Overstimulation and headache/facial pain/ anyone experience this? P
 

Hi my TBI familia!

I've been working at minimal hours the last few weeks, taking brain breaks, managing my symptoms etc and all has been going surprisingly well! Still having some glitches but that's expected.

My question is- today- I became overstimulated doing some simple math on an excel sheet. My whole day was a rough one after that and I began having an extreme headache and a ton of facial pain near my nose and under my eyes. It was so intense I had to lay down for 3 hours! after work.

Also had major tinnitus in my left ear that was as loud as if I had just come back from a concert.

As you all know who make strides forward, it seems the setback days are hard to deal with. Have any of you had this issue? And how have you coped/ managed your pain?

Thanks!
Dots

Were you in a bad posture while doing the math? Stress on the neck?

I have to work in excel everyday doing some pretty complex analytical work. There's probably a few things going on but if you're having trouble thinking through some simple math problems you probably aren't ready for the computer yet. I made the mistake of trying to push through this and ended up with some new and more serious symptoms. Do you have trouble focusing and tracking things? If so yo should be working on extraocular movements like saccades, anti-saccades, and smooth pursuits. If you aren't familiar with these look them up!

Right there with you on the math and the tinnitus...it's so unnerving.

Once the day starts a downward spiral I think we need to listen and adjust, yet that rarely happens. Glad you are easing back in to work.

I'm at the other end of the spectrum and finally applied for disability-- not sure how I am going to react, but we shall see.

I had debilitating left facial pain for a number of months. With time, nutrition, a vitamin regimen, light exercise, naproxen 500 and nortryptyline the pain eventually turned into a pressure sensation and after a few more months now a numbness sensation I get on my left cheekbone/temple. I'm coping with the general numbness sensation at the moment almost daily but hey it's better than pain. Hang in there, pain symptoms can get better :)

Dots,

I have the same setbacks at times now which means I am moving forward too.

I try to remind myself that I got over it before and it will pass again. Some days take more convincing than others.

Bud

Dots,

It just dawned on me. Here is Idaho, the low humidity frequently gives me sinus or face head aches. Add some PCS from over-doing it and the face head aches magnify. I often sit next to a vaporizing humidifier to reduce these face head aches.

Thanks Guys!

Seabass- I'd be interested in your nutrition program if you don't mind sharing!

Jbuck- I usually am sitting down- legs crossed on a hard stool (ikea stool) kinking my neck to the right so I can look left at my coworkers. This could be the reason. I'll be more mindful of my position!

Hockey- I've been able to do math lately, it seems that it's the double screens I have, looking back and forth at them to put info into the excel sheet on the left screen- and I do have trouble following moving objects and really have to work on focusing my eyes. Sometimes I feel the focusing and refocusing can cause some headache pain. Let me know what these exercises you are doing for your saccades as I do have them quite bad especially as symptoms get worse and my day gets harder.

Bud- thanks! You're always so encouraging!

Grace- let us know how the disability works! What a chance to reinvent yourself and start an Etsy account doing something fun and crafty- you are amazing at words - as I've found through the game chat!

Mark- I never thought of that! Since the accident I have a slight deviated septum and man oh man every morning I'm in huge pain- then have to smile in the mirror for 5 minutes to gear myself up for the day. I think I'll go buy a humidifier and see if it makes a difference! Thanks! And so great meeting you!

-guys Mark is awesome and as kind and knowledgeable in person as in the forum rooms!

I'll try some suggestions and see if it improves. Man PCS is a real PITN (pain in the neck!)

-Dots

Could PITN also mean Pain In The Nether-regions ? LOL

Dots,

A steamy shower in the AM may help. It usually does for me.

I have a Vicks vaporizing humidifier that only hold about a gallon of water but is easy to refill.

Heck yea it could! I was trying to be PG!

Vicks! Smart idea - gracias!!