Helping or Hurting?
 

I am at a loss right now!

My mentallity is to push through the fatigue in order to reach my goal of recovering.

Where do you draw the line?

I have been playing the "recovery card" for over three months.

i did very little excersize and i tried to have as much quiet rest as possible.

I just tried to golf with my father and after just nine holes i am completly drained.

keep in mind i am someone who used to work out every singe day. Before my First concussion in September, i was in excellent shape. Since then its been on a constant decline.

I went to the gym on Friday, did 20 minutes of stair climber and all weekend my legs felt like they were going to fall off.

I have had two CT scans of head and one of neck. i have had an MRI of brain and Spine and several blood tests. ALL CAME BACK NORMAL.

Is it normal to always doubt that this is PCS and assume that i ahve something more seriouse?

Being so tired after golf makes me automatiically assume that i ahve some other neurological desease andn t\hen my mind starts racing out of control.

I AM SO ****** RIGHT NOW!

IS THIS EVER GOING TO END? SOMEONE PLEASE TAKE MY ANXIETY AWAY!

BTW, Since Friday i have been getting decent sleep and i am two weeks into taking all my vitamins.

Vitamins are B complex, multi and omega

I wish I had answers for you. It can be so frustrating dealing with all of the symptoms. I'm dealing with my 2nd concussion as well (one month out) and am struggling right now. I hate watching my family go through this again well.

Just wanted to offer up support as this can be a lonely journey.

I think you are trying too hard. 20 minutes on a stair climber is intense.

"My mentallity is to push through the fatigue in order to reach my goal of recovering."

You are not rebuilding injured muscles. If you sense the very beginning of fatigue, take a break, even if it is only momentary as in a "stop and think" break.

Your brain has its own schedule of recovery. You can not force it. You should add D3 and B-12 to your regimen and maybe some magnesium. Nutrition is a long term aid to your brain's effort to recover.

You should try to learn how to recognize mental fatigue and separate it from physical fatigue. Those first moments of mental fatigue need to be recognized so you can take those short breaks.

It is more of a learning process that push through effort.

My best to you.

not uncommon
 

My neuro psychologist told me that most of the people she has seen that take a long time to feel more normal with PCS are type A personalities. (she doesn't use the word "recover" and believes we have to accept a new normal)

I am one of those types! I fought back to normal with Fibromyalgia, worked all the way through cancer diagnosis and treatment, had ran a half marathon and was training for a full, rode 65 km on the day of my accident like it was nothing....One of the biggest things holding us back is our amazing strength and drive to always want to push through it and fight back.

Stopping and resting is the only thing that will allow the brain to heal. I currently can not walk for 5 minutes because any movement causes dizziness, headache, blurred vision, etc. I am doing 10 minutes a day on a stationary bike. I am mentally and physically exhausted after that. Big difference from 6 1/2 months ago.

Sorry I'm having a bad day and I'm not sure if I said this right but my point is that what you are describing is totally normal for PCS and I wouldn't be worried you have something else going on. I think its amazing you could even consider golfing at 3 months!

As long as your doctor knows all your symptoms I would relax about anything else going on. Don't search stuff on the internet too much! Its amazing what diseases you can be certain you have!!!

Man I hope this made sense..... wishing everyone restorative sleep and a good day tomorrow!

CC

Mark is correct. Think of your recovery as a marathon. You would not try to do a half marathon before building up to it. PCS is the same, take small steps, if your pcs symptoms flare it is a sure sign you over did it.

Similar time frame
 

Hi there. I'm just coming up on 3 months post injury too.

I was working out 4 or 5 times a week and was at the top of my game, eating right, working hard, had dropped 45 pounds, had quit smoking, felt in the best shape of my life at the ripe old age of 39. Everything was pretty much awesome career wise and health wise. Then I got hurt in a stupid slip and fall like I'm suddenly 80 years old.

I'm a stubborn person too so I relate to you there. I wanted to return to work three days after getting hurt. (I'm glad I was not allowed to!)

My point in posting is just to say, you're not alone in your dismay when you keep discovering you're still not ok. I have a similar reaction every single day. And when I push a bit on good days, I learn pretty quick that I'm still hurt.

Sometimes it's all I can do not to say, "ok life is over now. Life as I knew it will never come back." Those are the despairing days/moments.

In the denial moments, on the other end of the spectrum, I believe I'll heal any day now, after all it's been three months!

Somewhere in the middle seems to be the reality and its different for everyone. I don't think there are enough stories of recovery to satisfy my anxiety. One good story out of ten bad ones isn't great odds...

Self care lives in the middle of these two extremes. I'm learning what it looks like. Sounds like you are the driven type; maybe channel that passion for recovery into passion for self care. We can create the environment for healing but we can't speed it along.

There is a lot of great advice for self care in these forums. And venting/reaching out for support seems encouraged! I'm glad I found this place.

Best wishes to you.

at a loss
 

I think you have had some great replies here. My only thought is one from my neurologist who is also a physiologist. He really recommends "breaks". So that may mean in the short term you goon a stationary bike for 10 mins, take a break for 5; then go at it again. I find pushing through it makes things worse for me. I'm still working so sometimes I can't avoid that. But when I feel the fatigue coming on I just stop. Sit on the couch, take a nap if it is really bad. And I try not to overdo on the good days.

Feeling better all ready.
 

Thanks for the great replies here. i truly feel better all ready.

I am a 'type A " personality and dealing with my stubborn Ego and recent onset of Anxiety (never had anxiety before PCS) Continues to act as a powederkeg sometimes.

This website has continues to help me breath and take a step back.

Thanks Again.

Me again :) You're breathing comment reminded me that another thing us type A personalities can do to slow down is to meditate. Try it! You don't even have to believe in it and it will help. Mindfulness meditation also helps to train the brain for concentration which is an added bonus!

I was having a lot of anxiety and depression around the 4 and 5 month mark and meditating has helped create more calm space before the anxiety or depressed thoughts can take hold.

I am (slowly) reading Jon Kabat-Zinn's book FullCatastrophe Living. He also has guided Cds if you would prefer to go that route. I'm sure there are other good ones out there too this is just the one my neuro psych recommend s.

If you are really interested.... he does weekend and weeklong retreats where you don't talk the whole time you're there! We'd all probably come out healed after a week of silence, healthy food, no stress and meditating!

Ok that's it for me....