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Member
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Join Date: Jun 2011
Posts: 242
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Member
Join Date: Jun 2011
Posts: 242
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I completely understand. I went from working with children with emotional disabilities in a pretty restrictive environment that resulted in my first two head injuries. However, I LOVED my job, as I felt like I was really making a difference and my life had meaning.
This semester I am supposed to take another grad school class, and also start an internship (unpaid, but required by my program). They have met with my doctor and agreed that 3 days a week, 4 hours a day is an appropriate accommodation.
However, after coming down with the stomach bug a week ago, my PCS symtpoms have been rearing their nasty head, especially feeling disoriented and exhausted. I'm now terrified that I will be unable to manage the 12 hours a week due to this setback.
Worse, I feel really depressed, because I felt like last semester I was finally getting somewhere, taking the two classes I took. That one day I'd finally get back to a job.... Now I feel like I'm inadequate again.... There is so much pain and sadness inside me that no one else understands... I just want to feel useful and meaningful again...
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What Happened: On 3/8/11 I was stopped waiting to merge into traffic when I was rear ended by someone doing 45 mph. I walked away from the accident, to fall into the pit of PCS 5 days later... (I have had 2 previous concussions, but neither developed into PCS.)
Symptoms 3 Years Post: Physical: migraines, infrequent vertigo, neck and back pain (from accident), tinnitus, visual field deficits in left eye, problematic light sensitivity, (including visual seizure activity), noise sensitivity, EXTREME fatigue, semi-frequent disrupted sleep cycles,
Cognitive: semi-frequent Brain fog after cognitive strain, limited bouts of impulsivity, unable to concentrate for more than short periods of time without fatigue, word finding problems, slowed processing speeds, impaired visual memory;
Emotional: easily overstimulated, depression, anxiety;
Treatment so far: Vestibular therapy; Physical Therapy; Vision Therapy; Vitamin Schedule; Limited caffeine; Medications; attempting to limit stress and overstimulation; Yoga; Cognitive Therapy
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