leebeemi,

Welcome to NeuroTalk. Sorry you got car paint in your hair. Sounds like quite a impact.

Yes, you are right. Everything sounds like normal PCS. To add to the PCS is your depression. I suggest that your depression was due to the stresses of your 'think on your feet' job. Research suggests that multi-tasking is detrimental to brain health. Sounds like you have needed to multi-task at both ends of the candle, work and home.

My 'shoot from the hip' suggestion is simple. You and your husband need to sit down and have a serious discussion about work and household stress. Your PCS brain will forever be more sensitive to stressors.

Watch the 'You Look Great" video series by John Byler on YouTube. Download the TBI Survival Guide at www.tbiguide.com . Get informed about your symptoms and other needs.

You will be surprised how much your kids can help you around the house. Lowering noise and other chaos will be a big help. Making eye contact during conversations will also help. Sitting quietly with mom as she tries to help with homework can change the dynamic s at home. Loading the dishwasher quietly so mom can rest will also help. The bending over to the dishwasher will likely be problematic for quite some time.

My wife had started the kids at doing their own laundry at these ages. Anything they can do will help. Kids are amazing when they get a chance to act more grown-up.

The low dose Elavil sounds like your doctor has good information.

Have you tried wearing dark glasses? They can help with the light sensitivity. Ear plugs too. Your brain needs to be protected from visual and auditory stimuli. Soft comfortable clothes will also help. The tactile sensation of an itchy label or errant synthetic thread can be that straw that broke the camel's back. A quieter place to work with new quieter behaviors by those you work with should be a big help. Just remember that high stress will be a struggle for the near and maybe distant future.

Statistically, ( I hate PCS statistics) the longer your PCS symptoms persist, the greater the chance of a long recovery. Duhhhh.

This event may be the wake-up call you need to slow down your and your family's life. The brain does not take to stress well. Many have learned a new appreciation for a simpler life when struck by Persistent PCS.

I wish I had better news but it is better to plan for the worse and hope for the best. The brain needs the rest.

btw, You may benefit from a serious hormone analysis. Hormones can get a serious bump from a concussion, especially at your age. Your prior depression suggests that you may need some hormonal 'tweeking.' Check out https://www.womensinternational.com/..._referral.html for a referral to a good specialist in your area. You may be surprised at the improvement you get with a bio-identical hormone supplementation regimen. Also, get your nutrition and supplementation regimen going. Plenty of threads with nutrition info. Post your questions if you can't find them.

My best to you.