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Old 09-18-2012, 11:02 PM
nightnurse30 nightnurse30 is offline
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Join Date: May 2011
Location: san diego
Posts: 303
10 yr Member
nightnurse30 nightnurse30 is offline
Member
 
Join Date: May 2011
Location: san diego
Posts: 303
10 yr Member
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I made the mistake of going back to work 3 weeks after my TBI and was a complete mess. The neurosurgeon at work couldnt believe a nurse would be that stupid to return to work with some pretty noticable cognitive deficits. So I took 2 months off per his recommendation. I didnt really rest during that time...i spent it trying to do things i couldnt do before or testing myself or trying little vacations to see if i could handle a bigger vacation, etc. I never achieved headache free days when i went back, i had just minor headaches.

I went back to work 3 months after my injury and lasted about 7 weeks where my headaches got progressively worse to the point of incapacitation, my speech got worse, my vision got worse, the dizziness was constant, and it got to the point where i couldnt even get out of bed anymore. My manager actually refused to allow me to work after calling in sick 3 days in a row and wanted a neurologist to approve me for work. My neurologist put me out for 3 MORE months!!! I was beside myself, depressed beyond belief, almost to the point of suicidal.

I finally had someone ask me "why are you sabotaging your recovery". I finally realized that i was not doing what they said...I was not truly resting. So I stopped going out, I stopped doing things that exacerbated my headaches, and i stopped putting myself in situations where i knew my symptoms would get worse. I rested and stopped stressing and ditched the anxiety. I accepted my injury, my potential financial troubles, and realized if i didnt take this time now to get better....i may not get better. I started waking up everyday with positive thoughts, ate healthy, used alternative therapies like acupuncture and healing touch, spoke weekly to a therapist to work through my traumatic injury and resultant disability and RESTED some more.

I am doing amazing today. back to work full time since February, healthy as i could ever have imagined, and thankful that my doctor forced me out of work for those 3 months, otherwise, i may not be where i am today. If you are having headaches....your brain needs rest. Give yourself the best chance you can with taking the best care of yourself and help yourself heal. Wishing you the best and a similar successful recovery!
__________________
Suffered a TBI with PCS on April 25th 2011 from multiple blows to the head from falling, unconscious for 12 hours with no memory of event. Hit the back of my head, and above right eye. MRI and CT negative. Symptoms included constant headaches (migraine, pressure, tension, icepicks), dizziness, tinnitus, visual changes, photophobia, fatigue, "spacing out", word finding difficulties, depression, and emotional lability.
Began Healing in November 2011 after starting acupuncture and Healing Touch (a nurturing energy therapy that promotes relaxation and pain relief). I went back to work in February 2012. Ive been symptom free since July 2012. Very happy, positive, energetic and working out every day, doing yoga, and living a normal life again!
I also began taking Healing Touch classes in November 2011 and completed 5 Levels of Healing Touch Certificate Program that included a 1 year mentorship to become a Healing Touch International Practitioner in June 2013. I am so pleased to offer this wonderful healing therapy to my patients, friends, and clients.
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"Thanks for this!" says:
rmschaver (10-18-2012), sospan (09-19-2012), Theta Z (10-18-2012)