Lack of Sleep: Does Anyone Else Feel Like This?
 

As I suffer from PCS for many years, but just now connecting my symptoms to my 5-7 concussions I've had I am wondering if people feel like this and if it's normal for me to feel this way when I either get (1) Little sleep or (2) Broken, irritated sleep?

1. Lethargic, ACHING legs.
2. Headaches
3. Entire body aches
4. Foggy, irritable

I understand that most people might feel kind of like this on little or broken sleep, but when I describe this to my GF she doesn't think it's all that normal to feel as I do. I am utterly USELESS when I get little sleep or broken sleep and I just can't stand feeling this way.

Any feedback is greatly appreciated

Yes yes and yes ....:( I don't know what to tell ya but hang in there ..That's what they tell me..

The concussed brain is much more symptomatic when it does not get proper sleep. I have problems with Central Apnea that makes my sleep even more problematic.

What kind of sleep disturbances are you experiencing?

I feel like that almost every day, I swear, but I'm the complete opposite, I get lots of sleep cuz I'm always tired! I feel like I am stuck in a vicious cycle! I do get body aches, especially my legs, and I get headaches as well. I feel lethargic. I used to exercise frequently but I've totally lost interest since my accident. I don't know how to get "it" back. I don't know if I sleep too much or what, but I'm always soooo tired so what am i supposed to do? I'm beginning to realize this is the way of my life now and I'm not really liking it...

Seems like I'm asleep but am aware of everything around me ..

6 weeks ago i suffered a concusion due to a clash of heads in soccer. My body was in shock up until 2 weeks after. I was sitting there watching the television and all of a sudden this feeling came over my head of numbness and severe throbbing. It lasted about 5 seconds until it past. I lost all sense of emotions and i mean all sense of them. I carnt feel the vibe nor energy of any given situation nor happy or sad. I am like a robot. I eat, sleep and talk. I went to the doctor and he diagnosed me with post traumatic concussion syndrome and if there was no improvement to come back in 3 months. I have looked on forums etc, but does anyone else have/had this before. The brain injury must of effected and numbed all my emotions. please speak up if you have. Im scared im going to like this for the rest of my life. Feel no joy nor now sorrow. just nothing.

Thanks to all for the replies. It's hard to figure out what is "normal" and what is not, especially since I am one who powers through things. But, as I learn more and wonder, I just realize that these aches and severe fatigue symptoms are simply not normal and how a person should feel.

I'm 42 y/o, an amateur athlete (with a career in the international freight business) & I am used to always having an abundance of energy. I play baseball every weekend, used to play hockey every week, & work out at home. I eat right & take vitamins while trying to get suffucuent sleep. It's just now dawning on me to connect the dots because I am so frustrated with the fatigue, headaches, and irritability. So, I can't tell you how much I appreciate you all replying because it opens my eyes to what should & should not be normal.

I am sorry you all have to feel this way, as a strong-willed person myself please just know that it's ok to vent, it's ok to feel vulnerable, it's ok to to break down to those around you that love you. Maybe even mention this forum so that they know what you're feeling is legit. While on here only briefly thus far, it has made me so much more aware. So use this as best you can.

It's weird, but I'm glad I'm not alone but so sorry you all have to feel this way, too, for better or for worse. Stay positive!!

Sorry to hear about your accident. I think at this stage you need to get more medical care than just going back in three months. Headway in the UK has a good website. The injury can cascade and continue to wreak havoc for a long time after the impact. It is feels horrible, scary and I can only describe what I am going through as hell. But everything should improve with time and care. Hang in there.

Agree with the others...i don't sleep much....and feel awful. Trying to get some better sleep habits...i listen to the Meditation Podcast (episode 6) which is available on tunein radio app for Blackberry or Ipad/i phone. 15 minutes of guided meditation....it does help me. Just wanted to pass that on! Hang in there.

ChrisC1970,

I know how awful it is to try to get better, cope with everyday life, do what we must, & try to keep up with good selfcare --- all with little/no sleep and/or poor quality of sleep.

I can well imagine also the difficulty & stress of coping there this week in NJ with aftermath of big storm Sandy. How are things there where you are today?

Best regards,
Theta

Before my injury I used to go to sleep around midnight and get up automatically without an alarm clock at around 7 am.

Post injury I couldn't go to sleep until after 3 am but still get up at 7 am. This lasted about 8 months.

Over the last 6 -8 weeks I have managed to get to sleep at midnight but now find it difficult to get up in the morning until 9 am. Why I don't know it must be the wacky world of brain injury

Sleep Study
 

I can empathise with you all thats for sure. Daytime exhaustion, detatchment, frustration, mood swings, depression. We could go on and on. I have not had concusion of any kind but I am never refreshed no matter how long I sleep.

I would recommend a full sleep study, wire you up like a puppet and record your brainwaves while you sleep. They also track oxygen saturation, pulse, if you stop breathing for any period etc etc.

The brain is so complex I don't think any specialist can state that they have all the answers but the sleep study can give indicators for many conditions.

Have a look at the sleep apnea/ sleep disorder posts.

Just DON'T IGNORE IT (as if you can anyway)

sleepless
 

I suffered form lake of sleep and still do from time to time,tere are some aromatherapy sleep oils that you can put in a defuser in your bedroom that will help you sleep better I do have some recipes if you feel that you would like to try a more natural way or you could try to find an aromathairapist near you:)

For me lack of sleep is a strong indicator that i overdid it in some way...

So I try to be aware of that fact and questioned myself about my activity level that day (both physically and cognitivley)

I think the main reason being that with fatigue comes anxiety and with a concussion it is like we loose a "filter" and are much more vulverable to stess...

Hope it helps you Chris!

lack of sleep
 

I had a sleep study last week - will see what it shows. The place I had it specialized in sleep apnea and I do not think that is what is causing my sleep disturbance. In any case the technician said they coded 2 hours of sleep in an 8 hour period. I only remember being awake for the first 2.5 hours so not sure what happened during the study. I do know i was dead tired when I was awakended.

I know sleep disturbance can be associated with TBI but it takes extra monitoring of the brain waves to sort out the cause. The initial test are mainly to rule out apnea.

Anyone else have a sleep study and did the results lean toward a brain cause or something else??

I did sleep study about 2 years ago and they did test lot of things. Sleep apnea, restless leg syndrome etc., Interesting study but didn't show anything abnormal for me except mild snoring.:rolleyes:

If you do have sleep apnea, it will show in the test which can be a great help in aiding your recovery through some good medical help.

Cheers!

Sleep study indicator
 

I have probably mentioned this in a previous post somewhere but my initial sleep study pointed to mild/moderate sleep apnea but the CPAP prescribed did not cure the constant fatigue, a second sleep study showed that my body was active during REM sleep and therefore not resting. In Sept 2012 the specialist diagnosed REM Sleep behaviour disorder.

I have also some tremor in right hand and feet, so having the REM disorder may help my neurologist decide if I have Parkinsons, Lewy Body Disease, Multiple system atrophy or whatever. Glad I agreed to the second study.

Like yourself I would give a lot to feel refreshed and have more energy (any energy LOL)

Good Luck (get your thyroid checked)