Need help with inability to use computer, read or watch TV
 

I have had PCS for 4 months, following a mild concussion which turned into a severe relapse 10 days later when I started pushing myself again.

I have been doing acupuncture, some cranial sacral work, nutrient IV's and supplements (fish oil, gingko, etc), but many of the PCS symptoms still persist.

I'm still unable to use a computer, watch TV or read for any length of time. I also can't be around crowds or more than a few close friends (can't handle complex social interaction).

I would like to know what others have done that helped with these types of symptoms (especially the computer, reading problems). I've seen some posts on vision therapy, but don't know if that's what I need - my actual vision is okay.

Thanks!

How do you know your eyes are okay?
 

Have you been to a neuro-ophthalmologist or a neuri-optometrist? That is the only way to know that your eyes are really okay. I had my eyes checked directly after my accident, and nothing was wrong with my actual eyes. It's the connection between your eyes and your brain that could be the problem. There are several possible treatments, including vision therapy.

I have to wear sunglasses all the time. I can only be on the computer for short amount of time, though it's getting better. I also use eyedrops, and that does help me. I had nine different things wrong with my vision per the neuro optometrist. Other people can speak to other possible reason for your symptoms, but it really could be your eyes.

Hello,
Perhaps if you explain a bit more what happens when you do these things... you say it's not your vision so what happens? Do you get a headache? My problems with computers, reading and tv are that my eyes get fatigued, blurry and sore and also my brain can't handle it and I get a headache or confused. I know my eyes are part of my problem though but maybe not yours.

The answer is probably as simple as.. don't do it until your brain feels it can handle it. Quiet environments with low stimulation are the best way to heal. As you get better overall, with proper nutrition, supplements, rest, then you will be able to tolerate all the things you mentioned a little bit longer and then longer as time goes on.

There may be suggestions to make some of those things a little easier or ease the symptoms you're getting so let us know what they are and we will see what others say.

CC

From my own recent experience of these symptoms going away, I restricted my TV viewing to 1 hour before bed, and limited my use of the computer to 10 minutes at a time. Also turning the brightness down on the devices is important as well.

My brain can't handle it (computer, reading, TV) and I also tend to get an achey feeling in the area behind the eyes and even deeper into the brain behind that. Sometimes the achiness is also on top of the head or near the forehead.

I also get fatigued from these activities, although I also have Chronic Fatigue Syndrome so I've had pretty severe fatigue from that for many years. But I'm much more tired since the head injury. My husband has been working from home for 4 months taking care of me.

I've been taking clonazepam and doxepin to help me sleep, because I started having severe sleep problems after the concussion. I wonder if these drugs might be making it harder to recover. But I need sleep to recover!

Can you tell me what is involved with the vision therapy? How do I know I need if I need it?

Thanks

Go to a neuro-optometrist or a neuro-opthamologist!
 

That is the only way to find out if your eyes are causing some of your problems. If you are having vision-related problems, they may give you glasses with prisms or prescribe vision therapy. Don't wait like i did! I wasted months of my recovery not knowing what was wrong and doing vestibular therapy when my eyes were really most of the problem!

I made an appointment with a neuro-optometrist to see if I need vision therapy.

I would think that the vision therapy doesn't address symptoms like inability to be in complex social situations (groups of more than 3 or so), or the extreme fatgue I've had with PCS. Did you have any of these other symptoms? Did vision therapy help with them or did they just go away?

Thanks

Getting prisms and doing vision therapy has been enormously helpful..lifechanging. But I still struggle with noise and public spaces. If you can reduce the brain load from vision dysfunction, you free more space for other cognitive activities. The noise factor is SLOWLT getting better..but still a huge challenge. I am trying to slowly expose myself to more and more noise to allow the brain to make new pathways. That is the only solution, I think. Build up the tolerance level. It really is about baby steps.

You will improve but it is hell getting there.
Hang in there!

That's great!
 

What other docs have you been to? Have you done any physical therapy?

Yes, I used to have cognitive problems and problems in crowded situations. I also even had problems having lunch with my friends/coworkers when I was still working. I would usually just be very quiet and be unable to follow the conversation. I just tried to fake my way through it. Apparently, my friends really noticed something was wrong, but didn't directly confront me about it. At the time, I was unaware that I had postconcussion syndrome. Anyway, it just took time truly resting for this these symptoms to go away. My vision issues are my only remaining symptoms. I have severe dizziness with certain movements and extreme light sensitivity. So take heart! If you treat yourself right, these symptoms can go away. I got gradually better over the course of six months of resting, though my cognitive symptoms lifted rather drastically.

I posted on the Hope and healing sticky giving some advice. Check it out if you're interested. Good luck to you. Let us know what the neuro-op says!

I have had the same problems for over a year and a half: severe eye strain, light senstivity, and severe sound sensitivity (among other things). I have to severely restrict reading, computer use, and TV. Check out these two threads I started awhile back on ways of making your computer more accessible:

Tips for working with light sensitivity:

http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/thread163832.html

Making your computer more accessible:

http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/thread166767.html

If you can afford it, it is worth getting deep pressure massage, especially around the shoulders, neck, and back. Tension in these muscles can create tension in the muscles in the face and temples, exacerbating eye strain. It might also be a good idea to try a good chiropractor--preferably one that you can get a good reference on.

Vision therapy and vestibular therapy are both worth a shot. Light and sound sensitivity can result from vestibular problems, as visual and auditory processing affect the vestibular system and vice versa (for example, that's why it's much easier to balance on one foot with your eyes open than with your eyes closed; your vision plays a role in balance).

The only other answer I can think of is rest, rest, and more rest. To preserve your sanity, see if you can tolerate listening to audiobooks and/or podcasts. You can download free audiobooks at librivox.org (they only have books that are in the public domain).

Feel free to PM me if you want to talk more about specifics.