Thank You for your stories
 

Hi everyone, Thank you so much for sharing your stories of hope and of the struggles with PCS. Because of this forum I have learned I am not crazy. I have learned why I couldn't follow/read emails at work & why I started with the anxiety/panic attacks & ADD type symptoms.

I suffered my latest concussion in April 2013 and now I am struggling with PCS...constant headaches, eye pain, some vision issues, dizziness, light/noise sensitivities, difficulties with attention, reading & following conversations, depression, anxiety & panic and sleep problems.

I tripped at work and apparently bounced my head on the concrete floor. I do not remember the actual fall but I did suffer whiplash. I have been to a neurologist who referred me to Physical therapy who I believe thinks the eye problems & headaches are from the whiplash. We'll see.

My workman's comp doctor prescribed Lexapro which seems to help with the emotional issues I am living with.

Welcome to NT.

While all brain injuries are different, many of us recover fully or substantially. While it may now seem like a long time since your injury, as brain injuries go yours is fairly recent. I saw significant progress cognitively and emotionally in the 3 to 6 month window after my accident, which I largely credit to physical, occupational and speech therapy. I was able to return to work six months after my injury.

You have found a good place for support, continue to ask questions and please share your successes and frustrations on your recovery journey.

Best to you.

:grouphug:

jazz,

What have you tried to help with the anxiety and emotional issues ?

Lexapro so soon after your injury may mask symptoms that are important to understand from an unmedicated state.

You are very early in your recovery. You should be focusing on getting quiet rest. You should also read the Vitamins sticky thread at the top. It has some good links at the bottom of the first post.

Are you back at work ? What is your work load and environment like ?

You stated this was your latest concussion. How many concussion have you suffered ? Do you have a contact sport history ?

Concussions in your history need to be considered as you make choices about pursuing your recovery. You may recover spontaneously or you may struggle due to your history. Nobody can predict but your history can explain some of your struggle.

My best to you.

Thanks Mark,

I had never heard of PCS until a friend mentioned that I might be suffering from post concussion symptoms. I didn't start on the Lexapro until the middle of May when I went back to the doctor. Until then I had been working 40-50 hours a week. And failing miserably!

I suffered a concussion in 1998 with a loss of consciousness for a few seconds and have been rear ended (mva) twice since then. I have been out of work since the middle of May with an anticipated return to work date of 7/8.

I am/was a retail store manager so my work is stressful-reading & responding to emails, phones, bright lights, overhead music, deadlines, quotas, etc. Before I went out of work words in the emails would melt into each other and it seemed my brain was 10 minutes behind on conversations which increased the anxieties I was having.

I have read the vitamin sticky & I will be purchasing some vitamins when I get my next workman's comp check. I am resting and getting outside for a walk 3 times a day when my dog signals me its time for a walk.

At this point in my recovery I find grocery stores overwhelming and the nausea returns and my brain shuts down. Ice and a nap helps. It still takes a while to write emails-can't seem to find the right words and as I reread this post I see that my thoughts are still a bit scattered.