Hello,

I am a new member here, though I have been reading (or listening to) the threads for some time. I'll try to keep my story brief.

One year ago, I was rear-ended and acquired a mild TBI (post-concussion syndrome). I was in a small truck with an inadequate head rest and my head went back and hit the rear window. My main symptoms early on were headache, dizzineness (imbalance), difficulty thinking, and extreme fatigue. After 2 months with almost no improvement, I began to improve fairly steadily, and by June and July of last year I felt like I was close to recovered. I still had frequent mild headaches and occasional brain fog, but otherwise had improved quite a bit.

In early August, I reinjured my brain by doing too much computer work. All of the previous symptoms came back, with the following additions: very severe light sensitivity (photophobia), sound sensitivity, and much more persistent dizziness than before. Since then, my thinking has cleared up a fair amount and my energy level is better, but all the other symptoms have either not improved at all or gotten worse. I have been doing as much as I can to take it easy and avoid stress, but have probably not been taking it easy enough until more recently.

I'm typing most of this with my eyes closed, and I do most of my computer "reading" via text-to voice software (my sound sensitivity is not nearly as bad as my light sensitivity). I wear very dark sunglasses, sometimes two layers, almost all of the time, I rarely watch TV anymore, and I am doing very little reading (compared to my norm). I am also doing a number of alternative health procedures, such as acupuncture, massage, cranio-sacral therapy, and vestibular rehab.

I have shown improvement over short periods but have always subsequently lost it. Even in the short-term, the improvement in photophobia has been minimal; in the five and a half months since my reinjury, my photophobia has gotten worse.

I would appreciate any feedback on my situation, especially regarding the photophobia symptoms. Thank you.

Pete