Quote:
Originally Posted by Laupala
Headaches are just my most salient symptom, I also get cognitive overload when doing things like working on the computer or doing labwork, where it just feels like my brain is fizzling or something - it's not as though my thoughts are jumbled, it just feels like my brain is overloaded. The worst symptom is simply not feeling like my normal, sharp self, feeling overly anxious and depressed about my situation (although I don't feel this way all the time, just in bouts).
I know that there is nothing I can do to speed up my recovery, that's why I'm contemplating going home and starting from square one to eliminate everything that was slowing my recovery. Do you have suggestions for how I might structure this time? I guess my main question is should I do quiet rest and the same amount of minimal activity until my headaches are gone? Or in your opinion, should I just get home and relax and not think about it (which is likely easier said than done).
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When I was about 4 months in, my doctor told me that total rest would no longer benefit me. I can't remember the specifics, but after either 6 weeks or 3 months, total rest is no longer helpful (keep in mind that everybody is different, and this is just what he felt was right for me). He told me that working part-time (I'm a writer) would actually help my brain recover, as well as walking slowly for short distances (I have now worked my way up to doing 1.25 miles per day).
I'm 6 months in and am still in a lot of pain. I am also constantly fatigued and get overloaded easily. My advice isn't to start over at square one. Instead, I think you should continue doing your current activities, but on a smaller scale.
Example: If you normally jog 3 miles a day, jog 1 mile instead. If you usually work for 8 hours a day, try reducing your workload to 2 to 4 hours per day. If you text for 2 hours a day, try texting for 1. If you're taking 5 classes in school, cut your course load down to 6 credit hours.
Your symptoms aren't severe, so I don't think you have to totally cut out everything you enjoy. Keep in mind that I'm NOT a doctor.