabetes and 6 rounds of chemo (taxol/carbo). That ended in March of this year and BAM....a month later I could hardly walk. And so my journey began......

Please know there is ALWAYS hope ! Sometimes in the simple things. A smile, the face of a child

Please take care of yourself and come back to us and let us know your story. Here's a hug for you

I'm just a silly 51 year old but I care very much.

Debi from Georgia
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"Thanks for this!" says:
nevergone (11-24-2013)
Old 11-24-2013, 10:55 AM #3
Mark in Idaho Mark in Idaho is offline
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Halfnelson,

What have you done to develop a lifestyle that accommodates your current condition ?

We can have a life with PCS limits. I have lived with severe PCS for 14 years.

Also, see a doctor. There are great meds to help you with your ideations. I have been there and successfully treated.
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"Be still and know that I am God" Psalm 46:10
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Old 11-24-2013, 01:01 PM #4
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Halfnelson,

If your feeling this way, speak to a Dr as Mark said, there are meds out there to help. Cymbalta really helped both my mood and my pain for example, my life would be very different without it.
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PCS following head injury November 2012. Experienced dizzyness, light and noise sensitivity, hypercusis, fatigue, insomnia, migraines, facial pain, problems concentrating, irritability, sensory overload, exercise intolerance.

Symptoms mostly resolved, working full time and I am now mostly better. I wake 6am daily since my injury. Was experiencing daily Neuralgia which was controlled with Cymbalta 30mg, Lyrica 200mg daily. Now only on 30mg Cymbalta.
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Old 11-24-2013, 11:03 PM #5
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Default Yes, get help!

Hello!

Check out the stickies for things you can do to try and help yourself.

Please seek medical advice and or therapy too. You need to talk to someone who may give you some options.

There is a lot of support here. Keep asking questions and people will weigh in to try and give you direction.

Take care,

pm
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[SIZE="1"]What happened. I was in a car accident 2-23-2013, and got a mild concussion from it. I had some time off for brain rest, got somewhat better, but slipped into PCS in March 2013.

Symptoms I had: dizziness, light and sound sensitivity, fatigue, tinitis, occasional headaches and migraines,

Symptoms as of 5--2013: poor sleep, tinitis, some confusion /short term memory blanks, balance. The other symptoms are mostly gone, but flare up if I OVERdo something.

Therapy I had: vestibular

3 months in: I could drive more and for longer distances. I felt like a younger, happier version of myself and I feel so blessed to have this feeling.

9 months in and I am working full time. I do get tired, and some sound and light sensitivity from time to time, but mostly I am over most of my symptoms.
I pray every day and I m praying for your recovery.

Over a year in: I can multi task (limited) and have humor in my life. But when I am tired, I am very tired.
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Old 11-25-2013, 12:57 AM #6
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Halfnelson,
think you are in another country? My daughter's symptoms are going on 2.5 yrs…with many disappointments in-between.

1. medication has helped--it takes awhile to find the right meds and dosage.

2. acupuncture--helped with headaches and more,

3. stand up paddle boarding-- just getting on the board land not going very far but balancing was helpful. note that she could not get through vestibular or eye therapy due to feeling nausea,but she could stand up on a paddle board.

4. prism glasses to act as a crutch when she reads--she still cannot comprehend but she can read simple fiction books now.

We just got her hormones checked but the results have not come back. I just want to say that she is still getting better. There have been times when she went backwards or plateaued.

keep talking --we're here,
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Old 11-25-2013, 08:51 AM #7
Halfnelson Halfnelson is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by hopefulmom View Post
Halfnelson,
think you are in another country? My daughter's symptoms are going on 2.5 yrs…with many disappointments in-between.

1. medication has helped--it takes awhile to find the right meds and dosage.

2. acupuncture--helped with headaches and more,

3. stand up paddle boarding-- just getting on the board land not going very far but balancing was helpful. note that she could not get through vestibular or eye therapy due to feeling nausea,but she could stand up on a paddle board.

4. prism glasses to act as a crutch when she reads--she still cannot comprehend but she can read simple fiction books now.

We just got her hormones checked but the results have not come back. I just want to say that she is still getting better. There have been times when she went backwards or plateaued.

keep talking --we're here,
Thanks for the replies everyone.

I live in South Australia.

Since my symptoms are aggravated by physical and cognitive exertion I have cut strenuous exercise (I walk only) and tried to limit work. This has proven mostly ineffective as my symptoms are easily re-aggravated by any form of exertion and I do not seem to be improving or developing a tolerance over time.

So the next step is to cease work entirely. I work in a stressful office.

I do smoke occasionally which may also worsen symptoms as, beyond the obvious adverse health effects, smoking increases heart rate and blood pressure. Does this seem logical?

I have seen a neurologist, neuro-opthalmologist, neuropsychologist, neuropsychiatrist, and undergone a variety of assessments.

Whilst MRI and other scans are normal the neuropsychologist believes I have sustained frontal and parietal lobe damage. This causes difficulties with language, problem solving, planning and organising, and overall slowed thinking.

The neuropsychologist and another doctor suspect trigeminal neuralgia.

The neuro-ophthalmologist also found damage to my vestibular system (left beating nystagmus).

I have tried a few anti-depressants and, whilst they made me 'feel' ok, I did not like the feeling or side-effects and my cognitive symptoms did not improve. So I slowly tapered off the medication.

I feel as though I have reached a dead-end with ceasing my job being the only option remaining... It is really difficult to bear.

Halfnelson

Last edited by Halfnelson; 11-25-2013 at 09:14 AM.
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Old 11-25-2013, 09:11 AM #8
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Default Hello halfnelson

I am sorry you have TBI. Has any treatment worked at all? No improvement in 2 years?
Have you tried a Physiatrist?. This type of doctor treats the whole person and can think outside the box.
Never lose hope. we will be here for you on NT. Find one small thing a day, that brings joy. Even if it is just the smile of a child. When I get those moods, I force myself into some kind of action. I watch something funny like I did last night with Carole Burnetts special. I did laugh which they say is good for healing.
I believe, that changing your thoughts, can change the chemicals in the brain. If you switch thoughts, right when you get a bad idea, it helps. It is hard to do at first, but with practice, you can change your thinking. I went for council for a time, and this was one practice, that turned my blue moods around. Look at Art, hear a good song, talk with a friend, have a sip of something you like, or a meal that you enjoy. Recognize the tiny good there is in small things, and the bigger things will come along. I don't have TBI, but depression followed me around for years. I hope you do heal and get back some of what was lost. The brain can do so much we don't know about yet. I believe it can indeed heal itself. Change the chemical balance, and maybe the TBI and depression will get better. I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers. ginnie
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Old 11-25-2013, 11:27 AM #9
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There is always the hope of improvement , although its very slow and hard to notice. The thought of how it will affect those around me keeps me from being self destructive. Modifying your work and hours may help if your able to switch. Stress is not helpful and although you dont like the side effects of medications , they do help.
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Old 11-27-2013, 08:44 AM #10
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Hang in there - many of us have been there, including me. Symptoms can come and go, and sometimes mine abate for a while or seem to resolve entirely... only to come back later. I've learned to take it in stride and work around them. It's just part of who I am - there's a whole lot more to discover and explore.

Don't give up. You never really know what tomorrow will bring.

Best of luck to you. And enjoy your summer, as we descend into winter, here up north
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----------------------------------------
What happened: Sustained mild TBI #9(+) in 2004 when I fell down a flight of stairs and smacked the back of my head on the steps. Knocked out briefly, then bounced back and resumed everyday life, as usual. Then things fell apart -- lost my job, friends disappeared, spouse became terrified of me, money flew out the window, and I had no idea it was all happening, or why. Finally put things together in 2007, when I was researching brain injury for a family member. Have been actively working with a neuropsych and recovering since late 2007, with amazing results I never thought possible.

I blog about this at
.
.

Symptoms: fatigue, tinitis, sensitivity to light and noise and touch, insomnia, general pain, headache, attention issues, emotional lability, panic/anxiety, anger/rage spikes, confusion, difficulty hearing and understanding, slowed processing speed, limited short-term working memory, balance & vertigo issues, difficulty reading and learning new things, nystagmus and tremors when over-tired.
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