It's been 1 year!
 

So it's been a little over a year since the accident and I still have residual effects of PCS. It's not as bad as it used to be and I've developed my coping skills around all the symptoms, and actually, some symptoms have disappeared, or more like, hasn't come up as often.

The ever lasting symptoms that still remain:

- short term memory loss;
- slow processing speed;
- word finding difficulty;
- fatigue.

Those that "linger":
- irritability;
- impulsiveness.

Those that have faded:
- OCD;
- tinnitus;
- attention loss.

All in all, my personality has changed. I'm a different person. I'm more stubborn (look out), more outspoken but also more reserved depending on the situation, and I'm more black and white about people's opinions whereas I used to be more grey about it and more accepting. I'm working on that by being more spiritually aware, but this accident has set me back some on my development.

I am glad you shared your progress with us! Congratulations on your progress!

I also did a Reiki treatment a while back and discovered my Crown Chakra is messed up. Obvious of course! Meditation helps in resolving it, but I'm not there yet.

Be careful if they suggest standing on your head. The neck may not be able to handle the stress and the brain may not be able to handle the blood pressure. You risk causing a much worse physical problem.

You mention impulsiveness and black and white...I would say they're some of the biggest changes in me. I have no patience for jerks now and feel no fear in making that clear to them. I used to be timid. In fact, I don't have any concern with what people think of me now. I can be very impulsive, I seem to live on the edge of my emotions. And things either are or they aren't. Black or white. I have no interest in the in between.

I'm so glad you're improving, and good to know there's hope with the tinnitus.

Huh? :confused: Do you mean for the treatment? Or the meditation?

Either way, I've never stood on my head for any reason - not about to start now. ;)

I never cared what others thought of me either. However, because the lack of a "filter" in the beginning, I had to be really careful about what I said, running it through my head a few times before I spoke. It was exhausting! Of course there are times when I just didn't care and blurted whatever out when the impulsiveness overrides everything. Offended by what I said? BAHAHAHA!!! :D

I'm pleased you're improving! I'm rapidly approaching my one year anniversary, it's just over a month away... I'm not sure if I've improved much.. I think my memory is a bit better and I rarely suffer tinnitus now. There is hope for us all! :)

I just re read this thread without any memory of replying to it, which actually gives me time scale of my short term memory loss!

Yes,if only we could get a balance between putting jerks in their place and not offending people. It's a fine one...!

The thing is, WE think they are jerks, as some people actually are well-meaning, and my own perception is jaded in such a way that makes them jerks. But then of course, there are real jerks and we can offend those. ;)

And then there are those low-self-esteem people that really push my buttons because they need to get over themselves as they bite at everyone but themselves. Well, I'll bite back! :D

See? I have less patience with people who really bug me. I never used to have this kind of response and just let things slide and let them be in their own clouded world.

Thank you for such a well written and clear update. I am heading for the 7 month mark and it really helps to know what has improved and what has stayed.

Like many others I live in hope that the tinnitus will fade. I doubt I will go back to the responsible adult version of myself, more like the impulsive, irresponsible and forgetful loon who spends too much money and talks too loud!

Best wishes from me.

It's been over 2 years!
 

Hi again! :)

It's been over two years since I've had my injury.

Last year (2012), it was somewhat compounded by landing on my head in a bicycle racing accident during Memorial Day weekend. I ended up in the hospital for about 1.5 weeks with a fractured back, a cut above my left eye, hematoma on my right leg and road rash on almost every part of my body. I was in a clam-shell body brace for 1.5 months and went to physiotherapy for 6 months. Started cycling again by mid-August 2012.

All this and still dealing with remnants of my PCS.

My progression is as follows...

Symptoms that still remain:
- short term memory loss;

Symptoms that have improved but still linger:
- erratic (instead of slow) processing speed;
- periodic word finding difficulty;
- irritability;
- impulsiveness.

Those that have faded:
- tinnitus;
- attention loss;
- fatigue.

Those that no longer exist:
- OCD.

I've had to keep my irritability in check by meditating. I've also started to do yoga to increase blood flow, spirituality, and calmness. I've been at it for 6 months now and it has greatly changed me for the better.

I still seek moments of stillness and quiet to improve my overall well-being.

I've also created a new life for myself, reinventing it by prioritizing things I need to do and their importance.

I always, continually seek ways to improve myself and not let this condition get the best of me. I think it will just be a matter of effort and time. I live with it every day and coping with PCS feels routine.

There are also times when I feel like I got smarter with these hits in the head, and I try to capitalize on it when moments of incredible insight come to me.

I also have a girlfriend, a relationship - something I actually had doubts about because of my PCS. Let me just say, don't let your mind create that limitation! :) (That's for another post in another forum.)

I hope all of you find some encouragement in this post.

Thanks for reading!