Help! How to deal with massive stress and out of control PCS symptoms?
 

So right now my life has turned super stressful, I am 2 years PCS and still suffering badly. I had finally found ways to have some okay days where I felt like half of the person I was before, my "new normal".

Then 6 weeks ago my husband started having seizures, he had 2 over a 2 week period in his sleep. Of course after the first one he lost his license. It has been a super stressful time as I am on disability and his job is driving for a living. He is going through the hell of dealing with an Epilepsy diagnosis with no support or medical guidance. The meds they have started him on are kicking his ***. He isn't normal at all. He doesn't sleep at all and most nights keeps me up.

I can't deal with this stress, the constant go go go that I am now dealing with because I no longer have his help, the driving, the not sleeping. It is really hurting me, I can feel it every single day but right now I don't have a choice.

I need to know some strategies that others have learned to help me get through because I don't know how much longer I can keep going like this before I end up in the hospital.

I don't remember if I asked this before.

Has your husband been tested for sleep apnea ? I have a friend who had chronic seizures when he slept until he was properly diagnosed with sleep apnea and, once treated, he was able to sleep seizure free. He never had a problem with his driver's license because these seizures only happened during sleep.

I take gabapentin so I don't have seizure like events when I sleep.

This isn't overly helpful, but I hope things for you and your husband get better. In the interim, hang in there. My only suggestion for you personally would be to see a counsellor to help you with coping strategies. However, if you're like me, spending 30-60 min with a counsellor comes with a negative cost in itself.

Best wishes.

Mom,

Gonna start praying for you.

Bud

Hi Mark, he just had a sleep study done last week, we won't have the results for about a month.

Thanks! Exactly the cost is very difficult but I've realized that for my health and sanity that I need to do it, have a session scheduled for next week.

Thank you!

I'm so sorry you are going through all this without support. My husband works 4 days a week in a company office that is in another state and lives there as well. It has been difficult by myself those days and my family also do not live nearby. I've reached out to friends and found a few young people who need summer work. It's been great having someone help with driving,light house and yard work etc. I pay them a small amt of cash and they seem to be happy to lend a hand. Perhaps that would be a temporary fix to somewhat relieve you??
Try to spend some silent moments alone each day laying down with eyes closed and practice deep breathing and meditation to help relieve the stress 💛

That is a good idea, I should see if there is someone I can get help from, maybe I will try a local group online.

I think that is a big part of my problem, because of everything that is going on I am getting zero time for myself. The kids are out of school, I have to do everything for my husband so I get no time alone. Yesterday I hit a wall where I just couldn't take it anymore and got in my car and went and sat in a parking lot.

Is there anyone who could help you out with a little respite care? A relative or neighbour who might babysit for an hour or do some driving?

Don't be shy about saying you need a hand. Before my injury, I was very self-sufficient. Afterwards, I discovered the people actually like to be needed.

If you don't have that sort of support at hand, make it clear to your family doctor that you're suffering. This is a medical issue: the wellbeing of you, and your children, is at issue. He/she might be able to hook you up with professional services (like VON), or community groups (like meals on wheels) that could ease your burden.

Call around and see about inexpensive summer activities that would get your children out of the house. Many churches offer free Vacation Bible Schools and most libraries have craft mornings, etc...

Sometimes just getting an hour to yourself, here and there, can make things so much more manageable.

Hang in there.