Thread: Getting better
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Old 08-25-2019, 01:47 PM
guitardude guitardude is offline
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Join Date: Feb 2019
Posts: 32
5 yr Member
guitardude guitardude is offline
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2019
Posts: 32
5 yr Member
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Vania View Post
I have experienced a significant improvement recently (after 3 years of PCS). I am writing this so that others know that improvements are possible even years after an injury, and to make sure that this website also has some more positive stories from time to time.

Most of my progress pertains to the physical symptoms. I am now able to do 3 hour-hikes without any problem, while 6 months ago any form of exercise was impossible. My headaches are gone most of the time. I am feeling more energetic. I am less sensitive to jolts, jarring, car rides etc. (although this is still a problem).

My cognitive issues have also improved a bit (less brain fog). I am in general feeling less anxious after minor hits and jolts - this was a huge issue before, but I had so many small relapses that my body and mind finally learned not to overrract.

I am not sure what to attribute this progress too, but I felt that the following things made a difference:

- walking at least an hour a day - it was difficult at first but I got some strength and stamina back quickly and it also did wonders for my mood. We have known since Hippocrates that walking is a good medicine, and recent research suggests that exercising below symptoms promotes recovery. I made sure to use very well cushioned shoes to minimize jarring.

- accepting that some of my issues were a combination of PCS and depression (brain fog, fatigue), and addressing the latter.

I hope this can help and/or give hope to some of you.
Vania
Very happy for you! Weird to think I'm getting close to a year out. Certain symptoms still bug me, and not feeling quite 100% on the cognitive side. Some days at work I feel pretty out of it which can be depressing, but at the same time I'm less often feeling the dreadful self loathing that pretty much always accompanied it more early on, in which I felt like I was practically brain dead. This shift is giving me hope, that some day I'll move on from the depersonalized surreal fogginess into feeling more present.

I recently completed a 4 day backpacking trip with 36 miles of hiking- was very apprehensive leading into it but the walking with resistance overall felt so good, and it only seemed to clear up my brain if anything. Curious, how did you go about addressing the mental health aspect?

Trying to keep my dream (of moving to NYC and playing music professionally) alive. Who's to say where I could be a year from now!
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