Welcome to Neurotalk.

I want you to know that most of us here completely understand what you're going through. You're not alone.

Unfortunately, there is no way to know when you will get better. (You probably already know that though, because you're a nurse.)

As a nurse, it might be more difficult for you to allow other people to help take care of you. Please make sure you do not overdo it, allow people to give you the care and compassion that you have given to so many others. Overdoing it can cause a setback and could delay your recovery time.

Make sure you rest as much as possible. Rest means not taxing your brain more than sitting in bed or being idle. Personally, I've been sewing and coloring. Television, radio, the internet, etc., and generally going out and doing stuff seems to overstimulate a concussed brain; having to process all that information overtaxes it and isn't good for recovery. So, take it easy.

I was in a bad auto accident that caused me to have a head injury and bulging disks too. I was originally told that I'd be ok within a few hours to a few days. Weeks later, I was told it would only be a few more weeks. It's been more than 21 months since the accident I was in and I'm still not functioning as well as I did before that fateful accident. I wasn't able to work or drive at all for over a year! But I am working again; it's only part time, but my Dr. recently told me she believes I'll be "normal" again someday - but she keeps trying to impress upon me (because I'm super impatient to be all better) that it's going to take time.

So, my point is, that you should not give up hope that you can and will return to your work, no matter how long it takes. There is a book written by a Dr. (Titled: Over My Head) who was recovering from a concussion and it took her something like five years to return, but she did it. The truth is, no one can say whether you'll be able to return or not - BUT researchers and experts all agree that the people who are the most determined to recover, the ones who are most stubborn to return to their normal levels of functioning and the ones who do not give up are the ones who make the best recoveries.

And you should know that a lot of people just randomly wake up one day all back to normal after weeks or months of having a lot of debilitating symptoms and cognitive impairments. (I'm still hoping that happens to me!)

Also, I had an ongoing severe headache that was first diagnosed as a tension headache (it was completely debilitating, so I thought that diagnosis was absurd and I got a second opinion.) The second opinion went from "status migrainosus" to "increased intracranial pressure" that I had sustained for six months before it was discovered. It was relieved with one spinal tap and I've been recovering ever since!

I know you're a nurse, but as a patient, sometimes diagnosis and treatments can seem excruciatingly slow; as can the recovery process, try to "go with the flow". Also, try not to worry about the legal affairs of the head injury. Worrying creates chemicals in the brain that aren't beneficial for healing. Remember that your number one goal is to recover. After hiring a good attorney, let them handle all that stuff.

There are a lot of threads here with good info. Many of us have a strong belief that good nutrition will help the healing brain a lot. Make sure you are taking your vitamins and minerals, omega oils and avoid MSG, caffeine, alcohol and sugar as much as possible.