Post concussion advice
 

Hi everyone, I am new to the site & looking for advice.

I fell and hit the back of my head on 24 February this year. I have seen a few doctors in my local surgery but the most recent one has said that I have pcs.

Initially I had really bad nausea & light headed detached feeling. My symptoms now are particularly feeling like I am on an emotional roller coaster. I can get through a couple of days but then feel really down. I cannot stay up late in the evening my head usually starts to hurt late afternoon. I mostly describe this feeling as being hit on the back of the head with a sledgehammer. Sometimes this can last all day.

I am currently off work but want to try & go back part time.

Does anyone else work with pcs & any advice on how to manage symptoms?

Thankyou

try and go back part time. just rest more when you are at home. working will kill the time until you recover.

It depends
 

I've seen a few people on the site say that they didn't get better until they went back to work, but I had the opposite experience. I could not get better until I stopped working. I worked for a long time before I went on disability, and it was only after months and months on disability that I saw a big improvement. You could try to go back to work, but prepare yourself for taking more time off if you feel you're getting worse rather than better.

I am back at work, but had to take 5 months off until I was ready.

I firstly started 1 day a week, then two days a week, before staying at 3 days a week for two months. It needs to be a phased return, where you also gradually increase your hours.

I have been working 4 days for the past month, and things are going ok. I am about to take my first holiday next week.

I just need to pace myself because too much reading and computer work gives me sore eyes. If I push myself too hard I will also fatigue and be less effective at my job.

If you are still having the symptoms you describe I would perhaps stay off work for a longer period if you can.

Do you do full days? My inititial return is 10-2 as I thought at least I can come home & rest. My doctor has said to be prepared to come off sick again if its too much.

I just get so frustrated not doing much, which in turn affects my mood.

Thankyou

Currently I am working 8am to 6pm with 30 lunch break Mon, Tues, Thurs and 8 to 2 Wednesday.

Then off Fri, Sat, Sun.

I know it is boring being off work, but don't rush back until you are at least 90% better!

Travel,

Returning to work has many facets to consider. Working, becoming exhausted and symptomatic then returning home to rest will not likely have a good long term outcome. It would be better to try to reduce the stress of the work you do so you are not fatigued when you go home.

Fatigue acts against recovery. Finding that level of effort that does not cause fatigue and a return of symptoms take individual observation. There are signs that you are pushing the limits. Feeling like you need to strain to focus your eyes is often the first. Needing to reread a sentence or even a label is evidence of fatigue. Misunderstanding somebody's verbal comments is also a sign.

What kind of job do you have ? Is the environment quiet ? Are there lots of voices ? These all can impact how you can return to work.

Please feel free to tell us all about your situation. We have heard it all before.

btw, There is a saying here, If you have seen one brain injury, you have seen ONE brain injury. This means that any comparisons need to be taken very carefully. Your response to your injury can be totally different that someone else who appears to have suffered a similar injury.

My best to you.

I must admit I am finding it very hard to recognise what triggers the fatigue. It seems like some days I do next to nothing & I'm exhausted, where as other days I can keep fairly busy.

I am a travel agent, they have agreed for me to go back on lighter duties, so should be less stress. I love my job & really miss it.

The trouble with fatigue is that it is cumulative, therefore a busy time the day before can result in a fatigue the following day. Fatigue can creep up on you from nowhere unfortunately, even after an excellent nights sleep, but it has multiple causes.

Hi Travel,
One of the things that really bothers me is looking at computer screens. So that may be a consideration for you in going back to work. I have been to a neuro-optamologist and use prismatic glasses which I find to be an enormous help. I would read Concussed scientists threat on "Thinks I wish I had known..." It is one of the threads at the top of the screen when you first get into the TBI site.
I work part time.
Good luck.
Concussed lawyer