Hello, I'm Nathanael Erik. (Hate my last name so I don't use it haha)...

I ran into this site after searching online for a concussion/post concussive disorder support group. I don't really have friends, and I've been diagnosed with major depressive disorder #296.33 and general anxiety. I'm 25 years old. Rent a room so I'm sort of out on my own. I worked as a deli manager for the company I worked at for 6 years and change, and one morning I bashed my head (11/10/13) on the case glass doing price/ad changes. I didn't report it thinking it was a normal bump to the head, too excedrine migraine and worked my whole shift. Concern arose when my 1/2 hour drive home turned into 2 hours and no memory of it at all what so ever. Light was killing me, head pounding, I felt so sick... I called my mom and she took me to the er where I received a cat scan and neck brace and all that good stuff. Before leaving that night 11/10 I called the manager on duty and reported it to him over the phone. I was given one day off from the hospital, and resumed "work" as best as possible for about two weeks til my mom took me to the er again on 11/25 because symptoms were so bad. You name it I had it. I was pulled out of work from my neurosurgical doctor at the neruo center indefinitely two days later, and have been struggling with bills and stuff ever since. By the time I got short term disability going (workman's comp denied my claim) it was two weeks later and bills were adding up. I get paid now and their gone almost instantly. I was diagnosed with post concussive syndrome and obvious ataxia. Things are moving very slowly progress wise... I have so many symptoms I'm not gonna type em up. I've been so horribly depressed. My best friend treats me like you know what... and I don't have any other friends... my mom supports me the most, my sister does when she can but she has an 8 week old baby. I cry so much and feel so alone. I get so overwhelmed that simple tasks require writing down and then days to actually do. Its horrible. And I just cry...and cry... I hate living like this. Nothings getting better. I had a talk with my best friend about stepping it up and being a true friend in my obvious time of need but its difficult. Currently being ignored 6 days in a row... I'm so hurt by him and its adding up with everything else going on and just manifesting... I have my Dr, psychiatrist, therapist, physical therapy and occupational therapy. I can sleep through two alarms and phone calls. I don't wake up. Uhm... I'm tired and not sure what else to say. I will introduce myself in the other appropriate forums as well then.. I'm open to questions and all that... hoping for... anything...I dunno. But that's part of my story... and if you read this thank you and if you replied thank you even more.

Sincerely,
Nathanael Erik

You've got a lot on your plate.....I certainly hope you find some relief. Here is a link to our TBI/PCS forum http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/forum92.html I think you will find any folks on this forum who understand and can relate to your issues. Good luck and I hope you get the support you need.

Thank you...

Nathanael Erik,

It is great to have you come and be with us. You will fine a great number of dear friends to listen when you are in need of ears. Please, just let us know how we can help you out. You will find out we are supportive and relaxing place.

Please keep us up to date on your situation. Again welcome, looking forward to seeing you around. My thoughts and prayers are with you.

Darlene

Hello.

Well its 3am and my mom and I just got home from the ER. Turns out I'm having a common side effect of percocet being used for my headache. Constipation.
Only I didn't know it was constipation. Sound simple? No.
They did an EKG, blood work, IV fluids, did a "butt check" **felt quite weird** and xrays...

Constipation as a common side effect of percocet, sounds simple and easy, but why was I in such extreme pain all over my body. Turns out... my intestines stopped moving, I forget which one, the small intention I think I'm not medically up to speed... but xrays showed THE WHOLE THING is literally full of ****. The intestine stopped moving, and the whole thing FILLED up with my waste.

Its so disgusting and hurts so bad... it feels like its going to come out of my mouth... gotta call my neuro tomorrow and ask what to do.

I am quite amazed that the ER didn't at least give you some indication as to what to do for constipation.

All narcotic pain relievers have the warning of constipation as a side effect. An enema or a strong laxitive usually takes care of it.....and that is something an ER could easily do.

Neurologists usually don't treat constipation other than a side effect from a med that is used to treat some other symptom. I'll be curious as to what your Neuro has to say.

Hi Erik,

I know exactly how you feel. I've been of work for a year with PCS from a concussion at work. I still have a lot of the symptoms you have and my advice would be if you could,move in with your parents until your symptoms improve.

The frustrating medical advice I continued to receive throughout the months were "rest your mind and ease back into your schedule". Ideally that means no physical activity or visual stimuli. Well,that's impossible unless you're put in a medically induced coma so even now I try,and yes I fail at times, to take it slow when my mind tells me to pull back and rest.

This is why staying at your parents will help you immensely,baby steps Erik.Everyones recovery is different. It sounds like your head injury was similar to mine,no skull fracture so to many it may seem like a minor injury but any time the brain moves inside the skull it is being stretched from the brain stem and there lies the hidden damage.

You will get better but your brain is going to heal itself on it's own schedule so just try to hang in there and lean on your friends and family

You'll get there

Go back and stay with your parents if that is an option.

You really do have a lot going on right now and I'm so sorry you're feeling so depressed.

My dr advised me to use a stool softener as needed while taking Vicodin. This may help you too.

I don't remember you saying but are you on an anti-depressant ? Crying all the time is not good for your mind or body.

We're here for you so please keep in touch. We care

Debi from Georgia