Back to work
 

Hi

It's now two and a half years since my injury. I was discharged from specialist care 8 months ago. Last September I returned to work, having had a career break peppered with volunteering while my children were pre-schoolers and I had PCS.

I'm teaching part time, 5 afternoons a week. My symptoms have worsened since I started this job (I teach young children, am main carer of my 6 and 7 year olds, and run the home with my partner working long hours and is away a lot). Although they are not debilitating, they are noticeable and do concern me.

I keep meaning to take vit B supplements but is it too late for them to have a genuine restorative effect? Am I doing too much or is it ok to push a bit? My specialist said it's ok to do so in that the benefits of leading a fulfilling life do have a positive effect etc.

I agree and I do love my job, but do not want to cause even longer term damage or delay full recovery by working (I am lucky enough to not be entirely financially dependant on what I am currently earning through this job).

Any shared experiences, insights would be gratefully received.

x

Anything you can do to give your brain optimal functioning power will be helpful, including B vitamins.

I'm also back to work part time, and I found that, like most things, it took a while for my brain to "break in" to the new activity. I'm having to rebuild the teaching pathways in my brain gradually. This can lead to increased symptoms and fatigue. Pushing past them is okay and even good as long as they don't become too overwhelming. As I do so, they get less and less over time.

Do take it easy in other areas if you can -- try not to overload yourself too much at work and home and volunteering all at once, for instance!

Good luck!

You said, "I keep meaning to take vit B supplements but is it too late for them to have a genuine restorative effect? Am I doing too much or is it ok to push a bit? My specialist said it's ok to do so in that the benefits of leading a fulfilling life do have a positive effect etc."

It is never too late to take good brain health supplements. They are not for healing only. They are to help your brain tolerate stress. in other words, They do not cause healing directly. They create a healthy condition where your brain can heal easier.

Only you can tell how much pushing your brain can tolerate. This is a skill you need to acquire. Understanding the little triggers and little 'pre-symptoms' will help you learn this skill. If you find yourself needing to put extra effort to remember or understand a issue, you have likely pushed too hard. The goal should be to learn to organize your life so you don't need to try to multi-task.

Little steps to stop or reset from a trigger can make a big difference.

For example, with your students, you can teach them to be magic rocks or silent rocks or what ever they like to call it. When they are getting too loud, you call out, silent rock. The first to get on the floor in a silent ball like a rock wins. Notice who is last and next time, give them a hint to be ready for silent rock.

There are many variations of these games to get the kids focused and quiet. Those few moments of quiet may be just enough to help you regain your focus and prevent an overload.

Your brain will thank you and your 6 and 7 year old will like it better when you come home in one piece.

My best to you.

I've just come back from a holiday at altitude and had serious vertigo the next day. The change in pressure and some skiing has added to the 'strain' I am putting my brain under.

I've resorted to low activity and rests in the day to keep myself well and let my brain recover.

I appreciate, as always, your support and advice. I intend to start the B vits and keep my classes ticking over in a way that leaves me 'in one piece' - I like your 'silent rock' idea which I will add on to my techniques for a bit of variety!

Wishing you all a wonderful day.

Ali B.

Wow! I am impressed with your ski trip. You said that your symptoms came back though, is this a headache or foggy type symptoms? Thank you.

P.S. I also agree that it is never too late to start taking vitamins. A poster recommend here the Garden of Life B complex and It has helped me.

I've been to the Alps 3 times since my injury. The first time was only 5 months after my injury and I hardly skied at all and felt dreadful afterwards, more dizzy and fatigued. It took me 3 weeks to get back to where I was before the trip.

The second time was a year on from that, and it went much better. I made sure I looked after myself with good diet and sleep and came home with some worse fatigue but I'd say it only took a week of more rest to get over the journey and extra physical skiing activity.

This year I went to bed late a couple of evenings and did participate more in the skiing, and some wine drinking! This left me with headaches and some dizziness with a bad attack of vertigo on one day I was crashed into on the slopes then on the day after I got home.

This week I'm resting more and I must say I feel pretty good, despite some mild headaches, though I'm prone to those anyway.

Re fogginess, that comes and goes and I don't really think it got worse from my ski trip.

Thanks for supporting the advice re B vits. I need to check what I get in my daily Berroca tablet and add possibly add on to that.

Ali B

A multi vitamin will not have adequate B's. A B-50 complex plus a B-12 (1000 mcgs) is a good start. The B-complex is for the broad spectrum of B's but is usually short on the B-12 (50 mcgs) A B-12 liquid may be good. Many people do not absorb B-12 well so taking a large does may be helpful. You can get an easy blood test for B-12 and folate. It can help you understand how you body is absorbing B-12. D3 (5000 iu) is also important.

Keep in mind that the B's will help you tolerate the various stress from your job and life.

Thanks. That's very good advice.