what about watching tv -- does that make your head feel weird?
 

I can't wrap my mind around the fact that sitting in front of the tv could overstimulate me...if I'm relaxing ...WHY???

After a few mins...my head feels weird (I also get this when on the computer, in a car, etc.)

I'm now at a point where I just try to ignore it for a while...then stop.
BUT am I doing myself more harm than good??

Anyone else not able to watch tv symptom free???

For me, video (movie, TV and computer) and audio stimulation (music, complex sound environments like malls where there is music and many simultaneous conversations) make me physically ill. These days, you can't really get by without a computer, so I spend time on it in small doses. I try to go every other day without any computer time at all.

Several months ago, I did get better to the point where I was comfortable spending a full workday in front of the computer, watching videos, listening to music, and spending time at the mall, but I had a relapse last month that took all this away.

I could not watch TV or movies for almost 6 months. It is actually a lot of sensory input. I found that I had more trouble with things that were high action or had quick, jumpy editing. The combination of visual and auditory input also seemed to cause a problem.

Caillou was about the right speed, fortunately, since my son loves to watch that :)

concussed...did you hit your head again to cause the relapse or what??

No.

I was following the regulated exercise program from UBuffalo and doing really well and feeling really good, so I decided on my own to push my heart rate above the threshold that was recommended to me by the doctors there and then do a "gentle" fitness class the next day.

So really, I have no-one to blame but myself for this relapse :(

when you say relapse...what do you mean? when did this happen??

How long were you working on the Buffalo program...and are you still doing it now?

By relapse, I mean that some symptoms that had disappeared, reappeared. This was due to me exceeding the exercise intensity level recommended by the guys in Buffalo. I had been doing it for 1 or 2 months when it happened.

I am still on the program, but exercising at a much lower intensity than initially.

what did you start at doing...and what are you up to now?

I walk in my neighborhood almost every day...probably about 3/4 mile (and its up and down some hills).

i do have a treadmill and spin bike, but out of bordem I don't use it. I'd rather be outside while its nice out. Tue, my kids start school and I'm thinking of either going back to the gym and/or taking some yoga classes.

But...either way, I want to do some exercising on my own....so I was going to start out with 10 mins on the treadmill and 10 mins on my spin bike. Do you think that's too much? I don't use resistence on the bike...and I don't walk very fast...about 3.0 (I have long legs...I'm 5'7")

and by the way----I'm tolerating more tv and computer time.

That's great to hear wtrpk!

The Buffalo exercise program is based on getting you to regularly exercise at a heart rate that doesn't exacerbate your symptoms. This is based on how you perform on an exercise stress test given by the folks at UBuffalo. I think the test is well-documented in several other posts on the forum.

Based on my test results and my age-determined maximum heart rate, I ended up starting with ~20 minutes of exercise 3x a week at a heart rate of 160bpm. Post-relapse, I am now down to doing this at a heart rate of 130bpm.

Initially I chose to do the program on the elliptical machine, but I now use the recumbent bike. Choice of equipment was just personal preference and working around my current and pre-existing injuries. For example, I could not run or use a treadmill because the impact aggravated my symptoms.

I am not sure I can recommend any specific program for you. Personally, I think you're fine if you're doing an activity you enjoy that raises your heart rate and doesn't aggravate your symptoms. Go on those long outdoor walks! It's a beautiful time of year, and being outside is better than being stuck in a smelly gym. :)