Originally Posted by nightnurse30

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!