Thread: 3 years...
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Old 03-08-2016, 12:54 PM
randomguy randomguy is offline
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: AB, Canada
Posts: 48
10 yr Member
randomguy randomguy is offline
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: AB, Canada
Posts: 48
10 yr Member
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Thank you for the replies all. To answer some questions:

-Yes, I do have a child from the relationship. Although my ex is a little hostile and tried consistently to get at me, I have ignored all confrontations over the past 6 months. I just shut off, as I know if I give in I will be sick. Very sick. It's passive aggressive, yes but my survival mechanism at this point. I just can't do it without getting extremely ill, so I completely avoid.

-I have always been a little bit anxious. Nothing serious and have been in speaking/presenting in front of people for the past 5-7 years. I was always pretty comfortable doing so and never experienced a panic attack of any kind in the past. By far the biggest issue I have now is every single time I meet with a client for lunch, or coffee there is usually a lot of background noise and lighting that immediately sets off my symptoms. I'm sure some of you can relate, but I instantly feel almost an out of body experience, like it's not even reality anymore. I almost completely zone out and feel extremely foggy. When sitting the chair sways ever so slightly enough to cause further disorientation. I then get a little shaky and about 10 min in each time, after speaking back and forth, head nodding, etc. I feel extremely faint, as if I could pass out at any moment. It's that feeling of hyperventilating as a child and seeing stars/getting faint and just plain out of it. To the point where i have considered of going to the hospital a few times over the past couple of months as I feel as though something very serious is happening and life threatening in the moment. Although I am more relaxed with friends/family the symptoms still come on in restaurants. Maybe just not quite as bad as I am not under pressure to exert as much mentally.

-Regarding exercise, all that I can do at this point is brisk walks/light cardio. Anything more than that and I am sick/completely out of it for days and bedridden. I am still not well enough 3 years in to complete any sort of vigorous exercise that gets my heart rate too high. I used to workout 3-5 days per week pre-inury for stress relief and I loved it. One of things I miss most.

I have tried to remain aware of my breathing and now bring a colleague with me to most meetings to lessen the amount of time that I am speaking, in order to breath. This hasn't helped at all lately. My brain is having a very difficult time filtering out background noises and I have a lot of light sensitivity. Not to the point of squinting my eyes, but on a subliminal level. My brain just cant' handle it and a major trigger. I wish it were as easy to just not be in those situations, but it's a big part of my job and a necessity. I also need to keep working to pay the bills and looking for a new job right now would be hell.

I really just don't know anymore. I have spent 3 years telling myself that things will get better, but some days I am worse than I was 2 years ago. Others I feel 70-80%. Relapse is so easy with this and finding that threshold is hard, especially being a single parent and having to make a living.

I was in for another vestibular assessment a few weeks ago and they noticed an issue in my left eye (very slight), which they attribute to the head injury/vestibular damage and have recommended therapy, which I have tried in the past and made me quite ill. Although now understand it can take months to see positive results. If anyone could share their experience on vestibular rehabilitation and if it had a positive impact with that I am experiencing, it would be great. Something has to give. If I could just get over the dizziness/faint feeling I deal with other symptoms and rest when needed. I am also still nauseas almost all day every day, regardless of sleep, although amplified if I don't get 8-9 hours.

I have seen 10's of docs/specialists and nothing has helped in any regard, aside from ruling other things out. The last thing I have left is vestibular therapy and if that's exhausted with no success, it's just the waiting game.
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