Mark,

Interesting about the tensing up, I have had to work real hard during exercise to stay relaxed, especially the neck which sets off a number of symptoms. It appears possibly I am not imagining have a bit of a time isolating my biceps, things haven't felt the same as before during bicep exercises. Hmmm.

Louise,

I finally took the step to return to the gym after a 20 month hiatus. I needed a heated pool, I took to swimming since my head still doesn't care for running and it eventually turned to using the weights as well.

It has been a totally different experience than ever before. I have had to learn to moderate some activities and to take days off from the gym when necessary. Sometimes I can't go to the gym for a couple of days prior to a family activity or travel but I am very happy with the progress.

Thus far I have found it best to separate the cardio and weight days...in the past I could run and hit the weights. Now I swim one day and the next is weights. Friday's I do both cuz I have the weekend to recover from an overload if one happens. Wednesday and weekends are off days.

Last winter and well into the spring I could not walk more than a quarter mile without major symptoms starting during the walk, requiring hours to recover. That was well into a year post injury. I kept trying to do more and realized it was detrimental and quit until October a full 1.5 yrs post injury.

Last week I went to pick up my new prism glasses and they weren't an immediate cure, things around 10 foot away were slightly distorted appearing and I started balling in the office. I went next door to the eye neuro to do my therapy and broke down again. I'm a 56 year old man crying over glasses and little eye exercises! You aren't alone.