eponagirl,

What you have been experiencing is due to over-stimulation. Your brain is not ready for this yet. You NEED to get some foam ear plugs. When you are out at a noisy location (CT Casino), wear them. They will reduce the background noise and the overall Db intensity. I prefer the yellow foam plugs that are shaped like a cylinder. Twist them into a tight skinny shape and put them in so you can just touch them to pull them out. They will not stop you from hearing local conversations.

You also need to focus on getting good sleep. I was watching Mini-Medical School last night on the Research Channel. The speaker mentioned that the brain needs ample REM sleep because it is during REM sleep that the neurons can heal. If there is not enough REM sleep, the neurons start to fail and die.

Eleven days of no REM sleep is usually fatal to the brain.

You also need to better inform those around you. If they fully understand, then you are accepted as you are. Otherwise they will discount your 'excuses' just like many uninformed doctors do.

Go to Dr Johnson's web pages at www.tbiguide.com and find his comments that talk about your symptoms. Print those pages for your friends and family to read. The 'ah ha' moments will be amazing as they recognize your symptoms and behaviors. His Guide is thorough and directed at much more severe injuries but address the symptoms of PCS very well. Your family really needs to read his Guide so they can help reduce stress while you heal.

Your experiences could be called a relapse or a decompensation. The term is meaningless. The cause is more important. Basically, you back-up in your recovery when you are sleep deprived or over-stimulated or suffer some other stressor. The hoof care function was likely too much information and too many voices.

Remember one thing. Others will likely consider you more recovered that you know. They only see you from the outside. They do not see how often you are struggling on the inside. Think of yourself as like an iceberg. Only ten percent of an iceberg is visible above the water line. PCS tends to be the same. Others only see ten percent of your struggles. When your family and friends understand the truth about PCS, they will be better able to notice the subtle struggles you are having and offer help or at least compassion and accommodation.


My best to you.