Dream like feeling
 

Hi,

I'm just curious if anyone with pcs, deals with that dream like feeling, or kind of a disconnect. I am really struggling with this. I also feel like it's hard to process what's going on around me.

Thanks,

Some experience what they call derealization. I think it is a bit of confusion from too much stimuli or too many thoughts in the mind. Learning to focus on one issue at a time can help. It also helps to write down the other thoughts so you can let go of them.

I compare it to juggling. We get too many balls in the air and get caught just trying to keep them in the air and can't focus on any individual ball.

Prior to PCS, we may have had not trouble juggling that same number of balls so we have habits of performance that are tough to maintain with PCS.

Thank you once again mark in Idaho.

I know most folks with pcs are constantly looking for answers, so it's refreshing to have someone​ being able to help give a little clarity on what we are dealing with.

Cheers....

It happens and it goes away.

I think it is sort of a self protection from as Mark says, excess stimuli.

Just my uneducated guess.

Bud

Cartpath,

I am almost at 2 months into PCS and I am still experiencing a "derealisation/disconnect" feeling as one of the main symptoms. It seems like the subjective perception had slightly shifted, everything seems slightly off, not necessarily skewed, but I perceive it differently. Like the familiar places seem to be little unfamiliar, or somehow changed, etc. This feeling seems to intensify the more tired I get, but it is definitely lingering in the background at all times. My suggestion is to not focus on this feeling too much as you might start obsessing with it. I know its hard but just let it be, and do go abouts your life.

You can google "derealisation, depersonalization" for more info.

Thanks for the answers.

I am just curious if anyone has actually improved, or gotten over the dream like feeling? I'm almost 6 months into this, and I feel like it has improved very little.

In my experience, once you stop noticing a minor symptom, it is more likely to go away. It may manifest from time to time but by moving on and getting involved with normal day to day activities, those annoying symptoms and feeling fade away.

There is research that shows that PCS subjects who accept their symptoms and just move ahead with some work-arounds and accommodations, have the best recoveries.

That dreamy feeling may come and go but it should not stop you from moving forward.

Thanks mark in Idaho!

My other symptoms have improved, and I am back to work, so trying not think about it to much.
Just hoping to kick this annoying symptom

Don't look at symptoms as thing you need to kick like a cold. This is not an illness. It is an injury. You need to let it heal. It will be slow process that is impossible to track day to day. It can take weeks or even months to recognize a change. It is like watching grass grow.

No advice for you, really but I can tell you I went through the same thing. It was scary at first but eventually subsided. I haven't had an episode in years.

Be patient, I think it's all a part of your brain healing and working things out inside. Hope you find relief soon.

Roughly two and a half years for the dreamlike fog to really thin out for me but can still have what I call cotton wool moments.
It's there, what I want, but I can't just quite get my hand on it, like a dense dense fog, 'I know I can do it, get it but just can't quite reach it. Life can be surreal.'p

And if I take time out to ponder this is usually a result of what's going on around me - overload, anxiety, stress, being the precipitator. And should frustration creep in, ok romp in, then the cottonwool becomes impenetrable.

Trust us it does get better, without really noticing it you wake up one day and are aware that x is no longer part of your journey or has lessened quite considerably. Two steps forward, one Step backwards for some and you inch your way forward.

Best of Cartlake.

Thanks for the response folks.

I find it really curious, as I have spoken to friends (and seen on pcs forums), that the dream like feeling seems to subside around the 1-2 year mark.

Quick update:

I have been feeling a lot better. My anxiety is mostly gone (not stressing about the possibility of having CTE), my head fog(dream like state) has improved, multi tasking has improved a bit.
On another note, I seen my neurosurgeon and he explained most of my issues are that caused by my neck problems. It's so amazing how my doctor would just blame my head issues on my multiple concussions throughout the years ( I know this has contributed). I had to fight to get an MRI on my neck/back, and when my doc received the results, he said it wasn't that bad. The doc still referred me to the specialist. When I seen the neurosurgeon, he asked why I had not come to seen him years before. I was explained that I needed surgery asap , as I was at risk to major spinal cord issues (being paralyzed).
So folks, my advice out of this is, if you don't feel right try to seek out answer or keep pushing for answers.

I agree, sometimes that gut feeling is there for a reason.

Bud

Thanks for the update Cartpath.

Can you elaborate on what your neurosurgeon found to be wrong with your neck and what surgery you are getting? Is he sure it is causing your symptoms?

My best to you...

What he found wrong was stenosis of c4 to c7, with c5 c6 the worst (Cervical myelopathy ). He was certain of the headaches, dizziness, and blamed the dream like feeling on a coping mechanism do to my anxiety. I do understand that having concussions throughout the years has played a roll in other symptoms, but my main issues I am having was blamed on my neck.

Having answers can sometimes go a long way towards calming anxiety. Sounds like an encouraging diagnosis.

Bud

I have this too....I can't stand it!!! Even now as I write this. I first experienced it with high anxiety. Got that sorted and it went away for 5 years. Now I slammed my head and have it all over again and yes... The weird feeling of being disconnected. Hard to explain isn't it. It's so bizarre. You are not alone.

Hi. I'm 7 months in and still experience that to some level but not as bad as it once was. I found acupuncture of the neck gave me my first noticeable relief from this. Things aren't clear yet but it made a notable difference.