New here and scared
 

Hi everyone,

I was in a near fatal car accident on May 14, 2012. A heroin addict driving highway speeds in a 30 zone went over the yellow lines and hit me head on. I was bleeding from my nose even though it wasn't broken (from my head hitting the steering wheel or airbag). I don't know/can't remember how I got out of the car. I had to have my spleen removed and my hand is broken in 2 places. I thought getting through the surgery and occupational therapy would be the worst of it and I could move on. But I have now been diagnosed with PCS and will be seeing a neurologist in 2 days.

I am an 8th grade English teacher and I was taking two online classes (which I have been told by a doctor to drop them). Every time I read something academically challenging or for my job I get extreme headaches. I call them "moving headaches" because they start in one spot and then move all around (top of head, base of skull, 2 spots where they back of my glasses press lightly against it, front of head, behind my eyes, etc). I have extreme fatigue and besides sleeping 12 hours a night, I also take naps during the day.

I just don't feel like my old self. I'm getting help for the PTSD. But when I go out for a walk with my husband and 15 month old son, I feel so ancient. I get tired and sore all over. It's been about 6 weeks from the accident and now I feel sore in my neck, back, and upper abdomen. I don't know why I hurt there now when I didn't for a month after the accident.

I worry about how this will effect the rest of my life. I used to be in excellent shape, health, etc. Working in a high pressure/stressful job is part of my identity. I worry I won't be able to handle it when I go back in the fall.

I feel angry a lot because I almost died, my car was totaled, and now I have PCS. Meanwhile the guy who did this to me was not injured, was underinsured, and is now driving a newly leased vehicle. The cops really dropped the ball big time in my case (but they are in the middle of a huge investigation for incompetency for other things). It's all just so frustrating.

Any tips for what I can do in the meantime besides "rest?" What can I expect at my first neurologist appointment?

Welcome to Neurotalk. I am so sorry to hear about your accident.

I wouldn't get your hopes up for the neurologist appointment; they're often not that helpful. But there are a lot of other specialists, and perhaps your neurologist can give you a referral--maybe to someone who specializes in migraines.

One thing you can do besides rest is to inform yourself about PCS as much as you can. This site is one of the best places to do that. You can check out the "helpful links" sticky at the top of the forum, as well as the "success stories" if you are feeling like this will never end.

There are a number of little things you can do to enhance the recovery process, such as eating a good diet and taking the right supplements. There are a number of threads here that discuss diet and supplements. Some basic tips are to avoid caffeine, alcohol, refined sugar, and all artificial additives. As much as possible, eat unprocessed foods--especially blueberries, colored vegetables (different colors indicate different antioxidants), eggs (the yolks have Choline), and nuts (especially walnuts, almonds pumpkin seeds, flax seeds, etc.). In general, be sure to get enough protein and omega 3 fatty acids.

See here:

http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/thread165807.html

Some of the most important supplements are B12, B6, Folate, Magnesium, Vitamin C, Vitamin D3, Omega 3 fatty acids (available in fish oil, flax seed oil, etc.), acetyl l-carnitine, and branch-chain amino acids (BCAAs).

As much as possible, try to ration your audio and visual stimulation and take frequent breaks--especially since your headaches are so problematic. Avoid bright lights and loud noises, wear sunglasses, turn down your screen brightness (for PCs, hold down 'FN' in the bottom left and tap 'F6'), etc. You can also download a simple software program called f.lux that is very easy to install and takes the blue light out of your screen after sunset. You can easily adjust the settings so that it always takes out the blue light.

http://stereopsis.com/flux/

Most importantly, hang in there, be patient, and do not give up. The healing process may take months.

Thanks, Xanadu00 for your speedy reply! I will definitely check out the links and look into supplements. I try to eat as healthy as possible, but I am really off foods at the moment. I have no appetite and sometimes I take bites and just want to spit it out. I had less food aversions when I was pregnant! But I'll keep working on it.

Also, check with your car insurance to see if you have uninsured/underinsured motorist protection. If you do, you may still be able to get a settlement.

I am so sorry this happened to you! I hope that you find the help you need and Xanadu00 is right, there are lots of threads/links here to help! I do a lot of "thread lurking" that seems to help (when you are able to read more, of course).

Please keep us posted on your recovery/ efforts. :grouphug:

Hi and welcome. Sorry to hear about the accident and it's certainly a justifiable anger since it wasn't your fault. That said, being angry won't change anything, and a negative emotional state may be detrimental to your emotional recovery.

I too had a near fatal accident, and I had to go through a lot of changes, physically, cognitively, emotionally. I also have a professional career that I was away from for six months.

I tried to always maintain my sense of hope and gratitude. I was grateful to still be alive, and for the surgeons, doctors, nurses and therapists who were there to enable my recovery. I remain grateful to family and friends who helped me recover. So I guess my suggestion for your “what can I do besides rest” question is to realize it could have been worse, realize you are early in your recovery, and people do recover. My neurosurgeon told me a few weeks after I was released from the hospital “I didn’t tell your family this the night of the accident, but I didn’t think you were going to make it”. Yet here I am, back to work, and looking forward to the rest of my life. Miracles in recovery indeed happen. I wish the very best to you as you continue your recovery journey.

:hug: